Effervescently Enchanting: ENHYPEN’s Youthful Energy Shines at Their First World Tour Stop
Photos Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
Doing arena shows less than two years after their debut is an impressive feat by itself, but also achieving this on their first ever world tour proves that ENHYPEN’s talents and charms are winning the hearts of K-Pop lovers everywhere.
Formed on the survival competition show I-LAND organized by BELIFT LAB, the seven finalists—Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Ni-ki, Heeseung, Sunghoon and Sunoo—graced the K-Pop scene at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was still at its height. The septet debuted on November 30, 2020 and would then carry out their promotions lacking an audience due to the strict social distancing rules imposed at the time. It wasn’t until the release of their third mini-album MANIFESTO: DAY 1, a year and a half after their debut, that they were able to perform in front ENGENEs and experience the cheers and fanchants from their beloved fandom. Therefore, their first world tour ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘MANIFESTO’ is extra special because the seven boys will finally be able to feel the magnitude of love in person from international fans, who have been supporting them virtually.
On October 2, ENHYPEN greeted an arena full of fans at the Honda Center in Anaheim, the first stop on their North America leg. With its capacity of 18,000 seats, the Honda Center was a significant upgrade from their Seoul concert venue. The concept of a live audience is still fairly new to this K-Pop act, and despite the expected nerves at their first overseas stop, ENHYPEN dazzled on stage (literally at one point in their sequin jerseys) and put their youthful gusto on full display through two hours of unique performances.
SETLIST:
“Intro: Walk the Line” + “Given-Taken”
“Flicker”
“Not For Sale” + “Let Me In (20 CUBE)”
“TFW (That Feeling When)”
“Upper Side Dreamin’”
“Mixed Up”
“Drunk-Dazed”
“One In A Billion”
“FEVER”
“Attention, please!”
“Polaroid Love”
“Just A Little Bit”
“Tamed-Dashed”
“Blessed-Cursed”
“Go Big or Go Home”
“Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)”
“ParadoXXX Invasion”
“SHOUT OUT”
ENHYPEN made their grand entrance on stage as the transparent LED screen lifted and showed the seven boys in prince-like royal white outfits with gold embellishments. They quickly got into position to perform the first song, their debut title track “Given-Taken.” Right off the bat, both ENHYPEN and ENGENEs matched each other’s energy: while the boys busted their most powerful and sharp dance moves, the fans shouted the lyrics word-by-word at the top of their lungs. The confetti cannon went off toward the end, making the stage even more magical. ENHYPEN was eager to check in with the fans regularly in between stages by introducing themselves down the line in a series of short but sweet ments and interacting with fans. “The concert is off to such a good start,” said the members as they looked at the crowd in awe. The group didn’t hesitate to jump into their next set coming off of a high from greeting ENGENEs. On a stage lined with saturated, pink palm trees, the members showcased their boyish charms through “Not For Sale” + “Let Me In (20 CUBE),” “TFW (That Feeling When),” and “Mixed Up.”
Unlocking their next stage after the VCR, a LED cage revealed the members in vampire-like crimson and black stage fits as they launched into their 2021 lead single “Drunk-Dazed.” “One in a Billion” stunned onlookers with its dizzying cathedral spirals, candelabras, and da Vinci-like table draped in roses. The members wined, dined, and rebelled their way through the song—an original soundtrack from their webtoon “Dark Moon: The Blood Altar.” Temperatures rose for the psychedelic “FEVER” featuring mesmerizing choreography and hypnotizing chorus, “Like a Fever, Fever, Fever…”
The members effortlessly swapped into blazers, demarcating peppy, pop-punk “Attention, please!” from its edgier predecessors. Crowd favorite and TikTok hit “Polaroid Love”' took ENGENEs by surprise when the members met them in the crowd, giving high fives and finger hearts as they greeted fans up close. “Just A Little Bit” softened hearts with sweet-like-honey lyrics that mirror the love between ENHYPEN and ENGENEs. It was the cherry-on-top when the members quite literally “passed the mic” to fans, asking them to sing, “It’s like a polaroid love,” alongside the members.
Tackling their next set, the boys tossed aside their blazers to reveal sparkling jerseys and took the field for audacious, sporty “Tamed-Dashed,” and in yet another display of versatility, “Blessed-Cursed” amped up the volume with shouts and hip-hop flair. The club-like anthem “Go Big or Go Home” brought the needed party vibes to an already hyped crowd with vapor wave graphics, bright neon lights, pounding beat drops, and long strings of confetti raining on dancing fans.
Rounding out the concert, the boys kept spirits high as they showcased a performance of viral dance trend song “Future Perfect (Pass the Mic)” and early 2000s funky “ParadoXXX Invasion” in their all-white street outfits. During the last ment, the members expressed their gratitude toward the fans with touching sentiments. Australian member Jake was teary eyed toward the end of the concert, which was the perfect cue to lead into their final encore song “SHOUT OUT.” The 2000s pop-rock track was also written by Jake and the line, “My life without you is a misery,” was made extra special as he sang it to a sold-out arena.
In a way, ENHYPEN was their fans’ comfort during a time of isolation, and now they are able to visualize and feel that love and support in person. The way the boys were looking out at the crowd and taking in all the precious moments with fans, almost in disbelief and amazement, is a testament to their resilience and hard work in an unprecedented phase of K-Pop. ENHYPEN are undoubtedly breakout artists of the fourth generation, quickly making their mark in the industry, and can only grow from an already strong foundation of excellent performances and colorful stages.
ENHYPEN is continuing their world tour through five more cities in North America: Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. Japanese member Ni-ki will also be able to tour his home country in November when the septet put on six shows in three cities in Aichi, Osaka, and Kanagawa.
Edited by Erin Rupprecht