IT General

SAVE $101.99: As of August 5, get the Sony ULT Wear headphones for $148 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $249.99. That's a discount of 41%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony ULT Wear headphones $148 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $101.99   Get Deal

If you're looking for a new pair of headphones, there are tons of options out there. But if saving money is equally important as how your new pair sounds, we've got a fantastic suggestion that you won't want to pass up right now.

As of August 5, get the Sony ULT Wear headphones for $148 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $249.99. That's $101.99 off and a discount of 41%.

SEE ALSO: The 12 best headphones of 2026: We tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

These headphones are all about big sound, particularly in the bass department. If you're looking for audio that really nails the thumping and bumping in your favorite songs, this pair can do that and more for you. Mashable's Miller Kern praised their "booming sound" in her review as well as the option to "punch the bass up two levels", which will give any of your favorite songs some extra oomph. You can do this by pressing the ULT button, which is dedicated to adding the bass whenever you feel like you need it.

Additionally, they offer excellent noise cancellation thanks to their V1 processor. They're plush and comfortable as well with smooth cushioning that's meant to mold to your ears. And if you want to wear them for long listening sessions you can do that too thanks to their lengthy battery life and quick charging.

These versatile headphones are a great option no matter your use case, and made even better now that they're on sale, so grab a pair while they're still available.

SAVE $160: As of Aug. 5, the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo is down to $369 at Amazon. That matches its best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo $369 at Amazon
$529 Save $160   Get Deal

The DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo is down to its best-ever price on Amazon, dropping from $529 to $369. That’s a 30% discount on the bundle, which includes the lightweight 4K self-flying drone, RC Motion 3 controller, DJI Goggles N3, three batteries, and a two-way charging hub for longer, more immersive flights.

The DJI Neo is for people who want cool aerial shots without turning drone flying into a whole hobby. At 135 grams, it’s small enough to toss in a backpack, and DJI says it doesn’t require FAA registration or Remote ID. The Neo can take off and land from your palm with the push of a button, making it easy to bring along for hikes, family gatherings, or weekend adventures.

The real appeal is the built-in tracking features. The Neo can automatically follow you, making it easier to capture hands-free videos during outdoor activities. It also comes with eight QuickShots modes that create ready-to-share cinematic clips without requiring manual control of every movement.

For videos, the Neo shoots 4K UHD footage and uses DJI’s stabilization tech to help keep clips smooth, even when you’re moving around or flying it in breezier conditions.

Don’t let this drone deal fly away. Grab the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo at Amazon for $369.

Netflix is wrapping up summer with a nice mix of returning fan favorites, literary adaptations, and nail-biting thrillers. Whether you're in the mood for one last beach-town hooray, a haunting crime mystery, or the conclusion to one of Netflix's best series, August has plenty to offer to your watch list.

Google Assistant is going away after a stay of execution last year. Google is emailing customers to let them know that its original voice assistant will be "discontinued" in favor of Gemini on Android and Wear OS starting September 4.

X (formerly Twitter) seems to be dominated by videos when you open the app or access the site — and if the news of the day happens to be something violent or disturbing, it can be easy to stumble across content that you don't want to see automatically playing.

The safest way to avoid disturbing social media content is to avoid the apps altogether, but if you do want to access X on a day when unpleasant news is trending, there's a setting you can tweak that will at least stop videos from autoplaying in your feed.

SEE ALSO: Twitter lets you put content warnings on your tweets. Here's how to do it. How to stop videos autoplaying on X Total Time

• 1 minute

What You Need

• X on desktop or smartphone

Step 1: Navigate to "Settings and privacy"

This is under "More" if you're using desktop.

Credit: X

Step 2: Navigate to "Accessibility, display and languages"

Step 3: Click/tap on "Data Usage"

Credit: X

Step 4: Click/tap "Autoplay", then select "Never"

This will stop all videos from autoplaying when you're using X.

Credit: X

It's worth noting that while you can stop videos playing automatically, this won't remove videos from X altogether — and there's still a chance you may see disturbing images (including screenshots) while browsing on the app.

If you've seen violent or disturbing content online, and need to talk to somebody, here are some resources:

Crisis Text Line / 988lifeline.org / Samaritans / Find a Helpline

To report harmful content go to the Safer Internet Centre.

