As soon as the lights went out and a video played, showing EXO members Suho, Chen, Chanyeol, Kai, Baekhyun and Sehun, deafening screams by Filipino EXO-Ls could be heard inside the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday, 24 August.

Heavy rains nor traffic didn’t stop the fans from watching the multi-awarded K-pop group perform their second sold-out show, “ExplOration in Manila,” which was originally booked for only a day.

EXO opened the night with “Tempo,” the title track of their fifth album, Don’t Mess Up My Tempo. The boys then sang their chart-topping hits, some of which are “Monster,” “Transformer,” “Love Shot,” “Power,” “Overdose,” “Call Me Baby” and “Growl.”

The group’s first sub-unit, EXO-SC, composed of members Sehun and Chanyeol, performed “What a Life” and “Closer To You.” Meanwhile, Baekhyun, who debuted solo in July, performed “U.N. Village” from his EP City Lights.

EXO’s leader Suho delivered a magical number of their song “Been Through” for his solo stage. Kai, on the other hand, turned the house down with “Confession” while Chen, one of the group’s lead vocalists, wowed the audience with his amazing vocals while singing “Lights Out.”

EXO delivered an amazing three-hour concert, despite the absence of its two other members, Xiumin and Kyungsoo, who were drafted into South Korea’s compulsory military program earlier this year.

With the help of the translator, Sehun said the “Philippines is the country that we will always love to come back to.” He also learned a few Tagalog words such as walang uuwi (no one’s going home) and isa pa (one more time) while wrapping up his speech.

Before the stellar concert came to an end, the members asked Filipino EXO-Ls to anticipate their upcoming album slated to be released in late 2019.

“ExplOration in Manila” marks the group’s fourth concert in the Philippines, with Exo’luXIOn held in 2016, EXO’rDium in 2017 and ElyXion in 2018. ExplOration the concert series will make its next stop in Singapore on 15 September at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.