PUBLISHED ONAugust 15, 2026 9:30 AMBYLynette Phua"I've waited 25 years for Dao Ming Si," read the handmade sign held high in the crowd.
For the thousands packing out Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday (Aug 14) night, that poignant declaration wasn't hyperbole — it was a collective heartbeat.
A quarter of a century has passed since the unstoppable phenomenon that was Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden swept across the region, leading to the meteoric rise of an idol boy group named F4.
Four ordinary young men were turned into household names and the soundtrack of a generation was embedded into our collective consciousness.
And for the uninitiated, Dao Ming Si is the iconic, pineapple-haired leader of F4 played by Jerry Yan in the 2001 hit drama, which also starred Vic Chou as Hua Ze Lei and Vanness Wu as Mei Zuo.
And on Friday night, 49-year-old Jerry, Vanness, 48, Vic, 45, as well as Mayday's frontman Ashin, 50, brought us back to our youth in the F Forever concert.
As the lights dimmed and the opening chords reverberated through the venue, time seemed to fold in on itself.
Decades melted away, replaced instantly by the piercing screams, synchronised lightsticks, and tear-filled eyes of fans who had grown up and traversed life's milestones, and yet remained, in that exact moment, the starry-eyed teenagers of 2001.
From the very first number Always be My Bro, F Forever delivered precisely what its moniker promised: A timeless spectacle that bridged nostalgia with a renewed, mature energy, and deeply personal interactions that made the massive stadium feel like an intimate living room.
Jerry, Vic and Vanness instantly commanded the room with effortless charisma alongside tour companion Ashin.
Bringing a dose of self-deprecating banter to the stage, Ashin drew roaring laughter from the stadium when he joked about why he wasn't part of the original Meteor Garden line-up: "I couldn't join F4 in the drama back then because I was too young."
The cheeky remark — coming from the oldest man on stage — sent a wave of amusement through the crowd, perfectly highlighting the playful chemistry between the performers.
The crowd's roar, however, reached a deafening crescendo when hits that defined an era — anthems of teenage rebellion, unrequited devotion and enduring friendship — such as Can't Help Falling in Love, Season of Fireworks and Meteor Rain poured out.
Midway through the set, the atmosphere shifted from electric euphoria to tender vulnerability. Fans hoisted banners recounting decades-old memories, while the group reciprocated with heartfelt reflections on their long journey together with their Southeast Asian fanbase.
"Thank you for waiting and thank you for growing up with us," a sentiment echoed from the stage, sending a fresh wave of emotion rippling through the venue.
What set Friday night apart was the seamless blend of surprise elements and fan service.
Eschewing a predictable setlist, the production team injected fresh arrangements, unexpected medleys — keep an eye on a 'surprise guest' during Vanness' solo stage, and interactive digital integrations that kept even the most seasoned concert-goers on the edge of their seats.
As the final notes of the encore faded and the house lights snapped us back to reality, the air inside the Indoor Stadium was thick with a rare kind of post-concert bliss. Fans lingered in the aisles, reluctant to break the spell, comparing notes on their favourite moments and clutching their merchandise like precious heirlooms.
Twenty-five years on, their hairstyles might have evolved and the fashion trends have certainly matured, but the core magic remains entirely intact.
F Forever proved on Friday night that true star power doesn't fade with time - it deepens, matures and waits patiently to be unlocked by a single song, a familiar smile and a cardboard sign held high in the dark.
Jerry, Vic, Vanness and Ashin will perform again on Saturday and Sunday nights at the Indoor Stadium. Tickets are sold out.
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