It's safe to say everyone wants a little more privacy and battery life when it comes to our smartphones. But did you know there are two little Samsung settings hiding on your phone that can deliver a bit of both?

The best Owala deals on Amazon: Owala Tumbler Kids Stainless Steel Water Bottle $15.99 (Save $4) Get Deal Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle $23.99 (Save $6) Get Deal Owala SmoothSip Slider Coffee Cup $23.99 (Save $6) Get Deal Owala Marvel FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle $27.99 (Save $7) Get Deal

Amazon's huge Owala is officially live, and it's a solid opportunity to stock up, whether you're building out your collection or finally replacing that one bottle with the busted lid. The lineup covers a good range, too — classic FreeSip bottles, tumblers, coffee-friendly SmoothSip Sliders, and even a few fun designs like the Marvel Spider-Man bottle.

The best Owala deal on Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle $23.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $6   Get Deal Why we like it

If your water bottle collection has quietly taken over a cabinet in search of "the one," Owala's FreeSip might finally be the bottle that ends the search. It's designed to solve the age-old dilemma of choosing between a straw and a spout by giving you both, wrapped in double-wall stainless steel that's built to keep your drink cold for hours.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino has been using her Owala FreeSip for years and calls it "the best $40 I've ever spent," specifically praising the sip-or-chug spout and its protective cover, something she says other straw bottles she's tried don't include. Her one caveat is that the larger sizes don't fit in cup holders, which makes this 24-ounce version the one she'd point you toward if portability matters to you.

More Owala deals on Amazon

• Owala FreeSip, 24 oz — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Owala SmoothSip Slider Coffee Tumbler, 20 oz — $23.97 $29.99 (save $6.02)

• Owala FreeSip Tumbler (Open Air) — $27.99 $34.99 (save $7)

• Owala FreeSip Sway, 40 oz — $35.99 $44.99 (save $9)

Grab your Owala bottle at Amazon before it sells out.

I have the great honor and misfortune of being the designated techie in my social circle. Everyone I know funnels their network misery to me, and it didn't take long before I started bringing a few little tools with me to speed things along.

The Forerunner 70 is Garmin's new, entry-level smart fitness watch. At $250, it's Garmin's cheapest device, but does it behave like one? CNET Senior Video Producer Owen Poole swaps his premium Garmin for the Forerunner 70 to see how it stacks up.

A Raspberry Pi is a great device to start your journey into the world of self-hosting. You can run single services such as Home Assistant or Pi-hole, or run multiple services on the same device. There may come a point when you’ve outgrown your Raspberry Pi, and there are usually some telltale signs.

In 1978, Formula 1 team Brabham showed up to the Swedish Grand Prix with a car that had a giant fan bolted to its tail. The fan pulled air out from underneath the BT46B and sucked the car onto the track, generating downforce without the drag caused by a wing.

TL;DR: The HomerunPet CS106 self-cleaning litter box is available for $699, giving large cats up to 25 pounds a roomy 106-liter interior, a built-in 4.5-liter litter refill system, a 12-liter waste bin, and app controls.

Opens in a new window Credit: HomerunPet HomerunPet CS106 $699 at Amazon
$799 Save $100   Shop Now

Self-cleaning litter boxes have come a long way, but there's one problem many of them still haven't solved: they're simply too small for bigger cats. If you've got a larger cat, multiple cats, or both, finding one that's roomy enough for everyone can be surprisingly tricky.

That's what HomerunPet is hoping to change with the CS106. The brand says it's the world's largest self-cleaning litter box, with a roomy 106-liter interior built for cats weighing up to 25 pounds. The CS106 can also refill its own litter. It has a built-in 4.5-liter tank that monitors litter levels and tops things off when they're running low, so you're not constantly reaching for the litter bag.

Cleaning is pretty hands-off, too. The waste bin holds up to 12 liters, which HomerunPet says is enough for up to two weeks of waste from two cats. That means fewer cleanouts and fewer "I forgot to empty the litter box" moments.

The litter bed is designed to spread litter evenly after every cleaning cycle, helping keep things clean for homes with multiple cats. And if your cat wanders back in while the box is cleaning itself, the cycle pauses automatically.

