EVNNE have turned the idea of “HOT MESS” into something seriously cool with their new mini‐album of the same name. For the group, being a “hot mess” isn’t something to be embarrassed about—it’s an anthem for living every moment to the fullest, even when things seem totally chaotic. In this project, EVNNE celebrate the beauty of disorder, spontaneity, and the courage to be yourself, turning every complicated moment into a chance to shine and reveal the most authentic, vibrant side of life.
After debuting just last year under Jellyfish Entertainment and rapidly rising in the K-pop scene, EVNNE—made up of Keita, Park Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yoo Seungeon, Ji Yunseo, Mun Junghyun, and Park Jihoo—have established themselves as one of the most interesting and dynamic emerging groups. With their first comeback of 2025, HOT MESS marks not only a new chapter in their career but also a stylistic evolution that blends explosive pop-rock energy with more intimate, reflective moments. Every track on the EP has been crafted to show that even amidst chaos, there’s always beauty and freedom to be found in imperfection.
The title track, “HOT MESS,” is the heart of the album—a song that captures the joy of savoring every moment, even when things don’t go as planned, perfectly embodying the group’s philosophy. Alongside this centerpiece, tracks like Youth and Crown burst with youthful energy and introspection, capturing the nuances of everyday life and the strength that comes from overcoming challenges. Birthday and Love Like That add a touch of sweetness and lightness, ideal for those moments of pause and serenity that make every experience even more precious. Plus, the inclusion of the Korean version of the Japanese track 景色 (Keshiki) highlights EVNNE’s commitment to experimenting and expanding their musical horizons by embracing new sounds and expressive languages.
Recurring themes like “Sowing” and “Splatter” run throughout the album, symbolizing both the ability to nurture calm even during the stormiest times and the art of letting go and having fun—as if every situation, no matter how messy, could transform into a work of art. With HOT MESS, EVNNE prove that the real secret to life is accepting and celebrating our imperfections, making them the driving force behind a truly unique and unmistakable artistic expression.
Panorama.it spoke with them.
EVNNE is known for its playful side. Can you share a fun behind-the-scenes moment from the making of the “HOT MESS” album?
Lee Jeonghyeon: During the music video shoot, there were a lot of foreigners among the extras. I thought the person next to me was a foreigner, so I tried to talk in English. However, I found out that person was actually Korean so I apologized. It was so embarrassing!
Ji Yunseo: During the music video shoot, the scene where Seungeon and I brushed our teeth with cake was the most fun for me. It was an action scene I had never imagined before, and it was even more enjoyable since Seungeon and I did it together.
Park Jihoo: The most fun time was when we got to draw with paint while taking our concept photos.
How does it feel to release a mini-album that highlights your messy yet vibrant side?
Keita: This album also has songs in various styles, so I’m curious to see how fans will react to the new songs. I believe this album will make our upcoming performances more exciting, so I hope our fans will enjoy it a lot.
Yoo Seungeon: First of all, I’m very excited to show a different side of EVNNE, and I’m looking forward to seeing how our fans will react. I’m excited for a new comeback after about 8 months, and [HOT MESS] is a very free-feeling album, so I think you’ll be able to see the members’ original selves and individuality even more.
What was the most exciting part of preparing for this comeback?
Park Hanbin: Other than the cold weather during the music video shoot, we did not have many difficulties. Since every scene was of us playing, laughing, and having fun, I hope the music video captures our natural sides well.
Mun Junghyun: As we were preparing for this comeback, I was quite excited and thrilled about releasing a beautifully shot music video and concept photos that are subtle yet not-so-obvious at first glance.
Can you describe the concept behind the title track of “HOT MESS” and how it represents the group?
Keita: The title song, “HOT MESS,” has the same title as our fourth mini album. Therefore, I think it’s the song that best represents the album’s concept, which is ‘EVNNE enjoying every moment even in a confusing situation.’ This carefree spirit would be a representation of EVNNE’s growth, which has been fostered through our music, performances, and journey since our debut.
You’ve mentioned wanting to start 2025 bubbly and bright—what makes this album different from your previous releases?
Yoo Seungeon: I think the ‘bubbly and bright’ as you mentioned is crucial. When we look back at our previous albums, they focused more on the mischievous intensity or lyrical aspects, but this album focuses more on the brightness of our members. We’ve incorporated the concept of ‘EVNNE enjoying the moment in a confusing situation’ into the music, visuals, and choreography, so I hope you’ll look forward to it!
What’s your favorite song from the “HOT MESS” album and why?
