Following their participation in Mnet’s latest survival program, BOYS PLANET, trainees Keita, Park Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yoo Seungeon, Ji Yunseo, Mun Junghyun, and Park Jihoo have officially made their debut as a project boy group. The group name, EVNNE, stands for “Evening’s Newest Etoiles (stars).” Under Jellyfish Entertainment, the band released their first mini album, [Target: ME], and its title track, “TROUBLE,” on September 19th. Soon after the release of the album, the members shared some of their thoughts on creating the album, imagining their future, as well as reflecting on their time on BOYS PLANET.
[Target: ME] features six songs that represent the group’s first step onto the music scene. The title song, “TROUBLE” shows off EVNNE’s passion for shaking up the world with their music. “The chorus of ‘TROUBLE’ is the most intense section [of the song], with a beat that really hits hard. When you listen to the song while watching the choreography, you can feel that powerful intensity,” started Hanbin. “It truly represents our group’s color and identity. The song provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase various aspects of ourselves to the public, and it’s a standout track that captures our essence and style effectively.”
Just like our team name, we aspire to become the newest stars in the K-pop scene. We are committed to living up to the essence of our team name and showcasing all the diverse charms and talents we possess as a group.
Yoo Seungeon
The second song on the tracklist is “Role Model,” a song that takes inspiration from West Coast hip hop, and it emphasizes the desire idols have for becoming role models to one another. For Yunseo, the song is one he believes suits him best. “The song’s vibe and style align with my preferences, and its lyrics emphasize enjoyment, playfulness, and bursting with energy, making it a perfect fit for me.” Choosing one song to recommend to someone as their introduction to EVNNE, Seungeon even chooses “Role Model” as the best option. “We grew up listening to K-pop, and we aspire to be role models for others, so this song holds a special place in our hearts. It’s an exciting track that perfectly encapsulates our team’s energetic and fun-loving spirit on stage. If we have the chance to perform this song at a concert or tour, it will undoubtedly be an opportunity to showcase how much we enjoy performing and connect with our fans through music.”
Next on the album is “Pretty Thing,” another hip hop track, and fourth is “Your Text,” a groovy R&B track that incorporates acoustic sounds. In line with their youthful image, the two songs call on innocence and infatuation, as the former describes falling in love with someone at first sight, and the latter describes the hopeful feeling of waiting to receive a message back from the person they love. The fifth song on the album is “JUKEBOX,” a track that Yunseo and Jeonghyeon helped write lyrics for. “JUKEBOX” sends a meaningful message to listeners about learning to enjoy the moment, and is especially for those who may be struggling or having a hard time. “For me, ever since my trainee days, I’ve dreamt of being involved in the creative process and writing lyrics for an album,” started Yunseo. “When the opportunity to contribute to the lyrics of our debut album arose, I eagerly accepted it without hesitation and actively participated. [Jeonghyeon and I] aimed to create lyrics that would encourage listeners to escape from reality and fully enjoy themselves.”
The last song on the album is “Even More,” a track in which Keita and Yunseo also participated in writing. “Even More” is a medium-tempo synth-pop song, and it’s about the group’s hopes to keep every moment with their fans in their hearts. “While working on writing this song, we aimed to create a song dedicated to our fans,” shared Keita. “We wanted the lyrics to convey all the messages and feelings we have for our fans but may not have expressed fully before. We poured our sincerity into the lyrics.”
Aside from writing and recording each song, EVNNE also had to prepare for their group debut just months after their appearance on BOYS PLANET. “Although we gained stage experience during the program, we had never filmed a music video or interacted with our fans. During our preparations, it really hit me that we were on the verge of making our debut. The most challenging aspect was our lack of experience in these areas,” Hanbin started. Thinking back to their time on the survival show, Jihoo thankfully shared that each member got along well from the start, despite starting out as competitors. “Even though we first met on a survival program, there weren’t any challenges initially. The real joy came when we regrouped after the show and was able to practice together wholeheartedly.”
