ENHYPEN’s development trajectory over the previous 4 years is spectacular, but not shocking, given how exhausting the members have been working. Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki have been on their FATE Tour since July of final yr (with the encore leg, dubbed FATE PLUS, nonetheless ongoing). That doesn’t imply their different actions are on pause, both. In the couple of months main as much as the discharge of their second full-length album, ROMANCE : UNTOLD, ENHYPEN have held a fan assembly in Manila, carried out at Weverse Con Festival in Seoul, launched particular album MEMORABILIA (try a efficiency video of “Fatal Trouble” should you haven’t already).… The listing goes on. The group has matured a lot because the early days of actuality competitors present I-Land, which put ENHYPEN collectively in 2020, not solely when it comes to their bond with one another and with their followers, ENGENEs, but additionally of their music, as they evolve and present progress with every launch.
ROMANCE : UNTOLD, out now, is a undertaking that the members and their workforce have closely invested in. The members performed a much bigger half within the album’s manufacturing this time round — Heeseung produced “Highway 1009,” their first fan tune (which options lyrical contributions from all seven members, making it much more particular), and chief Jungwon penned the topline for “Hundred Broken Hearts.” Collaborators for the album embrace Jvke (whom they discuss with as “American Jake,” to not be confused with member Jake, from Australia), who produced lead single “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” and is featured on the English model of the observe; Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Cirkut, who they labored with for “Bite Me” final yr, and whose credit embrace the Weeknd, Usher, and extra lately, Charli XCX’s Brat; and famend artistic and vogue director Nicola Formichetti, recognized for his work with Lady Gaga. Rather than releasing an ordinary album teaser, ENHYPEN revealed a particular action-packed short film, directed by Lee Choong Hyun (Ballerina), that expanded upon the group’s lore, and the members have much more content material able to be unveiled as a part of album promotions.
Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki are simply as excited as their ENGENEs are for the discharge of ROMANCE : UNTOLD, mentioning right here and there how this album is next-level for them. Despite their packed schedules in Korea and abroad, the seven members are all smiles and simply as playful as you’d think about, all whereas being supportive of each other, nodding alongside to one another’s solutions, and being so honest in terms of their music on a Zoom name catching up with Rolling Stone two weeks forward of the discharge of ROMANCE : UNTOLD.
It hasn’t been that lengthy since we final met in L.A., however a lot has occurred in these two months. With this being your second full album, I’m positive there was a variety of preparation that went into it — what are you able to share in regards to the manufacturing course of this time round?
Jake: We collaborated with American Jake and we really met with him throughout our tour, too. We had a variety of conversations with him, filmed a variety of TikToks, and had fun with him. It was a extremely good expertise. And the tune got here out so properly. We’ve by no means put out a tune with this vibe, so I’m wanting ahead to seeing how ENGENEs react. I’m wanting ahead to Kristine’s response. [Laughs.]
Jungwon: Have you heard the music? What did you want most?
Yes! I actually like “Highway 1009” and “Hundred Broken Hearts,” the tune you wrote the topline for. Aside from the lead single, what would you say is your favourite tune on the album?
Heeseung: For me, it was “Hundred Broken Hearts,” however we’ve been working towards performing “Paranormal” and it has excessive vitality, so it’s been enjoyable. I believe it’s grow to be my favourite tune.
Jay: It adjustments for me on a regular basis however lately, “Royalty.”
Sunghoon: [Attempting a pun.] What about milk tea? Sorry. [Laughs.]
Jay: I affiliate it with a California vibe. Like with palm bushes? The guitar riff has a chill vibe to it. It makes me really feel like I’m singing in that sort of setting, so I believe it has allure in that sense.
Sunghoon: I like “Moonstruck.” It’s the primary time that our album begins with no narrated intro observe. I’m fairly positive that is the primary time. So it’s distinct in that sense. And I believe the tune is sexier, so I prefer it.
Jake: I like “Brought the Heat Back.” It’s produced by Cirkut. I really feel like he is aware of actually please our ears. It’s such a special fashion than our earlier songs, and it’s very rhythmical, it’s enjoyable to take heed to.
Ni-ki: I additionally like “Brought the Heat Back.” When I first heard the demo I felt that it was so ENHYPEN. The sound jogged my memory of “Drunk-Dazed,” and I actually like that tune, so once I heard “Brought the Heat Back” I favored it and was interested by what sort of choreography there could possibly be. The tune is so my fashion.
Sunoo: I like “Hundred Broken Hearts” most. When I first heard it, it left a long-lasting impression. And the pre-chorus that Jungwon labored on — I initially actually needed it to be my half.
Jake: But it grew to become my half! [Laughs.] I believed Jungwon would do it, really.
Jungwon: [Laughs.] I really instructed the producer that I believed it could be good if Heeseung or Jake did that half.
Heeseung: I believed that Jungwon would have finished it. I used to be actually shocked once I heard it. There had been a variety of ways in which a line there wouldn’t have match the tune properly, however as a result of it was written this fashion, it flowed so properly and a great topline was made.
