JAKE doesn’t regret the past or fear the future. “Ain’t no doubt.”

I heard you weren’t feeling great during the WALK THE LINE concert in Goyang, but honestly, if you hadn’t said anything, I never would have known. 
JAKE: Really? That’s good to hear. ENGENE worries too much about me if I talk about feeling sick or being hurt, so I tried not to let it show as best I could, but I wasn’t feeling well up until right before the concert. But once we got started, I forgot all about it. The atmosphere was amazing. It was outdoors and there was a nice breeze, the scenery was beautiful, and there were fireworks, too. I think I was so happy that I forgot about not feeling well. I gave it my all. (laughs)

I heard it was your idea to perform “Foreshadow” during FATE PLUS. Did you pitch in some ideas for WALK THE LINE, too?
JAKE: “Moonstruck” wasn’t on the WALK THE LINE set list initially, but we thought it fit the vibe of this tour so perfectly that we made a strong case for its inclusion and they made the adjustment. I personally love the set list for the new tour—like it flows just perfectly. It kicks off with high energy with “Brought The Heat Back” that carries all the way through to “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC),” with spaces in between to interact directly with ENGENE. And I like that we get to end it with “Paranormal,” which I really love. (laughs)

“Paranormal” was amazing when you did it at ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024, too! You sang with a rougher voice than usual, which really fit with the festival vibe.
JAKE: That’s a habit of mine. I tend to sing in a rougher voice during concerts. It’s almost like it makes my vocals stronger and adds some energy. I get overly excited when ENGENE’s around and can’t follow things exactly as planned. Actually, I got a bit too excited during the two days of WALK THE LINE. (laughs) The set list was great, and the adrenaline and dopamine were flowing. But when I looked at the playback, I realized I overdid it a little on the rough vocals, so I’ll have to reel it in a bit. (laughs)

You’re pretty strict when it comes to reviewing your footage.
JAKE: I do it a lot. There’s certain parts you only catch properly when reviewing that absolutely need to be fixed, so that’s just the way I try to do it.

In the interview you did right after your debut, you said you “didn’t want to lag behind.” What about now?
JAKE: I’ve changed a lot. I had almost no experience when I was on I-LAND. I had a really short trainee period, and I really didn’t want to lag behind in developing my skillset because I knew I couldn’t change my lack of experience. But now, I focus more on what role I can play in helping to guide the group along. With all seven members of the group each having different appeal, it’s about how I can help highlight that. I’m more focused on what I can do for the group now than simply following along.

It seems like you take good care of the others when you’re on tour internationally in particular.
JAKE: I feel a strong sense of responsibility when we’re abroad. That’s not just in front of the camera, either. All the staff are non-Korean, and I can speak English, so I try to lead the other group members, and they count on me to a certain extent now. When we’re on TV in the US, they ask for my help, just like how I get help when we’re in Japan. I try to guide them a little more actively. It’s the same for all of us—the same goals. We shouldn’t expect anyone else to just lead us around, and in turn, we don’t feel pressured into pulling anyone else’s weight either. We all have to be on the same page. I just want us all moving forward shoulder to shoulder.

In the “Friendship EN-CAMP” episode of EN-O’CLOCK, you said you’d like to take a vacation with the rest of the group. What would you most like to do with them?
JAKE: I want to have a barbecue party. Grill up some meat, have a campfire, enjoy the scenery—stuff like that. The other members feel like old friends from school to me. I like just being with them, just goofing around and spending time together, even if we don’t say much. We have incredible teamwork. Sometimes I can’t believe how well we click. I really value kindness, and I think it’s important for group activities that you don’t cause other people trouble, you’re not selfish, and you can get along well with others. Actually, even if I thought someone wasn’t kind, it wouldn’t affect me much. (laughs) I’d just think of them as someone I know and nothing more. But all our members are so kindhearted and gentle. So I like them. (laughs)

From your perspective, what stage is ENHYPEN at right now?
JAKE: We’re right on the verge of blowing up. We have lots of experience now and we’re ready to go. There’s nowhere but up from here.

I can feel in your most recent performances the idea of being relaxed onstage that you’ve always emphasized.
JAKE: What I found out was, you can’t fake being relaxed. It’s really obvious when you’re faking it. That’s why I make sure I’m plenty ready and practice a lot. I keep my mind in just the right place right until the very second I step up onstage. A lot of things go into a concert, but it’s ultimately a performance the seven of us make together over the course of three hours. I feel like everyone has to work themselves into the atmosphere of the concert while also keeping up the energy together, and I make sure to double check things like the positions and moves. I believe you’ll look relaxed once you’re keeping to these guidelines and having a good time.

There’s a lot of songs on ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream- that give you the opportunity to get that cool and sexy vibe you like so much across.
JAKE: Agreed. “Cool and sexy” is always my go-to. (laughs) I think ENGENE finds me cute regardless because they like me, but I absolutely love that style. What I love about this album is how it highlights each member’s unique voice and what makes them sound so good. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a good voice or bad voice. I’m sure everyone has their own ideas about what makes a voice good or bad, but I just do my best to make the most out of the voice I have.

You usually sing in a soft voice, but there’s something a little rougher in the texture of your vocals on “No Doubt.”
JAKE: Actually, the vocals I’m after differ all the time—every day, even. Well, maybe not every day, but every month at least! (laughs) Right now, it’s sort of tighter, more mature vocals. (laughs) Plus, when we’re doing some concerts, my vocal delivery changes. We recorded our latest album in the middle of touring, and I think that had an influence. I ended up putting a bit more power behind my voice, and I think that suits the song better.

