On August 6, K-pop group ENHYPEN ignited UBS Arena in Belmont Park, officially kicking off the U.S. leg of their WALK THE LINE world tour. The sold-out shows in New York marked the first stops of a six-performance run across four major North American cities. With deafening cheers, dazzling production, tons of confetti, and a setlist that showcased their artistic evolution, the two-night event was a significant milestone for the group, now approaching their fifth anniversary this fall.
Even before the doors opened, the energy outside UBS Arena was electric. A variety of fan-centric activities captured the pre-show excitement, transforming the concert into a complete experience from start to finish. Fans, known as ENGENE, arrived early, exchanging handmade items such as photo cards, themed gift bags, and bracelets, and participated in various interactive activities organized by the venue. These included bubble machines, chalk art, a 360-camera video booth, and disposable cameras for capturing special moments throughout the day. Concessions and food trucks offered treats such as bubble tea and ice cream, while nail art stations, banner-making stations, and other fun activities were available.
Formed in 2020, ENHYPEN – consisting of JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, JAY, JAKE, SUNGHOON, SUNOO, and NI-KI – has made a powerful impact on the global K-music scene. Since their debut, the group has landed five albums in the Billboard 200 Top 10. Their second studio album, ROMANCE: UNTOLD, debuted at No. 2 on the chart and claimed the highest-ranking K-pop placement on the 2024 IFPI Global Album Chart. Their global rise has included a landmark U.S. stadium debut during their 2023–2024 FATE world tour, and a notable appearance at the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival earlier this year.
The night began with an introductory video featuring short cameos from each member, eliciting enthusiastic screams and barks from the crowd – a unique fan ritual that has become a popular expression of excitement at many concerts across all genres. The noise was deafening, and the energy in the room skyrocketed as fans anticipated their immediate arrival. As the screens faded to black, the group stormed the stage with the explosive “Brought The Heat Back,” prompting an arena-wide singalong so powerful it nearly drowned out the group’s vocals. They then transitioned into the ever-popular “FEVER,” which was accentuated by glowing heart graphics dancing across the screens above them. Later, during “ParadoXXX Invasion,” HEESEUNG pushed the volume even further with an unfiltered, “New York, make some fucking noise!” – to which the audience obliged.
Visually, their production was top-tier, featuring moving platforms, dynamic LED backdrops, fireworks, lasers, and pyrotechnics that elevated each song. The extended T-shaped stage gave the members the opportunity for up-close fan interactions throughout the evening. The group’s styling also stood out, with tour-exclusive Prada ensembles for each segment of the night that added a fashionable edge to their choreography-heavy performance.
Between songs, ENHYPEN made time to connect with fans, expressing gratitude and excitement over their sold-out U.S. tour. During their first MC segment, each member introduced himself, prompting fans to cheer or bark even louder. JUNGWON teased, “Now that you’re ready to sing, it’s time to get ready to Rock Your Body!” He started the first few words of the line, and the crowd eagerly completed the rest of it as he playfully danced along. The group then led a thunderous call-and-response of “ENGENE – ENHYPEN” to energize the audience further. These interactive moments created a perfect blend of sincere connection and chaotic fun throughout the night.
As the evening progressed, fans were treated to an expansive setlist that traversed their discography, featuring everything from “Given-Taken,” their debut single, to newer tracks like “Fatal Trouble,” “Your Eyes Only,” “Scream,” “Moonstruck,” and “No Doubt.” Fan-favorite songs were interspersed throughout the night, including “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC),” “Blessed-Cursed” (where JAY delivered an electrifying guitar solo from an elevated platform), “Bite Me,” “Tamed-Dashed,” “Sweet Venom,” and “Go Big or Go Home,” in which the audience chanted each of their names to the beat of the song in a pre-planned fan activity.
Smaller mid-show unit stages added even more depth to their performance, starting with the dramatic and emotional “Lucifer,” featuring JAY, JAKE, and SUNGHOON. The trio performed against a dark, cave-like, rocky background while showcasing their vocal versatility throughout the moody song. This was followed by the intense and explosive “Teeth,” by JUNGWON, HEESEUNG, SUNOO, and NI-KI. Their stage was enhanced by a vibrant cityscape backdrop and fiery lighting, and the crowd went wild during the song’s midpoint, where the lyrics and beats both slowed and intensified. The U.S. leg of the tour was also treated to the English version of their latest single, “Bad Desire (With or Without You),” for the first time.
One memorable moment occurred after the song “Loose,” where fans cheered especially loudly for HEESEUNG’s high notes throughout the track. He invited the crowd to join him in an a cappella reprise of the chorus, encouraging everyone to try and hit the notes alongside him.
Toward the end of the night, HEESEUNG delivered a hauntingly beautiful piano intro that morphed into their smash hit, “XO (Only If You Say Yes).” The stage transformed into a mystical garden, with each member seated around a grand piano whose lid resembled a butterfly wing. This performance was one of the night’s highlights, as fans sang along to the entire track and synchronized the iconic “XO” hand gestures to the chorus. To conclude the song, the fan-organized member chant returned, perfectly timed with the last line as butterfly-shaped confetti cascaded down.
During the intermission before the encore, venue cameras scanned the crowd, highlighting custom fan signs and eliciting cheers each time someone was featured on the screen. As the break came to an end, VR avatars of the members appeared, holding their own custom fan sign that read, “Make today’s stage feel like a party! New York is ready to dance!” The camera then cut backstage, where the actual members echoed the excitement: “Yo, what’s good, New York? No, we’re not done yet! ENGENE, let’s blow the roof off one last time tonight!” they said, holding the paper banner for the New York stop between them all.
The group returned to the stage, dressed in their official tour merchandise, to perform the final songs of the night, starting with the upbeat track “SHOUT OUT,” which filled the arena with warmth and a feeling of unity. Confetti ribbons showered the venue again, celebrating the overall emotional high of the evening.
“We had such a good time today! Can you guys keep this energy up? Make some noise! This next part, we’re going to crowd-sing.” The group then led the audience through a practice of “woahs” to prepare for the final track, “Paranormal.” ENGENE took their assignment seriously, singing their hearts out with ENHYPEN until the last note. When the song came to an end, each member took a moment to express their gratitude for the love, support, and energy from ENGENE, ensuring they visited every corner of the stage to say goodbye before departing.
With the whirlwind U.S. leg of the tour wrapped up, ENHYPEN is now focused on their first-ever Europe tour, which kicked off on August 22 in London, with additional stops in Manchester, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, and Paris. For ENGENE who couldn’t attend in person, the group’s first VR concert experience, ‘ENHYPEN VR Concert: Emergence’ (ENHYPEN VR CONCERT: IMMERSION), is set to arrive in U.S. theaters this September.
Photos courtesy of BELIFT LAB
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