Jungwon: Oh yeah! Thank you! For my favourite, I’ve been listening to the music with performing in thoughts. Since we carry out a lot. As quickly as I heard “Paranormal” I believed that it could be actually enjoyable to carry out. So it’s been my favourite because the starting.
Some of you have got talked about up to now that you simply’d prefer to take part extra in songwriting, and all of you have got had a hand in songwriting with this album. How did it really feel whenever you discovered you’d all be collaborating on this capability?
Jay: For me, I believed it could be good to get some inspiration from films, however I’m not too aware of romance as a style. So I searched up “Classic Romance Movie Scenes” on YouTube to get some inspiration.
Sunghoon: We’ve written right here and there over time, however it’s fairly troublesome to have your lyrics make it into the ultimate variations. This time with “Highway 1009,” with it being produced by Heeseung, and it being a fan tune, we thought that ENGENEs would love for it to have extra participation from us. Right? [Turns to Heeseung.]
Heeseung: I personally actually needed to ensure all of us labored on it collectively.
Sunghoon: Yes, we shared that suggestions, so I’m glad that we got the chance to all take part.
With that being stated, I’m curious to know what your favourite lyrics are. I personally liked Jake’s half in “Highway 1009” the place he sings “I’ll be your ENGENE now.”
Jungwon: Oh? I wrote that. [Laughs.]
Jake: Yes, I believed that half was actually charming.
Jungwon: What about you? What’s your favourite lyric?
Jake: Oh, my favourite? In “Highway 1009” there was a lyric within the refrain that was even in Heeseung’s demo model. [“Give me your hand just a little bit more/Promise you’ll hold on tight/So I can get back up even when I’m sick and tired.”] I actually favored the that means behind the phrases but additionally simply as a part of the tune, I believe it match very well. And since Heeseung sang it that approach with that intention… It suits the melody very well. And it’s so significant. You know what I’m saying?
Heeseung, what was it like working along with your members as a producer? And what would you say is one thing you realized from this expertise?
Heeseung: I’ve been writing for a while, however since this was the primary time I produced formally for our album, it felt surreal to me. And the sensation of giving a tune to my members was… I used to be nervous about what they’d suppose, but additionally interested by their opinions. It made me perceive how producers should really feel in these moments. Like, “How will they react?” “Will they like it?” “How can I ensure that each members’ vocal charms are portrayed in the song?” It helped me be taught extra about my members. I didn’t suppose I’d be taught extra about them as people from this, however I received to know them extra, which was attention-grabbing and deepened my affection in direction of them.
What did you guys take into consideration working with Heeseung as a producer?
Jake: It was an honor. [Laughs.]
Jungwon: I used to be actually grateful for him. The tune was so good after we first heard it. To the extent that we instantly thought it could be nice to incorporate in our promotion rounds. The undeniable fact that Heeseung produced it, nearly totally alone, and he needed to do it for the members — it was attainable for it to grow to be his tune, however then he gave that up and as an alternative made it a shared expertise for us by giving us the chance to put in writing. I’m so grateful for that. That’s how such a significant tune was in a position to come to life.
I do know you guys labored actually exhausting on the UNTOLD Concept Cinema as properly. Is there something that wasn’t revealed within the behind-the-scenes video you may share? The motion scenes had been so good — and Sunoo, you’re fairly the actor!
Sunoo: Plenty of it was revealed within the video, however because it was our first time appearing out motion scenes and utilizing a gun, I practiced rather a lot wanting within the mirror, like my facial expressions as properly.
Sunghoon: There is one thing that wasn’t within the behind-the-scenes video, really. [Smiles.] There’s a video of Sunoo working towards his appearing.
Jungwon: [Laughs.] That was posted! On his birthday.
The album has a couple of completely different ideas — Inceptio, Arcanum, Concessio, and ENGENE. Is there a member that you simply suppose actually stood out or matched notably with any of those ideas?
Sunghoon: I believe all of us got here out properly.
Jake: I believe this time, the ideas actually simply matched properly with ENHYPEN total.
Heeseung: There was a giant transition in our picture as properly. It was our first time carrying garments which are informal like that for an idea photoshoot, in order that was actually enjoyable too. And I believe it matched us properly.
You notably labored with Nicola Formichetti on the styling. How was that?
Jungwon: We labored with Nicola for Prada earlier than within the U.S. Being in a position to work with him once more for the album photographs…
Heeseung: He got here to Korea for us.
Jungwon: Yes, that’s proper. He got here. He instructed us he ate a variety of samgyupsal [grilled pork belly]. [Smiles.] It was actually cool to work with him.
Jake: Shout out to Nicola. It was an honor. [Laughs.]
I can solely think about that getting ready for this album was a bit completely different from whenever you had been getting ready in your first full-length album, DIMENSION : DILEMMA, three years in the past as you’ve all matured a lot. What do you suppose is the largest distinction this time round?
Jay: It was so way back… [Smiles.]
