Introducing ENHYPEN
Welcome ENHYPEN! I-LAND has been the hit K-Pop survival show that just culminated on September 18 with BTS and TXT members present to welcome the new members of ENHYPEN. Not surprising to see them as I-LAND was the brain-child of their parent company BigHit Entertainment, who joined together with CJ E&M under the new agency Belift Lab. If you have been following the show and can’t wait for more, the wait won’t be long. Belift announced that ENHYPEN is aiming to debut before the year’s end. With a pre-debut promotion schedule, logo teaser, merch, as well as all their social accounts ready to go, there’s nothing holding back ENHYPEN. In addition, the group reached over one million viewers on their first VLIVE; there is no limit to where these guys will go. Now let’s get to know them.
So how did I-LAND become ENHYPEN? Well, the finale had nine contestants left from which six members were chosen by audience vote and the final spot chosen by the producers. After a 12-episode survival journey (shown on Viki and other platforms) where hearts were broken again and again and where bonds were formed for life, the finale was a heart-wrenching, almost three-hour test of endurance to see who would end up as the final members.
Here are the members of ENHYPEN (in order of reveal during the finale) and their Weverse (the platform used to vote during the show and engage with BigHit artists) handwritten notes.
1. Heesung: Though number five in with a final vote count of 1,137,323, Heesung’s name was called first. Born in 2001, Lee Heesung was a BigHit trainee, revealed in the show’s early episodes. Heesung trained with TXT and hoped to debut with them. From the start of the show, Heesung was the fan favorite. With visuals, singing, and dance skills, he was the all-around contender that everyone wanted to befriend. Despite all his assets, what stood out to many viewers was his humble demeanor. Though he sought to lead again and again, at times he would defer leadership as well as the center position to others. From the start he was part of the “Island” vs. “Ground” group and was one of the few who were never demoted. With natural leadership qualities, it would be surprising if the leader role was given to anyone else.
Group Role Prediction: Leader, Vocal, Dancer, Visual
Text translation: “Hello! I am ENHYPEN's Heeseung! I still feel nervous introducing myself like this, but I feel so happy thinking about the days we’ll make and meeting with you all soon. Let's interact and meet on ENHYPEN WEVERSE often!! :):)”
2. NI-KI: Placing fourth with 1,140,718 votes, NI-KI’s name was the next member called. Nishimura Riki, the powerhouse dancer from Japan, was also only a trainee for eight months but had been a back-up dancer for SHINee at the age of 12. Though starting off strong on the I-LAND, he quickly fell from grace after the first performance as the center. After this, he had a hard time regaining his confidence amongst the other contestants, but soon rose again. Born 2005, he may be the maknae of the group, but his innate ability to learn choreography and perform makes him a dependable leader for dance. His time on the I-LAND may have been a bit rocky at times, especially when losing his Japanese comrades K and Taki, but NI-KI’s skills will prove that he can push this team to the next level as their strongest dancer.
Group Role Prediction: Lead dancer, Maknae, Visual
Note translation: “Hello~!! I’m ENHYPEN's NI-KI. The thought that I can meet all of you at ENHYPEN’s Weverse has my heart thumping. I’ll come often so together we’ll have a fun time.”
3. Jake: Third with 1,179,633 votes, Jake Shim seemed to be one of the unknowns going into I-LAND. Born in 2002, the Aussie had one of the shortest training periods of nine months before entering into the I-LAND competition. Scooped up by BigHit, he came hoping for the best but found each challenge a struggle. Yet at almost every performance from the latter half of the show, Jake had the uncanny ability to stand out and make a strong impression. Often in the live feed videos you would see him solo-working on the choreography after others had gone to bed, trying to make up for his inexperience. With his winning smile, killer looks, and a warm and adaptive personality, you could see he was a favorite with his fellow I-LANDers and the voting audience as well.
Group Role Prediction: Visual, Vocal
Note Translation: "Hello! I'm ENHYPEN JAKE. We were able to greet you at #ENHYPEN Weverse because of you. I'll always be thankful to the fans. Thank you and love you!❤"
4. Jay: With 1,182,889 votes, the person who was likely most shocked by his second place ranking was probably Jay. Jay Park, born 2002 in Seattle, was also a BigHit Trainee. There was no denying through the entire show that Jay wanted this and was going to work as hard as he could to get there. Despite many setbacks, at one point even writing farewell letters to all his fellow remaining contestants, his diligence and talent came through. Jay has the gift of dialogue in the group, and his ability to verbally express his thoughts, though not always to his benefit, made him a joy to watch, and even Heesung’s brother’s favorite contestant. Though fighting for a spot on I-LAND and giving it 100% always, he was also quick to recover whenever things didn’t go his way and start over. His fighting spirit will undoubtedly push ENHYPEN further.
