The air of “ooh!” hang in the air when seven good-looking young men – members of the very popular ENHYPEN – entered the Ballroom of Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City at 12:40 p.m. today, Dec. 3, to the applause from the media representatives from various platforms.
ENHYPEN is a Korean boy band that needs no introduction. The group is composed of Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki.
They had “slept well last night because it was very comfortable,” Jake said to explain their fresh look. Another member, speaking through an interpreter, said that there were already “many fans waiting for us outside” the airport when they arrived on Dec. 2.
Apparently, getting good sleep is one of their “secrets” in staying healthy to keep up with their busy schedule. As Jungwon replied to a query on that: “We eat well, we sleep well, and we try to sleep more.” “And we take vitamins,” Jake added.
At the press conference, the group sat through many questions from the press, relayed to them by an efficient interpreter. The answers always came after a brief check with the other members either through glances or a huddle. Even the host later commented: “Don’t they look cute conferring on their answers like that?”
Acting as a united group is top of mind for each of the members of ENHYPEN – who are from ages 16 to 22.
In reply to a question about what is their biggest strength, Jungwon said: “Since we are from a reality show, the audition program, we have different ways, our attraction points are also all different, but when we go on stage, we are together, we make one unit. I think that is our biggest thing – that we can get together as a group.”
Indeed that is ENHYPEN’s magic. On stage, the seven young men also move and sing as one, creating a visual art form of rhythm fueled by energy.
The way they view style is not static. In reply to a question on the importance of exploring new styles and sounds, Jay said: “As an artist we cannot just stay the same… you cannot satisfy your fans. What we do is to show different sounds and styles, and we keep exploring so that our fans will always have more…”
So, what types of genres are they looking to explore for the future? They said they hope there will always be an “opportunity to try new genres to show to our fans.”
But who is the group’s biggest musical influence? Sunoo said, without hesitation: “I think influence-wise, our biggest music influence is BTS. We, as a group, will be doing our best and exert more effort to perform well.”
An interesting query got a charming reply and the media’s response told them so. “Since the group's debut, what is the development you guys are feeling the most?” The reply: “Of course one of the things we have developed is the skills which we are still working to improve. We are also traveling. And we are getting more handsome or good looking!”
They said that “one of the best parts of being an artist is to travel around the world and to meet fans. “We are very happy to be here now. Next time we will come for our show,” Jake said.
“Being able to travel around the world and to meet fans is what we enjoy the most as being artists,” Jake said.
ENHYPEN is expected to be in Manila only for the Fun Meet tonight at the Araneta Coliseum. But if they had more time, where would they like to go?
“We would like to vacation with our families in Cebu,” they said.
Do you guys have any recommendations, the interpreter asked the media group whose instant replies were: “Boracay, Palawan, Siargao!”
ENHYPEN, whose hype has rattled fans and mothers who have to search for tickets to the boy band’s concerts, is in Manila for a Fun Meet today, Dec. 3, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The event will roll out BYS Philippines’ 10th anniversary celebration, which has launched the ENHYPEN as the face of BYS’ latest cosmetics in its “play line.”
Reacting to a question on how it feels to be BYS’ new ambassadors, the reply was: “Actually BYS is the first foreign cosmetic brand that we are representing as ambassadors. We would like to congratulate BYS Philippines for their 10th anniversary. Through the celebration, we have the opportunity to get together with our fans. We hope to have more opportunities like this so we can meet up with our fans.”
Meanwhile, Vani Altomonte, marketing head of iface, distributor of BYS Philippines products, said they expect a big crowd at Araneta Coliseum tonight where ENHYPEN is expected to “get to know their fans better.”
Although he refused to divulge the surprises at the Fun Meet, social media has been talking about fans hoping to watch ENHYPEN perform high-energy, and totally entertaining dance moves that are “ageless” – it entices people of all ages to stop and watch.
Wilbros, concert promoters of big stars, has made the Fun Meet a reality, adding to its list of successful big-ticket and fully-packed concerts in Manila, among them featuring Mariah Carrey and Britney Spears.
If you have not heard of ENHYPEN, you must either be living without internet access, or you have been stranded in the music of your era.
ENHYPEN is the newest Korean boy band, who made their debut on Nov. 30, 2020 with their mini album Border: Day One and title track “Given-Taken.”