EVNNE Talks ‘Deep Reflection and Introspection,’ in ‘Un: SEEN’

EVNNE is barely six months old, having debuted in September 2023, yet their talent is undeniable. The South Korean seven-piece boy group under Jellyfish Entertainment—KEITA, PARK HANBIN, LEE JEONGHYEON, YOO SEUNGEON, JI YUNSEO, MUN JUNGHYUN, and PARK JIHOO—have been commended for their chops on music survival shows, foremost Mnet’s Boys Planet. Their renditions, as gorgeous as they are, have given them the momentum they’ve been toiling for. “We bring our exciting energy to the stage, captivating audiences with our infectious vibe,” says PARK HANBIN.

Building on that momentum, with elements that are more mature and varied, EVNNE returns with their second mini-album, Un: SEEN. It’s also their return to prominence since their debut together on their maiden EP, Target: ME, showing off their boisterous side. With Un: SEEN, however, they reveal the unknown stories that have scarred them from their lives and from their journey to debut—the “seen” and “unseen” parts of them.

I really like the way the name EVNNE comes off. The agency has it that it comes from a mix of words that mean “Evening’s Newest Etoiles,” referring to a “new rising star in the night sky.” For them, putting something new into each endeavor has become their work language, with composing songs that best convey their thoughts being a priority. “Since our debut, we’ve been actively involved in album production by writing lyrics, and for this album, KEITA even helped compose the song ‘Festa.’ As we continue to grow, I hope we can eventually include songs entirely created by our members,” says LEE JEONGHYEON.

“We take dance challenges very seriously and participate in them whenever possible,” adds PARK JIHOO, emphasizing that dance remains a key component of their creative strategies and an entertaining narrative device. “Whether it’s picking up new dance moves or keeping up with trends, we want to interact with our fans as much as we can through multiple platforms, through diverse content beyond just music.”

The group’s origin story is one of inspiration. Last year, Boys Planet, had an eclectic cast of competitors, of which nine were selected for Zerobaseone. Later, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that seven of the losing contestants would debut under the agency, culminating in EVNNE. “Looking back,” LEE JEONGHYEON says, “we now see that those challenging moments were integral to our growth. Though it was tough at the time, we emerged stronger, with renewed passion and confidence in our dreams.”

Hence, failure precipitated their success story. And more of that, as it came to be, is expressed in Un: SEEN. In JI YUNSEO’s words, “The story of an ugly duckling who was ignored and hurt by others, overcoming adversity, and becoming beautiful as it grows appears to be very similar to EVNNE’s story.”

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How has life changed for each one of you since joining the band?

KEITA: My start has been a bit different from other members, but upon joining EVNNE, I took on the responsibility of being the leader. I guide the members, support them during times of hardship, and sometimes simply enjoy spending time with them as friends. It is quite a unique experience.

YOO SEUNGEON: Except for Keita, we were all aspiring trainees with one goal: our debut. I was presented with a major opportunity to participate in Boys Planet. Although I was not able to debut through the show, it led me to a new beginning as a part of EVNNE, and it has greatly changed my mindset. Before my debut, I was primarily feeling desperate, but now I find myself filled with immense gratitude towards the many people, especially our fans, who have given me this chance.

MUN JUNGHYUN: From my time on Boys Planet to my debut with EVNNE and all the dedication until now, I’ve truly grown to love performing on stage. During the program, there was a lot of pressure to excel and rank high, but simultaneously, I loved connecting with fans, delivering performances, and sharing memorable moments on stage. Since my debut via EVNNE, I’ve been fortunate to experience happiness with supportive members and fans.

What was your initial impression of each other, and how has the camaraderie evolved?

PARK HANBIN: Keita made his debut before joining EVNNE and consistently delivered impressive performances, so we’ve been admiring his dedication and talent.

JI YUNSEO: Some of us were already close friends while practicing together at the same agency, but most of us met through Boys Planet. Despite being competitors, we bonded over our shared dreams and goals, which brought us closer than expected. This allowed us to maintain great chemistry even after reuniting as EVNNE members.

When passion becomes a profession, the excitement hits differently, but getting to this place wasn’t a cakewalk. I’d like to hear about the challenges encountered.

