Seeing Rain, Hwasa, and BINI perform in one night (and on one stage!) was nothing short of epic. And it needs to be said already: the night. Was. ON FIRE!
The three powerhouse celebrities from both K-pop and P-pop came together to celebrate IAM WORLDWIDE's 7th Anniversary with a powerful concert that blew our minds. The sold-out anniversary concert was presented by Wilbros Live and was held last Sunday, October 20, 2024.
As soon as the event was announced, we knew we were in for an unforgettable event—and TBH, I'm still fangirling over Hwasa—we were all in awe with everything to the core. Below, let us take you on a ride as we recall every (hot) thrilling moment we witnessed during IAM WORLDWIDE's 7th Anniversary Concert:
Queen Hwasa Set The Stage On Fire
If anyone knows how to own a performance, it's Hwasa. She's known to many as the fearless maknae of the K-pop girl group, MAMAMOO. Aside from being the maknae, she's also an exceptional solo artist selling thousands of albums and releasing viral songs one after another.
Hwasa was the first one to perform during the event and we fell in love with her all over again. From the moment she sang "I Love My Body," the energy was electric. And when she dropped "Chili" and "Twit"? Chef's kiss!
Fans were raving for Hwasa, and we all could see why. She's a queen on the dance floor and her vocals are to die for! Then, came the moment we were all waiting for. Hwasa gave us her fiery performance of her recent single "Na"—like, are we even worthy to hear and watch Hwasa live?
Everybody—including me—lost it when she sweetly asked, "Kamusta po? It's been a while since I visited Manila. Are you guys doing well?" No, Hwasa...we're having a hard time processing your insane performance, LOL!
Hwasa last performed in Manila during the Wonderland Music and Arts Festival in March 2024. And recently, just a month ago, she had her latest comeback with the EP called O. The music video for her title track, "Na," has garnered more than 32 million views as we speak. She's really that artist, and we're so stoked to have watched her in the flesh!
BINI Gave Us That Next Level Energy
We all know BINI never disappoints. The eight-member girl group hit the stage and immediately took the energy to new heights. From "Cherry on Top" to "Karera" and "Salamin, Salamin," their synchronized choreography and vocals were pure perfection. Honestly, they had us dancing in our seats!
But the best part? When BINI announced they were officially part of the IAM Worldwide family. The crowd went wild—like, we knew the girls were making waves, but this is just the beginning and we are here for it. ICYDK, BINI debuted in 2021. It was earlier this 2024 when they made a breakthrough in their career with their hit song, "Pantropiko." They surely had a successful run, as they now take the local and global scene by storm with their viral hit songs.
Rain Is The Ultimate Showstopper
Finally, the legend himself, Rain, took the stage. He's been a true K-pop legend dominating the scene since the early 2000s. His return to the Philippines for the IAM WORLDWIDE event was his first time coming back to Manila since his last visit in 2010.
Rain's last musical comeback was his 2021 single "Why Don't We" featuring Chungha, and while we've been waiting for more music, his presence on stage reminded us why he's still a top-tier performer.
TBH, no matter how much time has passed, Rain will always give everyone the feels whenever he's on stage. I got instant chills as soon as the opening beats of "Gang" filled the arena. His performance of "La Song" and "Love Song" was pure K-pop royalty. But nothing could have prepared us for his performance of "Rainism" especially when he took off his shirt! That's a core memory we'll treasure *in this life and beyond.*
Aside from the performances, IAM WORLDWIDE took a moment to celebrate their top sellers and newest ambassadors. We were all cheering as Atasha and Andres Muhlach, and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo joined the IAM Worldwide fam. It was such a feel-good moment, and you could feel the sense of community in the air.
As we left the arena, adrenaline was still pumping through our veins, one thing was clear—this night was pure magic. The combination of K-pop, P-pop, and a little bit of shirtless Rain? A dream come true fr.
Special thanks to Wilbros Live and IAM Worldwide.
