Ronny Sianturi
Eight years into their career, K-pop powerhouse ATEEZ continues to defy expectations, consistently reaching new heights of commercial success and artistic expression. The octet, known for their potent stage presence and deeply engaging discography, recently celebrated their most significant debut on the Billboard 200 chart with their 13th EP, Golden Hour : Part 4, solidifying their status as a global phenomenon. This achievement, marked by 200,000 equivalent units and an impressive 195,000 pure sales in their debut week, underscores a remarkable upward trajectory that shows no signs of abating.
"With every comeback, honestly, our results keep growing and it keeps getting better," shares Seonghwa, the eldest member of ATEEZ. This sentiment is echoed by the group’s unwavering dedication to their craft and, crucially, their devoted international fanbase, known as Atiny. The members frequently emphasize the integral role their fans play in their sustained success, a testament to the powerful bond forged between artist and audience.
The interview with ATEEZ took place virtually from Singapore, where the group was in the midst of the Asian and Australian leg of their "The Fellowship: Break The Wall" world tour. This extensive global undertaking, which commenced with two sold-out nights in Incheon, South Korea, last summer, has already encompassed a full North American leg, demonstrating the group’s relentless touring schedule. Their latest release, Golden Hour : Part 4, featuring the energetic single "Adrenaline," has been a focal point of their recent promotional activities, capping off a period of continuous engagement with their audience since their 2018 debut. Despite their demanding schedules, the members of ATEEZ consistently demonstrate an ability to find moments of levity and joy, a characteristic that has endeared them to fans over the years. Anecdotes shared during the interview, such as Yeosang’s humorous recounting of vocal strain during recording sessions or Mingi’s heartfelt desire for a group trip, highlight the genuine camaraderie and enduring spirit of the group.
Chart Dominance and Artistic Evolution
The recent success of Golden Hour : Part 4 on the Billboard 200 chart at number three is particularly noteworthy. Releasing in a competitive week alongside established global acts, ATEEZ not only secured their highest chart position but also achieved their personal best sales week. This consistent growth, even eight years into their career, is a rare feat in the highly dynamic music industry.
"That comes in part from our efforts – we do work hard – but a lot of that also comes from the people that recognize and acknowledge our efforts, which is our fans, Atiny," Seonghwa explained. He further elaborated on how this external validation fuels their internal drive. "Honestly, when we see that kind of acknowledgement and recognition for us, it makes us think that it only makes us want to work harder. It gives us motivation to do even better for the next album."
The significance of this album extends beyond commercial metrics. For Mingi, Golden Hour : Part 4 holds particular importance as it is the first album released following the group’s contract renewal. "It’s actually the first album that we’ve made since renewing our contracts. We worked really hard," Mingi stated. "It’s really all thanks to Atiny that we were able to have this album recognized [on charts], and we were able to win so many awards. Obviously, we’re very happy about that. If I think back to the process itself, we made so many memories as we were working on it, and it only makes us want to put in even more effort. The enjoyment of the actual process itself gives us motivation." This sentiment points to a deeper artistic investment and a renewed commitment to their shared journey.
Creative Control and Fan-Centric Initiatives
ATEEZ has increasingly taken the reins in their creative process, a shift that members view as fundamental to their identity. San, who has contributed to choreography, and Hongjoong, who has been involved in remixes and production, both emphasize the importance of their creative input.
"Since it’s an ATEEZ album, honestly, being involved should be the foundation, the basis for it," San articulated. "Technically, doing a remix for it or choreography are little parts and segments that are part of the whole picture, so every part of it is a part of us in a sense. I’m very thankful that the members perform the choreography that I made on stage very well."
Hongjoong further elaborated on their hands-on approach to promotion and performance. "These days we feel like [the work] isn’t finished [even though] we just released an album. We have to promote that album with our talent. We really [get] into how to show our performances to the audience and Atiny with our talent," he said. This dedication to showcasing their artistry extends to their selection of promotional tracks and the creation of engaging performance content, such as the widely acclaimed performance video for the B-side track "NASA."
The decision to create a performance video for "NASA," a track that has become a fan favorite, was a collective one. Seonghwa detailed the organic evolution of this initiative: "For the song itself, to be honest, we’re always wanting to try new things. When we first listened to the actual guide, the demo of the song, we each sort of had a vision of ourselves. When we listened to the actual song, we thought it was amazing. We wanted to show ourselves doing the actual choreography. When we were working on the choreography, we loved how it fit the song. Once we were at that stage, we thought it was great and realized we wanted a video to really show ourselves with it. Then we did the performance video and actually wanted to also perform it on a live stage – so there were several steps that went into this process." This iterative creative process, driven by a desire to present their music in the most impactful way, underscores ATEEZ’s commitment to their artistic vision and their fans’ experience.
