K-pop girl group NewJeans at Coke Studio's The Ultimate Fandom Concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, September 5, 2024.

MANILA — K-pop sensation NewJeans made an explosive return to the Philippines, joining several homegrown talents in a concert that celebrated diverse music genres and fandoms.

The five-member group served as the closing act for Coke Studio’s The Ultimate Fandom Concert, staged late Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Kapamilya artist Jeremy Glinoga, who hosted the event with AC Bonifacio, told audiences that the event aimed to “celebrate your fan journey.”

“Tonight is for all of you, kayo, or should I say, tayong mga fandom,” Bonifacio added.

(Tonight is for all of you, or should I say, all of us, the fandom.)

NewJeans—composed of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—were met with a frenzy of cheers and a sea of their group’s signature light sticks, as fans braved the heavy rains to flock to the Pasay venue.

The group's five-song setlist included “ETA,” which they previously performed at the Asia Artist Awards at the Philippine Arena last December. They also treated the crowd to their latest tracks, “Bubble Gum,” “Supernatural,” and “How Sweet” before closing the night with the catchy Coke ad song “Zero.”

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“You guys sang so energetically, despite it being our first time performing our new songs here in the Philippines. It makes us so happy,” Hyein told fans, fondly called Bunnies.

“Hearing your voices here on stage, [they] complete our songs,” Danielle added.

Zack Tabudlo, known for his hits that typically tackle love and heartbreak, served as the penultimate performer.

Joined by a live band, Tabudlo gave soulful deliveries of his songs “Nangangamba,” “Pano,” “Fallin,” and “Give me Your Forever.”

Tabudlo, who had a NewJeans lightstick hanging from his outfit, also raved about seeing the K-pop idols backstage.

P-pop boy band Alamat, known for singing in various local languages, opened the night with “Maharani,” “Day and Night,” “Noli” and “Dayang.”

Rapper Nik Makino commanded the stage with his swagger as he performed “Sipag Lang” with Shao Lin, “KG,” “Moon,” “Sobrang Solid” and “We Made It.”

Kapamilya artist Kyle Echarri had the crowd swooning with “Dyosa,” “Cupid’s Aim,” “Panaginip,” and “Pangako.”

Hip-hop artist Illest Morena, meanwhile, showcased her cool and sultry tracks “Pick Up,” “Slow Burn,” “Sabik,” and “Faded.”

The performers also presented their collaborations under Coke Studio, including Alamat and Nik Makino’s “Ngayong Gabi” and Echarri and Illest Morena’s “Believe.”

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