Okay-pop boy band ENHYPEN / Courtesy of Belift Lab
Six years after debuting by means of “I-LAND,” a worldwide audition program that put opponents’ destiny within the arms of viewers world wide, Okay-pop boy band ENHYPEN finds itself at a turning level. What started as a survival present experiment has grown right into a tightly bonded crew with its personal mythology, worldwide attain and a string of milestones, together with a sweep of main year-end awards in 2025.
That development feeds immediately into the group’s seventh mini album, “THE SIN : VANISH,” set for launch Friday. The report continues ENHYPEN’s long-running “vampire narrative” by means of a narrative of forbidden love between a vampire and a human.
“For us, each comeback means attempting one thing new,” Jay stated throughout an interview with The Korea Occasions at a small cafe in Mapo District, Seoul, Wednesday. “This time, from the prerelease promotions to the best way the album is structured as a narrative, we actually tried to make all the pieces really feel recent.”
On the middle of “THE SIN : VANISH” is its title observe “Knife,” a hip-hop-driven music constructed on lure beats and sharp synths that body a message of resolve. Whereas acquainted to the members as followers of the style, hip-hop marks a brand new course for ENHYPEN, a gaggle higher identified for its polished pop sound.
“It is a style I’ve all the time loved, and we wished to attempt it as ENHYPEN,” Ni-ki stated. “Each time we filmed the music video or took idea photographs, it felt just like the style suited us completely. We wished to indicate that we are able to pull off any type.”
Okay-pop boy band ENHYPEN / Courtesy of Belift Lab
That ambition is mirrored within the album’s construction. Comprising six songs, 4 narration tracks and one skit, the 11-track mission weaves Latin, pop and R&B influences right into a cohesive arc somewhat than a style sampler.
“Every observe has a special temper, however all the pieces is related by means of a storyline,” Jake defined. “When you hear rigorously from the primary observe to the final, you possibly can actually really feel the emotional movement. That is what makes the album really feel full.”
The important thing theme tying these tracks collectively, in line with the members, is “escape.” Heeseung described it not simply as an motion, however as an emotional state.
“The album facilities on the theme of escape,” he stated. “It captures each the joys of two lovers, one a vampire and the opposite a human, operating away collectively and the nervousness that comes with it. Generally you’re comforting a lover, generally you’re overwhelmed by worry. All of these feelings are there.”
That layered storytelling has lengthy formed ENHYPEN’s identification, although it has not all the time been straightforward to convey. Since its debut, the group has constructed a fictional universe by means of its music, wherein the members are portrayed as vampires residing alongside people.
“At first, even we felt the vampire idea was difficult,” Sunghoon admitted. “However it’s additionally one thing that helped us develop. Now we’re enthusiastic about easy methods to inform the story in a approach that is simpler for extra folks to get pleasure from.”
One such effort seems within the album’s 4 narration tracks, with the Korean variations carried out by actor Park Jeong-min. His voice anchors the story, says Sunghoon, including gravity to the album.
“I’ve personally favored his work for a very long time,” Sunghoon stated. “After I heard he would participate, I felt he would categorical our story rather well. He is very detailed as an actor, and the outcome was satisfying.”
From left are Okay-pop boy band ENHYPEN members Jake, Jungwon, Heeseung, Sunoo, Sunghoon, Ni-Ki and Jay. Courtesy of Belift Lab
The arrogance behind the upcoming album, in line with ENHYPEN, displays classes realized over years of development, together with its look at Coachella final 12 months. The group carried out for 2 weekends within the California desert in April 2025, turning into the quickest Okay-pop boy group to debut on the competition’s stage.
“That stage modified the best way we expect,” Jake stated. “There have been lots of people there who simply love music and do not actually know Okay-pop. It made us suppose extra significantly about how we are able to attain listeners past our personal followers.”
As ENHYPEN enters its sixth 12 months, the members say the largest change is inside.
“We debuted as youngsters, and now we’re in our 20s,” Jake stated. “As we reside our lives and acquire experiences, I feel we have grown not simply as artists, however as folks.”
Jay pointed to communication because the spine of that development.
“There have been mentally powerful moments, however every time we struggled, we talked issues by means of as members,” he stated. “That communication helped us construct stronger teamwork.”
With “THE SIN : VANISH,” ENHYPEN will not be merely extending a storyline. It’s refining its edges and inserting it towards new genres and sounds. The result’s an album that treats development not as a break from previous work, however as a deliberate sharpening of it.
Or, as Jay put it, “We actually sharpened our knives for this one.”
