K-pop boy group ATEEZ always puts in the work to bring something new and fun to the function, and at the heart of it all is that strong spirit they’ve treasured since they debuted.
Related: 8 Highlights from ATEEZ’s The Fellowship: Break The Wall Concert In Manila
One thing about ATEEZ—they always make an impact. Six years into their career, the eight-member K-pop boy group remains steady in their rise, and constantly prove it’s truly because eight makes one team. Known for being versatile talents, powerhouse performers, and experimental risk-takers, ATEEZ has carved a path of their own, breaking rules (and walls) as they reach for the stars.
From being pirate kings to dreamers, guerrillas to men on fire, HONGJOONG, SEONGHWA, YUNHO, YEOSANG, SAN, MINGI, WOOYOUNG, and JONGHO have embodied all sorts of concepts and characters, traversing plenty of worlds and telling countless stories. They’ve got vocals, they’ve got rap skills, they’ve got stage presence, they’ve even got lore. It all adds up to a stan-worthy group.
But one thing that ATEEZ (and their fans, ATINY) will always be proud of and hold close to their heart is their friendship and synergy together. They’ve often partly attributed their successes to how well they mesh together, and you can see plainly how genuine respect for each member allows them to collectively shine as a group.
ATEEZ have come a long way from going viral as KQ Fellaz to one of the biggest 4th gen idol acts of the moment, and, coming off of their newest comeback, the members chat with NYLON Manila all about how it feels to charge forward together, collecting Ws along the way.
THE SUN NEVER SETS ON ATEEZ
ATEEZ has never skimped out on delivering their signature intense sound and strong emotion, but has also been able to show off their fun or vulnerable sides (think Wave or Time of Love or Star 1117). It’s their eagerness and openness to explore different concepts and themes without compromising that which makes them ATEEZ that’s always kept people watching them on their toes.
Their most recent EP is GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2 (they’re fond of chaptered releases, with central motifs for each one). “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2 highlights the pride and strong bond between the members,” captain and composer HONGJOONG explains to NYLON Manila. “The lyrics explore the idea of confidence and love, a look into self-value and a reflection of the pride we hold as a group.” From the powerful lead single Ice On My Teeth which bears musical and thematic similarities to WORK, the title track of the first GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1 album, to the sensual dance track Man On Fire, they’ve shown that they nail their own special formula for impactful, dynamic relases.
Final track Enough takes on an inspirational tone as it encapsulates something ATEEZ values. It’s not unusual for K-pop groups to frequently dedicate tracks to their fans or to each other, and Enough, with its themes of taking it step by step and making it far enough, is a comforting song packaged in a techno-infused power ballad.
With every song, you can envision a powerful, effective performance, and that’s how ATEEZ intends the stanning experience to be. Whether or not you’ve seen them live before, they’ll make sure you’ll want to, over and over again.
“It’s just my desire to always want to show the fans the best performance possible,” SAN says. “For some in the audience, it may be their first time seeing our show, so we always want to give our absolute best.”
Their promos, music videos, and concepts are also as intricate and provoking as their performances are, with their aforementioned lore only getting more complex as time passes by. It’s always a fun time for the members when they get to experiment with concepts, whether that includes rockstar gear or cowboy hats. They also get to bust out their acting chops for music videos!
“I’m really grateful to the person who played the role of the dentist,” YEOSANG shares on filming the music video for Ice On My Teeth. “He made the acting feel so realistic, and I think that’s something I’ll always remember.”
This lore that’s marked their releases are fascinating to keep up with, with ATINYs following storylines across all ATEEZ content, discussing throughlines on social media, and even building websites dedicated to explaining all of it. Now that’s a fanbase that’s just as dedicated to the lore as their idols are!
GOTTA WORK
From experimenting with style and sound to going above and beyond for their stages, ATEEZ isn’t a group that shies away from taking chances, even if they succeed with formulas that their audience knows and loves.
“When we try out new trends or approaches, we don’t think of it as compromising what we’ve done before. Instead, we naturally do what we want to do,” MINGI shares. “That’s because no matter what we try, the fact that we’ve been involved in creating the music from the start makes it inherently ATEEZ’s style.” Identity is a theme that’s constantly marked ATEEZ’s music and concepts—who they are and what they could be dynamically coming through in every note and lyric, as well as in every outfit, music video, and live performance.
Ever since their debut, ATEEZ has been nonstop in their journey—young artists taking chances, finding their sound, chasing the sun, and reaping the rewards of their hard work. Every achievement and milestone only serves as a reminder to keep going.
“I feel so incredibly grateful for [each milestone],” youngest member JONGHO says. “They’ve helped me grow and really given me the opportunity to develop a strong sense of responsibility. Every time each of those moments truly sink in and really start to feel real, they become a tremendous source of motivation for me.”
Seeing young idols grow up in the industry, vocal powerhouse JONGHO is one of them along with the rest of ATEEZ, gives people the opportunity to truly see how they’ve grown and how much they’ve learned. These days, at height of their career, it’s their golden hour, and they’re celebrating wins left and right—and they’re gunning for more.
Becoming who they are now—top charters, award-winners, Coachella history makers—that took long days, endless effort, and getting back up after every fall. They seem to navigate it all as deftly as they perform their intricate choreographies on stage. Most important of all, they’ve put in the work—together.
EIGHT REALLY DOES MAKE ONE TEAM
Though there’s strength in numbers—particularly in ATEEZ’s case, wherein their motto is “eight makes one team”—being a member of a globally-recognized group does little to quiet doubts and frustrations, fears and anxieties that comes with the territory. In fact, it may even exacerbate those feelings. But all of that comes with chasing a dream, and it’s all about how one responds to the challenges and pressures the road ahead holds.
“As we gained a multitude of new experiences and ATEEZ grew even greater, so did the seed of fear in taking on new challenges,” SEONGHWA reflects. “It’s thanks to the members’ encouragement and support, their endless reminders of my value and self-worth, that I feel like I’ve found the courage to face challenges again.”
Beyond just inspiring others through their music, ATEEZ inspires each other. From HONGJOONG and MINGI writing about their team to whole group letting JONGHO do his thing in every track, the members root for each other at every chance they get, pushing each other to be the very best they could be.
“Even before our debut, we were really close friends,” YUNHO notes. “In the time spent together watching each other grow, we’ve become even more understanding of each other. It feels like we’ve reached the point where we can understand one another without needing to say anything.”
This genuine care and love for each other as they journey through a unique path shows through in their work—and their friendship is the icing on top for an ATINY who already loves their music. It’s always great to see the people you stan love what they do together, and ATEEZ loves the magic they make just as much as they love their ATINY.
Ever-appreciative of their loyal fanbase, WOOYOUNG sends a message out to Filipino ATINYs on behalf of the group: “Thank you for always supporting and loving us from afar. We hope to see you as soon as possible with a new album and concert, so please wait just a little longer!”
Images courtesy of ATEEZ & KQ Entertainment.
Continue Reading: 5 Reasons Why ATEEZ’s Seonghwa Is A Barrier-Breaking Style Chameleon