Evan performs "Death of ME," the title track of his first solo EP, during a press showcase at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace in eastern Seoul on Sept. 7.DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ
About six months after a high-profile departure from Enhypen, one of K-pop’s biggest boy bands, soloist Evan stands at a new starting point, baring his true self more candidly than ever before.
Despite its title, “Death of Me,” Evan’s first solo EP delivers a message of hope meant to carry people through life’s most difficult moments.
“My motto as an artist is to give hope to people through music,” Evan said during a press showcase for the EP held in eastern Seoul on Monday. “When people face exhausting, difficult situations, giving them the strength to overcome that through my music is, I believe, the most important calling I have.”
“Death of Me,” released on Monday, marks Evan’s first album following his sudden departure from Enhypen earlier this year.
Evan oversaw the production of the eight-track album himself, participating in writing the lyrics to all eight tracks and composing the music for seven, with “Noise” being the sole exception.
Evan poses for photos during a press showcase for his first EP, "Death of Me," at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace in eastern Seoul on Sept. 7.DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ
Led by “Death of Me,” a pop R&B track, the album includes “Ride or Die” and “Overflow,” prereleased tracks dropped in June, as well as B-sides “Not Enough,” “Noise,” “Twilight,” “Immature” and “Going Home.”
According to his agency Belift Lab, the title track, “Death of Me,” carries Evan’s resolve at the new starting line of his solo career, with its lyrics delivering the declaration that no one can stop him and that he will move forward without losing himself, shown in verses such as “This ain’t the death of me.”
The word “death” in the title represents not physical death but the end of his music, Evan said.
Evan performs "Death of ME," the title track of his first solo EP, during a press showcase at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace in eastern Seoul on Sept. 7.DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ
“As an artist, I feel that when my music can no longer reach others, the meaning of my existence also begins to fade,” he said, quoting a famous line from the Japanese manga “One Piece” (1997–): “When do you think people die? […] A man dies when he is forgotten!”
“If you listen to the songs on the album, you will find candid stories not only about fearing what lies ahead, but also about still wanting to move forward and accomplish many things,” he said, describing the album as “a mirror” and “a self-portrait.”
Ahead of the album’s release, Evan revealed in an interview with Weverse Magazine released on Friday that he underwent treatment for malignant lymphoma after being diagnosed in fourth grade.
“Since this album carries my inner self, I wanted to naturally lay out all of my story, that it led to me opening up about the moments that shaped my thinking and my values,” he said when asked why he had decided to share the experience now.
“The treatment process for childhood cancer is brutal and painful,” he said. “I know there are people all across the country suffering from childhood cancer, and if this story reaches them, I want to offer them hope and comfort.”
Evan’s solo debut came in the aftermath of his sudden departure from Enhypen, which shocked many who had followed the group’s steady rise.
Enhypen debuted in November 2020 under HYBE’s Belift Lab as a seven-member group. In March, Belift Lab unexpectedly announced that Evan, then known as Heeseung, would leave Enhypen to pursue a solo career.
Evan performs "Death of ME," the title track of his first solo EP, during a press showcase at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace in eastern Seoul on Sept. 7.DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ
Belift Lab faced intense backlash from fans over his sudden departure, including one occasion where some fans bombarded the National Pension Service’s (NPS) customer support channels with calls and emails protesting the decision because the NPS holds a stake in HYBE.
Asked about the backlash, Evan said he was well aware of fans’ disappointment and concerns and understood their reactions.
“As Evan, I think the greatest way I can address that going forward is by showing this side of myself through my music and through genuine, sincere actions,” he said. “I'll also work hard to become an artist who continues to show more great, positive influence.”
Following Evan’s departure, Enhypen continued as a six-member group and topped the Billboard 200 albums chart with “The Sin: Bliss,” released in August, earning the group its first No. 1 on the chart.
Promotional photo of Evan's first EP "Death of Me"BELIFT LAB
Singer Evan, former member of boy band Enhypen, in a promotional photo for his first EP, "Death of Me"BELIFT LAB
While he refrained from discussing in detail how he and the company ultimately decided that he would leave rather than remain a member, he said he continues to support his former bandmates.
“I am so proud of them [Enhypen members],” he said when asked about Enhypen’s recent success. “It is not an easy thing to achieve, and I think the best thing all of us can do now is give our best in our respective positions.”
