[SHOWCASE] EVNNE shows that persistence pays off with debut album 'Target: ME'

K-pop

Published: 19 Sep. 2023, 20:01 Updated: 03 Oct. 2023, 16:17

[SHOWCASE] EVNNE shows that persistence pays off with debut album 'Target: ME'

Boy band EVNNE, pronounced even, gives a performance during a debut showcase held at the Blue Square music venue in central Seoul on Tuesday before dropping its first album ″Target: ME″ at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The members are all contestants from cable channel Mnet's audition program ″Boys Planet″ that took place earlier this year, giving off the winning band ZeroBaseOne. [NEWS1]

Members of boy band EVNNE had less than two full months to prepare for their debut, but what they lacked in time, they made up for with the experience they had competing in one of the biggest K-pop audition programs this year, “Boys Planet.”

“Having been on the stage and in front of the camera has taught us, more than anything, how to cooperate and work with each other. And I think that definitely shows in our performance,” said member Lee Jeong-hyeon during a press showcase Tuesday at the Blue Square performance venue in central Seoul.

EVNNE, pronounced "even," debuted on Tuesday with its first EP “Target: ME,” a self-explanatory album embodying the group’s goals to become a target of the public’s attention.

All seven members — Mun Jung-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Park Han-bin, Yoo Seung-eon, Lee Jeong-hyeon, Ji Yun-seo and Keita — were contestants on Mnet's hit audition show "Boys Planet," who did not make it to the final debut group but nevertheless stood out during the show due to their skills and talent, gaining popularity from fans around the world.

The band was originally announced under the band name Blit on Aug. 3, but it was changed not long afterward when the agency "found hidden negative meanings behind the band's name."

“EVNNE stands for 'Evening's Newest Etoiles,' and means that we will aim to steal people’s attention by shining from the highest place in the world,” leader Keita said.

EVNNE is Jellyfish Entertainment’s first new boy band in four years, since boy band Verivery debuted in 2019.

"Target: ME,” is a compilation of EVNNE’s six ambitious tracks, including lead track “Trouble” with a Baltimore club vibe, the West-coast hip-hop track “Role Model,” “Pretty Thing,” “Your Text,” “Jukebox” and “Even More.” The members said they were going for a “powerful rebels who want to change the world” concept through “Trouble.”

Ji Yun-seo and Lee Jeong-hyeon took part in writing the lyrics for “Jukebox,” and Keita and Ji Yun-seo in “Even More.”

“It was such a great experience, having taken part in the songwriting,” Keita said. “I learned so much, and it made me think that I want to make music that only EVNNE can pull off.”

Member Keita is also part of boy band Ciipher, which recently bid farewell to four members out of the original seven and promised a complete makeover in the future. Being the oldest of the group, at age 22, he was made the leader, but he said he didn't feel much pressure because the members are all so great.

“It did come as a sort of pressure to me, but I’m more excited by the fact that I get to show everyone what we can do with such great members,” Keita said. “I can’t wait to show you more of what we have.”

“We stayed in the same dorms during ‘Boys Planet,’ so we really did learn a lot about teamwork,” Lee Jeong-hyeon said. “Seeing some people leave the show early made me feel more determined to make it and try even harder for their sake. I definitely learned a lot.”

The septet will perform at the “Idol Radio Live in Seoul” concert set for this Saturday at the Sangam World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]