Enhypen Members Choose Which Of Their Songs Describe Them Best, And Their Favorite Part Of Making "Dark Blood"

"We are now back with our 4th mini album Dark Blood in 10 months. Before anything else, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and patience throughout this time. This album represents our growth, and we have put in a tremendous amount of time and hard work to make it special. Get ready to have fun with us during this comeback! We promise to make your wait worthwhile. Let’s go!"

This is an excerpt from Daebak Weekly, the BuzzFeed newsletter about all things K-pop. You can sign up here.

With the finale of Boys Planet fresh on our minds and the final lineup of ZEROBASEONE being announced, it's only natural to think about the history of K-pop survival shows — especially given the growing popularity over the past few years. One specific show, I-Land, was the talk of the town in 2020. Among the 23 contestants, only the final seven would make their dreams a reality and debut in the group that was eventually named Enhypen.

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Inspired by the "hyphen(-)" that connects one word to another, Enhypen means that seven different boys connect to discover one another and grow together. Members JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI were the final 7 contestants of I-LAND, officially debuting as Enhypen in November 2020 and immediately making waves in K-pop from day one with their first mini album, BORDER : DAY ONE, achieving the highest first-week sales for a single album among K-pop groups to debut the same year. 

To add to their list of achievements, their third EP, MANIFESTO : DAY 1, sold more than 1.2 million copies during its first week and went on to become the year’s No. 8 best-selling CD album in the US and No. 11 best-selling CD album worldwide among all artists. They also embarked on their first-ever world tour, which sold-out 19 of 22 stops including six arena shows in the US, New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall, and two stadium shows in Japan.

Now, BuzzFeed sat down to chat with the boys of Enhypen to discuss their latest release Dark Blood and look back on their careers as their third anniversary draws near.

1. Dark Blood is your fourth mini album. What message do you hope to convey with this release?

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Jay: Dark Blood is essentially an album that expresses our gratitude towards our Engenes through a fantasy-like story. Through our unique concept and performance, we aim to show our limitless potential and distinct qualities that set us apart. We have poured a lot of time and effort into crafting this album, so we sincerely hope that Engenes love and enjoy this album as much as we do.

2. How is Dark Blood different in comparison to your other albums? How does it all connect?

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Jungwon: As this is our comeback in 10 months, each of us have undergone noticeable growth both in terms of our visual presence and artistic capabilities. This album shines with its use of various fantasy-like elements, e.g. the vampire theme, and we wanted to use it to create a one-of-a-kind concept unique to us. The album itself is a means to convey our deepest gratitude to Engenes, so rather than solely focusing on how Dark Blood connects to our past discography, please enjoy this album as a message from us to our beloved fans.

3. If you could only choose one of your songs to describe yourself, which one would you pick?

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Jungwon: “Bite Me,” because this song can also be interpreted as the deep connection and destined bond we, Enhypen, share with Engenes.

Ni-ki: Same here. The members, including myself, actively contributed our ideas to its creation, so it just makes it even more meaningful.

Heeseung: I would like to choose “ParadoXXX Invasion” as it embodies Enhypen’s dynamic and energetic vibe. Our album Manifesto : Day 1, in which the track is included, expressed our determination to deny the status quo and live life on our own terms, and I think this song portrays that kind of rebellious spirit very well.

Jay: I’ll go with “Blessed-Cursed,” because it reflects our inclinations to deviate from societal norms and seek our own truths and beliefs.

Jake: I choose “SHOUT OUT.” Lyrics like, “I shout out, and this is my shout out. I'm all for myself” encourage you to embrace your true self and express it proudly. We also perform this song at the end of our concerts, so it represents Enhypen even better.

Sunghoon: I’ll have to go with our debut song, “Given-Taken,” since it marks the beginning of Enhypen.

Sunoo: I agree! “Given-Taken” is at the heart of Enhypen’s identity.

4. Can you share a memorable moment you have from making this album?

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Sunghoon: We visited Poland to shoot the music video for “Bite Me,” and it was a pleasant surprise to see that there are so many Engenes there. I’m eagerly looking forward to a chance to return for an actual concert, where we can meet even more Engenes and create unforgettable memories together.

5. What are you most excited about as you start promotions for Dark Blood?

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Jungwon: It will be our first time using the mics we recently had customized, so I’m genuinely excited about the new experience using them for our music show performances will bring.

Heeseung: My biggest hope for this album is to have it deeply resonate with many ENGENEs and listeners alike. It would be incredibly fulfilling to see our music forge a lasting connection with and bring joy to their lives.

Jay: I’m excited to see how I, myself, have grown as an artist from our first world tour. I hope Engenes can also witness both our individual growth and collective improvements as Enhypen.