Keita: My favorite song is “CROWN,” because I was able to best express my new style with this track.
Park Hanbin: My favorite is “Birthday.” There wasn’t an EVNNE song that I could listen to on my birthday that fit the mood, but now I got a chance to enjoy my birthday with our song. It’s an upbeat and charming song with a similar vibe to “I <3 U,” so please look forward to it!
Lee Jeonghyeon: Mine is “Birthday,” because it’s a song that’s comfortable to listen to with a warm and sweet vibe. With its light mood, you can listen to this track anytime, for example when you’re walking or going to work. I’m sure it’ll make you feel good.
Yoo Seungeon: I think my favorite song on this album is “Youth.” It’s the first song that I wrote the full lyrics on my own and I even decided on its general theme, so this song means a lot to me. I’m so happy that I can send strength to my fans with the lyrics I wrote!
Ji Yunseo: My favorite tracks are “HOT MESS” and “Love Like That.” The title song is about enjoying the situation amid chaos, and “Love Like That” expresses a fluttering and exciting feeling of love in our style. I think I especially love “Love Like That” since I participated in writing the lyrics.
Mun Junghyun: I like the fourth track, “CROWN,” the most. I believe it best suits me with its powerful energy and intense performance.
Park Jihoo: “Birthday” is my favorite song because it has a good melody and is easy to listen to!
How does EVNNE balance being playful with maintaining a serious approach to your music?
Keita: When I’m making music, I’m usually serious and I’m always deeply immersed in my thoughts. But when I’m on stage, you’ll see more of me having fun with great energy.
Yoo Seungeon: I believe that you need diverse experiences to write various songs. Rather than dedicating my time to work on a track in one sitting, my creative process is often sparked by going out the door and experiencing different things. That way, I am naturally inspired to write a song depending on the mood and state at the time.
Ji Yunseo: I try to immerse myself as much as possible in a way that fits the song concept. For example, if it’s a bright and exciting concept, I turn on all the lights and work with high energy. On the contrary, if it’s a song that’s a bit darker, I would turn off all the lights and wear clothes that fit the concept. I think it’s better to immerse myself and work along the song’s mood rather than just stick with one atmosphere.
Are there any particular artists or genres that inspired the sound and vibe of this album?
Ji Yunseo: It’s a bit difficult to pick a specific artist or genre. Since it’s a new and unique concept, I listened to a lot of music and watched many videos while preparing for the album, so I don’t think there is a single answer to this question. However, if I had to pick the biggest inspiration, it would be G-DRAGON and ZICO.
Park Jihoo: I really like AJR’s stage style and music. I think it fits well with the message of this album, which is to freely express one’s opinions.
When you’re not working on music, what do you like to do in your free time to unwind?
Park Hanbin: I like to read books. I used to read a lot of essays, but I think I tend to read more novels these days. I was never someone with the best imagination, but when I read books, I get to imagine and think more, which is why I find reading fun.
Lee Jeonghyeon: I like solving Rubik’s Cubes, so I like to look up videos and practice on my own. I like to play video or computer games with friends, and these days I also like exercising, so I work out every day.
Park Jihoo: I mostly spend my time making beats, watching movies, and sometimes playing games.
How do you connect with your fans through your music and performances?
Park Hanbin: There are many songs that musically interpret the messages we want to convey to our fans. I especially recall the songs that carry the message of, ‘Let’s have fun by listening to music together.’ Through such songs, I strive to become an artist who can send comfort and strength to the listeners.
Yoo Seungeon: When I choose songs, I usually compare them to my actual experiences or find songs with messages I want to convey. And when it comes to non-Korean songs, I pay a lot of attention to pronunciation. With such efforts, fans would often speak highly of my delivery of music.
Mun Junghyun: I think I communicate with my fans by always trying to show them our best and most outstanding performance on stage.
Is there a specific moment in your career so far that stands out as especially memorable?
Lee Jeonghyeon: It would be our first showcase at debut. It was the first time we announced our debut as EVNNE and showed our own performances. I also remember that ENNVEs really liked the showcase, so it was the most memorable moment for me.
Ji Yunseo: It’s the moment when we won first place on a music show during our second album promotions. It was the moment when we achieved a goal we had always dreamed of and it was truly unbelievable, so it became a special memory out of many thankful and happy moments. I really would like to win first place on a music show while promoting our 4th album.
Park Jihoo: To me, the most memorable moment was when we won first place on a music show.
What is one thing about EVNNE that fans might not know but should?