Credit: HomerunPet

There's a physical bumper that prevents the opening from fully closing, plus a Kitten Protection Mode that turns off automatic cleaning for smaller cats that might not yet trigger the sensors. It also works with most common litter types, so you shouldn't have to switch brands just to use it. And thanks to its enclosed waste compartment and built-in odor control, it should help keep those not-so-pleasant litter box smells in check.

Your Maine Coon may not say thank you, but they'll probably appreciate the extra legroom. Grab the HomerunPet CS106 at Amazon for $699.

SAVE OVER $400: As of Aug. 5, the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 robot vacuum and mop is down to $879.99 at Amazon. Compared to its full price of $1,299.99, that's $420 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $879.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $420   Get Deal

If you're searching for a reliable robot vacuum to have at home — particularly after news of the FCC deciding to ban all new robot vacuums made outside the U.S. — Amazon is a great place to look.

As of Aug. 5, the retailer has dropped a stellar discount on the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 robot vacuum and mop that we think is worth a look while it's still available. Normally priced at $1,299.99, Amazon has knocked this combo cleaner down to $879.99, saving you $420 overall. It's also pretty close to its lowest recorded price of $849.99, which is a great bonus.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

From cleaning up crumbs to mopping up spills, the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 is packed with plenty of power to help keep your house tidy. The 25,000 Pa suction, with a dual anti-tangle system, lifts any dirt, debris, or loose hair that's caught in your carpets and rugs. Plus, its 3.14-inch height means it can easily maneuver under lower furniture to get tucked-away spots, and Reactive AI obstacle recognition helps it avoid any objects while it cleans.

It also features an upgraded mopping system that, according to the store page, provides 8N of downward pressure to scrub dry stains from your hard floors. And for reaching corners, it has a FlexiArm Arc Side Brush to help out.

If you're hoping to have extra cleaning help ahead of fall, don't miss out on this great deal on the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Aug. 5, the ASUS ROG 27-inch OLED gaming monitor is on sale for $679 at Amazon. That's $120 off its full price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG 27-Inch OLED Gaming Monitor $679 at Amazon
$799 Save $120   Get Deal

Buying a new gaming monitor doesn't have to clean out your wallet. Amidst tech price increases, Amazon has been dropping some excellent discounts for PC gamers looking for something new or an upgrade. As of Aug. 5, the ASUS ROG 27-inch OLED gaming monitor is one we've spotted at the retailer, now priced at $679.

Overall, that's a $120 price cut from its original list price of $799. It's not far from its lowest price point at the retailer, either. Price tracker camelcamelcamel shows that as $657.40, so its current deal price is still mighty close. If you've had your eye on it, this is a great time to make your move.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

With its 1440P resolution OLED display, this ASUS ROG gaming monitor boasts a crisp, vibrant picture quality that's sure to make games, videos, and more really pop on screen. It also features a 480Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, ensuring everything runs smoothly and looks sharp without motion blur.

This monitor even comes with ROG OLED Anti-Flicker Technology, which reduces the flicker during refresh rate fluctuations. This helps you feel more comfortable when you're gaming for longer periods.

This offer may not be live for long since it's a "limited time deal." So act fast to save on the ASUS ROG 27-inch OLED gaming monitor at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE OVER $500: As of Aug. 5, the Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV has hit its lowest-ever price of $598.99 at Amazon. That's $501 off its list price of $1,099.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-Inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K UHD HDR Gaming AI TV $598.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $501   Get Deal

A new TV is a big investment, but thankfully, great deals pop up quite frequently to help make your purchase feel a bit less daunting. Today is one of those days, because we've spotted an excellent offer worth checking out at Amazon. As of Aug. 5, the retailer has knocked the Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV down to its lowest-ever price of $598.99.

Compared to this model's full price of $1,099.99, that's a $501 discount. That's nearly half off (46%, to be exact). Since it's never been this cheap before, this is the perfect time to swoop in and add it to your shopping cart.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

Whether you're streaming or gaming, the Hisense U6 Pro boasts 4K resolution, Hi-QLED technology, and Mini-LED backlighting to enhance color, contrast, and detail in everything that pops up on its 65-inch display. It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate, which helps keep the picture smooth and sharp. This is especially helpful while playing games or watching live sports.

Plus, it even has a built-in subwoofer that gives bass in sounds you hear a nice boost, and it's a Fire TV. With the latter, jumping into your favorite streaming apps is quick and easy.

Considering the Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV has hit its lowest price point at Amazon, this is an excellent time to grab it while the deal is still available.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Most people know Canonical for Ubuntu, but the company has quietly built an entire ecosystem of open-source tools around it. As someone who runs a small homelab, I went down the rabbit hole of Canonical's project catalog, and found three tools stood out: Multipass, MAAS, and MicroCloud. They solve very different problems at very different scales, so let's start with the one you can actually use today.

TL;DR: Watch One Piece for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Anime fans are often forced into one of two camps: Those who pay a lot of cash to subscribe to a number of streaming platforms and those who rely on dodgy streams from dark corners of the online world. It doesn't need to be this way. There are legitimate streaming platforms out there with enormous banks of anime content, just waiting for you to binge.

BBC iPlayer might not be the first name you think of when it comes to anime, but this popular service hosts literally thousands of episodes from the One Piece anime series. It's also a great place to access free Pokémon content. Who knew?

If you're interested in watching One Piece for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch One Piece for free

Over 1,000 episodes from the One Piece anime series are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this free service from abroad with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to watch One Piece from anywhere in the world.

Stream One Piece for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream One Piece for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch One Piece without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to binge everything on offer before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free streams on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch One Piece for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A rogue piece of a SpaceX rocket is reported to have crash landed on the moon.

Announced Tuesday by NASA, the space agency and Elon Musk-owned space company have been tracking a stray upper stage from a Falcon 9 rocket launched last year to deploy Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander. Reported by the BBC to likely have crashed on the lunar surface at 07:35 a.m. BST, the rocket section is estimated by the news outlet to weigh about 4,000 kilograms (8,000 pounds).

According to NASA, "solar activity and gravitational forces" caused the upper stage of the rocket, which takes over from the boosters in space, to divert course to the moon. The agency predicted SpaceX's object would crash near the Einstein and Bell craters on the moon's surface, the resulting crater to be 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep. That's one large divot.

However, NASA stipulated "the impact poses no danger to Earth."

SEE ALSO: Astronomers think some asteroids have been comets all along. Here's why.

The object was identified by astronomers using public data, NASA says, with confirmation of an impending moon impact later made by NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), located at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. CNEOS tracks orbiting asteroids and comets and evaluates their odds of impacting Earth.

You can't watch the impact from Earth, but NASA says its Meteoroid Environments Office will be using telescopes at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to take images of the event (so stay tuned for moon crash pics).

If you're worried, NASA described the event of an upper stage crashing on the moon as "a technically accepted and safe method and, in some cases, can be the only practical option for missions in low lunar orbit." The agency says its scientists will collect data from the event and described it as providing "valuable insight" into object tracking in space and the moon's geology, especially ejecta plumes — the trajectory of dust, rocks, and material dislodged by a force.

As the agency pointed out, though human made objects are rare, the moon is regularly hit by meteoroids. Why? It's like a shitty party: no atmosphere.

Featured Video For You Humans could soon live underwater, in these deep sea habitats

Photography can be a real money pit, even though it doesn’t need to be. Gear acquisition syndrome is real, and the pursuit of more lenses, bodies, and accessories haunts amateurs and professionals alike.

Every fandom has its lore. ENHYPEN has an entire universe.

What began as the vampire imagery woven through the K-pop group's 2020 debut has evolved into DARK MOON, a supernatural franchise spanning Webtoon, anime, music, and its own devoted online fandom. But ENHYPEN's commitment to storytelling doesn't stop there. As the group prepares to release THE SIN : BLISS on Aug. 21 — the latest chapter in its SIN universe, which unfolds through cinematic narration, interconnected teasers, and an overarching narrative — the line between music and world-building continues to blur.

At this year's San Diego Comic-Con, where superheroes, vampires, and sprawling fictional universes have long found a home, ENHYPEN's storytelling found a natural stage. Towering above the convention floor, a glowing crimson moon beckoned visitors to the DARK MOON booth, where fans and attendees learned about the story, posed for photos alongside life-size character illustrations, and gathered for a chance to see ENHYPEN in the flesh.

It was part promotional stop, part portal into a fictional world that has grown alongside the group for nearly five years.

Launched as a Webtoon in 2022, DARK MOON follows seven vampire boys inspired by ENHYPEN: Heli, Jaan, Jino, Solon, Jakah, Shion, and Noa. (Heli was originally based on former member Heeseung.) At the mysterious Decelis Academy, they protect a transfer student named Sooha while navigating love, brotherhood, and questions of identity, themes that have anchored ENHYPEN's own music.

The story didn't stay on the page for long. It has since extended into sequel webtoons, an anime adaptation, soundtrack albums, and immersive fan experiences, cementing DARK MOON as one of K-pop's most ambitious multimedia storytelling projects.

Meet ENHYPEN's animated alter egos. Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

Backstage at San Diego's House of Blues on Friday night, just hours after appearing at Comic-Con, ENHYPEN is preparing for DARK MOON BLOOD NIGHT, a special performance celebrating the franchise. Outside, hundreds of fans wait for the doors to open, many having spent the day exploring the DARK MOON booth on the convention floor before changing into vampire-inspired outfits and cosplay for the evening's concert. Inside, members Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki are relaxed, laughing with one another as they prepare to take the stage.

It wasn't always this easy to embrace the fangs. "When we first debuted, the only vampire reference we really had was Twilight," Jay tells Mashable. "At first, it was quite weird. We were like, 'How could we do this?' There were a lot of challenges and a lot of big ideas. But now it has become really iconic for us."

Jay isn't wrong. Pop culture has a habit of falling back in love with vampires every generation.

Long before ENHYPEN built its own mythology, there were Anne Rice's brooding immortals, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries. Then came Twilight, whose sun-sparkling Cullens transformed vampires into one of the defining internet fandoms of the late 2000s, inspiring fan fiction, Tumblr debates, and the Team Edward-versus-Team Jacob discourse that somehow still resurfaces online whenever Robert Pattinson decides to troll the internet.

JAKE, JAY, SUNGHOON, NI-KI, JUNGWON, SUNOO, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Catherine Hardwicke Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

That lineage made ENHYPEN's Comic-Con appearance feel particularly fitting. The group's panel, "Bite Me: Calling All Vampires," brought the members together with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and stars Peter Facinelli and Ashley Greene for a conversation about one of pop culture's most enduring monsters and why every generation seems to find a new way to fall in love with vampires.

"I believe we're the first K-pop group to ever come to Comic-Con," Jake says. "It feels very unique because it's like two different worlds of entertainment coming together. We're very happy about that."

World-building has become part of K-pop's creative DNA. Agencies don't just build groups; they build eras, concepts, and fictional universes for fans to unravel across music videos, comeback trailers, social media, and performances. Fans, in turn, freeze-frame every teaser, decode cryptic clues, and spend weeks stitching together elaborate theories from seemingly insignificant details. Few of those story worlds, however, have expanded as far beyond the music as DARK MOON, which now spans the Webtoon DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR, its sequel DARK MOON: TWO MOONS, the anime adaptation now streaming on Crunchyroll in North America, and companion releases like the MEMORABILIA soundtrack album.

For the members, one of the most surreal moments came when they first saw animated versions of themselves.

"I remember during one of our earliest meetings with the DARK MOON team, they explained how each character represented us," Jake recalls. "When we finally watched it, we were saying, 'Oh, that one really looks like someone. That one acts like someone.' We could really see the resemblance."

That likeness is hard to ignore backstage. Framed illustrations of the DARK MOON characters line the interview space like family portraits, each member sitting just a few feet from his fictional counterpart. At one point, Sunoo wanders over to Shion's portrait, studying it for a moment.

"He's very cute," he says.

Ni-ki laughs that his own character still resembles his "debut-era" self. Jay, meanwhile, can't resist teasing Sunoo, insisting that Shion is "more Sunoo than Sunoo" — or, as he puts it, maybe even "cuter" than the real thing.

"No, no, no," Sunoo fires back, laughing.

The expansion into animation also introduced ENHYPEN to an entirely new audience when the anime, titled Dark Moon: The Blood Altar Animation with Enhypen, premiered earlier this year. "We weren't that familiar with animation," Jake admits. "Then we realized there was this huge fanbase. Later, we heard that a lot of people actually became ENHYPEN fans through DARK MOON. That was really surprising for us, and exactly what we were hoping for."

