South Korean singer-actor Doh Kyungsoo (도경수), better known as D.O. from EXO (엑소), recently made a spectacular return to Malaysia with his much-anticipated “Asia Fan Concert Bloom” at Axiata Arena. The event transformed the venue into a vibrant sea of sky blue as fans eagerly celebrated the star’s first solo concert in the country after 6 years.
From the moment the lights dimmed, the energy in the arena was electric. Fans decked out in sky blue as per the concert’s dress code, eagerly waved their EXO lightsticks. Kyungsoo opened the evening with “Mars,” the title track from his 3rd mini-album “Blossom”. His performance was a blend of soothing melodies and a relaxed, engaging presence, setting a warm and inviting tone for the night.
The idol expressed deep gratitude to his Malaysian fans for their unwavering support and reminisced about his last visit with EXO. The concert smoothly transitioned into a lively Q&A session, guided by his witty translator, April. The “Bloom” theme was brought to life through segments named after various flowers, each symbolising different meanings, and fans were thrilled to discover that the singer himself had drawn all the floral graphics displayed during the concert.
Kyungsoo then shared personal anecdotes and updates. He discussed his current role in a new project, his emotional reaction to the drama “Our Blues”, and his culinary adventures in Malaysia. A particularly amusing highlight was his initial confusion over “teh tarik,” which he mistakenly thought was a type of sauce. After nearly dipping his “roti tisu” into it, he tasted it and found it delightful. The idol praised Malaysian cuisine, especially laksa and apam balik, noting their similarities to Korean food.
The night continued with a captivating medley session. The vocalist delivered acoustic renditions of popular tracks such as “Lucky” (EXO), “All of Me” (John Legend), “The First Snow” (EXO), “Boyfriend” (Justin Bieber), and “Overdose” (EXO). After a brief intermission, he showcased more of his diverse musical range with snippets from his own albums, including “The View,” “Rose,” and “Small Girl” (Young-Ji).
Kyungsoo’s setlist was a carefully curated mix of emotional and uplifting songs, featuring “Simple Joys,” “That’s Okay,” “I Do,” “My Dear,” “Ordinary Days,” “Good Night,” and “About Time.” He playfully remarked that his slower songs made it challenging for fans to jump along and promised that future performances would feature faster-paced tracks. The concert concluded with a moving rendition of “Somebody.”
In a heartwarming finale, Kyungsoo performed “Popcorn” and hinted at exciting new music on the horizon. One of the night’s highlights was an endearing interaction with fans, where he humorously corrected their rendition of “My Love” and had them sing it again. VIP ticket holders received an additional treat as the singer fulfilled requests for snippets of five more songs, including four EXO hits such as “Peter Pan,” “El Dorado,” “Monster,” and “Don’t Go” as well as “Supermarket Flowers” (Ed Sheeran), which he had previously covered on Lee Mujin Service.
Fans would have happily stayed all night just to hear Kyungsoo’s breathtaking vocals a little longer, but sadly, all good things must come to an end. Kyungsoo’s “Asia Fan Concert Bloom” left everyone on cloud nine, wishing the magical night could have lasted forever. As we eagerly look forward to his next performance, we’re confident it will be just as extraordinary as all his previous shows.
Melissa Royan contributed to this article.
