By Cecille Santillan-Visto
Concert Review
Cosmic Celebration: Klook PH Turns 2
Sept. 7
World Trade Center
A TIE-UP between Klook and Korean pop may appear like an unlikely partnership. One is an online provider of various in-destination services while K-pop is the entertainment genre that has captured the fancy of audiences worldwide.
But as travel app Klook promises that its “experts all over the world uncover and curate the best experiences everyday,” the collaboration between the company and Korean entertainment to bring about a Hallyu high works hand-in-glove.
When Klook Philippines recently celebrated its second anniversary, it was evident that Klook and K-pop are a perfect fit. Klook’s corporate mission is “to connect travelers with experiences they want and need.” For K-pop fans, seeing their idols in the flesh is the ultimate experience.
For hundreds of fans of Monsta X and Weki Meki, the Cosmic Celebration: Klook PH Turns 2 held at the World Trade Center on September 7 provided the opportunity to be part of a mini-concert and fan meeting with these up-and-coming K-pop groups. There was no need to travel all the way to Seoul to see two of Korea’s hottest bands.
Monsta X and Weki Meki returned to the Philippines to be part of Cosmic Celebration. The six-member Monsta X was here in November 2016 for the Manila leg of their first Asian fan meeting in November 2016 while the eight ladies of Weki Meki were part of the MBC Show Champion in Manila in October last year.
It was a fun evening for the Monbebes, Monsta X’s fans, and the Ki-Lings, the fandom name of Weki Meki as the two group took time to interact with their fans while performing some of their latest and biggest hits.
Weki Meki (pronounced “Wee key mee key”) means eight ladies who each holds the key to a whole new world. Comprised of Ji Su Yeon, Elly, Choi Yoo Jung, Kim Do Yeon, Sei, Lua, Rina, and Lucy, Weki Meki sang seven songs opening with the upbeat “Picky” from their album Lock End LOL.
Although leader Su Yeon joined them on stage, she sat during the numbers as she was suffering from an unspecified leg injury. As she was mainly the group’s vocal group, she nonetheless managed to sing with Weki Meki.
Wearing matching white skimpy ensembles, there were minor adjustments in their choreography. They were able to pull off their dance routines sans Su Yeon. Their set list also included “True Valentine,” which they also sang during Show Champion in Manila. Most applauded is “Tiki-Taka (99%),” which the rookie group heavily promoted in Korean music shows last month. The Fantagio Entertainment talents also sang “Crush,” “Iron Boy,” “La” and “Whatever U Want.”
“The last time we were in the Philippines, the crowd was as hot as this! Now that we are back, we see that our fans are even wilder, and we miss this,” said Su Yeon.
Weki Meki, who celebrated their second anniversary in August, also played the “spaghetti” game with eight selected fans, who they fed with pasta while blindfolded.
For Monsta X, the show was a relatively short but nonetheless sweet.
As usual, the group dished out a power-packed performance, opening with “Shoot Out” and following it with “Mohae” (“What Are You Doing?”) which the group singled out as their favorite song.
The group from Starship Entertainment composed of Shownu, Wonho, Minhyu, Kihyun, Hyungwon, I.M, and Jooheon recently rose to international fame after being picked as the newest Pepsi endorsers. They also came to Manila fresh from their sold-out show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was part of the group’s We Are Here tour in the US.
They also boast of collaborations with Steve Aoki and French Montana this year, and appearances in Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“It’s fun to spend some time with our Filipino fans. We will try our best to come often and to stage a solo concert,” said Wonho, responding the clamor from the audience for Monsta X to hold a full concert in Manila.
The group was visibly relaxed during their set, taking advantage of the chance to interact with the fans, who were very close to the stage. In the slow rock, “Baek Seoltang” (“White Sugar”) they spent a good part time waving and posing for photos.
The fan chants in “Dramarama” and “Fallin’” were so loud. The members were so ecstatic at the warm reception that they cheerfully doused water to the hyped crowd. Kihyun, who was nursing a rib fracture, skipped the dance numbers.
At the end of the performance, VIP ticketholders were treated to a hi-touch session with the septet.
During the Ask Monsta X Q&A portion, the members also answered some of the questions submitted by fans. When asked, Hyungwon, who was sporting long curly locks which surprised fans, said one of his most memorable moments with his members was the recent trip to Jeju Island to film.
The Klook Cosmic Celebration was quite heavenly with Korean stars making the event literally glittery. With the online platform now offering events and concerts of varying genres, not just K-pop, there are more reasons for fans to book with Klook.
