Six months after leaving ENHYPEN, Evan is moving into a new chapter of his career with a project that puts his fears, ambitions, and personal story at the center.
The singer, formerly known as Heeseung, officially launched his first mini album, DEATH OF ME, on Monday following a media event at Kyung Hee University in Seoul. Rather than signaling an ending, the album represents a fresh start for an artist determined to keep moving forward.
Evan Says New Album Built Around Fear and Hope
According to The Korea Times, Evan said the concept was inspired in part by a line from ‘One Piece’ suggesting that “a person truly dies only when they are forgotten”. For him, the idea connects directly to his biggest fear as a musician: becoming an artist whose work no longer reaches listeners.
Despite its dark title, DEATH OF ME carries an ultimately hopeful message. Evan described music as his way of giving people strength in difficult moments.
The eight-track project expresses that philosophy while allowing him greater creative control. Evan participated in writing every song and composed seven of the tracks, making the album his most personal statement yet.
The title track, also called “Death of Me,” combines pop and R&B with lyrics centered on determination and self-belief. Evan explained that the song went through numerous revisions before reaching its final form, reflecting his desire to go beyond the creative limits he had previously encountered, per Korea JoongAng Daily.
The album also includes the previously released “Ride or Die” and “Overflow,” alongside “Not Enough,” “Noise,” “Twilight,” “Immature,” and “Going Home.”
Evan Opens Up About His Past
Evan’s solo debut arrives after a difficult transition. Belift Lab announced in March that he would leave ENHYPEN and continue as a solo artist. The decision sparked disappointment among fans, and Evan acknowledged that he understood their hurt and concerns.
The Chosun reported that rather than discussing the departure in detail, he said the decision followed a lengthy period of uncertainty about the direction he wanted to take musically. He also expressed pride in ENHYPEN and its continued achievements as a six-member group.
The album also allowed Evan to reveal a deeply personal part of his childhood. He recently shared that he had been treated for malignant lymphoma while he was in fourth grade. He said the difficult experience shaped his values and belonged right within an album focused on his deepest thoughts.
For Evan, DEATH OF ME is therefore more than a solo debut. It is a declaration of survival, ambition, and artistic identity — a reminder that even after an unexpected ending, another beginning can take shape.