The MOA Arena lit up in pearl aqua green last Saturday as Choi Minho returned to the Philippine concert stage!

SHINee’s Choi Minho made January 28 the luckiest day for Philippine Shawols with the staging of his first solo fan meeting in the country, 2023 BEST CHOI’s MINHO LUCKY CHOI’s IN MANILA, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Presented by Ovation Productions, the fan meeting event saw the singer-actor welcomed by colors of pearl aqua green on the very stage that last witnessed SHINee perform on the Philippine concert stage. Loud cheers enveloped the venue even before the official start of the event. The excitement heightened when the man of the hour came out, performing “Heartbreak” from his first solo album, Chase.

“Long time no see! SHINee’s Minho,” he greeted Philippine Shawols and added that he is happy to kick off his fan meeting tour in Manila and meet his local fans once again after so many years. 2023 BEST CHOI’s MINHO LUCKY CHOI’s fan meeting tour also included stops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Did you wait for a long time? Did you miss me? I miss you too so much!

Minho during his ment

Minho gamely interacted with fans and allowed them to get to know him better through the various segment prepared during the fan meeting. Indeed a lucky day for Philippine Shawols as a number of fans got to play games with their idol and win special prizes.

The crowd also witnessed him look handsome wearing a crown and a barong, a traditional Filipino clothing. The singer-actor remarked that it was his first time wearing barong and that he felt honored to be given such a chance. “This is meaningful to me,” he said. Completing his immersion into Filipino culture, he danced pandanggo, a Filipino folk dance.

I think I am the luckiest and the happiest when I get to go far distances to meet the people I love like you.

MINHO on when he feels the luckiest

The Fabulous actor also tried his hand at channeling the characters of Jang Uk from the Alchemy of Souls and Captain Yoo Si Jin from the Descendants of the Sun. He reenacted scenes from the dramas while in costume—much to the delight of the audience.

Minho then answered questions and took on challenges using song titles from his album Chase as keywords. The “Heartbreak” keyword got him doing a Philippine version of the choreography, with him settling with an adorable heart sign. For the next keyword, “Choice”, the SHINee member planned his tour choice for Philippine Shawols who will come to South Korea. He recommended going to Kwangya, a virtual world introduced by SM Entertainment as part of the SM Culture Universe, eating kimbap and samgyeopsal, and taking the trending four-cut photo.

Next up, for the keyword “Chase”, the singer-actor joined the dati-dati challenge which calls for dancing to Sarah Geronimo’s “Dati-Dati”. With one look into the choreography, he effortlessly completed the challenge—not once, but twice!

SHINee’s Minho takes on the Dati-Dati challenge! #SHINeeMinhoinManila2023 @ovationprod pic.twitter.com/P723MHyPDG

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) January 28, 2023

Truly in for the luckiest of nights, Shawols got a treat of live performances of “Runaway” and “Chase”. And preparing so much more for his fans, Minho took over the Philippine concert stage with a medley of SHINee’s songs which included “Atlantis” and “Don’t Call Me”. The thirst for a SHINee concert in the Philippines was evident even more as the cheers went louder and louder.

But Minho got you, Shawols! Before the fan meeting ended, the SHINee member said “Okay, I got it!” in response to the fans’ request, “We want SHINee World Concert VI in the Philippines!” Although the K-Pop group has visited the Philippines a couple of times, they have yet to hold a solo concert in the country. Keeping our fingers crossed that this wish becomes reality soon.

Minho ended his first solo fan meeting in Manila with “I’m Home” and a grateful heart to fans who patiently waited for his return. He promised to continue giving his best and meet Shawols once again with Onew, Key, and Taemin.

---

The 2023 BEST CHOI’s MINHO LUCKY CHOI’s IN MANILA was presented by Ovation Productions. Special thanks to Ovation Productions for the invite to the event.