Keita: The various strengths that EVNNE reveals through music are something that all the members have in common, but at the same time, I think that each member’s musical color is distinct and exceptional. I hope you listen to our songs while focusing on the musical color of each member.
Park Hanbin: We are not just mischievous rascals; we also have serious sides, and you’ll be able to feel it when you pay attention to us.
Mun Junghyun: I would like to tell you that EVNNE is exactly as it appears. As a group that feels passionate about performance and finds a lot of joy from being on the stage, I would like to tell you that every interest from our fans gives us great strength.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?
Keita – I highly respect Kendrick Lamar, so it would be an honor to collaborate with him.
Park Hanbin: It’s Bruno Mars for me. I love his music, but watching his performance clips makes me respect him even more because he truly enjoys his stage with eye-catching stage presence, vocals, and dance. Even if we’re not standing on the same stage, I hope I can have the opportunity to feel and learn something by watching his performance in person.
Lee Jeonghyeon: I want to collaborate with YEONJUN, who has been my role model since I was a trainee. I respect him a lot and I think our roles and atmospheres in each team are quite similar, so we would work well if we collaborated. I’ll also be able to learn a lot by working with him!
Yoo Seungeon: I want to stand on the same stage as DOYOUNG. He is well known for taking good care of himself and I like his unique, clear, and elegant voice. Therefore, I think there will be a lot I can learn from him while performing on stage together.
Ji Yunseo: I want to collaborate with so many artists! Some artists whom I can think of right now are G-DRAGON, Lee Chan-hyuk from AKMU, Seo Donghyeon (BIG Naughty), lyricist Kim Eana, NAYEON from TWICE, Kamal., Max, ZICO, and IU. I have received a lot of inspiration from them, and I would love to receive a song from them, participate in one of their songs, or collaborate with them at least once.
Mun Junghyun: During my trainee days, I took a lot of references from performances by ATEEZ and NCT because I respect them very much. If possible, I would like to collaborate with them! Also, while we were preparing for this album, we referenced a lot from ATEEZ to see how they enjoyed performing on stage.
Park Jihoo: I would like to work with many artists like HYUKOH, AJR, The Midnight, and JVKE.
How do you all support each other during difficult times or moments of stress in your busy schedules?
Keita: When we face a difficult time or get stressed, we sometimes make each other laugh by joking and hanging out together. Sometimes we would talk to each other more seriously about our concerns, and talking provides much comfort. I think we get along by filling each other’s needs depending on different circumstances.
Park Hanbin: I usually get sick or feel less energized when I’m busy and have a lot of schedules. Whenever I feel down, the other members always remind me to take my medicine and make space for me to rest more comfortably. They also check in to see if there’s anything uncomfortable for me while we perform on stage.
Ji Yunseo: I usually sleep when I de-stress myself, but other than that, I tend to rely more on my members. For example, I eat delicious food and talk a lot with Keita and Park Hanbin. With Lee Jeonghyeon, I would play games or have dinner with him. I enjoy eating sweets or going outside to refresh with Seungeon, and I like to eat light meals and take a walk with Mun Junghyunand Jihoo. Answering this question, I realize that I spend time eating something with all the members. These trivial moments give me the energy to get back up and work hard again.
To each member: If you could define yourself in just one word, what would it be?
Park Hanbin: I would say, ‘question mark.’ I’m a question mark that has not yet reached its conclusion, and neither I nor anyone else knows how I will change or grow in the future. I hope to become someone who believes in infinite possibilities and takes on any challenge at any time.
Lee Jeonghyeon: It would be ‘taciturn,’ because I consider myself to focus on my own task quietly and calmly in any setting or gatherings.
Yoo Seungeon: I think ‘effort’ and ‘consistency’ describe me best.
Ji Yunseo: I want to say, ‘blessed’, ‘sun’, or ‘shadow.’ ‘Blessed’ means someone who is overflowing with talent, and I chose that word to motivate myself. ‘Sun’ gives me good energy, but I also want to become someone who shines like the massive sun and can influence many people. I also chose ‘shadow’ because I think I am a person who acts as a bridge among the members of our team; I always try to support them, fill each other’s needs, and run toward our goal together.
Mun Junghyun: Today, I want to go with a new word, ‘fried food’! Some people would say, ‘Even shoes taste good when fried’ to describe how good fried foods are. Just like that, I can make any song enjoyable when I work on it.
Park Jihoo: ‘Bohemian,’ referring to a free-spirited artist, seems to describe me well.