(Left to right) Minzy, Dara, CL and Park Bom snap for a backstage photo during the Manila stop of 2NE1's 'Welcome Back' concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, November 16, 2024. Photo from Dara's Instagram accountDuring the Manila stop of 2NE1’s “Welcome Back” tour, member Dara shared that their leader, CL, praised the powerful voices of the Filipino audience. Dara, who calls the Philippines her “second home,” proudly told her bandmate that such enthusiasm was typical of Filipino fans.

“Kanina sabi ni CL, ‘Ang lakas ng boses nila.’ Sabi ko, ‘Oo, ganito talaga sila dito,’” narrated Dara, widely known to Filipinos as Sandara Park.

(A while ago, CL said, ‘Their voices are so loud.’ I said, ‘Yes, that’s how they really are here.’)

“Kaya lakasan niyo pa!” she urged the sold-out crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena during the first of the tour’s two-day Manila stop, eliciting even louder cheers from the fans called Blackjacks.

(So scream even louder!)

How could Filipino fans resist screaming at the top of their lungs? The concert, after all, marks the end of a 10-year absence in the Philippines, with the group’s last visit in 2014 for their “All Or Nothing” tour. Moreover, “Welcome Back” is the quartet’s first reunion tour since disbanding in 2016 and celebrates their 15th debut anniversary.

‘Second home’

Perhaps the Manila stop holds even more significance for Dara, who lived in the Philippines and built her showbiz career here before debuting with 2NE1 in 2009. 

Despite her successful K-pop career, Dara has never forgotten her Filipino roots, often enjoying Filipino food even while abroad, and returning to the country for TV appearances, gigs, and content for her YouTube channel.

“I feel so emotional. The Philippines is my second home. But it’s not only me, it’s 2NE1’s second home too,” Dara said. 

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Salamat sa paghintay niyo sa’min. Ang tagal namin diba? 10 years pero nandito pa rin kayo. Maraming salamat sa suporta niyo sa’min. Talagang na-miss namin kayo,” she added.

(Thank you so much to all of you. Thank you for waiting for us. It’s been a long time, right? 10 years but you’re still here. Thank you so much for your support. We really missed you.)

Such pronouncements only heightened the excitement of the already ecstatic crowd, who cheered, jumped, sang their hearts out, and even danced throughout the two-hour concert, mounted by Live Nation Philippines.

Setlist

2NE1 is widely celebrated as one of the most influential groups in the K-pop industry for embracing a more hip-hop-leaning sound and adopting a fierce, confident “girl crush” image, an approach that contrasted with the sweet or innocent personas typically associated with girl groups at the time.

This enduring influence was evident in a video montage at their concert, where a range of artists paid tribute to 2NE1. Chart-topping soloist IU, along with girl groups like Twice, NewJeans, IVE, Babymonster, aespa, (G)I-DLE, and Kiss of Life, expressed their admiration and love. It also included messages from former labelmate G-Dragon, hip-hop star Zico, and boy bands Stray Kids, Treasure, and Boynextdoor.

The concert’s setlist consisted mostly of the group’s iconic singles—the very songs that established them as a respected force in K-pop.

With the stage bathed in red and flames erupting along its edges, the foursome—also including Park Bom and Minzy—fittingly opened the show with their hip-hop-infused electro-pop debut “Fire.”

From the get-go, the group’s energy was magnetic, seamlessly shifting between executing their choreography and hyping up the crowd. By the third song, “Can’t Nobody,” the venue had practically transformed into a pulsating nightclub, with the audience up on their feet and jumping as dazzling laser lights cut through the air.

After the opening set, the members briefly introduced themselves and encouraged fans to shout “nolja (let’s play)” along with them—a phrase that the girls often shouted when huddling before a performance.

As the night went on, the group barely paused in between songs, powering through “Do You Love Me,” “Falling In Love,” and the infectious “I Don’t Care,” accompanied by a troupe of dancers and live band. Bom, however, had to miss this set and several other performances due to a wardrobe malfunction, leaving the remaining trio to take over her parts or ask the audience to sing along in her place.

Soon, the spotlight fell on the charismatic CL, who showcased her solo tracks “The Baddest Female” and “MTBD.” During the latter, CL, perched on an elevated platform on the B-stage, dramatically tossed her mic to a backup dancer before breaking into a fierce dance routine, complete with twerks.

Nostalgia filled the Pasay venue as the trio fielded their gorgeous ballads “Missing You,” “It Hurts,” “If I Were You” and “Lonely,” highlighting their distinct vocal timbres.

To reignite the energy, the group delivered “I Love You,” “Ugly,” “Gotta Be You,” “Come Back Home,” “I Am The Best,” and “Go Away.” For the encore, they treated fans to “Happy” and a medley of snippets from “I Don’t Care,” “Ugly,” “Go Away,” and “Can’t Nobody.”

Dara’s birthday

During the encore, the group delighted Filipino fans with a special performance of “In Our Out,” a song that Dara recorded during her time in the Philippines. Dara and Minzy also took on Filipino girl group BINI’s “Pantropiko” dance challenge.

CL remarked that the “In Or Out” performance was dedicated to Dara, who celebrated her 40th birthday on November 12. Suddenly, a cake was rolled onto the stage, and Dara’s bandmates, along with the crowd, sang her a heartfelt “Happy Birthday.” Overwhelmed by the surprise, Dara could not help but burst into tears.

Turning candid, Dara said she had always been accustomed to celebrating her birthday with her bandmates, a tradition that continued until their disbandment. “I was not used to celebrating my birthday by myself [after the disbandment]. But now, we’re here again together,” she said.

“My wish is to be with you guys forever. 2NE1 and Blackjacks forever,” Dara told her bandmates and fans.

As they closed the show, CL said the group felt blessed whenever they visited the Philippines, particularly with Dara. “It’s such a trip and such a different experience when we come with her. I feel like we’re so welcomed,” CL said. 

“Whenever we come here, we feel like we have a family and fan base here. You guys, this energy, it’s a lot, it’s so Blackjack… We feel very blessed and it’s such a fun memory to be celebrating her birthday here,” she said.

Dara added: “It’s really special. I’m not gonna forget this day forever.”

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