INFINITE EFFECT IN MANILA

(I don’t know where else I could put this so I decided to put it here.)

     So yeah, first of all, I would like to share my struggles before I was able to attend the concert. I just feel like I need to share it. Please feel free to skip this part. xD

     I really thought I wouldn’t be able to go to the concert for a couple of reasons. First, I was worried I didn’t have enough money to afford the ticket and transport because I live at the southern part of our country which is an archipelago and the only possible mode of transport from my city to Manila is a plane. Second, I have no one to accompany me since my friend told me she really couldn’t go. Also, I’ve never travelled alone before, I was worried my parents wouldn’t give me permission.

     It was only a week before concert day when I finally decided I couldn’t just let this opportunity go. I knew it was going to be one of the biggest what-if’s in my life if I just give up on it, without even trying. So I gathered all my courage, and money, and asked for permission. I was so determined to go that I was prepared to persuade my parents and give all the reasons why I would not take a ‘no’ for an answer, if ever they refused. Thank God my parents gave me the approval. They only asked a few questions and I answered everything truthfully. I guess they can see how sincere and firm I was, so they just supported me.

     Three days before the concert and I found some Inspirits from Twitter who lives in my city who are also going to the concert. I was able to befriend them because when we talked about Infinite, we just instantly clicked! They told me I could come with them if I would go there alone. (Awww.)

     Fast forward to concert day! I arrived at the Mall of Asia at around 1pm and met my newfound Inspirit friends. They told me they already saw some of the ‘fansite noonas’ (as what some Inspirits call them) and my friends had already bought some merch form them. I saw HoneyTree (Woohyun bias), TurningPoint (Sunggyu bias) and I think SpringRain (Dongwoo bias). I was looking for SpringFlowers (Sungjong bias) or any other fansite noona who sells Sungjong merch like fans, support banners, printed photos, etc., but unfortunately I wasn’t able to spot any.

     So we went on to get our free version A (Sungyeol) posters at the MOA Arena. We passed by the back entrance and saw some fans on the railings waiting for something.  We didn’t know right then and there that INFINITE was finally coming! Few minutes later and we heard some screams. A couple of large black vehicles started arriving and Inspirits went crazy! I screamed as well! I got to see their cars. xD I was contented with just being able to see their cars, but Hoya just had to open their car’s window!! I saw him and he waved at us. I also saw a glimpse of Woohyun’s blonde hair. I was so shocked that I cried on that spot. I would have been so embarrassed, if I wasn’t so happy at that time.

     During the queue, one Inspirit saw my friend’s shirt which had a print of the word Inspirit and the city we came from, she asked us if we really came all the way from there and I said yes and smiled. She just said ‘wow’ because she was amazed. Yeah, we crossed the seas just to see INFINITE!

     Onto the concert part. Their introductions were really heartwarming. They started by saying “Mabuhay, kami ang INFINITE” (“Long Live” or it can also be “Hello” we are INFINITE), then introduced themselves one by one saying “Mabuhay, ako si...” (Hello, I am...) followed by their names.

     The intros that were really special to me were from Myungsoo and Sungjong.  Myungsoo said “Mabuhay, ako ang iyong boyfriend” (Mabuhay, I am your boyfriend) and well, you know, the fans went wild. Then when it was Sungjong’s turn, he said “Mabuhay, ako ang iyong anghel, Sungjong” (Hello, I am your angel, Sungjong)… and I melted. He just told me he’s my angel! I suddenly remembered my recent oneshot where I wrote Sungjong as a guardian angel. He just confirmed that night that he really is an angel. (>.<)

     To be honest, I couldn’t remember the concert for the most part. I was overwhelmed by the fact that I am actually seeing and hearing them perform live. Just so you know, it was my first time ever to watch a Kpop concert. But what I do remember are the emotions that I felt during their performances. I was so happy and I was definitely having the time of my life.

     Their vocals were amazing. Their live singing along with a live band is even more wonderful than their recorded ones. Each of them sang their parts passionately. You can see how much effort they give in their performances just to provide fans with a remarkable show and it was indeed a remarkable one.

