Life has been racing forward for the seven members of K-pop group EVNNE. However, this doesn’t mean they steer chaotically or that their direction lacks clarity. Instead, it comes down to knowing when to double the efforts and adjust for optimal growth. Every decision, they affirm during our conversation, is made with purpose. “Everything we are experiencing these days was just a dream when we were all trainees,” says main vocalist Seungeon. “I think we are making good progress, one step at a time, and are approaching our goals slowly but steadily.”
Seated to his left, Yunseo –known for his warm, supportive disposition– elaborates on this outlook, drawing their approach as ever-evolving. “It’s almost like when you’re playing a game where you complete different stages and missions,” he says.
The highs and lows might be part of the trajectory, but the septet have forged a keen perception through their experiences. Even today, amid their first North American tour, they’re restless but energised, joining this video call from New York on a packed Saturday afternoon. For K-pop idols, an active schedule is part of the norm, but this pause gives them a chance to reflect, and they do so with infectious optimism. There are smiles here and there, nuggets of laughter, and some teasing amongst themselves.
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“Through this journey, I’ve gained a new life motto: ‘If I give my best, it will happen,’” says the ever-spirited Hanbin. “I’ve been trying different methods to achieve my dream…but I’ve also had many failures, and I’d think, ‘I’m just a person, and there’s nothing special about me.’ Then, I got to appear on Boys Planet, and I feel like being on that survival show provided me with the opportunities that fit me and who I am. It helped me think that if I do my best and work on myself, the right opportunities will come my way, and I just got to do it.”
This understanding is essential to the group’s endurance, but to appreciate how far they’ve come, let’s rewind for a bit. The members of EVNNE first gained attention as contestants of Boys Planet, the survival show that led to the formation of the multinational group ZEROBASEONE. But even though they couldn’t secure a spot in the final lineup, that learning curve was pivotal. A few months after the programme ended, it was announced in August 2023 that Keita, Hanbin, Jeonghyeon, Yunseo, Seungeon, Junghyun, and Jihoo –all of them coming from different K-pop labels– would officially debut as EVNNE (an acronym for EVENing’s Newest Etoiles) under Jellyfish Entertainment.
And of course, crossing this threshold meant having a clearer direction as they bid farewell to their trainee days – a challenging chapter where uncertainty persisted. “I had my worries and concerns about the future, and I didn’t know what else to do other than just my repetitive routine,” Seungeon says. “After our debut, I still have my routine with my schedules, but I know now there will be an opportunity if I give my best all the time.”
When he speaks, he is charmingly assertive, and his groupmates respond with grins and subtle nods in harmony. “To all the people who have a similar dream as we do or have similar concerns about repetitive days and think, ‘Am I going somewhere? I feel like I’m lost,’ I want to say that give your best every day, and a new opportunity will come for you.”
With everything falling into place, what naturally followed was to reintroduce themselves. Since debuting in September 2023 with their first EP, ‘Target: Me’, EVNNE’s hallmark has become an energetic soundscape of pulse-racing compositions.
Their debut single, ‘Trouble’, and ‘Ugly’, the title track from their second mini-album ‘Un: Seen’, are strong examples of this, with the latter earning them their first win on a South Korean music show – a milestone highly coveted, especially for groups barely taking wing. “We never expected to take first place; all we focused on was doing our best on stage,” Jeonghyeon admits. “It was truly a surprise for all of us, but we were very grateful, and it motivated us to work on ourselves even more.”
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“When you get first place on a music show, the music [of the winning group] comes out, so when we heard our song, we were all surprised, and even Keita, our leader, teared up a little bit,” Jihoo remembers with a smile. “That moment gave us the thought and motivation to achieve even more in the future.”
One win became two, sparking a greater ambition to achieve bigger dreams.Their heartfelt determination is fueled by their strongest support system, with everyone who has been with EVNNE throughout their story so far – whether from the beginning or having joined later – playing an essential role in these triumphs. It’s a connection mirrored in the spirit of their music and the way they approach each performance. As Yunseo delineates it, their fans are “the foundation of us – who we are, what we do, how we can stay grounded. They are the motivation because they trust us, and they are always with us. That is the reason why we are here today.”
