#위시

[onyourm-u]

Brutally Analyzing EPEX’s Stage Presence Archetypes

Another typical day of scrolling videos on Youtube. One video I came across was from the username "everglow-up." I knew the clickbait-y title would lure me into her channel, but boy did I find the video interesting and informative.

This video was particularly talking about Billlie's Stage Presence Archetypes based on the following:

Aura (Feminine vs Masculine)

Energy Type (Overt vs Covert)

Energy Type (Overt vs Covert)

Presence Type (Dominant vs Charismatic vs Sensual)

If you'd like a deep dive into those concepts, go ahead and check out the video I have linked above, or check out this video of hers as well.

I have also seen her do an analysis of other groups like EXO and Red Velvet, but I haven't seen her do EPEX or NCT (which I might make a blog on in the future).

I will mainly focus on EPEX's Stage Presence Archetypes using those concepts.

Disclaimer: This is not to determine whether a member's presence is good or bad, but I will point out some of their weak points. I am not writing this to hate on any member nor will sugarcoat any of my takes. If you disagree with any of these, it's okay—just don't be a jerk about it. If you want to, then don't read this.

Ayden

Masculine Overt Charismatic

As a performer, Ayden seems underappreciated. He has one of the best stage presence in the group. Similar to Keum, he also has the perfect balance of almost everything. He tends to maintain great consistency and energy level throughout every performance. His strong facial expressions and body language are in perfect harmony.

At the same time, those facial expressions are appropriate for each concept. When he needs to exhibit the cutesy "Noona's Cat," he becomes this little dancing ball of fur, especially with his fluffy platinum-blonde hair. Oh, man!! It was such a joy to watch. When he needs to exude a dark "Rebellious Wolf," he turns a 180. He would give you passion and hardcore. In other words, he is a versatile performer. His fancams are never tiring to watch.

Overall, the issue with his stage presence would be his face looks too aggressive sometimes. But it's not bothersome enough to ruin his performances.

Keum

Masculine Overt Dominant-Charismatic

The first thing that I thought when I saw Keum's stage presence was, "I love it!" From facial expressions to body language, he has the perfect balance in almost any aspect. He knows what facial expressions are suitable for each concept and do these effortlessly without seeming too intense.

I've seen his performances in Produce X 101, and they were crème de la crème. His Dominant side started to manifest during Believer, and integrating it with his Charismatic facial expressions was just on point. As for Super Special Girl, it showed how he can smoothly adapt to a wide range of concepts.

Under normal circumstances, performers look dead when they stop moving their faces. But with Keum, he manages to capture my attention regardless.

On the other hand, his stage presence comes with extraneous factors despite carrying out consistently good performances. His wardrobe styling and hair color choices could be the leading contributors to this. While everyone else had hair and outfits with vivid colors, he stuck to the monotonous palette during Do 4 Me era. This made him visually overshadowed by (for lack of a better word) more multicolored members like Baekseung or Ayden. I wish he had a more striking hair color other than blond with brighter concepts.

Wish

Masculine Overt Charismatic-Sensual

Wish is like the Overt version of EXO Xiumin. He has both strong facial expressions and body language whenever he performs. He tends to move in an "in your face" manner with a hint of such subtlety.

The performance that really showcased his Sensual side is Lone Wolf. That song was totally made for him. He had pink hair at the time they performed it on music shows, but the fact that he had black hair during their Seoul concert was such a cherry on top. It really helped in strengthening his overall stage presence.

However, the issue with Wish's stage presence is consistency. They tend to be what I call "all or nothing." One minute, he outperforms everyone, and then the next, his facial expressions are almost nonexistent. This happens when the camera pans away from him. He also seems to struggle with versatility, which becomes apparent when the song does not suit his stage presence archetype. He was quite too seductive in cute songs like Do 4 Me because he doesn’t have the right facial expressions, and was boring to watch on Hymn to Love because he didn’t have any.

