F4 brings entire generation back to its youth as they return to PH after 20 years

There are concerts that entertain, and there are concerts that become a reunion with the past, and that is exactly what F4's concert in Manila was.

On Saturday night, the Philippine Arena became more than just a concert venue—it became a time capsule and a place where thousands of fans relived a chapter of their lives they thought existed only in memories.

Over 20 years after F4 last performed in the Philippines during the height of the "Meteor Garden" phenomenon, Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, and Vanness Wu returned for their highly anticipated F Forever tour, joined by Taiwanese rock star Ashin of Mayday.

But what unfolded wasn't simply a concert. It was a celebration of a generation that grew up watching Shan Cai, Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Xi Men, and Mei Zuo every afternoon after school.

Inside the arena, "Meteor Fever" was alive once again.

Around 21,000 fans packed the country's largest indoor venue, proving that the love for F4 had not faded despite the passing of two decades.

From parents introducing their children to the group that defined their own teenage years, to millennials who once decorated their bedrooms with magazine cutouts, and to Gen Z fans who discovered the band through streaming platforms and social media, the audience reflected just how timeless F4's legacy has become.

There were also international supporters who flew to Manila simply to witness one of the most anticipated reunions in Asian pop culture.

For many, attending the concert wasn't merely crossing off another event on their bucket list. It was fulfilling a promise they made to their younger selves.

A friendship built on F4

Among those who waited patiently for the lights to dim were longtime friends Chan, Dianne, and Janel.

Like many Filipino fans, their friendship has lasted almost as long as their love for F4.

Chan, now 35, vividly remembers becoming a fan while she was in her first year of high school.

"Idol ko na po sila since teenager. Since first year high school ako," Chan told GMA News Online.

She recalled how everything changed after F4 first came to the Philippines in 2003, during the peak of the group's popularity. Like countless Filipino teenagers, she followed every television appearance, every magazine feature, and every new song they released.

For Dianne, 32, one member immediately captured her heart.

"First love ko si Jerry Yan!" she said with a smile.

She remembers rushing home every afternoon after school when she was in Grade 5 just to catch the latest episode of "Meteor Garden."

Back then, missing even a single episode felt like missing an important part of childhood.

Janel, now 36, laughed as she admitted she had always been Team Vic.

"Super crush ko si Vic Chou," she said.

Two decades later, the three friends found themselves together once again—not inside a classroom talking about their favorite characters, but inside the Philippine Arena, finally seeing their idols perform live.

For them, the years between simply disappeared.

Another fan, Ayette, shared a similar story. A loyal supporter of Vic Chou, she said F4's reunion felt deeply personal.

"Matagal silang nawala right? Then last year or two years ago, they just got together as a group, so parang era namin eh. We also want to support them," she said.

Her words reflected what many inside the arena were feeling—that this wasn't simply about nostalgia. It was about honoring a group that had been part of their youth and showing that their music still had a place in their lives today.

The soundtrack of a generation returns

As the house lights dimmed, the arena erupted into deafening cheers. The opening notes alone were enough to send waves of emotion through the crowd.

F4 kicked off the evening with fan favorites including "Always Be My Bro," "Waiting for You," "Ask for More," and "First Time," immediately transporting fans back to the early 2000s.

Every chorus was met with thousands of voices singing in unison. Every familiar melody sparked another memory.

The concert also allowed each member to reconnect individually with the audience through their solo performances.

Vanness took the spotlight with his solo performances of "Dance Until We Die," "Save Me," and "Ur the Reason."

Vic performed heartfelt songs including "Forever Love," "You Are My Courage," "Tell Me Why," "In Loving You," and "Make a Wish," while Jerry serenaded fans with "Costly Love," "Sleepless Letter," and "I Really Really Love You."

Ashin added another memorable layer to the evening with performances of "I Will Not Turn Away" and "Suddenly Missing You," among other songs.

'The Philippines has not forgotten us'

The biggest cheers of the night, however, came not during the songs but during the heartfelt conversations between the group and their fans.

"How are you guys doing tonight?" Vanness asked as the audience roared.

"Mahal ko kayo. We are actually so happy to be here today."

Vic looked around the packed arena before expressing what appeared to be genuine disbelief.

"It feels like after 20 years, the Philippines has not forgotten us."

Jerry also shared the sentiment as he took a trip down to memory lane from their concert in 2006.

"We see a lot of people tonight. It feels like we're back 20 years ago because of everybody that's here tonight."

For many fans, those words became one of the evening's most emotional highlights.

Because while F4 wondered whether the Philippines had forgotten them, the answer had been visible from the very beginning—a sold-out arena filled with thousands of people who never stopped waiting.

The group also thanked Ashin for being part of their reunion.

"Without you, we cannot be here," Vanness told the Mayday frontman.

Some songs never grow old

If there was one moment that united every fan inside the arena, it came when F4 performed the songs that became the soundtrack of a generation raised by them.

The first notes of "Meteor Rain," "Forever Forever," and "Can't Lose You" instantly transformed the concert into one massive sing-along.

The crowd passionately sang every lyric, especially the iconic "Oh baby, baby," with voices that engulfed the entire arena.

Fans also joined F4 in singing their beloved rendition of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love With You" and Penny Tai's "Ni Yao De Ai," a song forever associated with "Meteor Garden" and one that instantly transported listeners back to afternoons spent glued to their television screens.

For a few precious hours, adulthood seemed to disappear. The deadlines, responsibilities, careers, and worries of everyday life gave way to something much simpler. People were teenagers again. —MGP, GMA News