LEE JEONGHYEON: Right after Boys Planet, we experienced a period of frustration as we were all disappointed with not being able to debut. During this time, we faced many doubts and uncertainties about our future, wondering if it was worth continuing to pursue our dreams and if we would ever get the chance to debut. Fortunately, we were given a chance through EVNNE, which allowed us to rise again from those difficult times. Looking back, we now see that those challenging moments were integral to our growth as EVNNE. Though it was tough at the time, we emerged stronger, with renewed passion and confidence in our dreams.

JI YUNSEO: The preparation for this album was reflective, rather than challenging. While our debut album was filled with excitement and anticipation to present our music to our fans, for this album, we thought about how we could showcase a different facet of ourselves. With the themes of “wound” and “growth,” we delved into our past experiences and the challenges we’ve overcome, contemplating our growth since our debut. It was a time of deep reflection and introspection.

What drives you most of all?

MUN JUNGHYUN: Our fans, ENNVE, would be our biggest motivation. Whether it’s our debut as EVNNE or our recent success with “UGLY” on a music show, all thanks to our fans. Their unwavering support and love drive us to work even harder, and it fuels our desire to repay them by delivering better music and performances.

PARK JIHOO: Becoming an “all-rounder group,” a goal we’ve emphasized since our debut, is also a significant source of motivation for us. While our members already excel in a variety of areas, such as vocals, rap, dance, and songwriting, we are eager to grow and evolve into a group where each member shines in every role.

What distinguishes EVNNE’s music?

KEITA: One of the special aspects of our music is the sincerity with which we write and compose our lyrics, and create music from our hearts. By actively participating in the album production process, we’re able to infuse EVNNE’s essence into our music, conveying messages we want to share with our fans and telling stories that are uniquely ours.

PARK HANBIN: I believe that EVNNE’s distinct and playful atmosphere shines through our music as a distinguishing feature. We bring our exciting energy to the stage, captivating audiences with our infectious vibe. Our performances are all about sharing good times and positive energy with our fans, and we truly relish those moments of connection with ENNVE. This style of music resonates with me because I genuinely enjoy it.

Is there an emotion or perspective you intend to communicate through your songs?

KEITA: I strive to express the emotions and thoughts that are unique to my perspective in my songs.

LEE JEONGHYEON: Just like the track “K.O” from this album, I work hard to encapsulate my strong will to persist despite limitations, pushing forward relentlessly to overcome obstacles.

YOO SEUNGEON: To me, singing in front of an audience is about sharing my story through melody. Before performing a song, I always interpret it in my way, contemplating how to best express its essence, striving to be a compelling storyteller. I hope that my music brings joy and solace to those who listen.

JI YUNSEO: I think the content of our songs often varies based on the theme we’re exploring. Nevertheless, we consistently aim to encapsulate the story we want to share in each track. Through our music, we convey our humble yet unwavering ambition and determination to move forward, along with our hope to have fun with our listeners.

What differentiates Un: SEEN from Target: ME? 

PARK HANBIN: Two albums might seem similar since they both have the umbrella concept of ‘troublemakers,’ but the main difference lies in what we try to showcase through that concept in each album. In our debut album, Target: ME, we showcased a more exciting and energetic side of troublemakers, representing the beginning of EVNNE. In our second album Un: SEEN, we wanted to prove how much we have grown. Therefore, we prioritized showcasing an even more powerful side of us as well as our hidden inner side and sentimental vibes.

JI YUNSEO: One of the keywords for this album is ‘Ugly Duckling.’ The story of an ugly duckling who was ignored and hurt by others, overcoming adversity, and becoming beautiful as it grows appears to be very similar to EVNNE’s story. For this album, we wanted to focus on sharing what all members have gone through and the grown and improved version of EVNNE after accepting the hardships we suffered.

What is the song count of Un: SEEN?

YOO SEUNGEON: Firstly, the title track “UGLY” is a blend of tech house with strong beats and groovy R&B, and expresses EVNNE’s rascal-like energy powerfully. It is our delightful interpretation of the negative connotation of ‘ugly,’ spreading the message of “Let’s accept ourselves even when we’re ignored and ashamed.”

JI YUNSEO: For “SYRUP,” KEITA, LEE JEONGHYEON, and I participated in writing the lyrics. It will attract the listers to fall into our charms, just like one cannot resist the sweetness of syrup! Through the exciting vibe of the song and charming lyrics, you’ll be able to learn more about EVNNE members’ charms!

MUN JUNGHYUN: “K.O. (Keep On)” is a track with speedy drums and enegetic synth theme, and it carries EVNNE’s determination to ‘Keep On’, not being defeated by ‘Knockout.’

