Taeyang Shines His Brightest At Finale Show Of ‘The Light Year’ Tour – Review

Have you ever cried at a K-pop concert?

Taeyang’s finale show of The Light Year Tour took place in the Mall of Asia Arena last February 22. Through that one night, I certainly checked off a lot of firsts in a concert: my first time watching a K-pop concert in years, my first time crying in one, and my first time seeing a member of BIGBANG live. The concert in itself lived up to my many firsts that night, as Taeyang brought one of the most memorable live music experiences to everyone in that space.

Even prior to the concert itself, the anticipation and tension was high. Given that it had been seven years since Taeyang’s last visit to the Philippines, the event itself served as a means for nostalgia, reconnecting with old friends, and commemorating the recent reuniting of BIGBANG. During the buildup towards the show proper, LED screens beside the stage were displaying the vocalist’s music videos, from old to new. As everyone sang even in foreign tongue to each of the hits, it showed that the arena was filled with VIPs who had been dedicated from the very start. Fans could even be seen carrying the discontinued VIP light sticks designed by G-Dragon, igniting the arena into a sea of golden yellow — fitting for the revolutionary K-pop group’s “Sun.”

The star of the night himself was equally as radiant as he took on the stage for the entire two-to-three-hour duration of the show. As a representative of the second generation wave of K-pop, he showcased his true powers and the fruit of his labor as an artist through his stellar performance. When the jingling of his accessories reverberated throughout the concert halls, it became clear: the microphone was on. The 36-year-old idol was not only singing with his full chest, but dancing to each commanding beat.

Opening to his classics like “PRAYER” and “I’LL BE THERE,” he swept through the arena like a force of light. Bringing the talents of the former YGX dancers and his immaculate band to the stage, his performance was a careful curation of arena rousers and heart-warming ballads. In each song that he revived on stage, he truly brought out his 200%, even taking breaks in between songs to ensure he could bring his fullest to every performance.

I’m not one to cry during a concert — but when Taeyang busted out the 2012 BIGBANG hit, “Blue,” I couldn’t help but be moved to tears (and I was comforted by the fact that everyone around me was as well). The tension in the air as everyone sang the lyrics together in unison became palpable, and in that moment, everyone shared the same sentiment — everyone missed BIGBANG, maybe to an extent we didn’t realize until we heard the lyrics leave Taeyang’s lips.

Taeyang, as well, showed his affection and care for the audience very well throughout the show. Abiding by each and every request made by fans, whether it was to give their plushies kisses or wear fun hats, the singer-songwriter put his all into making the night memorable. Creating a truly special event, he even performed TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan‘s chart-topping phenomenon, “Palagi.” Due to audience request, he even performed his viral singing-talking segment where he expressed his utmost affection for the crowd before him.

Prior to his encore stage, the Manila fans had a special performance ready for him as well. As the stage lights were dim and Taeyang prepped behind the scenes, the crowd took over like a choir, singing his beloved ballad “Eyes, Nose, Lips.” Repeating the chorus twice in symphony, the crowd was warm and bright as they hoped their voices would reach him. As he emerged from backstage the final time, the power vocalist brought the house down with hits like “Superstar” and “BODY.”

Given that the occasion was Taeyang’s first concert in Manila after seven years of being apart, there was a great love in the air between the artists and fans. This was a love that assured that no matter the time and distance, both parties would be waiting to see each other again.