Baekseung

Masculine Covert Charismatic

Baekseung possesses strong facial expressions. But unlike other Charismatic performers, his body language does not come across as “in your face.” Hence, I classify him as a Covert performer.

Despite his passive energy type, he was able to attract enough attention from the audience through his looks and hair color. This case was most evident with his long pink hair during Do 4 Me era. Apart from the fact that it makes him look like a real-life AI, it is one of the contributing factors to accentuating his naturally Charismatic stage presence.

Although Baekseung managed to maintain the same energy level throughout performances, versatility is something that he needs to work on. He made the facial expressions work for each performance, but he has been doing the exact same set for songs with totally different vibes. For instance, he winks and sticks his tongue out during AOTS (a dark hardcore song) the way he does with Do 4 Me (a light funky one).

Jeff

Masculine Overt Dominant-Charismatic

Jeff manages to balance both his Dominant side and Charismatic side. I was confused about classifying him as either one of the two at first. His facial expression is either too strong for a Dominant performer or too subtle for a Charismatic performer. Thus, I came to the conclusion that he is both.

He relies a lot on body language without having to become as expressive as other Charismatic performers. Even if he becomes as expressive, he does it with great timing. But for the most part, he furrows his brows and intensely stares into the camera for the entirety of each performance, which I'd like to call the "Squinty Eyebrows."

In that sense, it's both a pro and a con. It's a pro because even if he doesn't do much with his face, he doesn't come across as boring. Similar to Baekseung, it's a con because THAT'S IT. That's all he does whenever he performs. He may do a little aegyo or the double squinty brows and all that jazz. But other than that, he's bringing nothing new to the table.

A-Min

Feminine Covert Dominant-Sensual

Being the only Feminine performer in the group, one thing I like about A-Min is that he has great chemistry with a group full of masculine performers. Despite the difference in stage presence aura, he blends in so well since he is a Covert performer. There are three other Covert performers in the group, making him not seem entirely invisible in performances.

A-Min doesn't do much with his face but projects it through his body language instead. He has both loud and subtle movements without making it seem "in your face," which I think is still interesting to watch. This, in turn, makes him both a Dominant and a Sensual performer. Lone Wolf is THAT performance that he absolutely nailed along with Wish, another Sensual performer. Whoever thought of making them do a dance duet in the intro is such a genius. It really displayed their sensual sides so well.

However, I thought A-Min would show off his cuter side in songs with lighter concepts. But nah...he remained constant. He manages to keep a stable level of energy but lacks versatility. He does the same thing as he usually does with more serious concepts, making him less fascinating to watch. This is quite a shame because he has the potential to be more cutesy in a more Dominant performer way.

Yewang

Masculine Covert Dominant

Like other Dominant performers, Yewang relies more on body movements. His facial expression would sometimes complement his overall stage presence (Not to be confused with Charismatic performers. They treat facial expressions as the main course of their stage presence, while Yewang's is a side dish).

However, he would come across as aloof (even more than MU) whenever he missed the right timing for the expressions. Either he stares at the camera and does the "squinty brows" the way Jeff does, or he looks straight-up dead.

He managed to improve some of these aspects in just a year. Just look at his fancams in No Questions compared to Hymn to Love. He was a bit dull and boring on the former, but he had a better grasp of what to do on the latter. He had better timing for using his face and toned his gaze down a bit, and it's not boring at all. He still needs to work on his longevity and consistency. He sometimes struggles to retain the same energy in the long run.

MU

Masculine Covert Dominant

MU, like Yewang, tends to use facial expressions to complement his stage presence. Except, it doesn't work at all. In other words, he is a Dominant performer trying hard to exude Charisma. This is why watching his fancams often felt like watching a triangle trying to fit into a round hole (particularly during the AOTS era). He emphasized his facial expressions so much that they came across as unnatural. While it is supposed to aid his stage presence, it just looks so funny and awkward on him.

I get that he wants to go for the vibe of each concept, but I don't think he needs a loud face to do just that. He could just stand there and still be entertaining to watch. All he has to do is rely more on body language. He was able to attain this with his performance during Breathtaking, and it was...breathtaking. It was pleasant to watch, as he did a fantastic job utilizing his stage presence.

On a side note, he still struggles to fit in his Dominant side in EPEX's Dark and Charismatic-heavy concepts, which makes him more aloof than he actually is. He is not a bad performer, just a confused one. He hasn't explored himself as a performer enough to find the right stage presence type. He has a long way to go.

Group Chemistry

EPEX overall has yet to fully establish their chemistry on stage. Despite this, they have a perfect balance of Overt and Covert performers. While they have a balanced number of Dominant, Charismatic, and Sensual performers, there's no doubt that their performances cater to the Charismatic performers. The songs and choreographies are Charismatic-heavy, so it makes sense that members with this archetype stand out the most. It does not help that most of them are Overt performers. Heck, even Baekseung stood out among them. While he is a Covert performer, he is also a Charismatic one.

This does not imply that non-Charismatic performers live in their shadows, as there are Charismatic members who also have another archetype. Keum and Jeff are both Charismatic and Dominant, while Wish is both Charismatic and Sensual. That does not disorient them from Dominant performers, especially A-Min, who is also a Sensual performer.

It would have been better if they had more concepts or choreographies that show their Dominant side, especially when the non-Charismatic Dominant performers are all Covert.

Subjective Takes

I know—it seems like I have written Keum as the one with the best stage presence, but Ayden takes the lead on who is more interesting to watch. Apart from the hair color choice, he tends to bring more charm and color to every concept in comparison. I realized this when I tried to watch another member's fancam (I think it was a Baekseung one). I accidentally saw Keum and Ayden next to each other, but the latter happened to captivate my attention more.

As for the rest, they are great performers. Maybe they're not as excellent as you want them to be now, but there is always room for improvement.

I believe EPEX as a group has so much potential, especially Wish. They are the group whose growth and development would totally look forward to.

After all, it has only been a year since they debuted, and they have six more years to learn and perform better. STAN EPEX!!

[affogatexiuo]

Kwak Dawit as Nick Nelson just because I love them both VERY much:

2/2

[kpopallday24]

EPEX PLAYLIST via Spotify

[seoulbeatscom]

Alice, formerly known as Elris until they moved companies and rebranded last year, came back on April 19 with their chaebol crush-tinged MV “Show Down.” Although powerhouse girl group IVE popularized this “chaebol crush” concept, it is clearly catching on in K-pop. The five members of Alice channel this idea as they establish themselves as role models in “Show Down.” They are music producers crushing the stage; determined and sculpted boxers; passionate dancers; and the picture of luxury with shopping bags draped across their arms (and a sports car entrance). 

Going from a debut album with “anxiety” in the title to a comeback centered around love and “sunshowers” is growth. And something rookie group Epex underwent. With almost two years under their belt, the eight members of Epex are clearly ready to take another step of maturity. The funny thing is “Sunshowers,” the title track of their latest album Prelude of Love: Chapter 2. ‘Growing Pains,’ is probably the most bright and upbeat lead single in their discography to date. 

[00127am]

₊˚⊹☆ CiTRiNE KiSSES .ᐟ . . .ㅤ﹫ nct headcanon ✮⋆˙

nct & types of mundane love ꒰ 🍊 ꒱ nct & gn! reader genre headcanon, fluff, 23 different scenarios, lowercase intended warnings cursing total wc pending...

☆ wayv 威神V ☆ nct 127 일이칠 ☆ nct dream 드림 ☆ nct wish 위시

🗯️ this is a desperate attempt to defeat my writer's block and get my back into the rhythm of my usual prose. writing this made me feel so nostalgic (?), like i was yearning for something i never had to begin with :( my nct is so dear to me and i really hope that sentiment is conveyed here!

taglist. @evilsailorsenshi thank for you for supporting me! ♥︎

🧾 © 00127am 2024

[rockstaryuta]

(✓) completed (ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁) work in progress — req status : open ⤷ click on each subunit for their individual masterlists!

@ NCT U — 엔시티 유

ⓘ asteroid blues — series

@ 127 — 일이칠

@ DREAM — 드림

@ WAYV — 威神V

@ WISH — 위시

ⓘ only oh sion and maeda riku are included in the nct wish collective

@ RIIZE — 라이즈

ⓘ lee anton is not included in the riize collective

🧾 © ROCKSTARYUTA 2O24

[neocatharsis]

NCT WISH 엔시티 위시 'WISH' Performance Video

[sailorjisunq]

위시&금

[nctwish]

240304 sment_training Instagram Update

LASTART부터 프리데뷔 그리고 데뷔까지 열심히 달려온 엔시티 위시💫 여섯명이 팀명처럼 음악과 사랑으로 모든 이들의 소원과 꿈을 응원하며 함께 이루어 가는동안- 누나형들은 위시의 소원과 꿈을 응원하고 있을게🥰🫶 🥳🌷🐿️⭐️🌳🦭🥐🥳 #SMTR#SMTRAINEE#SM연습생 #신인개발#트레이닝유닛 #NCTWISH#WISH #NCTWISH_WISH #NCTWISHs_WISHLIST

[onyourm-u]

EPEX Unpopular Opinions

Disclaimer: some of them you might not agree but in no way I am trying to hate on any member, especially when EPEX is my ult group.

I am sick of people saying that EPEX is "romanticizing" mental health because they are not. By the looks of it, it was easy for them to judge a book by its cover just because the term used as a title for the album was considered very triggering for some. However, if you read the lyrics and the context, it is definitely NOT BEING ROMANTICIZED. The songs were meant to spread awareness about mental health based on the members' own personal struggles. To me, the way they conveyed the message through their songs was nicely done.

EPEX is not a generic 4th gen boy group, they just have to make more vocally oriented, and less safe songs. On top of that, more vocal training on 7 other members. I feel like Yewang is the only one who receives training since he's the main vocalist.

I’m not exactly a fan of some EPEX song covers not because they can’t sing, in fact, the opposite. I am saying this because vocally, I see a lot of potential in all of them, especially MU. It's just frustrating how he is the Lead Vocalist in the group, only for him to do a song cover like he's singing karaoke spiced up with a little auto-tune.

They should do song covers with a more EPEX flavor, not just karaoke singing.

Bipolar pt. 1: Prelude of Anxiety has got to be the best album they have released so far.

Anthem of the Teen Spirit deserves a Live Band version, I think it would be interesting.

I hope they do more songs like Do 4 Me, wherein they have proper singing choruses rather than rap chants.

Although MU doesn't have the most vigorous stage presence, he is actually not a bad dancer. The same thing can be said about Yewang.

Ayden is overall the best performer in the group. He might have even outperformed Keum if it wasn’t for their amount of center/screen time. When I say "best performer," it means not their dance skills, but their stage presence.

MU needs to improve ALOT in the vocal department. As a singer, he is good but as a Lead Vocalist of the group, his skills are very subpar that even Wish might surpass him. This sometimes makes me think that the latter should have been the lead vocalist instead.

Cyanide is an underrated gem.

Wish looks the most graceful in terms of dancing. That, along with his stage presence is like the overt version of EXO Xiumin. They both have the archetype of masculine charismatic sensual performer.

Jeff could suit rap metal very well.

Billionaire would be a perfect song for Yewang and Jeff to cover.

Baekseung may not be your ult bias but he has a very high likability, it’s so hard not to like him at all.

I’ve never seen such a same-age dynamic that is as lovely as Baekmin (Baekseung and A-Min)

If there are members who would be perfect for fashion week (whether it is a runway debut or an invitation), it would be Baekseung, MU, or Wish.

I sometimes don’t get how A-Min is in the vocal line. I feel like he struggles to hit the most basic notes at times. Even rap liners Ayden, Jeff and even Keum outsing him.

With more vocal training, Wish, MU and Yewang would have had the SM-level vocals. Whoever is training them needs to get his/her lazy ass fired.

IK this is weird but I sometimes want to sneak in to a control booth and delete their pre-recorded vocals to see if they can survive live performances without it

They need to quit that repetitive-ass rap chant formula and start singing songs with proper melodies. (Get Danke lalala whoever out pls and sneak in Demjointz)

tbc++

[affogatexiuo]

Kwak Dawit as Nick Nelson just because I love them both VERY much:

1/2

[kpopallday24]

EPEX 6TH EP ALBUM [PRELUDE OF ANXIETY CHAPTER 2. ‘CAN WE SURRENDER?’] at amazon

[keumins]

hello <3 nice to meet you! I hope u could write epex head cannons of giving them a nose boop. have a nice day!

aa omg ofc thank u for the request!! this is you, readers, giving epex nose boop(s) ^^ heheh

EPEX — giving them nose boops

• wish - 위시 ☆

; you would stare at him for awhile

; and he's wondering why you haven't said anything

; so he looks at you

; you suddenly lifted your hand and boop his nose

; he was, confused? flustered? shocked?

; “huh?” “it was... tempting? i.. uh, just wanted to touch your nose?”

• keum donghyun - 금동현 ☆

; he's like intensely staring into your soul

; 👁️👁️

; you're also staring back intensely

; 👁️👁️❓

; he gives you this cute smile

; then you attack his cute nose with a boop

; and giggles

; you both just giggle for abit

; “your were so cute!! i just had to” “you started staring at me first”

• mu - 뮤 ☆

; you're thinking

; he's oblivious

; you finally decide to do it

; you call him out first and he turns his head

; you then booped his nose with a blank face

; he was kinda flustered but also confused

; “what..?” “i wanted to see your reaction”

• amin - 아민 ☆

; bet you both were probably hugging or something

; you giggle before you boop his nose

; he giggles and then he boops your nose

; you aggressively poked his nose to stop

; he laughs with this big and cute smile (he's so cute)

; “that hurt!” “we wouldn't have stopped if i didn't”

• baekseung - 백승 ☆

; so you two were on a date

; and you two decided to have a date outside

; because baekseung wanted to go out

; you guys were queueing somewhere

; and he sighed

; you chuckled before you booped his nose (you tip-toed)

; and you let out the goofiest smile when he did it back

; “just a little bit longer” “alright alright”

• ayden - 에이든 ☆

; you guys were acting silly in his/your house

; you started throwing pillows at each other

; he then tackles you

; in a hug

; on the floor

; and you took the chance to boop his nose

; you then pushed him off

; “hey! don't push me?!” “you tackled me first?!”

• yewang - 예왕 ☆

; he's gets so giggly thinking about you

; you suddenly get an idea to boop his nose

; you were kinda nervous, but he had no idea

; you finally did it and it left him surprised

; he's so smiley (and i say hey!)

; and giggly

; you found him cute

; “hieheieheehhehehehe” “:)”

• jeff - 제프 ☆

; you two were just sat somewhere together

; he was on his phone when you suddenly had an idea

; you thought about it for awhile though

; you pokes his shoulder repeatedly until he turn his head to face you

; you then boops your nose like...5 times

; and he stares at you confused then pokes your cheek

; ”what was that for” “you're just...poke-able......???”

[fybriankang]

day6_kisstheradio: 🌙 230929 키스더라디오 추석특집 뮤직데이즈 첫날은 🌕위시&뮤직 데이🌝 밤하늘에 뜬 달을 보며 빌고 싶은 소원과 노래로 함께 했어요! 영디의 소원은 추석 연휴 동안 모든 분들이 잠과 밥을 잘 챙겼으면 좋겠다는 것✨ 데키라의 소원도 똑같답니다! 달님〰️비나이다 비나이다🙏🏻 영디와 데키라 가족 여러분 모두 맛있는 음식 많이 먹고 잠도 푹 자는 연휴 되게 해주세요🪄💛 #데이식스의키스더라디오 #데키라 #영디 #영케이 #데이식스