ENHYPEN Discuss New Mini-Album MANIFESTO: DAY 1, Their Powerful Team Dynamic and Upcoming World Tour
The post ENHYPEN Discuss New Mini-Album MANIFESTO: DAY 1, Their Powerful Team Dynamic and Upcoming World Tour appeared first on Consequence.
Between dance practices, the members of ENHYPEN (JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI) huddle around a Zoom call with Consequence. The atmosphere is casual — they’re in their practice clothes, a mix of tank tops and baggy tees, bright-eyed as they take turns introducing themselves.
While not the leader of the group — that title goes to JUNGWON, all of eighteen years old — Aussie bandmate JAKE assists with the majority of the conversation and translating duties. “We have practice and music show promotions after this,” he says. “A pretty busy day.”
The seven-member group recently dropped an EP, MANIFESTO: DAY 1, and are preparing for a world tour — their first, in fact. The global demand for the act is high. Having debuted in late 2020, the “MANIFESTO” tour will be the first time they’ll be able to perform for their fans, known as ENGENEs, worldwide. They’ve already charted on the Billboard 200 three separate times. They are the fastest K-pop group to reach 1 billion streams on their music. While ENHYPEN might be young, having not yet even celebrated two full years together, the term “rookie” doesn’t feel like it applies to anything about them.
Right now, though, dressed-down and casual, they look more like a group of friends than they do seven young stars within the rigorous world of K-pop. They work hard, to be sure, but they also enjoy plenty of things appropriate for people growing up as they are. SUNOO and JUNGWON love watching movies and going on walks together. JAKE and JAY are often at the gym — the latter is wearing a coveted HYBE gym shirt during the call — along with SUNGHOON, who adds that he loves playing video games, too. “League of Legends,” JAKE translates for him before bashfully hiding his face in his hands as the members laugh.
Their latest era, that of MANIFESTO: DAY 1, began with the lead single “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC),” which features choreography that quickly caught fire across K-pop TikTok. “I won’t be a fool no more/ I realize it now/ Give me that mic, this is day one,” HEESEUNG sings powerfully on the refrain.
The sentiment of the song communicates a desire for the members to stand on their own two feet, accepting their place within not only the musical landscape at the moment but the world at large, while also setting the stage for whatever next generation may follow.
“I believe our chemistry and our teamwork were one of the strongest points from the beginning,” JAKE reflects. “But as time goes by, it’s getting even stronger.”
This album expands ENHYPEN’s repertoire beyond their BORDER and DIMENSION series. The members are getting more comfortable offstage, too, increasing their levels of participation in the conception of themes for new music. “Our previous albums contained our stories, for sure,” JUNGWON explains. “But with this album, I think our participation rate has increased a lot. For this album, our opinions and our voices were heard more.”
They’re incredibly excited about tour, it seems, and for more reasons than one. NI-KI, the youngest of the group at just sixteen, hasn’t been able to return to his native Japan in over three years. Between the international travel restrictions posed by COVID-19 and the intense schedule of a K-pop idol, ENHYPEN’s maknae hasn’t been home since 2019. “I’m going to see my parents again,” he says. “I’m really excited about that.”
“Our goal was originally to go on tour,” says SUNGHOON. “Now, our goal for 2022 is ending the tour on a good note and having fun with ENGENEs all around the world.” In addition to the tour, they’ll be making their first appearance at K-CON LA.
What else do the days ahead of tour preparations entail for one of the fastest-rising K-pop groups working right now? “We had galbitang today,” offers JUNGWON. “I’m cutting my hair today. I can’t see,” shares HEESEUNG, shaking his long black bangs out of his eyes. “I worked out earlier,” SUNGHOON reminds everyone proudly.
At that moment, my cat pads across the desk and knocks the laptop off-kilter. Through a hurried apology, JUNGWON lights up. “He loves cats,” JAKE explains, and the group then waits patiently to greet her. The moment doesn’t disappoint: SUNOO applauds. NI-KI gives a thumbs-up, then sends a heart our way with his hands. JUNGWON is smiling like his face is about to burst.
Before the call wraps, the conversation, of course, circles back to the fans. “We have a lot planned for this year,” JAKE says, implying much more to come from the septet. “ENGENES… I think you guys are ready.”
Grab tickets to see ENHYPEN on tour this fall.
ENHYPEN Discuss New Mini-Album MANIFESTO: DAY 1, Their Powerful Team Dynamic and Upcoming World Tour
Mary Siroky
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