     I was hoping to see some moments from my ultimate OTP but as far as I can remember, there weren’t any MyungJong moments. But for WooGyu shippers, their ship was really sailing that night. There were a lot of cute interactions between Namu and Gyu and I’m pretty sure WooGyu shippers were really delighted. I’ve heard from some Inspirits who had been lucky to have a sound check pass that WooGyu were having a lot of moments even during the sound check.

     Their solo and subunit stages were excellent in each of their own. Woohyun and Sunggyu really deserve their titles as the main and lead vocals of INFINITE. The two power belters stood out in their solo stages, Woohyun with his song “Everyday” and Sunggyu with “Kontrol”. I’m still waiting for INFINITE V to happen!

     INFINITE H’s stage was cool and hot at the same time. Hoya and Dongwoo had really set up the hiphop mood. Though Hoya couldn’t dance his usual powerful dance moves, he still managed to make some impressive moves without straining his body. He just couldn’t stop himself from dancing, he’s a self-proclaimed “dance machine” after all. Dongwoo’s unique dance moves was really fun to watch and I said that H’s perf was also hot because, Dongwoo removed his jacket and had only worn a white wife beater during their stage, but he also wore it back before their stage ended. Both of them really gave off a manly vibe and I kind of found it hard to look at them as a OTP. Peace to YaDong shippers! xD

     INFINITE F! The forever, fun, fresh-faced flower boys. If it isn’t obvious yet, this subunit is my fave. <3 I guess you could say it’s because MyungJong is in this subunit and I really love them, but I also love Sungyeol just as much and I really like their feel-good songs.

     The maknae line gave contrast to the earlier solo/subunit stages, which were a little bit serious and intense, with their simple yet fun dance moves and fine vocals. Sungyeol waved and smiled at the fans while they were dancing, and I must say he looked really y, manly y, with the way his hair was styled and the way he carried himself.  I’m sure Sungyeol stans were mesmerized. Myungsoo’s live singing really amazed me, not only during their subunit’s stage but throughout the whole concert. He sure can sing the high notes well. Whoever said that Myungsoo can’t sing and only has his good looks, might have never heard him sing at all. Then Sungjong, well, what can I say? His voice is as angelic as he looks. Though I was quite worried ever since their introductions because Sungjong looked really tired and sick, he still performed really well and entertained the fans as much as he could.

     I don’t know if it’s just me or the others have noticed as well, but I think Sungjong is sick that night, although he tries his best to smile most of the time and give fan service, he looked exhausted. Except for the introduction and the ending ments/speeches, Sungjong was just occasionally nodding while standing, while Woohyun and the other members talk to Inspirits. I later read in one of the tweets that they also noticed how Sungjong looked sad but when he saw the support banners meant for him, he smiled and became more energetic.

     I was kind of anticipating the song “Cover Girl” because the hyungs always make Sungjong the center of attention when it is his turn to sing his part. Regrettably, in this concert they didn’t do it. They were all over the stage and were busy interacting with Inspirits. BUT! There was something I noticed, or maybe I was just giving meaning to something irrelevant but I’ll share it anyway. I think, or maybe I would like to think of it that way, Myungsoo wanted to give a rose to Sungjong during his part. I’m saying this because I saw Myungsoo roaming around the stage holding a rose and a small stuffed bear and I was thinking maybe he’s planning on giving it to a fan, but he didn’t give it to anyone at all. When it was Sungjong’s part, he slowly walked towards him while still holding the rose, but I guess he got shy or his timing was a little late already so he just gave the rose to Dongwoo instead, who was just behind Sungjong. Okay, sorry, that’s just me and my crazy imagination. xD

    The ending ments were as cute as their intros and I think most of us Inspirits went home repeating what they said over and over again while smiling foolishly.

     Sunggyu said it’s been two years since they’ve held a concert in our country and they don’t know when they’ll return but when they do, he promises they would bring new songs and new love towards Inspirits. He also gave an early “Merry Christmas” greeting and added in Filipino “Magkita tayo sa susunod” (Let’s see each other again next time).