Ni-ki: I keep in mind we received Covid, so the date was pushed a bit of. Compared to again then, although, mentally, we’ve grow to be extra relaxed. And I believe we’ve gained some know-how from touring as properly. While getting ready for the album we’ve additionally gotten a greater grasp on our particular person charms and perceive that, so the music video got here out very well too.
You’re really nonetheless amidst your FATE Tour. What do you’re feeling is the largest distinction between your first present in Seoul and your most up-to-date present in Hiroshima? Ways through which you suppose you’ve grown, or simply recollections wanting again.
Jake: I believe we develop rather a lot whereas on tour, since we’re performing a lot. Singing and dancing for 3 hours. I believe we’ve grown to grow to be extra relaxed on stage. And with FATE PLUS, the plan from the start was to go to a variety of cities that we had by no means been to. So with Hiroshima, for instance, it felt like we had been going to hunt out the ENGENEs there to carry out for them. I believe it was a significant tour in that sense. Also with it being aligned proper earlier than our new album.
You’ve finished greater than 35 reveals up to now should you take a look at each FATE and FATE PLUS mixed. Knowing that, I’m curious to know your present favourite songs to carry out. When I requested again in October, Sunoo you talked about “Karma” and Jay picked “Blockbuster.”
Ni-ki: For me, it’s “Fate,” which was newly added as a part of FATE PLUS. Even although we don’t sing in it, the best way all of us dance collectively… Our ENGENEs actually prefer it, and I keep in mind after we first received the choreography for it. The half the place it transitions from “Fate” to “Bite Me” feels immersive to ENHYPEN’s universe.
Sunoo: I believe on the time, I selected “Karma” as a result of it closes out the setlist so properly. And I believe now, “Orange Flower (You Complete Me)” offers that very same vitality.
What’s your favourite reminiscence from the tour should you needed to decide one? I personally liked seeing Jay, Heeseung, and Ni-ki do the primary pitch on the Seattle Mariners game because it was in Jay’s hometown, and Ni-ki, you reunited along with your canine Bisco lately. Jake, I actually hope you get a possibility to return to Brisbane, too.
Jay: There are so many. It had been so lengthy since I’d been again residence to Seattle — I believe eight years or so — however all the pieces was all the identical. I had dreamed about sharing a vlog with our followers, exhibiting them my hometown, so I’m glad I used to be in a position to.
Heeseung: For me, it was after we went to North America, we rode a tour bus in New York and went across the metropolis. We don’t usually get to see a lot surroundings, so it was very nice. And the recent canine, too.
Jake: And Philly cheese!
Jay: Philly cheesesteak.
Sunghoon: The scorching canine was good.
Sunoo: My favourite reminiscence is after we went to Japan and I ate with our members. And on the finish, we additionally went buying all collectively in order that was memorable.
I want we might dive into all the pieces else you all have occurring. Like Jay, your collaboration with Glay, and Sunghoon, your work for Hince. Ni-ki, you had your Artist of the Month spotlight, the place you danced to Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” — I’ve been enjoying it for anybody who walks via my entrance door. [Laughs.] You’ve talked about eager to do extra dance content material like that. When one other alternative comes, what fashion of dance do you need to share with us?
Ni-ki: Something with a bigger scope and with extra dancers… I’d like to create a bit that’s on a bigger scale. [Smiles.]
I hope you get an opportunity to carry out a little bit of “Humble” for followers in L.A., on condition that Kendrick is an L.A. native!
Ni-ki: Oh! [Smiles.]
One final query, what would you every say is your objective for 2024?
Heeseung: There’s rather a lot we will’t share simply but, however there are various plans for the remainder of the yr. I hope our members and our firm workers can all be wholesome, so we will strive exhausting to examine all the pieces on our listing, one after the other.
Jay: Since we haven’t kicked off promotions for the complete album but… Over the years we’ve all give you targets and aspirations for ourselves. I hope that our promotions this spherical fulfill these desires. And personally, I hope we will all look again and be content material with how this album’s promotions go, with none performances we’re dissatisfied with.
Sunghoon: I hope I can have a wholesome thoughts and physique and that I can obtain even my smaller targets one after the other this yr.
Jake: There’s already rather a lot that’s being deliberate. I’m actually wanting ahead to it. So I hope that via the top of the yr, anticipation stays excessive. And I hope we may give our 100% for all the pieces we’ve ready. That’s my objective.
Sunoo: With simply half the yr left, I need to work exhausting and be pleased.
Jake: Be pleased!
Heeseung: Let’s be pleased.
Jungwon: I truthfully need our workforce to place out good outcomes. [Smiles.] And all of them stated this, however we will solely get pleasure from our followers’ love after we’re wholesome. So I hope for the remainder of the yr we could be wholesome.
Ni-ki: My essential objective is to do properly with promotions for our album. The reactions from our ENGENEs have been actually good up to now with the idea photographs and the idea cinema. I’ve been considering a variety of how ENGENEs will react after they hear the music too. I’m actually wanting ahead to it. I hope we will present all the pieces to our ENGENEs the best way we’re desiring to.
From Rolling Stone US.
