On July 11, ENHYPEN held their media showcase for 'ROMANCE : UNTOLD' a day ahead of the album's release. After posing for a photo session, the seven members shared their thoughts on coming back with a full album as well as on achieving career-high with 'ROMANCE : UNTOLD's 2.2 million pre-order sales.

NI-KI: "I know all our ENGENEs (fandom name) have been waiting very patiently for our second album. We think that you won't be disappointed. It's great music that you can listen to during summer, so we hope you enjoy it. We just got the news that we pre-sold over 2 million, and we were surprised as well. I'm extremely proud and happy to hear such news."

Heeseung: "I'm very happy to be back with our second studio album. When we were preparing, there were a lot of discussions among us about which direction we wanted to go. We really poured our hearts and souls into it. Each track has a different color and energy. We put a lot of thought into each one. To hear that it has already sold over 2 million, I'm very excited and happy. It gives us a lot of energy."

Jake: "I'm really happy with the concept photos this time around. We really tried our best. It was a very new and refreshing experience. We tried to surprise you with a completely new concept, something that you hadn't seen in our previous releases. I'm very happy and satisfied with the results."

Sunghoon: "This album really is something that I hope will beat all of our ENGENEs' expectations. We put all our hearts and souls [into this album] to show you just how much we've grown since our last installment."

Jungwon: "This is our second album after 2 years and 9 months. We poured our hearts and souls into our discussions with the producers and everyone who worked on the album."

Sunoo: "We are back with the second studio album. It's been quite a while. Following the 'BLOOD' series, we're now starting a new chapter with 'ROMANCE' series. We have so much in store for you that's going to be not like anything you've seen before."

Jay: "All of the members were very ambitious and eager to take part in creating the album together this time around. Whether it's lyrics or music production, we were able to participate in it."

'ROMANCE : UNTOLD' marks the septet's new chapter with the 'ROMANCE' series where they unveil the story of the boys who "vow to protect their love at all costs." A new direction was shown to the audience, following the 'BLOOD' series, which showed their dark, fierce side. "We've mostly presented tracks with dark charismatic concepts. This is our first time presenting sweet vibes," said the youngest member, NI-KI. "It's quite new to us."

It's been nearly 3 years since ENHYPEN's first full album, 'Dimension: Dilemma' and around 2 months since the release of their special album 'Memorabilia.' Now that they're back, Heeseung expressed his excitement to be on stage again: "We had a lot of memories together."

One of those memories is their recently concluded 'FATE+' tour in the U.S. Jay said that they had great memories from the concerts, especially their show in Tacoma. He particularly mentioned the moment when he got to throw the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game in April, along with Heeseung and NI-KI. He said that the city is close to his heart as it is where he was born. "I'm a very big fan of the baseball league team, vc and I got to throw a pitch. I had really such wonderful memories in the past months."

The album's title track "XO (Only If You Say Yes)" is a sweet, mellow track that is about "the boys' willingness to do for the special you only if you say yes," according to Sunoo.

Aside from the hooking song, the members also highlighted the key choreography. Jake said, "Unlike the other previous choreography, this is less conceptual and more cool, sexy, and hot." There's an "XO" motion, hand gestures infused in the choreography that "might be difficult." However, Jake would love to see everyone try it as well. 

The new release showcases the members' growth, now that all of them were able to partake in the creative process. 'ROMANCE : UNTOLD' boasts a total of 9 songs including the focus track "XO (Only If You Say Yes)," sidetracks "Moonstruck," "Your Eyes Only," "Hundred Broken Hearts," "Brought The Heat Back," "Paranormal," "Royalty," "Highway 1009," and the English version of the title song featuring JVKE. 

Heeseung produced the band's first fan song "Highway 1009" with all seven members' participation in the lyric-making. "October 9 is the birthday of our fandom, ENGENE. We wanted to incorporate that into the title of the song," said producer Heeseung. "It's a very meaningful song for us."

Sunghoon added, "We just thought of ENGENEs [while working on the song]. I imagined this trip on an endless highway." 

While Jungwon participated in writing the topline in the song "Hundred Broken Hearts." "It's a genre I love," he said. "It was a very fun experience for me."

"'Hundred Broken Hearts' shows the boys' devotion to avoid the tragic ending of this love. It's an old-school R&B track with our own young vibes," Sunoo shared.

Following the discussion on the album, ENHYPEN answered some questions from the press in Seoul. When asked about their favorite tracks: 

NI-KI said, "I love the fifth track 'Brought The Heat Back.' We heard the demo during the tour, and I immediately knew that no other track is going to beat this one. I personally like the musical genre of the song."

Heeseung: "'Highway 1009' because I participated in it. My second favorite is 'Paranormal.' It's young and energetic."

Jake: "Like NI-KI said, our fifth track 'Brought The Heat Back,' I think that's my favorite too. I really think that it's a masterpiece. It's very original and refreshing. It has great appeal."

Sunghoon: "For this second album, I just love every track, but the first one, 'Moonstruck,' is my favorite. The melody is very addictive. I like the sexy mood that the track has."

Jungwon: "The sixth track 'Paranormal,' the same reason Heeseung said."

Sunoo: "'Hundred Broken Hearts' is my favorite track. Jungwon participated in writing the song, and I just really thought that the mood is something that I'm drawn into."

Jay: "My favorite is also 'Hundred Broken Hearts.' It reminds you of a beautiful nightscape. I think it's very addictive."

One reporter asked the boys whether they feel pressured because of the "competition" in the industry as several acts are coming back as well. Jay answered, "Yes, we have many amazing artists coming back this summer, and we're very happy that we get to bring great music together. We are very confident with this album as well."

It was recently reported that Jay will be limiting movements due to his knee injury. He said that he's going to try his best to take part in the promotions and be on all stages. "This is a very important comeback and album to me, for the fans, and the members. I always wanted to do my best. I went to treatment all the time, so it got much better now," he shared. 

For their goal, leader Jungwon hopes to hear from the listeners a phrase like, "Oh, this is very ENHYPEN." He added, "We always have good B-side tracks. And this time, we have different favorite songs, so that means we have a lot of good tracks." 

Jake revealed that 'ROMANCE : UNTOLD' is his favorite album among all albums they released in the past: "I'm sure the fans will love it. I feel confident about this album."

"This album is really well-crafted. From the concept cinema, photos, and all the different teasers that had been dropping, we're satisfied with the results," said Sunghoon. "I can't be any more happy."

Special thanks to HYBE and BELIFT LAB for the invite!

[Photos courtesy of BELIFT LAB]