ENHYPEN Reflect on Growth, Grit, and Getting Personal in ‘DESIRE : UNLEASH’

Nobody is doing it quite like ENHYPEN. 

Since their electric debut in 2020, this K-pop septet comprised of JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI has steadily carved out a place for themselves in the global music landscape — blending conceptual artistry with genre-defying sounds and a deep emotional core. 

With their signature vampire concept, the group has carved a niche that blends fantasy and reality, anchoring their identity in a world of blood-bound brotherhoods and timeless longing. Throughout every record of theirs, whether it was the hauntingly elegant BORDER: DAY ONE to the seductive darkness of ROMANCE: UNTOLD, the group has gone deeper into the very mythology they’ve built, while unshackling a new layer of maturity and artistic ambition with every release.

As they celebrate their fifth year together, ENHYPEN remains a group defined not just by where they came from, but where they’re heading. With their narrative continuity, eclectic sound, and undeniable charisma, it’s clear that the group continues to redefine what it means to blend concept and craft in their line of work — whether it’s on the Coachella stage, the Philippine Sports Stadium, or whatever massive platform serves as the setting for their next step forward.

Now, with their latest mini-album, DESIRE : UNLEASH, ENHYPEN stands poised to usher in a bold new era once more — pushing the boundaries of who they are as artists, while staying rooted in the unique identity they’ve cultivated over the past five years.

In this exclusive interview with Billboard Philippines, JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI open up about the creative process behind their new record, and how it reflects their evolution as ever-evolving artists on the scene.

Billboard Philippines: The title of the record, ‘DESIRE : UNLEASH,’ feels like quite the bold artistic statement. As it leans towards a heightened conceptual direction, how did you navigate the emotional intensity of this album’s storyline, and what new layers did you want to explore compared to your previous records?

HEESEUNG: For this album, we put a lot of thought and effort into showing new and different sides of ourselves. Under the theme of “desire,” each track carries its own unique mood and story. We really focused on capturing a wide range of emotions and expressions, and I hope it gives listeners a richer and more dynamic musical experience.

What kinds of emotions and parts of yourselves were you hoping to “unleash” through this record, both sonically and artistically, and how does it reflect your evolving identity as a group?

JUNGWON: For us, what matters most is always giving our all in every performance. If the audience can enjoy the stage and feel energized by it, that alone means everything to us. We aim to stay sincere and fully present on stage, which is a defining aspect of our identity as artists.

This project continues to deepen ENHYPEN’s signature narrative of vampiric love and transformation in every project. How do you keep that concept evolving while still making it feel fresh, relevant, and personal to who you are now?

SUNOO: I believe that even within the vampire concept, it’s more meaningful to show different sides of the character depending on the situation and theme, rather than sticking to just one image. I think those changes can create new ways for ENGENEs to resonate with it. I hope that through these fresh emotions and shifts in the character, we can build an even deeper connection with our fans.

There’s a noticeable shift in how polished yet diverse this album sounds. How did experimenting with different genres — from dance-pop to trap, and future bass —push your limits as artists and performers who explored new creative and sonic themes?

NI-KI: This album explored a genre we hadn’t tried before, so both the music and performance felt a little unfamiliar at first. But as an artist, I believe it’s important to take on different styles, and this new challenge helped me grow. Going through that process made the album feel even more meaningful, and I’m proud of how it turned out — it feels like we created something truly special.

The lead single, “Bad Desire (With or Without You),” is striking for its sophisticated, cinematic feel and dark romanticism. What drew each of you to that song as the centerpiece of the record, and what do you hope listeners feel when they hear it?

JAY: What stood out to me the most in this track was the drum tone. It is so captivating and leaves a strong impression. It blends perfectly with the overall sound and brings out that retro dance-pop vibe in the best way. The song has a sensual yet mature mood to it, and I think listeners will definitely find that aspect appealing.

Looking at the track list, which song do each of you connect with the most, and why? Was there one track that challenged you or surprised each of you during the recording process?

JUNGWON: “Bad Desire (With or Without You)” tells the story of different moments of desire we all experience in life, expressed through ENHYPEN’s unique perspective. We focused on capturing emotional depth, and I hope listeners can feel the message as they follow the flow of the track.

HEESEUNG: “Helium” has this youthful, high-energy vibe that really stands out. Like the title, it instantly lifts your mood the moment you hear it, so I had a great time working on it.

JAY: I feel especially attached to “Helium.” It’s such a bright and upbeat track, and the whole recording process was genuinely fun and exciting.

JAKE: For me, “Loose (Korean Ver.)” resonated the most. As I followed the lyrics and melody, I found myself naturally drawn to the emotions of the song.

SUNGHOON: “Flashover” really stood out to me, because of how powerfully it opens the album. The energy it brings right from the start sets the tone for the rest of the album, so I also focused on delivering that energy in the studio.

SUNOO: I remember “Flashover” left a lasting impression on me when I heard it for the first time. From the sound to the performance, I think our fans can look forward to something powerful and memorable.

NI-KI: “Loose (Korean Ver.)” felt like delivering a heartfelt message to someone you love. It made it easy to tap into the emotions while recording.

JAY, your role in the production and arrangement of “Helium” marks a major creative milestone. Can you share your experience stepping into that role and how it’s shaped your artistic confidence?

JAY: This wasn’t a song I originally created to include on the album, but it started from a personal desire to blend the genres I’ve always loved into one track. It’s rooted in alternative rock, with elements of pop rock and country layered in. I feel especially connected to this song because it naturally reflects the kind of sound and style I’m drawn to as an artist.

For the rest of the group, how did JAY’s behind-the-scenes involvement inspire or shift the way you all think about your roles in the production process?

SUNGHOON: Watching JAY take part in the production of this album up close was genuinely inspiring. Because it’s a track that he poured his heart into, I think it captures ENHYPEN’s color and vibe even more clearly, which makes it feel extra special to me as well.

JUNGWON: Singing “Helium” gave me this incredible rush of energy and excitement. Watching his work, I’ve started to feel a stronger desire to learn and get more involved in the creative process. I’m looking forward to taking on that new challenge.

Beyond the music, the album title suggests liberation. As you look ahead, what’s something you haven’t shown the world yet — but hope to unleash next, both individually and as a group?

JAKE: I truly believe there’s so much more ENHYPEN has to offer. Both as a team and personally, there are so many things beyond just one aspect that I want to challenge myself with. We’ll keep pushing ourselves to grow and explore a wider range of possibilities, so we can continue sharing new sides of ourselves with ENGENEs.

Lastly, fans have seen your growth with each comeback. How do you hope DESIRE : UNLEASH marks a new chapter not only in your discography, but in the story you’re telling as ENHYPEN?

SUNOO: I hope this album serves as a defining moment to showcase who ENHYPEN truly are as artists. It reflects our unique color and direction, so I really hope more people recognize our identity and sincerity through it.

Listen to ENHYPEN’s newly released mini-album DESIRE : UNLEASH below: