Past, Present, Future: TAEYEON in All Tenses

From “I” to “Letter to Myself,” Kim Taeyeon has established her presence in the music scene in South Korea and globally. Beginning her journey as the Kid Leader of the nation’s pioneering girl group, Girls’ Generation, she gained fame while captivating audiences worldwide with her music and charisma. Taeyeon made her debut as a solo artist in 2015 with her track “I,” which shares the title with her album. Her remarkable vocal talent has won the affection of many SONES and Taengbbas, positioning her as one of the most in-demand solo artists in South Korea and beyond.

Fans gathered at the SM Mall of Asia Arena to celebrate the past, present, and future of music as Kim Taeyeon made her return to the Philippine stage for THE TENSE on March 29, 2025. With pastel pink lights illuminating the arena, cheers calling Taeyeon’s name resonated throughout the concert venue. Manila marked the third location on her concert tour and her third solo performance in the Philippines.

The Tense commenced with Taeyeon’s majestic entrance as she performed “Fabulous” from her album “To.X.” Walking down the platform, she greeted her fans, presenting them with “a masterpiece, a work of art” showcasing a decade of greatness on stage. Taeyeon also performed her debut single “I” alongside her recent release “Letter to Myself.” These tracks perfectly encapsulated both the past and present of Kim Taeyeon, reflecting her artistic growth and creativity within the music industry.

Taking a moment to address her fans, Taeyeon reintroduced herself, saying, “Kamusta?” as she made sure to acknowledge supporters from various sections of the arena. “I’m back here after two years. As far as I can remember, Manila is one of the best places for the best cheers [from fans].” Taeyeon voiced her heartfelt appreciation to everyone who attended her concert despite the unpredictable weather conditions. “From the very beginning, I want to thank you all for joining me tonight.”

Beautiful melodies, complemented by her talented five-man live band, filled the concert hall as Taeyeon enchanted the audience with her songs “Blue Eyes” and “Make Me Love You,” and delivered an exhilarating rendition of “Heaven” while dancing on stage.

“Close your eyes, feel the tense, and let it take you away,” was the message from Angel Laundry Shop in Heaven, guiding fans through the show, supplemented by a special VCR depicting Taeyeon as an angel. However, “cleanliness can fall into darkness,” leading to a segment illustrating the opposite of heaven, showcasing the madness and darkness of Taeyeon as a fallen angel.

Bold and fierce, Taeyeon launched into her next segment with “Hot Mess” and “Cold as Hell,” enhancing the performances on the extended stage that kept fans on the edge of their seats. After that, all attention shifted to Taeyeon as fans fell under the spell of her captivating rendition of “INVU.” The atmosphere turned mellow as SONES and Taengbbas listened to her songs “My Tragedy,” “Melt Away,” “To.X,” and “What Do I Call You,” sweeping them off their feet with her sweet yet powerful voice.

“This feels like a dream.” Taeyeon was astonished by her fans’ enthusiastic cheers and how Filipino fans knew the lyrics to Korean songs so well. “Yesterday at the hotel, it was quiet, but today, because of your loud cheers, it gives me so much energy to perform.” She also checked the crowd’s vibe and interacted with fans, particularly those with lights in the upper box area and those donned in egg suits and headdresses. “I think a lot of cute fans are here in Manila, which makes the vibe so much better.” The singer was deeply moved by her fans’ thoughtful gestures and preparations for her concert in Manila. “I think I’ll have such a good memory in Manila.”

The crowd erupted with excitement as the rave party commenced. Pink cloth sheets, organized by the local fan club union UNISONE PH, were lifted and waved by fans throughout Taeyeon’s set as she performed her hits “Weekend,” “Stress,” “Why,” and “Baram X3.” Both Taeyeon and her fans relished the upbeat medley. Following the joyful medley, she performed her emotional ballads “Four Seasons” and “Disaster.” She also sang “Ending Credits,” accompanied by a visualizer showcasing her journey in the music business, from her days as a trainee to leading SNSD, and eventually becoming a versatile solo artist. As she sang, fans waved their butterfly sticks, creating a stunning display of butterflies in the concert hall. Taeyeon concluded this segment with her tracks “Time Lapse,” “All for Nothing,” and “Blur.”

Support from fans was further displayed through their egg-shaped hand banners inspired by the peeled egg doll “TAENGGEU,” which Taeyeon designed herself for the concert merchandise. These banners were prominently held up during her rendition of “Curtain Call,” featuring the message “10 Years With Taeyeon Feels Like the Perfect Heaven.” Additionally, UNISONE PH unveiled a roll-down banner during this segment with the phrase “On your TENSE (tenth) year, there was still us that didn’t change. (너의 TENSE(10번째) 해에도 여전히 변하지 않은 우리가 있어).”

“Salamat po. Masaya ako.” Taeyeon felt her fans’ immense love and support through their loud cheers and impressive fan projects during the concert. “I feel good, and I hope you remember this for a very long time.” She also shared that she had a significant role in the direction of this concert tour celebrating her 10th solo anniversary, including the VCRs, confetti messages, merchandise, and the signature fragrance that filled the arena along with the confetti.

Given that the Philippines is known for its exceptional vocal talent, fans sang “11:11” while eagerly anticipating Taeyeon’s encore, their voices echoing throughout the arena. Eventually, Taeyeon returned for her final song and closed The Tense with “U R,” shining ever more beautifully like stars.

Taeyeon’s raw vocals, stunning movements, captivating storytelling through her music, and her decade-long dedication to the industry are the unique elements that contribute to her success as a solo artist. Kim Taeyeon’s past, present, and future are experiences that audiences have seen, are witnessing, and will continue to see as she progresses in her solo career. Indeed, The Tense was a spellbinding experience for both Taeyeon and her fans, creating an unforgettable moment of magic, bliss, the essence of existence, and perfection.

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TAEYEON – The TENSE in MANILA was presented by PULP Live World. Special thanks to PULP Live World.

Words by Vinny Real