EVNNE Charms NJ with Crazy Energy as They Wrap Up “SET N GO” In the U.S.

All Photos: Jean Libert

When EVNNE performed in New York last year they had the fresh bright faces of a rookie group. Fast forward to the last U.S. stop of their SET N GO tour on October 19 in New Jersey, the septet pulled up as a seasoned group with crazy stage presence and performance chops that would make any ENNVE proud. Though still charming as ever, the night started off with their sexy side and as the night unfolded, facets of their irresistible personalities sparked the floor. Their energy was unchecked that night. The synergy between ENNVE and EVNNE was tight and filled with huge cheers, barking, and some of the most successful fan chants stateside yet. Everyone was thrilled to be there, and you could almost taste the amount of love and joy in the venue that night. The intimate venue of White Eagle Hall was packed, and the tight affair made their last night in the U.S. even more memorable.

Even before the guys came out, the chants of “EVNNE” filled the air. From the start, the gut-curling screams from the floor were deafening. Coming out in khaki tones, Keita, Park Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yoo Seungeon, Ji Yunseo, Mun Junghyun, and Park Jihoo oozed a sexiness that was only hinted at the year before. Emerging from a sea of red lights, they jumped right into their choreography to the rock version of “UGLY.” This crowd knew their stuff and screams of “get Ugly” from the start shook the venue. From Hanbin and Jeonghyeon’s muscular arms to the peeks of midriff from our vocalists Seungeon and Yunseo, all the members of this hotter EVNNE threw their power into their choreo from the onset and everyone just knew that this show was going to be epic.

More than warmed up, the crew quickly transitioned into their popular “TROUBLE.” The ENNVE in the room quickly sang along to this flagship song almost verbatim. The vocal unity gave the set a vibe that the guys couldn’t help but love. The rap lines were on point with most of the team popping in one after another. Keita, mic in hand, opened, but Jihoo and Jeonghyeon’s flow was on fire for this one.

Opening into their first ment to barking and screams, they took a moment to introduce themselves, though frankly, it wasn’t necessary in this crowd. They noted that this was their first time performing in Jersey City versus New York in 2024. Speaking in English, they were so much more comfortable than in the past, clearly demonstrating the effort that the guys had made to be able to communicate better with their fans here. As they went down the line introducing themselves, you couldn’t help looking at one member who was hilariously in his own world. Junghyun was the energizer bunny that night, giving aegyo and reacting to those around him from then throughout the entire show.

Quickly moving onto their next stage with “dirtybop,” the fun hip-hop vibes and their fresh choreography had everyone pumping along with the beats and screaming, singing, and rapping along with them. “SYRUP” quickly followed with the same high energy and smooth choreography. Props need to be given to the vocal duo of Seungeon and Yunseo: though the song is more hip-hop, they killed the higher vocal parts effortlessly.

The next set is the one that they described as “BoomPaJun,” standing for “Boom Bari,” “Pretty Thing,” and “JUKEBOX.” Starting with the fun and addictive “Boom Bari,” it was more about the vibe with pockets of choreography in between engaging with the fans. The floor needed very little encouragement to sing along as EVNNE pointed their mics in their direction. With “Pretty Thing” they were back in full choreography, dancing with ease. Clearly “undeniable,” they looked  like they were having the best time with the set. “JUKEBOX,” brought out more fun combined with a highly addictive chorus carried by the effortless vocals of Seungeon, Yunseo, and Hanbin. There was no need to ask if it was hot in the room as everyone was giving so much to the set, but that wasn’t enough. With the ment that immediately followed, they guys egged the floor on saying that they were winning the energy war which made the screaming and barking go insane in the venue.

Continuing with their words, Hanbin reminded everyone that they had gone to Central Park the year before and recorded a cover of One Direction’s “One Thing.” Asked to sing it, he pointed to Seungeon, who had no problem jumping into the song acapella with everyone folding into the short impromptu song.

Ready to head into the next set, they jumped into “Newest.” The choreography was sharp but when the groups broke out into the trio led by Ketia with rapping support by Jihoo and Jeonghyeon, and then the quartet of Hanbin, Seungeon, Yunseo and Junghyun, their quick smooth moves really had a chance to shine. Immediately followed by hard hitting “CROWN,” the energy was on as they hit each note and move, landing on every beat.