     Sungyeol jokingly said “Hindi ako uuwi ngayon” (I’m not going home tonight) which elicited screams from the fans. He told us to go home safely and “Mahal ko kayo” (I love you).

     When it was Dongwoo’s turn, all the Inspirits in all the sections have raised the paper with a light green heart which were given to the fans prior to the start of the concert and we started singing 'Happy Birthday'. He noticed it and was confused as to what was happening at first, but when he finally understood, he smiled and became really happy. He playfully told himself "Happy Birthday to ME!". xD He even threw the green neck pillow he was holding which went towards the fans and the fans tried to grab it but when he saw what was happening, he took it back and said “It’s mine”. LOL. He said thank you for our passion, fighting and love and he promises that they will always sing a song for us. He also said “I love Filipino. Philippine Inspirits.” And that we’ll see each other and support each other until the end. We will never break apart. He said something in Korean but I didn’t get it since the interpreter didn’t interpret it. (T.T) At the last part, he also said “Mahal ko kayo”.

     Woohyun said thank you to us Inspirits for giving our energy during their concert and said he will never forget this day and repeatedly said “Mahal ko kayo”. He really knows how to make the fans go wild. He even added in a sing-song voice “Merong Forever” (There is a forever) which is a counter part of "Walang Forever" (Forever doesn't exist!) a very famous catchphrase here in the Philippines nowadays popularized by those who are quite bitter about the idea of Love. xD

     When it was Sungjong’s turn, I screamed so loud so I didn’t quite get what he said at first, what I heard that he said was “I am here because of you. I had a wonderful night and (I) will remember tonight for a long time. Thank you for loving me and supporting me all the time. See you in your dreams. I love you.” And he added “Ikaw ay akin!” (You are mine!) very cutely and I just squealed! (~Yes, Sungjong I, along with other Sungels, am all yours.~).

    Hoya said that it’s been two years since they last visited Manila, but even though it’s two years, nothing changed (the fans’ support is still strong). He was really touched. He also said that many Inspirits cry whenever they leave, he said we should not cry and that he promises to come back. He wishes for us to always be happy and healthy.

     Last was Myungsoo, he told us not to forget that “Ako ang iyong boyfriend” (I am your boyfriend) and also “Merong forever”. He spoke the rest in Korean and I couldn’t really understand it mainly because the interpreter wasn’t interpreting much of what he said and also the fans screams were very loud.

     They sang ‘Together’ as their last song and waved goodbye to all the sections in the arena. Even though they probably couldn’t see me, I waved to them as well along with all the other Inspirits beside me, when they came to our section.  I was very much pleased to see Myungsoo and Sungjong beside each other when they were about to take a bow because that meant they were going to hold hands. (Me: Yey!) And they really did. My concert experience is finally complete.

    (If there was one thing I wish to change about the concert, it was that I hope they were given a better interpreter. So that we could have properly responded to their jokes, or requests and to show how much support we are willing to give them. There were moments where I think they made jokes but it wasn't translated into English and no one responded/laughed and they ended up laughing at themselves feeling embarassed. :(   I also hope people wouldn't judge PH Inspirits regarding the incident about Woohyun asking us to sing Sunggyu's song 'Kontrol' and we weren't able to sing it because we only understood that he meant for us to sing it after he sang a few lines himself and pointed the mic at the audience... and it was a little too late. Maybe Sunggyu thought, we didn't sing it because we don't know about his song, but that's not true! PH Inspirits love leader Gyu and Kontrol!)

     This is probably one of the best decisions I made in my life and I would willingly undergo through all those struggles again if it means seeing those seven wonderful boys once more. I'm probably going to be broke for a couple more months but all I can say is that, it was truly worth it. <3

     Sorry for the long post!

     I just wanted to remember everything, if ever I would read this post in the future again. After all, it’s not every day that you get too see your idols in your country. :)

“Mabuhay ang INFINITE and Mahal ko kayo!” (Long live INFINITE and I love you all!)