For Seungeon, he recalls their time on BOYS PLANET with gratitude. “I gained valuable insights into the mindset and preparations required before stepping on stage, how to approach practice sessions, ways to look at the camera, and stage etiquette from these seniors who have prior experience of making a debut,” he said. “[Plus, we were able to] spend time with peers who share the same dream and experienced seniors who have already debuted. [The show] provided invaluable learning opportunities.” Looking back at debut preparations, Junghyun recalls a memory from the set of their “TROUBLE” music video: “In the music video, there’s a scene where we spin the roulette and place bets. When we were filming this scene, it was our first attempt at acting, and it felt quite awkward initially. We realized there were areas where we needed improvement, so we asked Keita for advice quite a bit. At the start, all of us were somewhat uncomfortable with the acting, but after practice and reviewing the footage, we were ultimately pleased with the final result.”
More than anything, the members of EVNNE feel appreciative and happy to have each other and their fans. Being the “Evening’s Newest Etoiles,” they each share hopes of shining brightly on stage. “Just like our team name, we aspire to become the newest stars in the K-pop scene. We are committed to living up to the essence of our team name and showcasing all the diverse charms and talents we possess as a group,” shared Seungeon. Yunseo added that he has even thought about what constellation he associates with the members. “Because there are seven of us, I believe our group is like the Big Dipper. Just like the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper, we shine brightly in the sky and can serve as navigators for our fans. We hope to be a source of comfort and familiarity, much like how people find solace in looking at the Big Dipper, which is one of the most well-known constellations. In many ways, I think our group resembles the Big Dipper.”
Thinking back once more, Keita also reveals he had doubts in his ability to lead the group when they were first put together. “As time has passed, I realized that all the other members are incredibly passionate and talented performers. I wouldn’t describe it as me leading the group; instead, we are collectively forging a new path and progressing together. Being the leader of this group is not only exciting but also a constant source of motivation and energy for me to move forward. Hanbin was an excellent leader with strong leadership skills on BOYS PLANET. Now that I’m leader of the team, he provides me with valuable support, and I truly appreciate it.”
Having forged a strong bond on BOYS PLANET, EVNNE has still managed to grow even closer in their short time together so far. “Compared to how he was on the show, Keita sleeps a lot, and he channels all that energy into his stage performances,” shared Jihoo. “Seungeon sang a lot on BOYS PLANET, but I’ve learned that he sings restlessly on a daily basis, too,” continued Junghyun. “Jihoo is the youngest member on our team,” started Hanbin. “He appeared very youthful on the show, and now, it seems like he has adjusted to being part of the team and has also made some personal growth.” Seungeon also had kind words to say about Junghyun. “I initially saw him as just a young person, but I’ve come to realize that he is incredibly kind-hearted. He recognizes people’s strengths and offers relevant compliments.” “When I first met Jeonghyeon, I thought he was very reserved and somewhat intimidating. However, now that we’ve made our debut together, I find him somewhat cute and very down-to-earth,” Yunseo shared.
Because there are seven of us, I believe our group is like the Big Dipper. Just like the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper, we shine brightly in the sky and can serve as navigators for our fans. We hope to be a source of comfort and familiarity, much like how people find solace in looking at the Big Dipper, which is one of the most well-known constellations. In many ways, I think our group resembles the Big Dipper.
Ji Yunseo
Moving on from their nostalgia, EVNNE is grateful for their journey to debut, but is also looking forward to the future. “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our fans for patiently waiting for us. We are eager to meet you all in person as soon as the time allows,” started Jihoo. “We’re eager to explore a wide range of concepts, from bright and refreshing to dreamy and nostalgic. We’re open to trying out all sorts of different styles and ideas. [EVNNE is] a combination of passion, sweat, and high spirits. Passion serves as our driving force, sweat symbolizes the hard work we put in, and our high spirits reflect the mischievous and determined nature of our group. Together, these elements fuel our journey towards reaching new heights. I hope people remember us not just for our individual roles in the group, like main vocalist, main dancer, and main rapper, but as an all-rounder group where every member can excel in all positions.”
Contemplatively, Yunseo hopes fans know that this is only the beginning. “I would describe [Target: ME] as the beginning of an infinite journey. In this album, we showcased a powerful and energetic side of ourselves, but I want our fans to keep their imagination wide open. I believe our team’s strength lies in our versatility, and our ability to excel in any concept. I don’t want us to confine ourselves to a specific style or image. Instead, I hope we can continually evolve, and explore limitless possibilities. I hope our fans look forward to all that. If you became our fan through this album, please know that this is just the start. We have many more improvements and growth ahead, and I would deeply appreciate it if you could join us on this exciting journey and enjoy the entire process together.”
