WENDY closed her W:EALIVE tour in Manila with an emotional final concert defined by live band brilliance and fan connection.
Heartbeat. There is something uniquely powerful about a final show. By the time WENDY stepped onto the Manila stage for W:EALIVE, this was no longer just a concert. It was the closing chapter of a journey she had carried across cities, countries, and continents. Manila wasn’t simply another stop. It was the last one. And everyone inside the venue felt it.
From the first note to the very last encore, W:EALIVE in Manila unfolded like a carefully written letter; one addressed to the fans, read aloud through music, voice, and presence.
Every Note Alive: How the Band Elevated the WENDY W:EALIVE in Manila
What’s one of the most anticipated aspects of W:EALIVE aside from Wendy herself was its artistic live band arrangement. Rather than reproducing the studio versions of her songs, the concert reimagined Wendy’s solo discography with intention. Each song in the setlist felt sculpted for the stage—quieter where it needed intimacy, and lively where emotion demanded release.
The band didn’t just support the singer; they were having a collaborative conversation through the night. The subtle guitar gestures, restrained percussion breathing with her rhythm, and piano lines lingered in the air just long enough to frame her voice before receding. The arrangement was planned meticulously and artistically; legendary vocals front and center, not with glaring exposure, but with reverent clarity. The result was a true collaboration, wherein every note that followed felt intentional, profound, and born of a shared moment.
Section 1
The concert opened with pure nerve. In near silence, Wendy launched into “Fireproof” with a striking acapella that froze the room, her voice alone commanding full attention. Seconds later, the beat crashed in, flipping reverence into eruption.
From the razor-sharp intensity of “Hate²” to the upbeat confidence of “Queen of the Party,” Wendy moved effortlessly between moods and genres. It was a bold opening statement—one that made it clear the night would be defined by range, not just in sound, but in spirit.
Section 2
As the set moved into “Why Can’t You Love Me?”, “Best Ever,” and “Chapter You,” the mood softened. The arrangements eased back, giving Wendy room to trade power for phrasing and let the quiet do the work.
She paused to properly greet the crowd, slipping into easy conversation—and even trying Filipino. “Nag-eenjoy ba kayo?” she asked, met with instant cheers. Laughing, Wendy shared stories about arriving in Manila and the Filipino food she’d already fallen for, turning the moment into a genuine exchange with the city.
The intimacy deepened with “His Car Isn’t Yours,” “Better Judgement,” and fan-favorite “Vermilion.” Stripped down to their emotional core, the songs felt less like performances and more like carefully offered confessions.
Section 3
Wendy reemerged in a stunning blue dress, a vision of calm after the emotional storm. The color mirrored a clear sky, signaling a gentle new beginning as she stepped back into the spotlight.
She started with “Like Water.” When the song began, it felt inevitable; a soft, crystalline flow that washed over the fans inside the hall. “When This Rain Stops” followed like a gentle promise, her voice tracing a delicate path from lingering sorrow toward quiet hope.
For many Luvies, the song has long been a personal anthem of solace, making this live rendition feel like a collective embrace—a shared moment of healing offered back to the very audience that has clung to its lyrics.
Then came “Believe” with an expressive live band arrangement; the song shed its studio finish in favor of warmth and restraint. It easily became a moment of collective release shared between Wendy and her Reveluvs.
Section 4
Wendy dedicated a portion of the set to the original soundtracks that have accompanied some of the most emotionally resonant moments in Korean television. Performing “Goodbye” (The Beauty Inside), “What If Love” (Touch Your Heart), “Two Words” (Start-Up), and “Airport Goodbyes,” she revisited songs deeply tied to memory and narrative, delivering each with quiet control and emotional clarity.
She closed the segment with “Light Me Up,” one of her favorite songs from Red Velvet’s discography—a choice that instantly energized the venue. The crowd erupted when Wendy subtly changed the lyric from “oh boy” to “oh girl,” a playful yet pointed gesture that showed her keen awareness of the audience. Laughing, she launched into a brief, sassy exchange with the crowd, teasingly pointing out how differently they reacted to the two lines and asking why, before letting the moment linger and smoothly transitioning into the next part of the show, proving her connection with fans was just as effortless.
