On a busy evening during breathless comeback promotions, Keita, Park Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yoo Seungeon, Ji Yunseo, Mun Junghyun and Park Jihoo all settled down for an hour to chat to the press, eagerly unveiling the stories behind their latest work. EVNNE’s second EP, Un: SEEN, is the foothold they’ve comfortably found themselves in after sailing far off the coast of their Boys Planet days. The EP is a small collection of the sweet and sour, as visually demonstrated in the album’s dual concept: “RASCAL” and “vulnerable”, the latter being the soft landing to the intense direction they’re going in. In short, they’ve been embracing the bad-boy vibe from day one.

The punk styling alone garnered some attention online. Roguish smiles of the members were accompanied with fake tattoos, silver jewellery and wet hair looks, which had fans delighted and onlookers intrigued. When we asked who they reckon suits punk fashion the most, Mun Junghyun was quick to praise Lee Jeonghyeon: “[He] exudes a sharp ambiance, and I believe the clothing and tattoos associated with the concept of this album truly highlight the intense side of his personality.” Yoo Seungeon also chimed in that Park Hanbin “looked as if [he] came straight from a magazine”, praising his bandmate’s ability to pull off tooth gems and rough, bloody makeup with confident flair: “He is very skillful with his facial expressions.” And the white-haired singer is probably right, as concept images of that very look of Park Hanbin’s had earlier gone viral amongst the K-pop community, with fans using the images alone as material to lure others into the fanclub. 

Leathers and lip rings aside, the members had something to say about the nuanced difference between TARGET: Me and Un: SEEN’s concepts, highlighting the evolution that parallels their own personal growth. “I believe it’s [most] accurate to describe it as a maturation process,” Ji Yunseo shared. “We’ve transitioned from being immature, boyish troublemakers to individuals who have experienced pain, revealing aspects that were not previously shown to the public.” 

“We sought to convey our internal emotions and feelings in a more profound and in-depth manner than before,” Yoo Seungeon added. The members gleefully admitted their excitement over being able to showcase something with such depth to their listeners, as it embellished performances with genuine feeling. 

The music itself on Un: SEEN is well-balanced, exudes the confidence of singers and rappers with fine-tuned skill, often partnering sanguine lyrics to catchy beats, and lands you on a happy note by the end. Answering our question on which song would be the perfect soundtrack to a movie about their lives, both Park Hanbin and Mun Junghyun agreed on K.O. (Keep On), thanks to its hopeful and passionate message, the younger member noting that it also “resonates well with the ambition of the team”.

All their skills as well as the common attitude of the boy group had been previously refined during an intense several months’ filming on the music survival show Boys Planet early last year. Their appearance on the show can be credited for their very existence as an ensemble, as they all placed high in the final rankings, and gained a multitude of supporters individually during its run. After being daringly questioned whether they’d ever regret their time on the show, there was an immediate chorus of noes, the passionate nature of which is an answer of itself. The boys took the opportunity to express their appreciation for having such an opportunity, elaborating that the show allowed them all to meet trainees alike who had similar dreams, exchange valuable lessons and skills, and lay the foundation of their future debut. The youngest member, Park Jihoo, admitted, “If I did not meet them I wouldn’t be able to grow into the person that I am [today].”

“Ever since we first met on the show . . . until now, we’ve maintained a shared goal that has deepened our understanding of each other,” Ji Yunseo offered, when asked about the show’s part in their team dynamic. “Our continuous efforts toward achieving this common objective have consistently improved our teamwork, fostering a strong bond within the group.” 

Lee Jeonghyeon also credited Keita for doing well as the group’s leader, who provided a comfortable atmosphere for the boys to grow together in. The talented rapper then emphasised the importance of making sure each member feels they can voice their opinions, allowing both youngest and oldest to contribute to the blossoming of the team. This strong, healthy bond they’ve cultivated was the driving force behind the creative process on Un: SEEN, and the result is an amalgam of artistically driven music and sincere lyricism, particularly in the B-sides. 

Boasting sheer versatility in their skill sets and sound, EVNNE aim to show just how many things they can do. As said well by the youngest, the group has demonstrated that they “are capable of exploring and excelling in various genres without being confined to a specific style.” Having left no room for listeners to doubt their competence, the boys intend to shoot for the stars, adapt to any and all new styles they’ve not yet tried, and connect with fans wherever they go. To paraphrase the chorus of the album’s title track UGLY, they reaffirm: “Yeah, we slay”.

Written and interviewed by Maddie Armstrong

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