We go and shout, shout, shout when we’re together! And that was exactly what Filipino ENGENEs did when they first met K-Pop group ENHYPEN
South Korean boy group ENHYPEN visited the Philippines to meet their Filipino fans for the first time last December 3, 2022 with a fun meet for BYS’ 10th Year Anniversary in the Araneta Coliseum. The septet is composed of members JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, NI-KI.
It was a day of celebration as the group just recently had their second debut anniversary last November 30. Within just two years into the career, ENHYPEN has already gained multiple achievements, recently winning Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 in the 2022 MAMA Awards. Among their many achievements, this collaboration with cosmetic brand BYS and the You Play You campaign was one of them.
“This is the first foreign cosmetics brand that we actually are an ambassador of, and I would like to congratulate BYS on their 10th anniversary as well,” the oldest member HEESEUNG shares.
1, 2, CONNECT!
Filipino fans, known as ENGENEs, the official fandom name of ENHYPEN, came from all over the country to show their support for the group. From welcoming them outside the airport upon their arrival to various fan projects and efforts, there’s no doubt that the fans prepared exciting surprises for both ENHYPEN and ENGENEs.
ENGENEs! Look 🥺🫶🏻#ENHYPENwithBYS #ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN_members pic.twitter.com/cr3dHCuggH
— ENHYPEN ASIA (@AsiaEnhypen) November 29, 2022
This did not go unnoticed as member JAKE shared during the press conference, “It was really nice to see [the fans] for the first time, and it was such a cool experience.”
The love did not stop there as fans were given a chance to share their messages to ENHYPEN in person while waiting for the event to begin. One notable fan shared a very heartwarming message for everyone to hear: “I know you guys are unstoppable. You are the new powerhouse and the future of K-Pop after all!”
As ENHYPEN went onstage, the unending cheers of the crowd filled The Big Dome.
TFW (That Feeling When) you meet ENHYPEN
The Fun Meet was filled with various games and activities for both ENHYPEN and ENGENE to enjoy. During their introductory segment, the members were asked questions submitted by fans prior to the event. When asked what it was like meeting Filipino fans and being in the Philippines, SUNOO shared that this is his first time visiting the Philippines. He is happy that he could meet Filipino ENGENEs and he hopes he can have more opportunities to visit again.
JAKE shared the story behind their name ENHYPEN. The hyphen in their name, just like the punctuation mark, is used with the goal to connect people all over the world through their music. HEESEUNG was asked what his favorite genre was, and he shared that hiphop is his favorite genre, but he is interested in different genres of music as well.
After being asked about their reaction to the success the group received, JUNGWON, the leader of the group, says that ENHYPEN will do their best to receive more love from their fans and to perform and have more tours in the future. NI-KI, the youngest member of the group, asked how it was like working with his team. The maknae answered that because of the pandemic, they could not go on tour and have performances abroad. But fortunately now, they are given more opportunities to do so and are very happy about it.
SUNGHOON was asked what advice he would give to his younger self, and he said to live life to the fullest and to do your best in figure skating. He was a former figure skater (known as the “Ice Prince” among fans) before becoming a member of ENHYPEN. Lastly, JAY was asked what he would bring with him to a deserted island, and he answered food, especially corn, which is his favorite, and their leader, JUNGWON.
To get to know ENHYPEN further, the members were then given whiteboards to answer various questions such as what their favorite colors, desserts, and ENHYPEN songs were. When asked to sing a snippet of one of their favorite songs, the members, alongside Filipino ENGENEs, sang a snippet of their viral hit “Polaroid Love,” filling the whole stadium.
Looking future perfect
The next segment allowed the members to look back on videos of their various milestones and experiences as a group, with their fans. From their first US debut performance in the Kelly Clarkson Show where they performed their title track “Tamed-Dashed” from their first full length album DIMENSION: DILEMMA, to behind-the-scenes footage on the set of their ParadoXXX Invasion music video, and their behind-the-scenes video for their collaboration with BYS’ You Play You campaign.
When asked what it meant to be an ambassador for a foreign cosmetics brand, they said they were thankful to be given the opportunity as they were able to visit the Philippines as well.
ENHY-PINOY
The fun did not stop there as fans from the audience were selected randomly to play charades with the members and to teach them various Filipino phrases.
Filipino ENGENEs enjoyed hearing the boys say heartwarming phrases in their native dialect such as “Mahal ko kayo, ENGENE” (I love you, ENGENE), “Ngiti naman diyan” (Cheer up!), and “Masaya ako kasama ang ENGENEs ngayon” (I am happy to be with ENGENEs today), among many others.
My life without you is a misery
After the jam-packed program, ENHYPEN was surprised with a fan-made video created by Filipino ENGENEs for their second debut anniversary, as well as a fan-made song highlighting the various fan projects they dedicated to the members.
Filipino ENGENEs had more surprises up their sleeve as they raised banners, written in English and Korean, for the members that said, “Our hearts beat together between the gaps of the universe” and “Happy birthday Sunghoon and Ni-ki.”
The fans, together with ENHYPEN, then sang happy birthday to the two members who will be celebrating their birthdays on December 8 and 9, respectively.
To end the night, ENHYPEN performed “ParadoXXX Invasion,” an upbeat B-side track with powerful choreography from their latest mini album, MANIFESTO: DAY 1.
“See you in February! Mahal kita!” the members said happily while thanking their fans as they exited the stage, referring to their upcoming Manila stop for their MANIFESTO World Tour at the Mall of Asia Arena on February 4 and 5, 2023.
With the promise to return to the Philippines very soon, the night ended on a good note with a memory that will forever be shared among ENHYPEN and Filipino ENGENEs.
ENHYPEN’s first fan meet in Manila was presented by BYS Cosmetics Philippines and Wilbros Live
Photography SETH VILLANUEVA of WILBROS LIVE
