ENHYPEN, the South Korean boy band that has been taking the world by storm, has just released a new song, “Criminal Love,” for their supernatural-themed webtoon, Dark Moon: The Blood Altar. With its haunting melody and evocative lyrics, it suits the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the webtoon.
CRIMINAL LOVE
ENHYPEN released “Criminal Love” on July 31, under the BELIFT LAB label. Fernstream produced the song. He worked on the lyrics with talented songwriters Anton Eriksson, danke (lalala studio), Joseph Feinstein, Kang Eun Jeong, Kim In Hyung (Jam Factory), and Yi Yi Jin. All seven ENHYPEN members (Heeseung, Jake, Jay, Jungwon, Ni-Ki, Sunghoon, and Sunoo) lend their unique vocal colors to the song, creating a distinct and harmonious blend that characterizes ENHYPEN’s sound.
ENGENEs met the release of the song with much enthusiasm. “Criminal Love” not only became a hit in South Korea, but it also gained international acclaim. As of this writing, it topped iTunes charts in the Philippines, the UK, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates. It made the top five in Thailand and cracked the top 20 in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Poland.
DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR | ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) ‘CRIMINAL LOVE’ Shooting Sketch
The song’s popularity extends even further. It cracked the top 50 in Mexico and Russia, and the top 100 in Singapore and India. Even in Vietnam, where K-pop has a growing fanbase, the song made it into the top 200.
The live debut of “Criminal Love”
Adding to the excitement surrounding “Criminal Love,” ENHYPEN performed the song live at their concerts at the KSPO Dome in Seoul. Those shows marked the beginning of their FATE World Tour. The live performance allowed fans to experience the song in a whole new way. It added the kind of depth and emotion that only a live rendition can provide.
Moreover, fans have been encouraged to listen to “Criminal Love” while reading Episode 60 of the Dark Moon: The Blood Altar webtoon. This immersive experience allows fans to fully engage with the story and the song. That enhances their appreciation and understanding of both.
This isn’t the first time ENHYPEN ventured into creating music for their webtoon. They previously did “One In A Billion,” another song for Dark Moon: The Blood Altar, which was well-received by critics and fans alike. The success of “One In A Billion” and now “Criminal Love” demonstrates the group’s ability to create music that not only stands on its own but also enhances the storytelling of their webtoon.
DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR
2nd Soundtrack CRIMINAL LOVE 🖤
Vocals by @ENHYPEN📍 Digital Single out now!
Now available on all DSPs.#CRIMINAL_LOVE #ENHYPEN#DARKMOON#DARKMOON_THEBLOODALTAR#다크문 #다크문_달의제단#黒の月 #黒の月_月の祭壇 #ダクムン pic.twitter.com/yQwZ5Y1lfF— DARK MOON by HYBE (@DARKMOON_HYBE) July 31, 2023
DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR
2nd Soundtrack CRIMINAL LOVE 🖤
Vocals by @ENHYPEN📍 Digital Single out now!
👉🏻 https://t.co/88Jg6AdVHN#CRIMINAL_LOVE #ENHYPEN#DARKMOON#DARKMOON_THEBLOODALTAR#다크문 #다크문_달의제단#黒の月 #黒の月_月の祭壇 #ダクムン— DARK MOON by HYBE (@DARKMOON_HYBE) July 31, 2023
📍 Listen with #WEBTOON_EP60
👉🏻 (KOR) https://t.co/kb1wbClsx5
👉🏻 (ENG) https://t.co/SkTgPoFj6y
👉🏻 (JPN) https://t.co/qS80v4Uu6i#CRIMINAL_LOVE #ENHYPEN#DARKMOON#DARKMOON_THEBLOODALTAR#다크문 #다크문_달의제단#黒の月 #黒の月_月の祭壇 #ダクムン— DARK MOON by HYBE (@DARKMOON_HYBE) July 31, 2023
This song’s release is a significant milestone for ENHYPEN. It showcases their musical prowess and their ability to connect with fans through various mediums. As the track becomes more popular, it’s clear that ENHYPEN‘s approach to music and storytelling is resonating with audiences worldwide. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The septet did a special photoshoot for “Criminal Love” and their webtoon. Source: Twitter/@DARKMOON_HYBE.