After a short VCR intermission, they were back in jerseys, a bit reminiscent of their previous tour outfits. “HOT MESS” is also one of their hits that’s pure fun. The primary point was that they looked like they were having a blast on stage and more than the stages or music, it was the members themselves that made the show. Sweetness became the focus with “Birthday” as their full aegyo came out through the choreo. It was also clear from this and previous songs that every member had solid vocal chops, though Seungeon, Yunseo, Hanbin, and Keita’s voices stood out a bit more here.

Taking another moment for water and to chat, they noted that during this U.S. tour that they had performed “Newest” for the first time. Keita asked the audience if they had a coveted part from him, which was followed by a sea of cawing. As they sang “Birthday,” the guys asked if there were birthdays to celebrate from the floor. With a few raised hands, they wished happy birthdays before singing “Happy Birthday,” punctuated by caws sounds which you couldn’t help laughing at.

The start of the stage for “K.O. (Keep On)” starts with everyone surrounding Keita. The formation at the start was tight and interesting as Ketia opened the song with his great vocals. Junghyun’s rap was sharp and vocals solid with the vocal duo pulling the high notes effortlessly. But overall it was Keita’s sound that grounded the song and gave it a solid base. The stage is probably one of this viewer’s favorites of the night. “Role Model” began with Hanbin who took over the floor for a solo that included pelvic thrusts that had those who could see directly screaming. “Role Model” had similar hard hitting energy, but with solid melodic lines.

With the next break, Jeonghyeon jumped right into the point asking about Hanbin’s freestyle dancing which had Keita doing pelvic rolls next to Hanbin who played along joining him. The guys noted that since they were in Jersey City that they should do an “American” dance as the duo resumed their face-to-face pelvic rolls, which will be forevermore EVNNE’s “American dance.”

As the music began for “How Can I Do,” the fanchat began as well. In unison the ground yelled out “Keita! Park Hanbin! Lee Jeonghyeon! Yoo Seungeon! Ji Yunseo! Munn Junghyun! Park Jihoo!” Fanchants haven’t really been effective stateside, so it was thrilling to see it so well done. As they broke into their ment, Keita and ENNVE from the floor were united as they rehashed the chorus.

The group continued with “Love Like That,” which was their most adorable routine as they played off of each other with their choreography. The lighthearted vibe continued with the English version of “Badder Love.” Also one of EVNNE’s hits, the song’s infectious chorus is irresistible. Getting close to the end of the main part of the concert, the group split and half went out to change into hand mics. And then split again. During the ment, they asked for more recommendations for poses, one pose mimicking the viral “6 7” meme with hand motions and an actual finger pose. Continuing with the ment, they each took a moment to say their farewells, giving everyone much love from the stage. The last two songs slowed things down quite a bit, starting with “Youth” and then “Even More” while the lights from phones swaying filled the floor. 

There are encores and then there are encores. It was clear from this encore that the guys were far from ready to have the show end. Coming out in their merchandise shirts, they started with “Festa” focusing on making eye contact and reacting with as many fans as they could from the stage. Junghyun was particularly adorable with a pink ribbon around his head. He was their “gift,” as he would say later. Jumping and singing, they were just having the best time with everyone there. Telling everyone to jump and dance along, it was a party. We just didn’t know then that the party was still far from over. Taking the traditional group photo and more time to speak their thoughts with everyone, it was soon time for the next song, “KESHIKI.” Also light and fun, the song just added to the energy of the night. As both ENNVE and EVNNE weren’t ready to go yet, it was great to have a repeat of “Newest,” followed by “CROWN.” The guys were having a blast and still it wasn’t time to go yet. There was still another round of “TROUBLE.” And just when you thought, now it’s almost done, “TROUBLE” repeated again. For anyone that's been to a SEVENTEEN concert, at this point you start to get “Aju Nice” flashbacks and wonder how long “TROUBLE” would continue. “TROUBLE ” did end and “Role Model” finished off the night and EVNNE’s U.S. journey before they departed for the European leg of their tour.  We hope that EVNNE returns again and look forward to what's in store then!

Thank you to Jellyfish Entertainment, Helix Publicity, Studio PAV, and most of all to EVNNE for having us.