EVNNE nailed a tough and rascal concept back in January. Its dark second EP, centered on an “ugly duckling” motif, snagged two music show trophies. The boy band is now back with the refreshing and summer-themed “Ride or Die,” in a 180-degree pivot from its previous style.

“We wanted to show a new side of EVNNE; we wanted to show the refreshing, more relaxing side of us,” Ji Yun-seo said during a press showcase for the boy band’s third EP, “Ride or Die,” held Monday afternoon at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul ahead of the EP’s 6 p.m. release.

“Ride or Die,” comes just five months after the release of the darker “UN: Seen” — an especially fast release considering that the band was busy traversing Asia on its first fan concert tour from March to May.

“We started preparing for this album at the start of 2024 and because it’s a new concept for the band, we tried our absolute best to convey our sincerity,” Park Han-bin said.

The EP features six songs: lead track “Badder Love” followed by “I 〈3 U,” “XO,” “2X,” “Boom Bari” and the English version of “Badder Love.”

“With ‘Badder Love,’ we are saying that we will get to you with no regret, even if we make a mess out of it in the process,” Yoo Seung-on said.

“Badder Love” was chosen out of the many candidate songs because it “felt new” and “matched what EVNNE wanted to show,” according to Ji Yun-seo.

“It’s not ‘rascal’ like our previous song,” Yoo added. “It’s refreshing, and it acts as proof that EVNNE can pull off different genres with no problem.”

The contrasting concept wasn’t a challenge to the members.

“We didn’t find the refreshing concept distant or difficult,” Ji said. “We naturally had both sides within ourselves.”

The EP also features “XO” and “2X,” which leader Keita helped write. “XO” urges a romantic interest to confess their love, or lack thereof, via a simple “X” or “O.” 2X refers to the fact that time passes twice as fast when one is with those they love, according to the members.

The theme of love recurs throughout the album, extending beyond romantic relationships to friendships as well.

“Love has different meanings,” Park Ji-hoo said. “It can refer to the love between a couple but also the friendship between friends, and about having your goals and the passion toward that goal. I hope you listen to the album with that in mind.”

Following “Ride or Die” promotions, EVNNE will kick off its “Ride with EVNNE” showcase tour across North and Central America in August. Fans can look forward to seeing the English version of the lead track performed live, Lee Jeong-hyeon said, and to seeing a new and improved EVVNE take the stage.

“We learned a lot with our first fan concert tour,” Lee added. “We learned how we could unite as one through music, despite the different languages we speak, and I think we also improved, performance-wise, as we performed every day.”

To find out more about EVNNE, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]