Enhypen Talks Coachella Experience, Launches Next Project June 5

Enhypen is making a comeback, though they haven’t been gone for long.

In K-pop, the term refers to a new release, and much to the delight of their fans — they’ve got about 20 million on Instagram alone — the South Korean boy group has a new project coming out on June 5. They revealed the news during their Coachella performance last weekend, staying mum on details.

“When I got off the stage, the energy and the vibe and the fans in front of us, it was amazing,” said Heeseung. The group chatted backstage after their set on Saturday with the help of an interpreter — though not Jake and Jay, who are fluent in English. They had just played to a packed crowd at Sahara, the 320-foot-long steel structure, with a 45-minute, high-energy set that opened with a backing band and dancers.

They’re the fastest K-pop group to land a spot on the Coachella lineup. Heeseung is the oldest at 23; there’s Jungwon, 21 and leader of the group; Sunghoon, a former figure skater and 22; Jake, who’s South Korean-Australian and 22; Jay, who’s South Korean-American and 22; Sunoo, 21, and Ni-ki, Japanese and the youngest at 19.

“We couldn’t have done it without all the fans, all the people that are listening to our music, watching our performance,” Jake said of being the quickest K-pop act to get to Coachella. “It’s because of them we were able to achieve this. We’re very thankful and always very grateful; however, we still have a long way to go. It’s only just the beginning.”

It’s a new phase of their career with the recent debut of their first English-language single, “Loose,” released on April 4. It’s been about five months since their last drop, a reissue of “Romance: Untold -Daydream-.”

“We are on our way to strive high,” Jake added.

They made their debut as a band in 2020 with the mini-album “Border: Day One” and its title track “Given-Taken” after competing on the Korean survival show “I-Land” — a contest and partnership between entertainment company CJ ENM and Hybe Corporation (home to Enhypen and BTS).

The reality show, showcasing high production and storytelling, had intense physical and artistic challenges, with fans following along every step of the way and choosing the final members of Enhypen (the last pick came from producers, who selected Sunoo). The broadcast garnered an accumulated 13.6 million views per episode, according to reports — and Enhypen has continued to skyrocket in the charts, with millions of albums sold.

“That took a while,” Jake said of finding their sound the first time in the studio together. “As a K-pop boy band we really do try so many different genres of music, so many different styles. Each album really portrays something different. Every time we record a new album it’s completely different. It’s always a new challenge for us, but I feel like that’s what made us really grow.”

Their background in “I-Land” gave fans — who are known as Engenes — a deep connection to their origin story. Fans watched their rise and growth from the beginning, building an emotional bond and deep connection.

With fans so deeply in tune with the band, is there anything they’d be surprised to learn about them?

“We grew up with our fans always watching us,” said Jake. “It’s very hard for us to say something different that they don’t know.”

“They know us better than we know ourselves,” smiled Jay.

“They know how many dots are on our faces,” joked Heeseung to laughs.

Beauty marks?

“Yes, beauty marks on our face,” said Jay. “They know everything.”

“Also arms and legs,” Heeseung went on, to growing laughter.

He, like all, was in head-to-toe Prada. They’ve been ambassadors for the luxury Italian brand since 2023.

“Every time they make a custom piece for us, it’s always very unique,” Jake said of working with the house. “It’s very fitted to us. They just know what we like.”

Prada designed cowboy-inspired styles for their Coachella debut. Everyone wore an element of denim, made with a vintage effect for a lived-in look, and the same black leather ankle boots; the jeans, with and without cargo pockets, were paired with a brown brushed leather belt showcasing a large metal buckle, chains and silk scarves attached to the loops. The outerwear, worn over shirts and white jersey tank tops, differed for each member, with pockets and a leather collar, contrasting piping and rhinestone embroidery.

What’s been the highlight of their career so far? Coachella, they echoed.

“Everyone’s parents are watching back in Korea, all our friends and people from Korea are watching online,” said Jake. “Everyone is curious and excited.”

On Saturday, they’ll hit the stage again for weekend two. Then comes their “Walk The Line” tour in the U.S., U.K. and Europe, which kicks off on Aug. 6 with two dates in in Belmont Park, N.Y., followed by Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.