Beyond "Adrenaline" and "NASA," the album offers a diverse range of tracks that resonate deeply with the members. Wooyoung highlighted "On The Road" for its chameleon-like quality, adapting its mood to the listener’s environment, while Hongjoong expressed a particular fondness for "Choose," a pre-release track crafted specifically for Atiny. "The lyrics and the vibe are all for the fans. We’ve spent seven years with our fans, and we were able to send them a message with that song. That means a lot to me," Hongjoong shared, emphasizing the profound connection he feels with their fanbase.
Exploring New Sonic Territories and Revisiting Past Triumphs
When asked about future musical directions, the members expressed a desire to explore both new genres and revisit established sounds. Yunho and Hongjoong indicated an interest in revisiting the vibrant, tropical-infused sound reminiscent of their earlier hits like "Wave" and "Illusion." Conversely, Jongho voiced an ambition to delve into the rock genre, citing the electrifying energy of their performance of "Guerrilla" during concerts as inspiration. This indicates a group that is not only comfortable experimenting but also eager to harness the potent energy of their live performances in their studio work.
The current leg of their world tour through Asia has been met with the characteristic warmth and enthusiasm that ATEEZ has come to expect from their international audiences. "It’s been a while since our last Asia tour, and we’re honestly so thankful that everybody always welcomes us so warmly every time we come here. It gives us so much strength to work even harder," said Wooyoung, reflecting the group’s gratitude for their global reach.
Ambitions for the Future and Personal Growth
Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, ATEEZ has set ambitious goals. Mingi articulated a desire to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, win numerous awards, attend prestigious award shows, and perform at major festivals. "We want to go to all of these places and do these things so we can be an artist that our fans can be proud of," he stated, underscoring their commitment to making Atiny proud.
Beyond group objectives, the members also shared personal aspirations. Mingi expressed a simple yet profound wish for a group trip, a chance for the members to strengthen their already close bonds and create lasting memories. "We’re all really close. We’re all super friendly [with one another], but honestly – it could be just the two of us or the three of us – but I want to go on a journey or a trip together somewhere. And [just] be together, make memories and have a good time," he shared, eliciting a warm reaction from his bandmates. Yeosang, focusing on personal development, aims to "see the growth that I am making within myself this year."
Inspiration continues to fuel their artistic endeavors. Yeosang found renewed motivation by revisiting the work of Highlight (formerly BEAST), drawing inspiration from their impactful eras. Seonghwa, meanwhile, finds creative sparks in fashion shows, appreciating their ability to convey narratives through visual storytelling, a parallel he draws to their own musical expression.
Sustaining Groundedness Amidst Global Stardom
Navigating the demands of a global career requires a conscious effort to maintain balance and well-being. Wooyoung emphasizes the importance of stress relief, whether through travel, gaming with members, or sharing meals. "Yes, our schedules are busy with everything that we do have going on, but there are ways for you to release stress like maybe traveling or playing games with the members because they love playing it together. Or maybe I’ll go eat something really good with San," he explained.
Hongjoong highlights the critical role of open communication and mutual support within the group. "For the work side, we try to keep a balance between ATEEZ’s group schedule and our own individual schedule. It’s really hard trying to balance [everything], but we communicate with each other a lot," he noted. "We try to make time [in the schedule] if someone has something interesting [come up]. Or if it’s their dream [to] work [on that project], we try to make time for them." This collaborative approach ensures that individual growth is supported within the framework of the group’s collective journey.
Having been together for over eight years, including their intensive training period, the members have cultivated a deep well of mutual respect and admiration. San articulated the profound impact his members have on him: "The members inspire me in many ways. Technically speaking, [I’ve been inspired by] the way they learn things or the way they take on performances. Yes, we’re friends, but professionally speaking, there’s so many aspects of them that I find inspiring and can learn from. The way they perceive things really inspires me too."
A Message of Passion and Memorable Artistry
As ATEEZ looks towards the future, their overarching message is one of persistent effort and unwavering passion. "When I think about it, it’s honestly about the idea that this year we worked so hard," Mingi reflected. "When people look at us, I want [them to] know that we’ve worked so hard, that the effort is there [and] that our passion outdoes everyone else. When someone asks, ‘Hey, for 2026, is there an artist that you think of?’ [I hope it’s] us. We’d love to be seen as memorable artists."
Concluding the conversation, Yunho conveyed a heartfelt message to their fans, Atiny: "Always and forever, thank you for all the love and support you give us. We’ll make sure that we give you all the happy memories and love that we can this year too. Please take care of us and yourselves." This sentiment encapsulates the enduring gratitude and deep connection that ATEEZ shares with their global fanbase, a relationship that continues to propel their remarkable journey.
