Finally, it happened — the dream that PH PANDAs once thought would never come true.
After MTV Music Evolution 2016, after the heartbreak of the canceled Pink Aurora, and after Be You 3, Apink finally delivered what fans had been waiting 15 years for: their first full concert in Manila.
Held last May 10 at UP Theater, The Origin also marked the final stop of the group’s tour.
The excitement was immediate. Fans erupted as Apink recreated their Seven Springs of Apink intro on the VCR, followed by their debut single, I Don’t Know. The energy never dipped as they continued the nostalgic trip down memory lane with performances of BUBIBU, MY MY, NO NO NO, and FIVE.
One of the night’s most entertaining segments was a playful VCR challenge where the members took on the concept of being a boy group, drawing laughter from the crowd. This was followed by their powerful cover of TVXQ’s Mirotic. From there, Apink showcased the more mature musical direction they embraced midway through their career with performances of hits like %% (EUNG EUNG), DILEMMA, and I’M SO SICK. It was a joy to witness their evolution from their bright, youthful image to the sophisticated sound they’ve grown into today.
Following another VCR, Apink returned to deliver hit after hit with fan favorites LUV, MR. CHU, HUSH, and REMEMBER. (LUV, by the way, still holds the record for the most music show wins for a girl group song, with 17 victories.) For many fans, REMEMBER carried a particularly emotional weight, as it brought back memories of the group’s first visit to the Philippines. PH PANDAs who braved the rain that night — and probably woke up sick the next day — know exactly how unforgettable that experience was.
They closed their main set with one of their most beloved tracks, THE WAVE.
The highlight of the encore came when Apink stepped into the crowd to meet fans up close. As the night drew to a close, their final song, SKY HIGH, perfectly captured the group’s playful chemistry. The members let loose onstage, causing plenty of amusing chaos for their ever-composed leader, Park Cho-rong, who could do little as members like Kim Nam-joo and Jung Eun-ji ran wild and stretched the encore even longer.
The Origin truly embodied Apink’s 15-year journey in the music industry — a concert packed with nostalgia, laughter, tears, and, above all, the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise.
Before the night ended, Apink promised they would return. And as fans, we’ll hold on to that promise for as long as it takes.
After all, PH PANDAs have already proven that they know how to wait.
This event was made possible by Wish Us Luck Entertainment.