LEE JEONGHYEON: “Chase” talks about a will to chase an illusion even though one can never catch it, and it’s a dreamy song that is quite different from other songs on Un: SEEN so it portrays EVNNE’s charms in a new direction. Also, KEITA and SEUNGEON participated in writing the lyrics for this track!

KEITA: I participated in composing and writing the lyrics for “Festa,” and my inspiration was the emotions I felt during our fan meeting when we were having fun and enjoying the stage with our fans. As I made a comparison of my emotions back then to a bright, grand festival, I hope ENNVE can also reminisce about our memories and raise anticipation for the future memories we’ll create together!

Which song off the album is your favorite?

KEITA: I think I have a stronger attachment to “Festa” because I played a part in its creation.As I mentioned before, it started with a memory of our members and fans having fun together, and it also inspires me to look forward to more memories we’ll make together!

PARK HANBIN: I would choose “K.O.” as my favorite because we were able to share a new, fresh side of us with this track. While we presented a powerful and exciting side of us through the title track, “K.O.” shows a completely different side from that.

LEE JEONGHYEON: The main concept of “SYRUP,” which I participated in writing the lyrics for, was to compare EVNNE’s charms to irresistible syrup. To bring that idea to life, I considered a lot about what our charms are and how to express those charms to let even the new listeners know, ‘This is EVNNE’ while working on the lyrics. That is why “SYRUP” is my favorite track.

YOO SEUNGEON: I like “Chase” because I think it fits me well, and I contributed to the lyrics. When I first heard the track, I thought it embodied EVNNE’s charm in the best way that I could express it, so I thoroughly enjoyed working on this song.

JI YUNSEO: I pick “Festa” as my favorite because it pictures us having fun on the stage. I believe all members shine the most on the stage, so I like “Festa” which captures that moment.

MUN JUNGHYUN: I would pick “Chase” as my favorite. It carries a similar vibe to “Pretty Thing,” which is my favorite track from Target: ME. Also, it is quite different from the powerful charm we usually show on stage, so I think it represents our unique, different charm well.

PARK JIHOO: My favorite is “Festa.” KEITA depicted the atmosphere of us having fun very well, together with our fans, while performing.

Music undoubtedly brings you guys together—any other common interests?

LEE JEONGHYEON: We all enjoy working out or playing sports, so when we have the opportunity, we like to get together and work out. Also, some members have common hobbies, such as reading books or playing games, which may not be the group’s common interests.

PARK JIHOO: I think we’re all quite serious with short-form videos these days. We enjoy searching and following trends or new challenges, and uploading those for our fans!

What activities does EVNNE do in their spare time?

 KEITA: I usually catch up on sleep!

PARK HANBIN: I like to clear my mind by reading books or taking a walk along the Han River.

LEE JEONGHYEON: I usually spend my time with members playing games or discovering new music and movies.

YOO SEUNGEON: I enjoy live singing performances and working out!

JI YUNSEO: I like to spend time working out or playing games.

MUN JUNGHYUN: Just like HANBIN, I also enjoy reading books. I like watching dramas too!

Park JIHOO: I enjoy sports, particularly basketball. I’m also into fashion, so I enjoy looking for new clothes!

Is there something that you truly wish comes about this year for the band?

KEITA: My goal this year and beyond is to meet more ENNVEs and present them with better music. My dream would be to keep performing in front of my fans while showcasing a variety of appealing qualities and musical styles.

YOO SEUNGEON: To be honest, our number one goal this year was to win first place in a music show, which we were able to do thanks to ENNVE as the new year began. So, we’re now aiming for the next goal on our list: getting on the Billboard chart!

MUN JUNGHYUN: We just kicked off our first tour ‘2023 EVNNE FAN-CONCERT [SQUAD: R] ASIA TOUR.’ I look forward to visiting many places and enjoying the stage with ENNVEs there, and I hope we can wrap up the tour successfully in good health!

What do you want others to know about EVNNE, especially those who may not know you yet?

EVNNE: We’ve been saying this since our debut: We want to show everyone that we’re a versatile group. We hope that EVNNE will be known as a group of talented individuals who excel in a variety of fields, including music and variety shows. We’ll work hard to show that we can handle a wide range of concepts, styles, and musical genres, as well as have a variety of charms to share through variety shows and our content, so please keep an eye out for EVNNE’s future endeavors. Thank you!