ENHYPEN’s Fated B-Sides
ENHYPEN have officially set off on their second world tour and the setlist is nothing short of impressive. From hard-hitting title tracks to soft-spoken B-sides, the concert has a little something for everyone. I was lucky enough to attend the opening weekend in Seoul with another show in Osaka to look forward to, which is why I’ll be sharing some of my favorite B-side performances with you this week.
“Mixed Up”
ENHYPEN performed “Mixed Up” in the first half of the setlist after trading in their mint green prince jackets for an all-white ensemble. The choreography for this song is smooth and addicting, accompanied by a catchy track that you can’t help but dance along to. The B-side comes from the group’s second EP, BORDER: CARNIVAL, which was released over two years ago in April 2021. However, “Mixed Up” is a timeless track with lyrics discussing the high price of fame. ENHYPEN are brutally honest about a topic that many idols can relate to: becoming the center of gossip over twisted words and the smallest mistakes. My favorite part of the song comes in the bridge and final chorus when the seven boys simply accept their fate. The lyrics, “That's right, I'm the most special person in the world / Mixed up, I'll enjoy it again” show their determination to move forward with their heads held high. “Mixed Up” reclaims the power in a world that’s spinning out of control, making it a perfect addition to the FATE tour setlist.
“TFW (That Feeling When)” / “Just A Little Bit”
ENHYPEN slowed things down with two of their most romantic B-side tracks. The crowd, however, was anything but calm. As the lights came up on the opening notes of “TFW (That Feeling When),” a unit performance featuring Jay playing acoustic guitar was revealed. He sat alongside Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Jake amidst a mini field of blooming flowers in the venue’s top level. The acoustic version now has a special place in my heart, with lyrics about first love sounding that much sweeter. The quartet performed a portion of the song before the remaining three members began “Just A Little Bit” from center stage, this time with Heeseung showing off his piano playing skills while Jungwon and Ni-ki accompanied with perfected harmonies. They showed off a more mature side in comparison to the heart-fluttering feel of “TFW.” In an interview with ELLE Magazine, ENHYPEN shared, “Compared to the innocent emotions of young love that we’ve expressed in our previous albums, this track captures our emotional growth and maturity.”
“10 Months”
“10 Months” is the fourth track from ENHYPEN’s debut EP, BORDER: DAY ONE. As the group embarked on their first world tour in September 2022, many fans were sad to find out that “10 Months” didn’t make the cut. Despite having a rather short setlist, ENHYPEN were able to grow a lot during that first tour. This made it possible for their second world tour to start off with a whopping 24 songs, six more than they opened with at SK Olympic Handball Arena one year ago. The long-awaited performance comes just past the concert’s halfway point. After serenading fans with special renditions of “TFW” and “Just A Little Bit,” the seven members hopped in moving carts to make their way through KSPO Dome’s upper levels. “10 Months” was undoubtedly the perfect choice for such a special moment. As the boys blew kisses and completed hearts around the venue, they sang about puppy love that’s ready to mature. The lyrics proclaim, “I’m all grown up now,” asking listeners to lean on them for a change.
“Karma”
The final song of the setlist gave fans a chance to let loose as ENHYPEN ran across the coffin-shaped stage boldly singing, “Whatever they call fate / I don't give a what.” “Karma” is the last track from the group’s latest release, DARK BLOOD. It definitely stands out amongst the other songs on the album as it carries a rock edge in comparison to the alluring R&B vibe found in the other four songs. It received mixed reviews from fans with some even questioning its placement in the albums lineup. When you look deeper into the track’s meaning, you’ll find why “Karma” is the perfect ending for both DARK BLOOD and ENHYPEN’s second world tour. It’s no secret that the group has been diving heavily into their lore this year, with the album directly tying into HYBE’s original webtoon, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR. The lyrics of “Karma” tell the story of the female lead’s connection to seven vampires. The song vows to find her “in the next life” because even the hands of fate cannot separate their connection through blood. In a similar way, ENHYPEN are bound to their loyal fan base, and they’ll continue to strengthen that connection throughout the FATE tour.