Enhypen is a very young boy group that debuted at the end of November 2020, meaning they have not even been active for 10 months. Despite this, they already have a very large fan base; even before their debut, they had more than a million followers on the social media platforms TikTok, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and V Live. This is because the members of the group were already known to fans through the survival show I-Land.
I-Land
In May 2020, television channel Mnet announced a new survival show called “I-Land,” in which 23 male trainees from “Belift Lab” competed to win a spot in the planned seven-member boy band. Belift Lab was founded in 2019 by CJ E&M - an entertainment and mass media company - and Hybe Corporation, the agency that owns Big Hit Music (formerly "Big Hit Entertainment"). Some of Belift Lab's trainees transferred to the new agency from Big Hit Music, while the others came from public castings. The first episode of I-Land aired on June 26, following the release of several teasers and a music video by singer IU.
Among all the survival shows that are broadcast then and now, I-Land stands out above all because in the first rounds the participants themselves use their votes to determine which 12 trainees will be in the almost luxuriously furnished building, which, like the show “I -Land” were allowed to stay and those who had to go to the “Ground”, a remote building with very simple furnishings.
The goal of the “Grounders” was to advance to I-Land, because after the first half of the show, all trainees who could not qualify for one of the 12 spots in I-Land after the last round were eliminated. The final decision as to who would advance was no longer made by the trainees themselves, but by a vote from the audience.
The trainee voting system was merciless; after the first appearance of all participants, the trainees had to vote as to which of them was allowed to live in the I-Land and which in the Ground. As the rounds progressed, the decision became increasingly difficult as the trainees became closer and closer through the show and team missions. There were definitely tears not only from the trainees, but also from the spectators. After all the emotions in Part 1, the fans were already excited, but had to wait half a month until the first episode of the second part of the show was broadcast on August 14th. The waiting time was at least shortened by a special episode on August 7th, in which Part 1 of the show was summarized and insights into Part 2 were given. In Part 2, only the viewers and the producers, including Big Hit founder Bang Shi Hyuk, were allowed to vote; the trainees no longer made decisions. In the final there were only nine trainees left. Six members of Enhypen were chosen by the viewers, the seventh member by the producers.
| Artist name | Real name | Birthday |
|---|---|---|
| Heeseung | Lee Heeseung | 15.10.2001 |
| Jay | Jay Park | 20.04.2002 |
| Jake | Jake Sim | 15.11.2002 |
| Sunghoon | Park Sunghoon | 08.12.2002 |
| Sunoo | Kim Sunwoo | 24.06.2003 |
| Jungwon (Leader) | Yang Jungwon | 09.02.2004 |
| Ni-ki (Maknae) | Nishimura Riki | 09.12.2005 |
Heesung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Jungwoon and Ni-ki took first place in viewers' voting; Sunoo was chosen as the seventh member by the producers. The eldest Heesung has trained the longest, 3 years and a month, which is a relatively average training time. Three members have trained for less than a year, least of all the youngest Ni-ki; he was only a trainee for eight months! Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Sunghoon were former trainees under Big Hit Entertainment.
During I-Land's finale, "Enhypen" was introduced as the new group's name. The name is derived from the symbol "-", which is called "hyphae". Just as Hyphen connects words, Enhypen's goal is to connect and create something new together.
Enhypen debuted on November 30, 2020, less than two months after the finale of I-Land, which aired on September 18. The first album " Border: Day One " with the title song " Given-Taken " was pre-ordered over 300,000 times, making it the best-selling K-pop debut album in 2020. It peaked at number two on both the Korean Gaon Album Charts and the Japanese Oricon Album Charts and was certified platinum in February 2021. A music video for "Let Me In (20 Cube)" was also released in late 2020.
On April 26, 2021, the second album “ Border: Carnival ” followed, which was pre-ordered over 450,000 times! With the title song “Drunk-Dazed”, Enhypen won a music show for the first time. First “The Show”, then “Show Champion” and “Music Bank”. Carnival also topped the Oricon charts and ranked 18th on both the “Billboard 200 Charts” and the “Billboard Artist 100 Charts”.
Just seven months after their debut in South Korea, Enhypen made their Japanese debut with the Japanese single “Border: Hakanai”. In addition to the Japanese versions of “Given-Taken” and “Let Me In”, it also contains the new song “ Forget Me Not ”, which serves as the soundtrack for the anime “Re-Main”. “Border: Hakanai” ended the “Border” series.
The third Korean album was supposed to be released at the end of September, but after everyone except Sunoo tested positive for Corona, the comeback had to be postponed. In mid-September, however, Belift Lab announced that all members had recovered and fans could breathe a sigh of relief. The new release date for “ Dimension: Dilemma ” is October 12th. You can find out more about the new album here !
“Dimension: Dilemma” has now been pre-ordered over 600,000 times.
Enhypen has steadily improved in their short career so far and we can't wait to celebrate many more successes with the boy band!
Have you watched I-Land? Who is your bias?