“On the stage, we always think about what our fans expect from us,” Junghyun adds, emphasising this is the main focus when they rehearse. “But off the stage, we like to show a more natural side where we can joke around and have fun. I think our fans love that side of us, so we try to be as natural as possible, and show who we are as individuals.”
“For example, Hanbin becomes absolutely silent for a couple hours before any performance, and then once it starts, he puts out all the energy and passion on the stage,” Keita observes. “We really want to maximise our energy.”
“When I’m off stage, I like to be just myself because I want to show different personas and characters when I’m on the stage,” Hanbin says. “I want to make sure I’m able to pull through various concepts when I’m performing. That’s something I’ve been practising and working on for a long time.”
This openness enables a diverse spectrum of ideas, giving EVNNE leeway to expand their creative net. Sometimes, when K-pop groups deviate from their usual sound (at least for the title tracks), it can be a gamble to see if i’ll be well-received, but the septet were able to do a smooth transition with their latest extended play. Released last June, ‘Ride or Die’ displayed more colours of their musicality, especially in the titular song, ‘Badder Love’, punctuated by beautiful melodies that spread across lyrics brimming with faith. “I’m approaching the light / Let it shine on me evermore,” they sing in the chorus. “As if I’d break off, hold me tight, got no regret for even badder love / Now I’m on my way to you.”
The objective was straightforward: to reveal a more intricate and thoughtful version of their artistry, and they were intent on getting out of their comfort zone. “We were very serious about this goal, so I don’t think there is a room where we had any regrets,” says Jeonghyeon. And though there were some hiccups now and then, that’s fine. It happens. “I promised myself to not eat late-night snacks for [this] promotion,” shares Keita, laughing. “Every time I couldn’t hold the temptation because I was so hungry, I found myself puffed up the next morning.”
“I tend to get very nervous when taking photos, so my body would often freeze,” Seungeon shares. “I hope to see my improvement by trying in [different] ways with confident thoughts like, ‘It’s okay to make mistakes, this is me!’”
For the ‘Badder Love’ music video, they ventured to Jeju Island, one of South Korea’s most stunning spots, capturing sequences that feel lifted from a coming-of-age movie. EVNNE are seen wandering carefree and unburdened, practising boxing in an open field, and immersing themselves in nature while they collect timeless memories of their friendship. It portrays the bond between the members, as they relish the beauty of living in the present.
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As they continue creating countless memories together, they have been finding out their own place within the group’s dynamic. For Jihoo, who’s the youngest at 18, this process has been particularly meaningful, offering him an opportunity to grow alongside them. “Before our debut as EVNNE, I felt like I was just an individual, a trainee,” he says. “However, soon after the debut, I realised that not only do I have my members, but I also have our fans with us, and it feels like one big family.”
Echoing the energy of the moment, in a genuine, family-like setting, Keita starts assigning roles to each member, sparking another wave of laughter and nods. “So… Yunseo is EVNNE’s mom,” he says, causing the former to let out a resigned chuckle. (There’s actually a consensus among the group’s fans that Yunseo is, indeed, the ‘mom’ of the group.) “And I’m EVNNE’s dad!” Keita adds enthusiastically.
He then moves on to his next target: “Hanbin is EVNNE’s grandfather!” Hanbin, caught by surprise, exclaims, “Eh?!” followed by more laughter (and chaos). Finally, Keita wraps up with, “And the rest of the members are the sons.” Yet, the assessment leaves Hanbin still wondering, “Why am I the grandfather?!”
The camaraderie within the group is easy to see in every interaction, and despite the intensity of their careers, it’s what keeps them centred amid the whirlwind. With the new year approaching, more accomplishments await, and most likely, new boundaries to bend. “We are growing over time,” reassures Yunseo. “We are family, but at the same time, we are colleagues and we are friends. We are always teaching each other, and we are learning something new from each other. That’s how we get to grow together as a team.”
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Words: Ivana E. Morales
Photo Credit: Jellyfish Entertainment
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