KOSTCON 2025 Manila: Celebrating the Voices Behind Your Favorite K-Drama OSTs

Last August 6, 2025, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City came alive with the magic of K-drama music as KOSTCON 2025 celebrated its Manila debut. Presented by Random Minds, together with Hi-Five Entertainment, Kelebrity Worldwide, and the Korea Management Federation, the concert featured an all-star lineup: LYn, Kim Bum-soo, K.Will, Soyou, Heize, Lee Mujin, and Chen (EXO).

Each brought their signature OST vocals and gave life to the iconic voices behind your favorite drama OSTs together for one night of heart-stirring melodies, cinematic storytelling, and fan-filled nostalgia.

Now that the stage has gone dark and the last note has faded, we can finally relive the magic. The crowd was buzzing, the lights were dazzling, and every moment was one for the books. Here’s what happened at KOSTCON in Manila.

Lee Mujin

Opening the night was Lee Mujin, whose voice is widely recognized for its depth, emotional resonance, and effortless control, particularly shining through in his high notes and ability to convey warmth and nostalgia; traits that make his OST performances especially memorable. “Normally, I don’t really sing ballad songs because my vibe is usually a bit more laid-back, but I specifically chose OST songs that I knew you would enjoy,” he shared with the crowd.

He set the tone for the evening with beloved drama soundtracks, including Rest from Castaway Diva, Rain and You from Hospital Playlist Season 2, Sweet from Business Proposal, and Ordinary Confessions. Between songs, he repeatedly said "Salamat po!" with visible delight, determined to learn and express his gratitude in Filipino for the opportunity to sing for local fans. Outside of his OST work, he is also known for hosting Lee Mujin Service, a popular YouTube music talk show featuring live performances and guest artists.

Heize

Often praised for her smoky, emotionally rich timbre, Heize’s voice blends huskiness with a smooth, soulful delivery that draws listeners into her world, whether it’s heartbreak, nostalgia, or mellow introspection. She performed beloved OST tracks, including The Last from Our Blues, Can You See My Heart from Hotel Del Luna, You Are the One from Tastefully Yours, and Hold Me Back from Queen of Tears. Pretty in a full denim ensemble, she made the evening even more special by presenting a fan, whom she had noticed from the very start of her set, with a gift album of her OST songs and taking a selfie together. Between songs, she exclaimed "Mag enjoy tayo!" and "Sobrang saya kong nakilala kayo!", radiating warmth and genuine joy as she connected with the crowd. She closed her set with her hit And July originally featuring DEAN and DJ Friz, leaving the audience energized and singing along.

Soyou

Up next is SOYOU, who is known for her warmth and clarity. Soyou’s voice offers both tender vulnerability and standout control, with a smooth, comforting tone that resonates deeply with listeners. She performed fan-favorite drama soundtracks, including I Miss You from Goblin, No Sleep from Love in the Moonlight, Just Once from Empress Ki, and Good to Be With You from When the Camellia Blooms.

A SISTAR member through and through, she delighted the crowd by sneaking in a playful snippet of Touch My Body at their request. At one point, she even challenged the Philippine audience to be louder than the Jakarta audience, sparking cheers that filled the arena.

Chen

Celebrated for his powerful, crystal-clear vocals and technically superb belting, Chen of EXO consistently delivers with emotional precision. His voice conveys both soaring emotional intensity and intricate phrasing, especially in ballads and OST recordings. One of the night’s most awaited performers — evident from the sea of EXO lightsticks glowing in the crowd — he opened his set by telling fans, “It may be the first song, but I can already feel how much you’ve been waiting for me. A concert is something we must enjoy together, so if I point my mic at you, please sing with me.”

At KOSTCON 2025 Manila, he performed Fall In Love Again from his 4th album, The Door, Best Luck from It’s Okay, That’s Love, Make It Count from Touch Your Heart, Everytime from Descendants of the Sun, and his digital single Broken Party. Reflecting on his return to the Philippines, he shared how much he enjoyed hearing the audience sing during his last visit, and that when he was here earlier this year as a mentor for an audition show, he wished he could be back on stage, making this night all the more special for him and his fans.

K.Will

Making his Manila debut at KOSTCON 2025, K.Will expressed heartfelt joy in finally meeting Filipino fans. Often called the “Mr. Ballad” of K-pop, his voice is characterized by rich warmth, emotional sensitivity, and impeccable vocal control. His unique mix of power and tenderness brings heartfelt depth to every note, especially in drama OSTs.

He performed a touching set featuring Love Blossom, All I Have Is My Heart from Ghost Doctor, Beautiful Moment from The Beauty Inside, and Talk Love from Descendants of the Sun. K.Will expressed that he had been eagerly waiting for this moment to spend time with his Filipino fans. Meeting them at KOSTCON 2025 was a truly special experience for him, especially since it marked his first time performing onstage in the Philippines. He described the day as unforgettable and full of meaning.

Kim Bumsoo

A true legend in the world of Korean drama OSTs, Kim Bum Soo’s voice is instantly recognizable for its raw, soulful power and emotional depth. His iconic ballads have become staples of K-drama soundtracks, deeply familiar to fans across generations. Songs like A Love Begins From Confession from The Producers, I Miss You from Stairway to Heaven, and Appear from Secret Garden have defined pivotal moments in their respective dramas, making Kim Bum Soo’s voice synonymous with heartfelt storytelling and emotional catharsis.

At KOSTCON 2025 Manila, he captivated the audience with these timeless hits, as well as Journey from his acclaimed album, reminding fans why he remains one of the most revered vocalists in the OST scene. Before performing Appear, he asked everyone to stand up, creating an intimate yet powerful moment. The crowd eagerly joined in, effortlessly singing along to one of the most recognizable and beloved OST songs in Korean drama history. His connection with the Filipino audience was palpable as he enthusiastically exclaimed, "Grabe ang Pilipinas!", showing his genuine admiration and appreciation.

Lyn

Her voice is frequently described as elegant and emotionally stirring: a perfect match for the wistful, romantic power of many iconic drama OSTs. It’s instantly recognizable, deeply evocative, and timeless. Known as the queen of OSTs, she began her set with We Used to Love, immediately capturing the audience with her signature heartfelt delivery.

Greeting the crowd warmly with a cheerful “Magandang Gabi!”, she admitted feeling nervous but proved she had no reason to be with a flawless performance. Lyn expressed her deep affection for Manila, highlighting how much she loves the city. She also shared that, having sung many OST songs in Korea, she felt very grateful and honored to perform for the Filipino fans and sincerely appreciated their warm welcome.

She then performed beloved tracks, including With You from Descendants of the Sun, Love Story from The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Destiny from My Love from the Star, and Back in Time from Moon Embracing the Sun, leaving a lasting impression with her elegant and emotionally rich vocals.

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It was clear that KOSTCON 2025 Manila delivered exactly what fans came for: powerful performances from the artists behind the most memorable K-drama OSTs. Each singer brought their unique style and undeniable talent, making the night a true celebration of Korean drama music.

This event proved that the connection between these voices and their fans is as strong as ever, setting a high bar for future shows. Manila showed up, the artists delivered, and KOSTCON left its mark: no frills, just unforgettable music and moments.

Hopefully, they come back for an even bigger and better show in the future.

Thank you to Random Minds for the media invite.