At first Manila concert, izna lets the music take control

Right before taking the stage at the EVM Convention Center, the members of izna were nervous. And understandably so. It was, after all, the K-pop girl group’s first time performing in Manila since debuting in late 2024.

But as Mai, Bang Jee-min, Koko, Ryu Sa-rang, Choi Jung-eun, and Jeong Sae-bi stepped into the spotlight and launched into their self-titled debut single, the loud cheers and shrieks that filled the Quezon City venue quickly put their worries to rest. And just like that, izna’s first-ever concert in the Philippines, part of its “WHO DAT GIRL?” tour, was underway.

“Naya, masaya ba kayo?” Jee-min asked fans early into the show, presented by Three Angles Productions.

“We’re so thrilled to have finally made it here to Manila as part of our first tour!” she said through an interpreter.

The concert ran for two hours, but time seemed to fly by thanks to the group’s engaging performances. There were relatively few “ment” segments—when the members paused to talk to the audience—giving the sextet even more time to showcase their songs and accompanying choreography.

The group’s music was varied, but much of it shared a fun, infectious energy. Songs like “Mamma Mia” and the hard-hitting “Sass”—which was recorded for the dance survival program “World of Street Woman Fighter”—allowed the members to showcase their fiercer, edgier side.

In the headbang-inducing “R.I.P,” the group embraced a bolder, more empowered persona as they sang about breaking free from what appeared to be a toxic relationship.

Some performances made creative use of props. For “Rock Paper Scissors,” school chairs and a locker were brought onstage, with the members channeling the carefree, playful vibe of schoolgirls throughout the number.

Meanwhile, the group sang the more mellow “In The Rain” while holding clear umbrellas.

During the bubbly, synth-driven “Beep,” the group invited the crowd to join in the chorus’ choreography, which featured a cute finger-pointing gesture toward the head.

The sextet also performed the dance-pop favorite “Sign,” a song about longing for a sign from a crush. This was followed by a remixed version of the track, during which the stage went dark and a spotlight illuminated each member in turn, their silhouettes coming to life through brief dance solos. The sequence then transitioned seamlessly into the main show’s closing number, the hypnotic “Metronome.”

The group also split into two units of three for special cover performances. Mai, Sa-rang, and Sae-bi brought out their cute side with a rendition of Girls’ Generation’s “Kissing You,” while Jee-min, Koko, and Jung-eun captivated the crowd with their cool, mesmerizing take on aespa’s “Illusion.”

During a brief “ment” segment midway through the show, the members asked fans to teach them some Filipino phrases, including “Yoohoo! Dito ang tingin!” which they recited together before inviting the crowd to join in.

The group also prepared their own takes on viral local dance trends, with Jung-eun dancing to Lyca Gairanod’s “Puede Nang Mangarap” and Koko taking on the Baby Dolls’ “Oohh Lala Baby.”

But the fan service did not end there. At the start of the encore, the members made their way around the floor area while performing a medley of their songs, giving fans a chance to interact with them up close. They waved, completed hand hearts, and even borrowed fans’ phones to snap selfies.

As the evening drew to a close, the members reflected on their pre-concert nerves and how the fans’ enthusiasm had helped put them at ease.

“It was our first time to be able to have a concert in Manila. We really didn’t expect this much people to come today. That’s why we’re so happy,” Koko said.

Jee-min, meanwhile, said she “never imagined, even in my dreams, that I would get to stand in front of a lot of Manila Nayas.”

“But when I saw you guys singing all together and enjoying, I was so touched,” Jee-min said.

“To be honest, before we went up on stage, we were all very nervous. But I suddenly felt comfortable when I saw all of you guys,” she said, adding that she hoped the group could return more often.

Sae-bi said the fans’ “great energy and cheers” inspired the group to “work harder in the future,” as she thanked the crowd for its “passion” and “love.”

“We really want to come back to Manila again,” Sae-bi said.

Jung-eun shared that seeing fans dance and sing along helped her forget the worries and hardships she had experienced leading up to the concert.

“For us, seeing you guys enjoy truly while we perform onstage is what really matters to us. And I think today is the happiest day of my life. Thank you very much for giving us such happy memories,” Jung-eun said.

IZNA

Mamma Mia

Fake It

R.I.P.

Sass

Rock Paper Scissors

Beep

Drip

In The Rain

Infinity

Kissing You (Girls’ Generation cover) – Mai, Sa-rang, Sae-bi

Illusion (aespa cover) – Jee-min, Koko, Jung-eun

Supercrush

Racecar

Sign

Metronome

IWALY