The Star Malaysia - Star2

Enoi makes bold, ‘Cheeky’ return

The band’s new album is themed around apples, which the boys explained are seen as a symbol for love and passion.

- By HONG DAM-YOUNG

AFTER entering the K-pop scene shrouded in innocence last year, K-pop rookie group Enoi is making a bold return with the new single Cheeky.

The seven-piece act, fronted by leader Laon alongside Dojin, Hamin, Avin, Jinwoo, J-kid and Gun, held a media showcase for its first EP, Red In The Apple, in Seoul on Monday.

The band debuted in April last year under the newly establishe­d Kithewhale Company label. It says the band’s name “Enoi” comes from the last letters of the first three words, and the first letter of the last word in the phrase “we can do it.”

“We made a comeback in nine months. Each time we see our song on charts, we feel overwhelme­d and surreal. Now that we have our first media showcase, it finally hits me that our album is out. We feel responsibl­e for those who’ve been waiting for us,” said Laon at the event.

Kicking off with rhythmic guitar strings, lead track Cheeky is a melodic dance track that builds upon the members’ soaring vocals and powerful rap style. It has been composed and written by Laon, who usually makes the music for Enoi. The overall album is themed around apples, which the bandmates explained are seen as a symbol for love and passion.

Talking about his writing process, Laon said he came up with such an idea while talking with Gun.

“Gun, he is a member who hopes to be loved and give it back to others. Upon wondering where that passion and dedication came from, I drew out a conclusion that those feelings were part of love,” he said.

“Members liked the song as soon as they heard its intro, pushing me to tap it as lead track.”

With red being a representa­tive colour for love and passion, Laon stretched out to apples as an appropriat­e subject to relay the message. Apples also play an integral part in the song’s vibrant music video, which is ample with musical elements.

The group shared that it had to make further efforts to perfect the song’s dynamic choreograp­hy. “When we promoted Bloom ,I’d practiced its dance movements about 1,800 times. For Cheeky, I think we’ve already danced to it over 1,000 times,” said Laon.

As much as the group’s new single is rooted in a casual chat within the band, they shared that their close-knit relationsh­ip with each other was the real driving force.

“Except for practicing time, we spend most of our days talking to each other,” he added.

The four-track EP also features Not Sorry, I’m With You and &NDING, all of which credit Laon as a lyricist.

 ?? — The Korea Herald/ann ?? The name Enoi comes from the last letters of the first three words, and the first letter of the last word in the phrase ‘we can do it’.
— The Korea Herald/ann The name Enoi comes from the last letters of the first three words, and the first letter of the last word in the phrase ‘we can do it’.

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