Group Role Prediction: Lead Rapper, Dancer
Note translation: “Hello, I am ENHYPEN'S Jay. Thanks to everyone, I am able to be a part of a space called ENHYPEN WEVERSE! Thank you for always supporting and looking out for me From now on I will work even harder~~~~!!!”
5. Jungwon: The surprise of the night was Jungwon, who took the top popular vote with 1,417,620 votes. An all-around performer, he had struggled on and off with producer reviews. In the finale, his ability did shine and his skills were praised both by producers and BTS. The 2004-born contestant ended with the highest note imaginable within a show where every week was unpredictable. Jungwon’s drive, positive personality, and visuals will continue to serve him as a member.
Group Role Prediction: Vocals, Dancer
Note translation: “Hello! I am ENHYPEN's Jungwon!!! I am already happy thinking about interacting with you guys in our own place ⭐I will show you an even better version of me often. I will work hard. Keep on the lookout for me~!!”
6. Sunghoon: After the top five came number six with 1,088,413 votes. Park Sunghoon, another 2002-born member, was the figure-skater turned idol and was no amateur to hard work and commitment. The two-time national figure skating silver medalist had swapped in his skates a bit over two years prior and was another all-around strong contestant from the start. With a quick grasp of dancing and choreography, vocals, visuals, and a humble demeanor, all throughout the show he was one of the favorite contenders. He himself didn't doubt (well, maybe apart from the few minutes until his name was called as number six) that he would end up as part of the group. Sunghoon was the member most voted by other I-LANDers as the visual and also the one that they would want to introduce to their younger sister (if they had one) during the finale. A solid member with the ability to unify others, Sunghoon will continue to shine in ENHYPEN.
Group Role Prediction: Visual, Dancer, Singer, (Possible Alternate Leader)
Note Translation: “Hello I am ENHYPEN’s SUNGHOON! I’m really happy that we have an official community in Weverse. I really hope that we create good memories on this place/app. I love you!!”
7. Sunoo: Though ranked eight overall, Sunoo was the producer’s pick into ENHYPEN with 935,771 votes. The 2003-born master of aegyo and cuteness had been repeatedly an audience favorite, securing the top spots for many of the final weeks, seeing him at risk at the end was the surprise of the night. Kim Sunoo and K (both who had repeatedly been in top standings) vying with Daniel for the final spot must have been a difficult call. Though Daniel is talented with great vocals that didn’t get shown enough, he had repeatedly ranked low and many suspected, though hoped otherwise, that he would be one of the ones out. But K and Sunoo were a surprise. Both artists had their strengths and weaknesses. Sunoo, with his adorable face and ability to master expressions, had a natural ability for cuteness and the popular vote often had him at number one in the rankings. But Sunoo had also been ill before the start of the show and would easily tire, which could be a concern with the crazy schedule expected of them. K was overall amazing. With visuals, amazing dance skills, and vocals, he was the whole package. Despite his strengths, he was also a bit older than those that made the final group. His confidence and commanding personality did create conflict at one point, from which he learned to curb, but the lesson may have been too late. In the end, Sunoo showed a performance that proved that he had the energy and ability to give it his all. With a personality that was loved both by I-LANDers and fans—his spot completed the ENHYPEN family.
Group Role Prediction: Vocals, Visual
Note Translation: “Hello I am ENHYPEN's Sunoo~! I want to hurry and communicate with you on ENHYPEN WEVERSE ㅠ_ㅠ Everyone, please look forward to us! Love you”
The finale was a journey in itself. It was an almost three-hour show that showed the last challenge, creation of individual videos for voting, a reunion with previous I-LANDers, Q&As, and a rehash of “Into the I’Land” with all 22 members before ending with the final results. BigHit’s head, Bang Sihyuk, had his production team and the guys from BTS and TXT there the entire show (three hours on screen and who knows how much time prior) to support the group and the new venture. With kind words of encouragement to K and Daniel and with much support and excitement from the revelations, despite the test of physical endurance sitting for hours on end and the ever-so-prolonged revelations by Min Namgoong, followed by words of wisdom from Jimin and throughout the show from BTS and TxT members, ENHYPEN was born.
ENHYPEN is already on its way. With social media already set up with Twitter, IG, and multiple accounts in tow, with its own Weverse world with merch already available for purchase, there is no pause button for ENHYPEN.
Check out their announcements below:
