How TXT and Enhypen often feel like the two sides of a same coin (in my very modest opinion)
I just have a lot of thoughts in my head so I will ramble here (warning : english is not my first language, so there will most probably be misspelled words and confusing wording) :
• Their vibes : cat coded and dog coded
I'm not sure how to explain it, but to me TXT are such a cat coded group while Enhypen are such a dog coded group
- I mean yeah, okay, Tubatu has Kai the golden retriver and Gyu the maltese. BUT they also give me such strong orange cat vibes. Very playful, a little mischievous, ready to run away anytime before coming back to get food and scratches.
- And yeah Enha has Jay and especialy Jungwon, the kittiest person ever. BUT as a group they are also such dog people ? (I do realized the irony giving the BTHB MV but it's also giving "big guard dogs chasing the smart cat" imo). Also I guess I'm biased by the fact that the members show off their dogs so often.
• Their cuteness : obvious and """hidden"""
The amount of cute agression both groups trigger in me is astonishing, but in quite different ways :
- I feel like tubatu "show off" their cuteness more ? (Not the perfect word but you get the idea). I just feel like they broadcast it more often at least.
- But enha, they try their best to look cool and confident (and they do), but there is nothing cuter than a cool looking guy trying (and failing) to hide his cute side. When the confidence mask breaks and then they're all eyes smile and giggles and bread cheeks and- ugh. ADORABLE.
Actually, I think this is linked to my next point :
• Their image : bestie and boyfie
Like any boygroups, they have their part of romantic fanservice to do. However, I feel like the impacts are a little different, most probably because of their respective lore.
- In my opinion, despite the romantic tone of many of their songs, Tubatu's lore is more about growing up, and the complications and challenges that come. It's mostly centered around them and their emotions/reactions than anything, so the fans are supposed to relate to it. Outside of the MVs, during concerts, fanmet, etc., I just don't feel like they do that much fanservice ? (Taehyun on weverse being the exception lol). I guess this has a lot to do with what the fans ask from them too, but from what I see I feel like they keep this friendly vibe on top of everything. (Also their passion for pokémon. Very bestie thing to share. Love it.).
- On the other end, Enha's lore revolves around their relationship with their love interest (Sooha, Chloé, the cat, Engene...). The whole "bf vibe" is an important part of their promotion, especially in the most recent XO era. And of course there is all the fanservice that come with it (isn't it, Mr. EVAN LEE ? 🤨). Once again, the fans' reaction to it, especially during fanmeting, only fuels this impression I guess (their fanbase has quite the reputation for being delulu, after all...).
I don't really know how to end this post, so anyway have a nice day if you read it until the end !