K-pop boy group ENHYPEN released a repackaged version of their second studio album titled “Romance: UNTOLD -daydream-” on November 11th 2024 through Belift lab, a South Korean media company under HYBE corporation.
The group consists of seven members; Jungwon, Heesung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki. Most members do not have official positions, as they are expected to be all-rounders. However, Jungwon is the leader of the group.
Their previous album, “Romance: UNTOLD” garnered international fame, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in July of this year. This repackage includes two more songs and takes a slightly altered concept than the original, lovestruck summer feel of the previous release.
“The concept ties back to our second full length album so I think it’ll be easy to get immersed in,” Ni-ki said while shooting photos for the release.
The concept of this repackage continues that lovestruck feel of “Romance: UNTOLD”, but ties it to a more icy and hip-hop feel, perfect for the colder months.
“I hope you look forward to this repackage a lot, the two songs have contrasting vibes, so please be excited,” Jungwon said while filming the concept video.
In this 30 minute repackage, I selected four tracks that I liked the most, starting with the opening song, “Daydream”. I definitely felt the hip-hop vibes emanating from this song and it felt very refreshing to see an ENHYPEN song like this. The beat was heavy with the prominent bass and kick drum, which made the track feel sleek and groovy.
“Daydream has a whispering melody, so I think it would be good if you listened to it carefully,” Sunoo said when asked about daydream.
The mix of a whispering melody and singing is definitely not for everyone, the production on this song is masterfully crafted, with techniques such as audio panning being utilized. Audio panning is when a sound is placed or moved anywhere in a stereo field, which lets producers create a conception that the sound is coming from the left or right.
While I enjoyed this song thoroughly, I give this song a 7.5/10 because I would not reach for it when I’m casually listening to ENHYPEN. However, it is a great track that diverts from the group’s main style and is a fun listen.
The next song I picked is “No Doubt,” which I argue is one of the best on this entire album. It feels very upbeat and it’s easy to be immersed in the synth sounds. The chorus is incredibly contagious and it’s easy to get it stuck in your head.
“The new song No Doubt contains the message that ‘I love you without a doubt, whether it’s day or night,” Heesung said when the group did an interview with MusicBank, a South Korean television station which plays the most popular songs in the country.
Another plus of this song is that the choreography is very smooth and connected, and it is just as powerful as the vocals of this song.
“For ‘No Doubt,’….The guide was a bit powerful, so I felt like I needed to add more power to get a similar vibe,” Jay said after recording his lines.
I give this song a 9/10 because of its production quality, catchy chorus and rhythm, and the overall upbeat theme of the track.
The third song I have picked out is “Moonstruck,” which debuted on “Romance: UNTOLD.” The dreamy instrumental paints a picture of a late night in a cherry blossom garden with the moonlight shining down on the grass in my eyes. I love the utilization of the harp and the piano, which adds to the late n
“[This is] the best song,” Sunghoon said during a livestream on WeVerse.
The passion that encompasses “Moonstruck” is very well felt through the vocals of the members, as their powerful tones shine amidst the instrumental. All of these factors lead me to rate this song a 9.5/10 and there is a good argument to be made that this is the best track on the album.
The final track I picked is “Highway 1009,” which is a song written by all the members to their fans, who are known as ENGENE’s. This was the first song Heesung has ever produced that has been released, but all the members worked on it together.
“That’s why it’s very meaningful to ENHYPEN cause we all did the lyrics and it’s a fan song and it all came together very well” Jake said in an interview the group did with Billboard.
The title comes from the date that the name of ENHYPEN’s fandom name, ENGENE was announced, October 9th. The song lyrics detail the love that the group has for their fans, coupled with a heartfelt instrumental that features a pretty electric guitar loop that adds to the vibe of the track.
“When I’m making a song, I work on the vibe, the roots, and the melody all at the same time. What you hear is purely my own thoughts and feelings, plucked straight from my head…I hope ENGENE listens to the song and picks up what we wanted to say, and that they can clear their mind, even if just for a moment, and feel good.” Heesung said.
This song is very meaningful, heartfelt, and has beautiful lyrics and instruments. I rate this song a 8.5/10.
Some other tracks that are worth mentioning from the album include “Hundred Broken Hearts,” which Jungwon aided in writing and “XO (Only if You Say Yes),” which was the lead single of Romance: UNTOLD. They both have wonderful vibes and are very easy on the ears to listen to.
“Romance: UNTOLD -daydream-” is a very well produced deluxe album that fits ENHYPEN very well. I enjoyed the lovestruck style that has a little edge. I rate this album a 9/10 overall. It is available to stream on all platforms and is worth the 30 minute listen.