Jake: It’s been a while since our last album cycle, so I’m pretty much enthusiastic about every aspect of this comeback. The thought of hearing the resounding cheers and chants from Engenes during our performances fills me with immense joy already, and I simply can’t wait for that moment.

Sunghoon: I’m always most excited for the stages we’ll be performing on during the album promotion, and I’m curious to see the responses of Engenes and the audience at large. I hope they will enjoy the album as much as we do. 

Sunoo: I am wholeheartedly committed to giving my all for this promotion with sincerity and dedication. With this, I want to deliver my best performance and connect with ENGENEs on a more genuine level.

Ni-ki: We’ve never performed a song like “Bills” for music shows, so performing it as a part of our promotions this time around is something I absolutely look forward to. It allows us to showcase our vocal strengths and reveal an emotional side of us that contrasts with the energy of “Bite Me.”

6. What message would you share with your pre-debut selves?

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Jungwon: Don’t give up! I know you will make it.

Sunoo: Stay true to yourself.

Ni-ki: Do your best!!!

7. You debuted amid the COVID-19 pandemic and had to wait a while to meet your fans face to face. How has it been being able to meet fans face-to-face and on your tour last year?

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Ni-ki: Engenes from around the world have been there for us ever since our debut, and it really hit me when we saw them in person during the tour. I always wondered what it would be like to go up on stage with so many Engenes there to cheer for us and our music, and once we did, we were able to gain more energy to enjoy the stage and give it all we have.

8. What concepts are you interested in trying that you have not done yet?

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Jungwon: I’d like to try a high-teen concept. 

Heeseung: We have always dedicated our efforts into trying out different concepts, so we want to continue to challenge ourselves to try something new both visually and sonically to show our versatility. 

Jay: In the musical sense, I want to try ballad - a genre that can really showcase who we are as vocalists.

Jake: Nothing specific comes to mind at the top of my head at the moment, but I would like to continue seeking out new, different concepts that no one has done before.

Sunghoon: Retro is making a comeback, so I’d like Enhypen to try and experiment with that style sonically and visually. 

Sunoo: I want to try something on the cuter side. I can’t really imagine ourselves doing that kind of concept, but I’m sure we could pull it off.

Ni-ki: We’ve tried it before, but I’d like us to take another shot at the hip-hop concept since it felt like a great fit for all of us. If we ever do come back with a hip-hop concept, I would like to participate in creating the choreography and performance of the track in its entirety so we can go up on stage with what I have built for Enhypen's stage.

9. Your third debut anniversary is coming up in November. Looking back on your experience competing on I-Land, how has Enhypen shaped your growth as individuals?

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Jungwon: Participating in I-Land undoubtedly gave us valuable experiences on stage that would have been unattainable otherwise. In hindsight, these experiences have become a powerful source of motivation, keeping me grounded and propelling me to strive for greater excellence.

Heeseung: It served as a significant opportunity for self-discovery and growth. It became a crucial part of my personal journey, for which I’m very thankful.

Jay: This experience became a driving force that led me to persevere and relentlessly pursue my dreams.

Jake: I think I’ve become stricter with myself during practice, which ultimately drives me toward perfection and continuous improvement.

Sunghoon: Being a part of I-Land definitely had an immense impact on my personal development, not only improving my skills and capabilities but also growing a resilient mindset.

Sunoo: I used to overthink, which would sometimes lead to my emotions taking control every now and then. However, going through this experience has helped me mature in all aspects of myself.

Ni-ki: The diverse experiences and exposures I got through partaking in I-Land ignited an even stronger desire for the stage, which still persists today.

10. Describe your members in one word!

Enhypen and M2

Jungwon: Heeseung, to me, is an older brother.

Heeseung: Jay is my ride-or-die.

Jay: Jake is a puppy inside and out.

Jake: Sunghoon is my bro!

Sunghoon: Sunoo is the reaction master.

Sunoo:  Ni-ki is a dance machine!

Ni-ki: Jungwon is a cat.

11. What do you want Enhypen to be remembered for in 10 years?

Enhypen

Heeseung: I aspire for Enhypen to be remembered as a group that left many marks in the K-pop scene with each member spending their brightest and most brilliant moments together.

12. Do you have a message to Engene and our readers?

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Sunoo: We are now back with our 4th Mini Album Dark Blood in 10 months. Before anything else, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and patience throughout this time. This album represents our growth, and we have put in a tremendous amount of time and hard work to make it special. Get ready to have fun with us during this comeback! We promise to make your wait worthwhile. Let’s go!

13. What does K-pop mean to you?

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Jake: K-pop is something that I hold dear to my heart and cannot be replaced by anything else. It enables me to do what I love — to sing and dance — and most importantly connect with our fans. 

Follow Enhypen on Instagram and Twitter, and listen to their latest album Dark Blood. For even more content featuring the boys, check out their YouTube channel and check out the dates of their upcoming world tour, Fate.

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