That kind of crossover is intentional. "At HYBE NEB, we believe that a strong shared thematic vision is what connects all of our content and allows fans to experience a cohesive universe, regardless of where they first encounter our IP," Taeho Park, president of HYBE Next Entertainment Business, tells Mashable. "Our priority is ensuring that fans can connect with the same core themes and emotions, no matter how they enter the universe."

The storytelling doesn't end with DARK MOON. ENHYPEN's latest musical era has embraced increasingly immersive world-building, and THE SIN : BLISS doubles down with narrated tracks, in-universe websites, and a series of in-universe advertisements imagining what everyday life might look like in a society built for vampires. Think coffin-inspired mattresses, centuries-old banking, and real estate with guaranteed sunlight protection.

The group is also continuing a device introduced on THE SIN : VANISH, enlisting familiar voices to narrate the story. For THE SIN : BLISS, the Korean narration is delivered in part by MBC News Desk anchor Kim Soo-ji, whose recognizable voice lends the fictional broadcasts the authority of a real news report.

"We thought it was a great idea because it makes the album almost like it's from a third-person point of view," Jake says of introducing outside narrators. "If we did the narration ourselves, it would feel like us telling our own story. Now it's somebody else looking at us and what's happening to us."

Ni-ki promotes DORMANT, a fictional coffin-inspired mattress brand designed for the vampire world of THE SIN : BLISS. Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

Jay says bringing in professionals to narrate the album was "one of the best decisions" the group has made creatively, making the story feel more immersive.

Even when recording songs directly connected to DARK MOON — including fan favorites "One In A Billion," "CRIMINAL LOVE," and "Fatal Trouble" — Sunghoon says the group never treats them as separate from ENHYPEN's broader artistic identity.

"I actually like those tracks a lot because they fit the message DARK MOON represents," he says. "When we record music, I don't think I take different approaches, whether it is for DARK MOON or for ENHYPEN. We always try to give our best."

As the stories have grown more ambitious, so has the role fans play in interpreting them. K-pop fans have long dissected music videos for hidden clues, but Ni-ki sees DARK MOON as an opportunity to join that conversation rather than replace it.

"Before this, K-pop fans were already interpreting music videos," he says. "We thought, 'Why should the fans do all the work?' We would provide our own version of interpretation."

ENHYPEN turned the House of Blues into a home for vampires during DARK MOON BLOOD NIGHT. Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB

Rather than closing off those conversations, ENHYPEN sees the official narrative as another layer for fans to remix.

"Based on the version we offered, the fans reinterpret it in their own way," Ni-ki continues. "It's a nice cycle."

Before this, K-pop fans were already interpreting music videos... We thought, 'Why should the fans do all the work?' We would provide our own version of interpretation. - ENHYPEN member Ni-ki

Jungwon says social media has only accelerated that process. "There are so many different surfaces where fans find not just DARK MOON but ENHYPEN as a team," he says. "It enables fans to become more immersed in what we do."

That collaborative approach is something HYBE increasingly sees as central to DARK MOON itself.

"We believe that fans are also an important part of completing DARK MOON's storytelling experience," Park says. "We want fans to do more than simply consume our story content... Looking ahead, we want to put even greater emphasis on active fan participation and the role of the community in enriching the overall storytelling experience."

The members witness creativity every day through theories, edits, artwork, and discussions that fans post online. And, yes, they're quick to admit they also save fan art when they come across it online.

"In many cases, the conclusion is open-ended," Sunghoon says. "It's open to interpretation. It depends on the person. It's more fun like that."

As for where DARK MOON could go next, the members have no shortage of ideas. Sunoo dreams of a live-action adaptation — though he'd happily leave the acting to someone else. Jake imagines a sprawling video game for the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation, the kind of fantasy RPG where players can spend dozens of hours exploring its world. Ni-ki wants to see the story stretched across an epic series of high-fantasy novels. Sunghoon pictures a DARK MOON takeover of Seoul's Lotte World theme park, complete with attractions inspired by the vampire universe. Jay, meanwhile, is already thinking on an even grander scale.

"A musical," he says without hesitation. After a beat, another idea arrives. "Or something at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Technology is really amazing these days."

The members laugh as they imagine those possibilities. But they're not exactly far-fetched. Five years ago, DARK MOON was just an idea taking shape alongside ENHYPEN's debut. Today, it's a living story that keeps finding new ways to exist across countless corners of the internet. If its journey has proven anything, it's that the next chapter could be almost anywhere.