Heart meets stage at Minho’s first concert in Manila
The comfort in stanning someone like SHINee’s Minho is his dependability. You never have to wonder if he’ll rise to the occasion.
He does—unfailingly—not out of obligation, but because he holds himself to a standard even higher than what the audience demands. The discipline is his own.
SHINee, as a group, has long been known for delivering all-out performances, with members expected to sing and rap while executing punishing choreography. It’s become their signature—a standard they set in the industry, one that many idols after them have tried to follow. As a solo artist, Minho holds himself to that same high bar.
Shawols (the SHINee fandom) and Flamers (Minho’s fans) alike tried to match his energy when he brought his very first solo concert, “MEAN: Of My First,” to Manila on March 16 at the New Frontier Theater. This was the final stop of his tour after visiting Japan, Taiwan, and Macau. The show was produced by L-Squared Productions.
Longevity
He held a press conference at Novotel in Araneta City a few hours before his concert, where he answered a question from Super. We asked: What’s the secret to his career’s longevity? After all, as part of SHINee, he debuted almost 17 years ago.
“I don’t think there’s a secret. I just want to show my true self, and I think many people will like that. I want to continue to show my true self, to be honest and not to lie,” he told the press. “For the future as well, I will just be true to myself, be transparent and honest, so that the fans will also appreciate my side as an artist.”
He opened the show with an R&B-pop ballad, “Would You Mind,” which immediately highlighted his smooth, controlled dance moves while also giving space for his vocals to take the spotlight. As an opener, it set the tone for the rest of the show.
He followed up with “Affection,” before shifting to a more upbeat tempo with “Came and Left Me.” For the first three numbers, he wore an all-black ensemble—a gauzy, long-sleeved top paired with tailored pants. It added sleek, understated drama to his already commanding stage presence.
But then “Fireworks” came on—and suddenly, he was in a glittery jacket that caught the light. A costume change done in seconds. He switched up the mood with “Round Kick” which had sharper rhythm, giving Minho space to lean into more powerful choreography.
“My first concert has a lot of music and dances that I like,” he told the crowd. “I really like the hot energy of the Philippines.”
Truly different
The crowd began chanting his name, their voices rising with every beat from the live band.
Minho smiled, praising his fans once again for their energy, saying the Filipino crowd was truly different.
If he thought the crowd was being extra, that’s only because they know him. Like a player on a soccer field, Minho thrives on energy. He likes feeding off the cheers and roars of an adoring crowd. And the fans gave them all to him.
He took note and gratefully praised them once again. The fans’ love was impossible to miss. Multiple fan projects caught his eye at the venue, including a hand banner and the sea of blue pompoms that waved enthusiastically as he performed. It was a coordinated display of affection that clearly moved him.
After the show, Minho shared photos on Instagram of the gifts fans had prepared for him behind the scenes, including a snack bar decorated with his squirrel character Daraming. The character had multiple iterations, each one dressed in traditional Filipino attire such as a barong Tagalog, salakot, and camisa de chino. He also took notice of another clever detail: a football field that doubled as a snack board, a nod to his well-known love for the sport.
On their feet
Naturally, he had high expectations of the crowd. He asked everyone to stand for “Chase,” the title track of his solo album with the same name. The audience gladly complied—and even chose to remain standing for the next set of songs, despite Minho telling them it was okay to sit down.
Everyone stayed on their feet for “Call Back,” “Slow Down,” “I Don’t Miss You,” and “Runaway.”
Undeniably, one of the highlights of the show was “Something About U,” where he showed off all his hard work at the gym by slowly taking off his jacket. He took his sweet time doing so, pausing between stanzas, nodding to the crowd before revealing his toned chest and abs that he had diligently worked hard to attain. It was pandemonium at the theater, and deservedly so.
Surprise number
As a surprise number, Minho performed SHINee’s “View.” It was a sentimental highlight for the Shawols in the audience. The performance revealed his softer, more affectionate side, too.
SHINee has achieved many milestones over the years, but perhaps their most enduring legacy is how they went through all their victories and hardships together like a family. During the high note originally sung by Jonghyun, Minho pointed to the sky—a wordless tribute to his late groupmate.
He performed a total of 21 songs in almost two hours. The set list for the show included “Prove It,” “I’m Home,” “Stay for a Night,” “Because of You,” “Waterfall,” and “Heartbreak.” For the encore, he started with “View” and “Body Rhythm” before performing “Choice,” and his unreleased self-written track, “You’re Right.”
It was a chill, feel-good set list—one that made you want to dance the night away. So it wasn’t really a chore for fans to stay standing for most of the show. The rhythm just pulled you in, made you bob your head, sway your hips, and forget the time. It was that kind of event.
In the end, there was “Mean of my First,” a love letter to the fans who have stood by him for nearly 17 years, to Shinee’s enduring legacy, and to the version of Minho that continues to grow, evolve, and give his all.
It was another event for Minho where he showed that his career was built not just on talent, but also on heart.
