K-pop star Taemin performs during the Manila leg of his 'Ephemeral Gaze' concert tour at the Araneta Coliseum, November 24, 2024. Erik Tenedero, ABS-CBN NewsLee Taemin was just 14 years old when he debuted as the youngest member of the K-pop boy group SHINee, capturing fans’ hearts with his boyish charm, signature bowl-cut hairstyle, and boundless youthful energy on stage. 

Even after 16 years in the industry and a successful transition to a more mature and sophisticated image through his solo releases, Taemin still exudes an endearing, almost childlike charm. This was especially evident during the Manila leg of his “Ephemeral Gaze” tour, where he flashed wide smiles, gazed affectionately at his fans, and engaged in lighthearted banter with them.

For instance, when the fans cheered “Walang uuwi” (No one will go home) near the end of the concert, Taemin playfully asked, “You don’t want me to go? Why?” before joking, “Let’s live together,” and lying down on the stage.

But this is precisely the point of the show: Taemin has remained unchanged throughout the years, maintaining his charm and connection with his supporters. “The concert [title] ‘Ephemeral Gaze’ is meant to convey the idea that no matter how you look at it, Taemin will always be the same Taemin,” the 31-year-old artist told the crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

That constancy was not limited to Taemin’s boyish appeal, but also extended to his unwavering commitment to delivering stellar, sometimes even theatrical, performances.

Upon entering the Big Dome before the concert began, the stage was covered with a cloth. At the stroke of 6 p.m., striking visuals flashed across the fabric, accompanied by dramatic music that crescendoed until, at its peak, the cloth was dramatically removed, revealing Taemin—dressed in all black—standing atop an elevated platform, legs crossed, with both arms outstretched on either side.

Descending to the stage and joined by backup dancers, Taemin opened the show with the moody “Deja Vu.” Barely giving the audience a moment to catch their breath, he swiftly followed with “Guilty,” showcasing its iconic shirt-lifting dance move, and the piano-driven “Advice.”

In “Goodbye,” Taemin proved his ability to command the stage by himself, seamlessly moving between powerful and graceful movements, complete with twists and turns, to complement the hauntingly beautiful track.

Eschewing his dance-accompanied numbers, Taemin dedicated a segment to slower ballads that showcased his vocal prowess. “The Unknown Sea” stood out as the highlight, with Taemin’s impassioned singing and soaring vocals on full display.

In the latter part of the concert, produced by DNM Entertainment and running for over two hours, Taemin served up a selection of his hit singles. These included the iconic “Move,” the menacing yet sinuous “Criminal” that features a fresh dance break, as well as “Sexy in the Air” and “Horizon,” the dual lead tracks from his latest EP “Eternal.”

WATCH: SHINee's Taemin back with 'Sexy In The Air' MV

In response to the crowd’s enthusiastic screams and fan chants, Taemin remarked, “I think your passion is through the roof tonight.”

SHINee songs

During one of the talk segments, Taemin asked the crowd, “Which song made you fall in love with me?” The question sparked various responses from the enthusiastic audience, who eventually agreed on SHINee’s 2009 hit “Ring Ding Dong.”

In response, Taemin graciously sang a snippet of the song in a cappella, before the crowd requested additional performances, leading him to sing his group’s other singles: “Lucifer,” “Don't Call Me,” and “Replay.”

Towards the end of the concert, Taemin also sat on the edge of the stage, moving closer to his fans, and serenaded them with a heartfelt rendition of “Hypnosis.”

But Taemin was not the only one with surprises. His fans also gifted him with a video that looked back on his career and included clips of Filipino fans personally expressing their love and admiration for him.

“I think your hearts are so warm. Thank you so much for your love,” Taemin said after watching the fan project. 

“Doing this Asian tour, I felt quite sorry that it took a long time for me to meet you guys but at the same time, I was very excited to meet you,” he shared, adding that he would return for his fans.

“I was very happy because of you tonight and I made precious memories,” he added.