Section 5
The main set closed with “Wish You Hell” and “Sunkiss,” delivering a final, cathartic surge of energy. Wendy first harnessed the crowd’s intensity through the sharp defiance of “Wish You Hell,” then seamlessly lifted the room with the bright, sunlit optimism of “Sunkiss.” The striking contrast turned the finale into a euphoric release, neatly sealing the night’s emotional arc.
Section 6
Wendy returned to the stage for the encore with “Best Friend” and “The Road,” two tracks from her first solo album, Like Water, that felt less like a continuation of the set and more like a shared expression of gratitude. The audience listened in attentive silence, fully aware that the night was drawing to a close.
The atmosphere deepened with a fan-made video tracing Wendy’s journey. From her earliest days on stage to her growth as a solo artist. Visibly moved, she was playfully teased by fans chanting, “Iiyak na ’yan,” prompting her to mock-cry and laugh before sincerely thanking them for the beautifully made tribute.
Reflecting on the past year, Wendy spoke about how much she had accomplished and how much she wanted to do more: to show more of Wendy, more of Red Velvet, and to return with more concerts, stages, and performances. She closed the moment by thanking fans for standing by her throughout her 11-year career, turning the exchange into one of gratitude, warmth, and renewed promise.
Afterward, she paused to read a handwritten letter she had written backstage to mark the end of the tour. Her voice wavered as she reflected on the journey and its final stop in Manila, and the audience responded with quiet emotion, turning the encore into a moment of shared reflection.
Transcript of Wendy’s Letter to Her Fans
My dearest Manila ReVeluvs and fans, today, as I stand on this final time of this world tour, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. This journey that began in Korea on September 20th (2025) finds its most beautiful ending here with all of you today.
When I first stepped on this stage with Red Velvet, I truly discovered what happiness felt like. As I released my solo album, to watching my own songs come to life one by one, a kind of dream took root in my heart—the dream of having my own stage, my own moment. These past four months have been that dream realized, and they will forever remain the most luminous chapter of my life.
They say that as a singer, my purpose is to touch hearts and bring joy through music. But the truth is, you have been the ones filling my heart. You have given me more love, more strength, more light than I ever imagined possible.
On this stage, surrounded by your voices, I have felt whole. I have felt truly, deeply alive.
I know I still have so much to learn and so far to grow, but I promise you this: I will carry this love you’ve given me like a torch, letting it guide me forward.
And in 2026, I will return to you more often—closer, better—because this isn’t goodbye. This is the beginning of our next chapter together. Until that day comes, please take care of yourselves. Stay healthy, stay happy, and know that you are all loved beyond measure.
I love you. Thank you for everything.
She then closed the first encore with “Existential Crisis,” inviting the crowd to sing along and patiently teaching them the melody so she could lean fully into her ad-libs—playfully embracing her diva moment. Laughter and cheers followed, but the night was far from over.
As chants for more songs filled the venue—including playful cries of “Walang uuwi!”—Wendy responded with a teasing “Huhuwey, everybody huhuwey,” gently insisting that everyone eventually had to go home, for she only borrowed the venue for a period of time. She jokingly bargained with fans over what she would sing next, turning the second encore into a spontaneous, collaborative exchange fueled by the crowd’s enthusiasm.
The show’s true final chapter unfolded with “Vermilion,” “Hate²,” and “Wish You Hell.” The unexpected return to these songs felt both indulgent and intentional—a final release of emotion, intensity, and joy. Rather than a quiet goodbye, Wendy chose to end the night on her feet, sealing the tour’s conclusion with energy that refused to fade.
For the final send-off, Wendy walked around the venue, even making her way up to the second floor—warmly interacting with fans as she personally said her goodbyes. In addition, a few lucky fans were able to share a group photo with her, making the farewell an intimate and deeply meaningful experience. Ending the tour in Manila, Wendy didn’t close a chapter; she left it open, carrying the love forward and promising that this was only the beginning.
Pop Journal would like to extend its gratitude to L-Squared Productions for the media invites to Wendy’s W:EALIVE in Manila.
Photos: Bea Ibañez
Co-Written by: Jeraldine Piapa Cruz
