After pandemic debut, ENHYPEN sheds ‘boy band’ image ahead of BMO Stadium show

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Picture this scenario: Your entire life’s moments, be they joyous, awkward, amusing, or heartrending, all being captured for posterity. For the K-pop sensation group ENHYPEN, this isn’t a hypothetical situation but a reality that began when they were adolescents, as they took part in the South Korean competition series “I-LAND” in 2020.

Debuting amidst the frenzy of BTS popularity, where BTS graced an appearance, the series was a collaborative effort between international entertainment giants CJ Entertainment and HYBE. This joint project became a global phenomenon, with over 20 million viewers tuning in online across its twelve episodes from around 178 countries, who also took part in the voting process.

The entirety of the contestants’ daily lives was recorded, both during their stay and training at the complex. Popular moments were quickly edited by fans and turned into videos or memes. Shortly after the series ended, the group made their debut and regained public attention within just two months. ENHYPEN, which consists of Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-Ki, released their first EP titled “Border: Day One.

Ever since then, the group has been experiencing an uninterrupted ascent with no signs of slowing down: They’ve put out 11 studio albums (five of these made it into the Billboard 200 Top 10), graced the stage at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and completed two global tours. At present, they are embarking on their third international tour, the “Walk the Line” world tour, where they will perform at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday.

It’s astonishing how quickly five years have passed since their debut. Now in their early twenties, the members of this group are eager to demonstrate that they’ve evolved beyond the boys they were at the outset of their careers. With their new album “Desire: Unleash,” they aim to display their growth as artists and individuals to their fanbase, known as ENGENEs. Their recent Coachella performance revealed a more mature and edgy aspect of their act, one that they’ve personally crafted.

As a cinema enthusiast reminiscing about our cinematic odyssey, I can’t help but reflect on the transformative experience that was Coachella. When I look back to when we first stepped onto the silver screen, it’s hard to believe that we were barely men – more like infant actors fresh from the nursery. Starting with such a young cast, our journey has been a rollercoaster of growth and maturity. We’ve not only grown taller, but we’ve also evolved mentally, allowing us to present our best selves to the world.

The young band, with their youngest member Ni-Ki at 14 during competition, found it challenging to adjust to stardom. However, they felt grateful for the supportive team and staff around them that eased this transition. Despite acknowledging his childhood was unconventional, Ni-Ki appreciates the mental stimulation he received which significantly contributed to his personal growth.

In Ni-Ki’s own words, “Since I began in this field at a tender age, I experienced numerous transformations.” To clarify, this encompasses alterations in my personality, as well as discovering various aspects of life, all made possible due to the positive environment I found myself in.

Sunoo acknowledges that they showed a touch of immaturity and clumsiness throughout “I-LAND” and even during their debut, reflecting their state at that particular time. The portrayal in the show, behind-the-scenes clips, and their social media platforms offers an authentic glimpse into who they truly are.

Reflecting back now, Sunoo acknowledges that during the performance, we essentially revealed almost everything about ourselves. It seems our audience appreciated seeing the authentic versions of us, and as we continued to grow, their affection for us only deepened.

Leader Jungwon believes that their extensive online presence significantly boosted the group’s popularity when they debuted amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person fan interactions limited, social media became a crucial tool for them to engage with fans. He explains, “Being in this digital age has its advantages and disadvantages. Before our debut on ‘I-LAND,’ social media was already prevalent, which made it simple for information about us to spread quickly.

Dr. Hye Jin Lee, a K-pop expert who teaches at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, believes that social media played a significant role in the growth of the group ENHYPEN, particularly during the pandemic when its usage skyrocketed. TikTok emerged as a popular platform for the group to boost their visibility and distribute their music through short clips. The band, with over 30 million followers on TikTok, keeps up with viral trends, dance challenges, and even hosts livestreams on both TikTok and its official app, Weverse.

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Due to their debut happening at a time when live performances were not feasible, ENHYPEN primarily communicated with their fans through digital platforms, as Lee noted. This unique situation enabled them to foster strong bonds with their supporters, resulting in their frequent social media activity. They regularly update Weverse daily and are quite active on TikTok.

ENHYPEN acknowledges the close scrutiny from their fans, both online and during livestreams, as well as their collective public image. Initially, they were mindful about the persona they wished to present. However, with time, they came to understand that being authentic and true to themselves was more beneficial.

In the current phase of my life, Sunghoon wishes to reveal his true self and authentic nature,” he explains. “Over time, as I grow older, so too will my desired image evolve. As we age, our perspectives tend to shift. However, for now, I simply desire to present myself authentically before others.

The audience has observed that band members have become more open in voicing their thoughts and setting personal boundaries. In a recent conversation, Jungwon disclosed he felt inexperienced when debuting with the group’s track “Fever.” Jake has started to speak candidly about the stresses he experienced throughout his career. Sunoo, affectionately known as “Ddeonu” for his adorable facial expressions, has recently decided to limit such displays during interviews and live streams.

Sunoo explains, “Right now, I feel that constantly being overly cute doesn’t represent me truly. However, our fans appreciate that side of me, so I can’t completely eliminate it. When they ask for it, I’ll happily oblige, but otherwise, I don’t force it. I’m aiming to maintain a balance between staying true to myself and giving the fans what they enjoy.

Jay extended his help even more, appearing on the official live streams to provide support and guidance to fans who needed it. He infused his personal experiences into his reassuring words, revealing a compassionate aspect of the serious artist.

After being in this profession for five years, he noted that it’s simply not feasible to fabricate or misrepresent facts. He strongly feels that the most authentic aspect we can present to others is our true selves. In all that he does and thinks, he strives to be genuine and sincere, avoiding any actions motivated by a desire to project a specific image or create a certain impression.

Fans have always had the group’s wellbeing at heart, expressing concerns about their busy schedule. Being one of the busiest groups in the industry, ENHYPEN’s members are aware of the demanding nature of being a K-pop artist, with numerous comebacks, tours, fashion events, media appearances, variety shows, endorsements, and music creation on their plate.

Jake shared that it’s touching to see our fans care about our well-being so much, but he emphasized that the essence of all our work stems from our inherent passion. He clarified that we aren’t being pushed into this, rather, we have chosen this path willingly, which keeps us rooted and driven.

Despite holding dear the memories of their past five years spent on “I-LAND” and their debut, they are now focused on shaping the group’s future, particularly in the year 2025. Jay emphasizes that this year signifies a pivotal moment in their careers, with standout events like Coachella, “Desire: Unleash”, and the global “Walk the Line” tour marking key milestones.

According to Jay, “this is a continuous progression” that will propel us forward and mark the next phase in ENHYPEN’s journey. This momentum serves as a starting point for us to explore various other areas in the future.

Sunghoon eagerly anticipates reaching a ten-year milestone with the group, wondering what this journey may hold for both their collective and individual futures.

He expressed his belief that ENHYPEN will stay together, but also emphasized the importance of focusing on personal goals. He’s eager to see what this new phase will bring and how much more they’ll have developed as individuals. When each member works separately, they put in a tremendous amount of effort. Upon reuniting, their teamwork is expected to be nothing short of remarkable.

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2025-08-15 13:32