The Guys of EVNNE Discuss the Flirtatious Themes of Their Mini-Album, LOVE ANECDOTE(S)
Earlier this month on Aug. 4, K-pop boy group EVNNE dropped their fifth mini-album, LOVE ANECDOTE(S), weaving a story of love and flirtation in a way only they can.
Featuring standout track "How Can I Do," the mini-album consists of six songs that showcase a more elevated and mature side to the seven-member ensemble. Their versatility across multiple genres gives a sense of their growth and creativity, without abandoning the mischievous and playful side of the group we fell in love with. The group is also soon returning to their SET N GO tour, hitting cities across the U.S. and Europe in October, and we had the pleasure of catching up with the guys of EVNNE to share their story so far in the interview below.
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
Sweety High: What does the mini-album name LOVE ANECDOTE(S) mean to the group? Why did the title feel like the best representation for the mini-album as a whole?
JI YUNSEO: The meaning behind the title of this album is in the lyrics of the title track, "How Can I Do." Through the word "anecdote," we wanted to convey the message that this album conveys our stories. In addition, with the members' anecdotes, we were able to share how each one of us expresses our emotions, and by focusing on a story about sending our emotions for love, we could approach the main theme of this album, which is "flirting."
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the mini-album? What kind of journey do you hope to take listeners on with it?
PARK JIHOO: The main theme of this album is "flirting," and through this concept, we wanted to showcase various ways we express our emotions, as well as prove our growth into a more delicate and relaxed group compared to our "troublemaker" image from our debut.
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
MUN JUNGHYUN: I hope that when our audience hears this album and compares it to music we've released in the past, they can look back on our process of growth and think, "EVNNE has grown this much," or "EVNNE has become very mature."
SH: What was the inspiration behind the title track, "How Can I Do"?
PARK HANBIN: When comparing "How Can I Do" to EVNNE's other title tracks, "How Can I Do" has a more hip-hop vibe and mature atmosphere, and for us to fully embody this song, we needed to focus a lot more on the fine details. After multiple albums, shows and tours, our understanding of music has improved, and we started having thoughts like, "In this type of music, we need to approach it with this sound," or "In this atmosphere, we should use a different tone."
We've learned how to approach music, and I think it was only through this process that we were able to truly understand "How Can I Do." I guess you could say what completed this song was our process of growth itself.
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
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SH: What are each of your favorite songs on the mini-album? Why?
KEITA: For me, it's "Newest." I wanted to make a song that really expresses our members well, and I think it's a song that captures all of our members' strengths.
PARK HANBIN: I'm going to choose "PUT IT ON ME." The intro part of this song is my part, and it's very catchy, so I hope you all give it a listen as well.
LEE JEONGHYEON: My favorite song on this specific album is "Newest." It's a song that KEITA made, and when I first listened to it, I thought the song had a very big impact. It's a fun song that makes you groove to it automatically when you listen to it, which is why it's my favorite.
YOO SEUNGEON: My favorite is the title track, "How Can I Do." The reason I chose it is that I'm able to show my lower register as a vocalist as well as solo choreography, which I haven't been able to show much before.
JI YUNSEO: I do like the title track the most, but since I think other members would give similar answers to mine, besides "How Can I Do," my favorite songs would be "Newest" and "PUT IT ON ME."
"PUT IT ON ME" is a song that I participated in lyric writing, so naturally, I'm more attached to it. Plus, I think the vibe of the song is really fun and exciting, which is why I like it.
"Newest" is a song written by KEITA. Not only have I always liked the style of his songs, but I also like that the song uses the old-school genre as its foundation. In the future, we'll work hard so that more of KEITA's and my songs can be included in our albums.
MUN JUNGHYUN: I like "dirtybop" the most, because I think it's a song that has a vibe that is most optimal for live performance.
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
PARK JIHOO: My favorite is "dirtybop" because it's a type of song that is hard to find in the K-pop scene.
SH: With the release of this fifth mini-album, how do you feel you've evolved as artists since your debut? How does that come through in the music?
YOO SEUNGEON: As mentioned earlier, I think our attitude towards how we approach music has grown the most. When it comes to a song's message, we've been thinking a lot more about how we can use our voices to convey the message the best, and through those considerations, I think the quality of our music has also leveled up.
KEITA: In every album, more members have taken an interest in songwriting and lyric writing, and consistently participated in it. And as we seriously devote ourselves to this creative process and put our own unique style on these songs, I feel that we are making EVNNE's music truly our own.
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
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SH: Can you tell us anything about your plans for the SET N GO tour in the fall?
LEE JEONGHYEON: It's difficult to share a lot now, but after last year's showcase tour, we've released albums, including the latest one, our fifth mini-album. We now have many more songs that we can share on stage, so whether you're a fan who saw us last year on the showcase tour or a fan who has seen us consistently since then, I think you'll be able to witness new sides of EVNNE through our tour this year!
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
KEITA: Hi Sweety High, we are EVNNE! We've just come back with our fifth mini-album, LOVE ANECDOTE(S). We've returned with a different, more mature concept than EVNNE's usual image so far, so we hope you enjoy this new side of us. Starting in October, we are starting our SET N GO tour in the United States and Europe, so please show us a lot of love and support for our tour as well! Thank you!
(Photo credit: Jellyfish Entertainment)
For even more from EVNNE, click HERE to read our interview with them on their third mini-album, RIDE or DIE.