What was it like recording “Daydream”? It’s got a completely different urban hip hop style from ENHYPEN’s previous tracks.
JAKE: Luckily it was in English, so the pronunciation and bringing out the little nuances was a little easier for me. It was really interesting since I never tried whisper rapping before, but surprisingly, it wasn’t that difficult either. I went into the recording session all worried but it actually turned out great and we finished in no time. At first it was all whispering from start to finish, but it sounded even better after adding in some singing parts here and there.

Do you have a specific approach to recording vocals?
JAKE: I think the demo’s important. The feel of the demo is decided based on what works best for the song, so I try to hold onto the essence of the demo as much as I can. I’m completely different from HEESEUNG, who doesn’t like it when things are similar to the demo. His thinking is that he can bring more to the table and do a better job than the demo, whereas I see the difference between the vocals in the demo and my own voice and try to put my own spin on it.

I’m still thinking about the part in the behind-the-scenes video for “Highway 1009” where you finished recording your vocals and then decided to do them again. It seems like you set certain standards for yourself when it comes to recording.
JAKE: Absolutely. Especially when recording. I’m a bit embarrassed to be the one to say it (laughs) but I think I have a good ear for things. I can tell right away when something’s right or not based on the notes and rhythm, so if something doesn’t sit perfectly right with me, I’ll redo it until I’m fully satisfied. I asked the producers to “push the beat” when I was recording that cover of “I Don’t Think I’m Okay” and they said that was a great choice. I realized I can tell right away when the beat’s even slightly pushed or slightly faster. I wouldn’t call it a perfect pitch for rhythm (laughs) but I feel like I have good standards and confidence for how a song should be expressed.

You mentioned before about wanting to learn how to produce too. What kind of songs are you working on?
JAKE: Songs that reflect my style, you could say. It’s something I never did before. If I write my own songs, it means I can do exactly what I want, so I’m exploring what music will suit me best. There are certain genres and songs that I hear and immediately think, “Wow, I love this.” What it is keeps changing (laughs) but right now it’s pop R&B vibes. I like to learn, and developing your skillset through learning is so fun. I like to feel that sense of achievement, so I’m always ready to learn.

You posted your cover of “I Don’t Think I’m Okay” by Bazzi, a candid song about emotional wounds that you described as “relatable.”
JAKE: I had a similar experience when I was younger and living in Australia. I picked up many ways to protect myself thanks to the pains I suffered back then. They say setting your goals too high can cause you to beat yourself up whenever you experience failure, so if I’m having a hard time or feeling depressed or something, I don’t let myself dwell on that time. I don’t even know how I do it (laughs) but I think I’m pretty optimistic. Like I keep good care of my mind, somehow. I’m good right now. (laughs)

I remember you saying in a “-note” how “there may be times when my voice isn't at its best, but it’s part of it. It’s all part of the job. That’s how I should think about it.” What did you mean by that?
JAKE: Everyone’s going to have a different opinion on this, but it’s my belief that ENGENE checks us out because they want to feel better, and for that reason, I always try to put on a good show and smile. That way, even if ENGENE’s had a tough day or they’re going through a rough patch, seeing me smile might bring them some comfort.

And what about you, JAKE? What brings you comfort?
JAKE: I don’t really get sad. (laughs) I’m always in a good mood. “Life is good”—that’s me. (laughs) Sometimes ENGENE tells me, “It’s okay to say if you’re having a hard time.” I’m really grateful they do, but I’m not having a hard time! (laughs) I just want ENGENE to feel happy when they see me. Seeing ENGENE happy makes me really happy too. I get up onstage to bring ENGENE happiness. But obviously it’s bad both to focus exclusively on the people watching me or do things exclusively for myself. It’s hard finding that balance, but it’s a must in this line of work.

On Weverse LIVE, you even suggested having a dress code for the WALK THE LINE concert. You seem to have a lot you want to do with ENGENE.
JAKE: There’s so much! Color is one option for choosing a dress code, but it’s fun to look at when we match by theme. For example, if it’s a Great Gatsby party, everyone has their own interpretation, and I wanted to see how ENGENE works in their own style. (laughs) I’d like to be able to talk to every single ENGENE. I love listening to them. That’s what makes fan sign events so fun. ENGENE has their own lives and I’m curious to find out in what ways we’re different or similar. You grow more affectionate with someone the longer you’re with them, and I hope I’m always with ENGENE, just like we are now. I never want to stop doing this! Going on tour, making albums, just like now.

And to highlight how time has passed, during your FATE tour, you sang “Love Yourself,” the Justin Bieber song you auditioned with.
JAKE: It was crazy because I grew up listening to that song! But after debuting, after going through all those training years, and singing that at our concert, was crazy. It felt so weird. I feel like all the ENGENE that went to our show know that song really well. They probably grew up listening to that song because they are all around the same age as us. So I feel like singing that song could unite us all as one, as we just enjoy it. So it was different. It felt cool. (laughs)

You said the FATE tour made you think a lot about what fate means. Do you believe in fate?
JAKE: I’m a very rational person, so I usually don’t believe in such things, but I do believe in fate. What’s meant to happen will happen. When I look back at my life, it’s amazing that I ended up here. The timing was just right, plus I got lucky. Everything just fell into place. So when I talk about fate, what I think I mean is that I made it to where I am today thanks to getting help, or that this isn’t something I did on my own, but because it was predetermined by the fate I share with ENGENE.