Lonsdaleite Manila
April 13, 2024
Super anxious because up until the concert day I didn’t know where Araneta is. Good thing there is Grace. We met at Centro Mall Salitran and rode a Pasay bus. Then took the train until Araneta station. There is an exit connecting to a mall that I don’t remember the name, sorry.
First things first – get the cupsleeve event merch that was gifted to me by Grace. I got a lot of EXO merch (an Exist album!) And a large iced coffee from Seattle’s Best. Grace, with me in tow, then met with her friend, Tala, who has our ticket. Met at KFC and had lunch, talked for a bit. We went around Araneta vicinity to take pictures and get some co-fan shareables. If it wasn’t for Grace, I will not be able to do these things. She gave me friendship bracelets to trade with others. I also got two bracelets from her.
Got on queue for VIP fan benefits. One of our tickets has a sendoff benefit but I gave that one to Grace immediately for her efforts and quite frankly I couldn’t care less about such things.
Sound Check – This wasn’t a sound check. It was like a full-on mall concert kinda thing. Byun Baekhyun sounded so good! His speaking voice was so clear and smooth, just like how he sounds online, I don’t know why I expected him to be any different. I have known him for years that it really felt like meeting an old friend. The parasocial relationship is too strong. During sound check, he wore casual clothing and sang so casually, talking to us in between. He was such a good singer.
The concert went by smoothly, with his impressive live singing and dancing combination. Such a very entertaining total performer – knows how to interact and talk to fans, is very charming and talented. I honestly felt like not a single peso was wasted on this concert. It was such a memorable experience and severely close to my heart. Attending it was proof I have supported the right person all these years.
As I watched him, I couldn’t help but to think about his journey thus far. What sort of things he had to sacrifice in order to be where he is now. Of how he had to put up a front and hide pain in front of others, similar to how he hid his thyroid problem for so long. The ways he copes to a life of show business even though he identifies as an introvert. The passion he must have had for music to be able to bear the life he leads, the burden of responsibilities to so many people, of expectations and competition. I think about myself, how close we are in age, seemingly different in experience, yet somehow, I think we have had similar troubles (though might be varying in gravity). Was he ever lonely? Has he experienced heartbreak? Does he ever think of himself lacking? Were there aspects in his life he privately thinks he should have done differently? It’s just fascinating, to see someone who once was only a character to me, in the flesh. Dolled up as he was, he is still very human, and without the fansite filters, there was more life in his features. I like him better in person.
I took lots of videos that are mostly just snippets. During concerts, I tend to immerse myself in the performance and the whole experience. Take in whatever that is in front me (damn, South Korean dermatology is something, right?). My eyes and ears truly enjoyed themselves. But ultimately, my heart for Byun Baekhyun grew even more, still my beacon in the dark.
