by Anwaya Mane
Photos By Jellyfish Entertainment
Serving up a delectable "Hot Mess" of versatile music, infused with the members' sincere selves, EVNNE continues to grow with every album—here to stay, conquer, and spread love.
Looking at EVNNE's immaculate talent and the incredible music they've released, it's almost hard to believe that the seven-member boy group—comprising KEITA, PARK HANBIN, LEE JEONGHYEON, YOO SEUNGEON, JI YUNSEO, MUN JUNGHYUN, and PARK JIHOO—debuted only two years ago in September 2023.
Despite their brief time in the spotlight, the impressive EVNNE kicked off the Korean New Year with their fourth EP, Hot Mess, featuring the eponymous title track. A vibrant blend of frisky pop-rock, energized by vox loops and crackling guitar alongside mesmerizing vocals and infectious melodies, "Hot Mess" is impossible not to groove to. The title track shines as the centerpiece of this musical feast, while the b-side tracks serve as mouth-watering side dishes that complete the experience – much like a perfect Korean meal.
Naturally, the lyrical contributions of members YOO SEUNGEON and PARK JIHOO to "Hot Mess" add the perfect dollop of Kimchi to this delicious musical creation.
In an exclusive interview with tmrw, EVNNE discusses the process behind recording "Hot Mess" and what fans can look forward to from them in 2025.
I was a bit nervous about our interview. After practising my brief Korean introduction a few times, I figured wishing them a Happy Korean New Year, or Seollal, would be a good icebreaker. I also wondered what it felt like for them to kick off the new year with a new album and what they could tell us about "Hot Mess," their first Korean release in eight months since the power-packed RIDE or DIE.
The septet's ace, YOO SEUNGEON, who contributed to writing multiple songs on the album, including "Hot Mess," "Youth" (which he fully took charge of), and "KESHIKI," shared the excitement of the group: "We are thrilled to release our new album and enter the new year. We put a lot of effort into working on our album since it is our first album of the year." He continued, "Our members also participated in lyric writing and composing some songs, so please look forward to hearing them." Seungeon's sweet shoutout sparked gratitude and excitement in his fellow members, who seemed eager to see how ENNVE (their fandom) would react to their new album.
This led me to my next question. After glancing through the tracklist before the interview and knowing about YOO SEUNGEON and PARK JIHOO's contributions to "Hot Mess," I asked, "What was it like recording songs for the album? Was it challenging or exciting for you?"
PARK JIHOO, the other half of the songwriting duo, took over to answer. Explaining technical jargon in simple words, he said, "When writing lyrics for typical songs, I would usually use pretty and conventional words. But this time I had more fun incorporating words like 찌릿찌릿 (jjilisjjilis) or 'tingling' into the lyrics and expressing a more playful side of us."
"As this was a concept we had never tried before, I think we had some difficulty preparing for our album," MUN JUNGHYUN cautiously added. "But since 'fun' was a key element of the album itself, we were able to enjoy that process together, and I think our songs and performances eventually came out really nice."
Knowing that the interview would be published well after the release of "Hot Mess," I wanted to ask EVNNE about their biggest takeaway from the album and what they hoped fans would take away from it. Member JI YUNSEO, who wrote the charming b-side track "Love Like That," stepped in to answer: "The message we want to convey to our fans, ENNVE, would be to have fun and enjoy with positive energy." Emphasizing the word "takeaway," JI YUNSEO added:
"I think the biggest takeaway from us and our fans would align with the album's theme of finding joy even in chaotic and confusing situations."
Building on JI YUNSEO's words, the ever calm and composed leader KEITA, who wrote the lyrics and composed the track "KESHIKI," shared a simple yet profound thought: "The keyword that came to my mind was 'empty your head and clear your mind.'” After a brief pause, he continued, weighing his words carefully: "I think we want to tell our fans that no matter the situation, if you enjoy it in your own way, you can make it your own. I hope this message reaches our fans whenever they face any challenges in life and need encouragement, reminding them that they can overcome them in their unique ways."
EVNNE had an impressive year, with two mini-albums—Un: SEEN and RIDE or DIE—along with exciting remixes added to their already brilliant discography. Additionally, the "Hot Mess" hitmakers toured Asia with their 2024 EVNNE FAN-CONCERT [SQUAD:R] ASIA TOUR, spanning Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, Osaka, and Yokohama.
They also debuted their North American showcase tour, Ride with EVNNE, wrapping up the remarkable year with several of their songs charting on both domestic and international charts, marking a new career high for the septet.
With so many records and achievements under their belt, I couldn’t help but ask the "KESHIKI" singers, "It’s only February, but it already looks like a very interesting year ahead for you. What’s in store, and what can fans expect? Any spoilers?" I gave a teasing smile, hoping they’d spill some tea.
"For now, we will be focusing on our new album and plan to give it our best," YOO SEUNGEON began on a diplomatic note. The rest of EVNNE nodded in agreement, keeping tight-lipped about their future plans.
"As for future plans, we always want to visit our fans all around the world, so we will try to be there wherever, whenever we're called upon!"
However, a few days later, following our interview, EVNNE's team confirmed in a press release that the "YOUTH" singers will be holding a two-day concert, SET N GO, on April 5th and 6th at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul, the capital city.
EVNNE is emblematic of authentic music and genuine talent, coupled with an ever-evolving style that exemplifies excellence and a dedication to pushing boundaries with every release. The members, who previously participated in the popular Mnet K-Pop Survival program BOYS PLANET, have embarked on a new journey, proving that every ending is simply the beginning of something greater and that every door closed opens countless new opportunities for growth and success.
With Hot Mess, EVNNE has pushed the envelope a bit more, retaining their signature style yet broadening their horizons by infusing elements of music, genres, choreography, and presentation they haven't explored before. Its certain to capture the hearts and attention of both old and new fans alike. After all, they are étoiles, shining bright, spreading their brilliance and leaving an unforgettable mark on the global music scene.