ENHYPEN Explores a World of Romance With Second Full-Length Album ‘ROMANCE : UNTOLD’
Photo Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
On July 12, K-Pop boy group ENHYPEN made a momentous return with an enticing array of songs with the release of their much-anticipated second full-length album ROMANCE : UNTOLD. The album itself sets the stage for a different artistic direction from their previous BLOOD and DIMENSION series, unfolding a world of romance as seven vampires who find themselves battling for survival amongst mortals while protecting their one true love. The members JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI participated throughout the album-making process from producing to songwriting, including their first-ever fan song “Highway 1009.” Before release day, the album had garnered a record-breaking 2.2 million pre-orders, making them the fastest 4th generation K-Pop group to achieve this feat since their debut in 2020.
Photo Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
The album's promotional rollout was preceded by the short film ENHYPEN UNTOLD Concept Cinema, directed by LEE CHOONG HYUN, best known for his work in Ballerina (2023) and The Call (2020). In preparation for this project, the members ventured into acting by taking lessons between their most recent US leg of the FATE+ World Tour and were able to bring forth remarkable results. In the film, a vampire hunt is underway in the town where the seven vampires secretly reside. The group is eventually caught by the police as they try to escape to Riverfield while searching for CHLOE, the group's beloved friend and the muse behind their music (symbolizing the fans).
In addition to the film, the album features a roster of prominent figures within the music and entertainment industry, such as creative direction and styling done by award-winning fashion director Nicola Formichetti, who actively works with Lady Gaga and other prominent fashion houses.
With nine new tracks under their discography now, let's deeply dive into what ENHYPEN offers with ROMANCE : UNTOLD.
1. Moonstruck
Staying true to their vampire concept, the album opens with an alternative and dark R&B track that pairs well with their existing lore — a hopeful romantic professing their undying love for their significant other. The dreamy instrumentals mixed with their soft vocals in “Moonstruck'' make for the perfect ambient soundtrack for a night drive as emphasized by NI-KI's line “You and I under the moonlight // The sun is behind the night.” Overall, the track evokes a similar soundscape and feeling to that of “Still Monster” from their ORANGE BLOOD series last year — a sense of calmness amongst chaos, where the world seems to have frozen for the time being.
If you liked this, you may also like: “Criminal Love” - ENHYPEN (2023)
2. XO (Only If You Say Yes)
An earworm of a song that is bound to be echoing in your head for the rest of the summer, “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” brings out the passionate lovers in the ENHYPEN members. From wanting to “pluck the sun and moon” for their lover to being their “genie,” they are willing to run the mile for their love in a heartbeat if they say “yes.”
The title track was produced by American singer-songwriter JVKE, known for his viral hits “golden hour” and “this is what falling in love feels like” (which HEESEUNG recently did an official cover of). JVKE's distinct style can be heard throughout the song, more specifically in the synths of the chorus. This collaboration comes forward exactly a year after SUNOO's cover of “golden hour” on a livestream that led to JVKE discovering the group's music and reaching out for a collaboration.
Adorned in string lights and hues of pink and gray, the music video is set in Riverfield, a fictional town that vampires attempt to flee off to in their short film, and where the DARK MOON Webtoon series is based on.
If you liked this, you may also like: “10 Months” - ENHYPEN (2020)
3. Your Eyes Only
Adding to the boy-crush concept is “Your Eyes Only,” a pop track with synths and groovy bass, but on a sweeter side. The lyrics playfully reference some of their previous tracks including “Bite Me” and “Orange Flower (You Complete Me),” while JAKE's and SUNOO's vocals in the choruses bring out the essence of a soothing, but addictive melody that will have you humming it for days.
If you liked this, you may also like: “TFW (That Feeling When)” - ENHYPEN (2022)
4. Hundred Broken Hearts
Drawing influences from old-school R&B and a topline written by the group's leader, JUNGWON, “Hundred Broken Hearts” is a mid-tempo synth-pop track with layered vocals that transport you to a melancholic rainy afternoon. The lyrics encapsulate the anxiety of potentially losing someone you love but knowing that you would go to the far ends of the Earth to ensure that no heartbreak and pain will ensue.
The track was performed as a promotional B-side at both the Media Showcase and Fan Showcase, held on July 11 and July 12, respectively.
ENHYPEN performing “Hundred Broken Hearts” at ROMANCE : UNTOLD Media Showcase
Photo Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
If you liked this, you may also like: “Fatal Trouble” - ENHYPEN (2024)
5. Brought The Heat Back
“Brought The Heat Back” is a funk, dance-pop number that can be envisioned being played at a picturesque summer beach party. However, if you take a closer look at the lyrics, the members sing about a riveting sense of jealousy and insecurity they feel towards another who seems to have eyes on their lover. The track was produced by renowned producer Cirkut, who was also the mastermind behind their song “Bite Me,” the fastest 4th generation boy group song to reach over 100 million streams on Spotify. A special point to note is JAY's vocal build-up in the bridge followed by SUNGHOON's ad-libs, which add an extra punch to the song, leaving you wanting more of the track as it draws to an end.
If you liked this, you may also like: “Teeth” - ENHYPEN (2024)
6. Paranormal
Diverging from the signature sound that the album has established so far, “Paranormal” is a refreshing addition to the project that incorporates rock drum and bass. The track was co-written by Ryan Lawrie, who has previously worked on fan-favorites “Flicker” and “Sacrifice (Eat Me Up).” Ending off in an anthemic chant of “we love, we love, we love,” the song is quite reminiscent of the late 2010s boy group sound that we all know and adore, leaving the listeners with a bit of nostalgia.
If you liked this, you may also like: “Blockbuster (featuring YEONJUN of TOMORROW X TOGETHER” - ENHYPEN (2024)
7. Royalty
Bringing the groovy guitars back one last time, “Royalty” is a bold promise made that they would be the lover's knight in shining armor at all times with lyrics such as “Your teachings // I will follow you, your majesty // Makes me a better man // Become the person that suits you.” This promise comes in the form of a playful pop track that will remind you of summer by the ocean.
Photo Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
If you liked this, you may also like: “Not For Sale” - ENHYPEN (2021)
8. Highway 1009
Produced by HEESEUNG and written by all seven members, “Highway 1009” is a heartfelt love letter dedicated to ENGENEs, their fans. The number “1009” symbolizes October 9, 2020, the day on which the fandom name was announced. Reflecting on the journey so far over the past four years, the members compare the time spent with the fans to “golden hours,” after “a timeline that was a little painful.” A special narration version included in the CD version of the album features monologues from the members in Tagalog, Thai, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and English.
If you liked this, you may also like: “Orange Flower (You Complete Me)” - ENHYPEN (2024)
9. XO (Only If You Say Yes) (English Ver.) Feat. JVKE
The end of the album revisits their title track but this time with vocals from the producer himself. JVKE's verse in “XO (Only If You Say Yes) (English Ver.),” weaves together seamlessly with the rest of the members, that he might as well be a new addition to the group. The song once again serves as a reminder of the love that ENHYPEN has poured towards their second full-length album to showcase a bolder concept and a more mature sound to their fans.
ENHYPEN performing “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” at ROMANCE : UNTOLD Media Showcase
Photo Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
What were your top three tracks from ROMANCE : UNTOLD? Let us know in the comments below, or message us on Instagram or X (Twitter).
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Edited by Imonitie Omosun & Martina Yee