Just under two weeks ahead of their debut anniversary, Apink returned to reunite with Singapore Pandas again through their 8th concert, <The Origin: APINK> held The Arena @ EXPO on 4 April — it was the same venue as the group’s tour the previous year. The show unfolded as an early celebration of the milestone, and the group delivered a performance brimming with charm, energy, and laughter.
A Walk Down Nostalgia Lane
From the very start of the show, Pandas were swept into a wave of nostalgia as Apink opened with “I Don’t Know,” their debut title track. The choice felt intentional, anchoring the night in the Origin concept of the concert and transporting everyone back to 2011, when it all first began.
As the familiar, youthful opening instrumental from “I Don’t Know” rang out, it was met with resounding cheers. The momentum carried on with a string of beloved hits such as “BUBIBU,” “My My,” and “NoNoNo” — setting the tone for a night filled with even more fan favourites and hits to come.
If APINK Were A Boy Group
Ever wondered what your favourite girl group would be like as a boy group? — What roles would they take on and what stage names would they get? That exact playful “what if” took everyone by surprise as it unfolded in the first of many creative and emotional concert VCRs that night.
Introducing… AGreen! From the very first moment the VCR started, it had both us and Pandas completely hooked. The hall quickly erupted into loud laughter as the concept played out, instantly becoming a fan-favourite segment.
Apink returned to the stage in a striking 360-degree transformation, trading the soft pinks of their opening looks for sleek, black and white ensembles. The shift away from the cutesy charm of their early years subtly signalled a transition in the concert’s tone, ushering in a segment focused on their more mature, recent releases.
The opened the set with a dance cover of TVXQ’s iconic “Mirotic”, a classic familiar that we would say is almost to every K-pop fan, before moving into standout tracks from their later discography, including “I’m So Sick,” “Eung Eung,” and more.
Remember These Times In Our Hearts
As the concert approached its final stretch and encore, Apink revisited a string of beloved hits including “Mr. Chu”, “LUV” and “Hush”, alongside newer releases such as “Love Me More”. Emotional ballads — “The Wave” and “Hold My Hand” that were released on their anniversaries were also included as well, making it all the more sentimental.
Apart from the lengthy run of performances, Singapore’s Pandas had an extra reason to celebrate — Possibly the first time on the tour so far, the group switched up the setlist to include their 2015 summer hit, “Remember”.
The choice felt especially poignant for the night. As the lyrics go, “We’ll remember these times in our hearts, moments that we can feel like it’s yesterday” — A sentiment that seemingly perfectly captured the atmosphere. We guessed it was Apink’s intention behind the addition as well as they talked about how they would like Pandas and themselves to remember the night together; a smooth segue into the song.
The night slowly drew to an “unofficial” close (an encore is usually expected) as Apink gathered for a group photo session with the crowd. This time, however, it was them who were in for a surprise. Pandas had prepared a special fan event, beginning with a heartfelt video montage that looked back on Apink’s 15-year journey, featuring memorable moments from variety show appearances, music show wins, and more — a nostalgic trip back to their earliest days.
As the video came to an end and the members turned back to face the audience, the second part of the surprise was revealed. Fans lifted heart-shaped banners bearing the message: “We’ve been walking together for 15 years like a dream, and we’ll continue to Love Apink More,” thoughtfully weaving in references to the group’s song titles and lyrics.
During the final talk segments, they each took turns expressing their heartfelt gratitude to fans once again. Namjoo and Hayoung, in particular, impressed Pandas by sharing their thoughts in fluent English.
If there is one takeaway from the night, it is this: Even 15 years on, Apink continues to embody the same endearing energy and consistency they have carried since day one — from their unwavering love for Pandas to their signature catchy tunes and timeless concepts, and vocals, all of which have evolved steadily over the years. It is a testament to why they remain one of K-pop’s most beloved girl groups.
The concert came to a close with a closing VCR featuring the members reflecting on their journey through a series of interviews, before fading to black with their anniversary date — 19 April 2026 — signalling yet another year of walking hand in hand with Pandas.
What a night to remember!
Huge thank you to Sliding Doors Entertainment for the invitation to <The Origin: APINK> in Singapore!
Leave a comment