“When you think of ENHYPEN, a lot of people think of dark vibes, which I think is ENHYPEN’s own colour and concept,” said JUNGWON several months ago. But their radiantly hued new release, ORANGE BLOOD, is quite the departure for the 4th generation K-Pop superstars.

Ahead of the album’s release, the powerhouse group spoke to reporters about their brand new single, ‘Sweet Venom’ and the rest of the 7-track mini-album, available starting 17 November.

“We’re back with a much more upgraded album than DARK BLOOD before,” said JAKE, promising and later proving: “You'll be able see a very different ENHYPEN for this album.”

(DARK BLOOD보다 훨씬 더 업그레이드된 앨범으로 돌아왔습니다. 이번 앨범은 되게 색다른 ENHYPEN을 보실 수 있습니다.)

“The world feels fresh and exciting upon their reunion, but the illusion of everlasting joy gradually wanes, leading them to yet another realisation that nothing lasts forever,” narrated their official statement. “Nevertheless, just like the saying ‘Carpe diem,’ the boys wholeheartedly commit to loving ‘you’ as if there’s no tomorrow. Through the warm and comforting radiance of orange light, ORANGE BLOOD aims to convey the boys’ unwavering determination.”

As the record is meant to be somewhat like a sequel to their previous release, DARK BLOOD, this is particularly seen in a thread running through their new title track ‘Sweet Blood’ to last May’s ‘Bite Me.’

“After proving their love through sacrifice and coming to terms with the finite and mortal nature of the world, the boys pledge to remain by your side even as poison courses through their veins,” added their statement.

‘Sweet Venom’ sees the 7-member act make a fresh foray in what they call “easy listening.” Replete with glistening synths and guitars, the slinky track is co-produced by company mainstay Slow Rabbit along with Connor McDonough – and even ENHYPEN’s very own JAY even helped write.

JAKE said, “It's a song that ENHYPEN has never done before, and I’m looking forward to it because it has a very unfamiliar beat and genre, and a distinct form.”

(ENHYPEN이 안 해본 색다른 느낌의 곡이다, 되게 생소한 비트와 장르, 독특한 구성이어서 기대를 많이 했습니다.)

The track appears as 3 different versions: in English and Korean, and a collaborative version with Filipino-American celebrity and ‘Build a B*tch’ hitmaker Bella Poarch.

“When I heard it was going to be our first in English, I looked forward to it because I think I can deliver it well,” added the Australian-raised star.

(또 첫 영어 곡이라고 들었을 때 잘 표현할 수 있을 것 같아서 기대를 많이 했습니다)

In its eccentric, neon-washed video, time has seemed to come to a halt. Like the camera slithering through the dingy alleys, ENHYPEN’s words crawl like an intoxicating poison. “혈관 속에 퍼져가는 taste of your sweet venom (Spreading through my veins, it is the taste of your sweet venom),” they croon, as their sinewy moves beguile with quiet intensity.

Brimming with funk, its irresistible disco-like hook is only the cherry on top. The track is an earworm, which according to members was praised by HYBE head honcho Bang Si-hyuk himself. “I don’t often hear Chairman Bang’s praise. He’s very strict, but it felt good to hear compliments by his standards,” noted HEESEUNG.

(시혁님 칭찬을 자주 듣지는 못합니다. 굉장히 엄격하신데 그 기준에서 칭찬을 받았다고 생각하니깐 기분이 좋았습니다.)

“I think it’s just the beginning,” said NI-KI, expressing their ambition to become of the same calibre as their beloved seniors (선배님) in the company, from SEVENTEEN to BTS. “We will be an ENHYPEN who can make a strong impact in K-Pop history.”

(이제부터 시작인 것 같습니다. K팝 역사에 강렬한 임팩트를 줄 수 있는 ENHYPEN이 되도록 하겠습니다.)

After their historic Tokyo Dome show in September, ENHYPEN is set to continue their headlining world tour, FATE, in Asia. The tour jumpstarts in Taipei on 13 January next year, before moving on to Singapore (20 to 21/1), Macao (27 to 28/1), and New Clark City (3/2).

Tracklist:

1. Mortal
2. Sweet Venom
3. Still Monster
4. 멀어 (Blind)
5. Orange Flower (You Complete Me)
6. Sweet Venom (English version)
7. Sweet Venom (feat. Bella Poarch)

Listen to ORANGE BLOOD here: