K-pop artist Choi Minho of SHINee during the press conference for his 'Mean: Of My First' concert in Manila, March 16, 2025. Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Even the most passionate individuals have their off days.

Since debuting as a member of the K-pop boy band SHINee in 2008, Choi Minho has embraced the nickname “Flaming Charisma”—a title that reflects his intense passion and undeniable charm. However, the 33-year-old artist acknowledges that even he experiences moments when his passion wanes. 

“There are times when my energy wanes, too. There are times when I feel tired as well,” Minho said via an interpreter at a press conference on Sunday, hours before he took the stage of the New Frontier Theater for his solo concert.

“But because of the love and support that a lot of people give me—When I’m on stage, I look for those people. There’s this thing that I tell myself: ‘I don’t want to let them down.’ That’s the driving force that gives me the passion and burning energy,” he shared.

Addressing several fans who had the opportunity to attend the press conference, Minho said: “Thank you very much for being my driving force. You guys are the reason for my ‘flaming charisma’ and passion.”

The concert, titled “Mean: Of My First,” was part of the tour of the same title, which also marked Minho’s first solo concert tour. It began in South Korea in November and has since made stops in Taiwan, Japan, and Macau, with Manila serving as the “finale” destination.

“I really like the word ‘first’ because it’s very meaningful and deep. You have first moments, first experiences,” Minho said, explaining the message he wanted to impart through the tour’s title.

“This concert [tour] of mine is a first for me as well, so I want to keep those moments and experiences [from this tour] in my heart,” he said.

Minho felt “very happy” to be able to go on his own tour. “I never expected that I could hold a solo concert here in the Philippines or a solo concert in general,” he said.

“But because of the big love and support that [the fans called] Shawols give me, this concert was made possible,” he said.

The tour not only served as an opportunity for Minho to meet his supporters. It also helped him realize “my weaknesses and strengths as an artist,” which allowed him to “improve on my weaknesses to give the best stage performances for my fans.”

READ: Why the Philippines is ‘best place to run away to’ for SHINee’s Minho

Show new sides

Minho’s admirable desire to constantly improve and reveal new facets of himself was evident in his responses throughout the press conference, serving as proof that, even after nearly 17 years in the entertainment industry, he remains eager to show more.

In addition to being a member of one of K-pop’s most popular boy bands, Minho has released both an extended play (“Chase” in 2022) and a full-length album (“Call Back” in 2024). He has also ventured into acting, starring in dramas such as “To the Beautiful You,” “Hwarang” and “Romance in the House.”

“I’ve been in the industry for a long time. The fans have seen many sides of me... I just want to be creative and show new sides to my fans. So I’ll be an artist that’s going to try my best to show new sides of me to the fans who have supported me for a long time,” said Minho.

But Minho also admits that all the effort isn’t his. “There are times when I reach my limits. But because of the help I get from my staff members, we make a step-by-step process to make these projects possible. So that’s the help I get from my staff members to grow and reinvent myself as an artist.”

When asked about the secret behind his long career, Minho said: “I think it’s just me being honest with myself, true to myself. The fans really like that side of me.”

“In the future, I’ll just be true to myself, transparent and honest so that the fans will also appreciate me,” he said.