[Dispatch=Reporter Gu Min-ji] Just a few seconds stopped people in their tracks.

ATEEZ's 'BAD' relentlessly drives forward. It pushes powerfully, but releases tension at critical moments. From the timing of chest pops to the gaze directed at the camera, control of pace and intensity completed the killing performance.

That brief restraint created even greater impact. Details where intensity and restraint intersect led to repeated playback. The track dominated social media feeds. How was 'BAD,' which captured global fans, created?

The performance director found the secret in an unexpected place. It wasn't flashy performance technique. He revealed it was thanks to members constantly exchanging opinions and finding the best answers together.

"What impressed me most while working with ATEEZ was the trust between members."

He answered without hesitation. Members didn't simply learn choreography that was already set. Each freely proposed ideas and exchanged opinions with the director. He said this collaborative approach was ATEEZ's greatest competitive advantage.

Dispatch met with ATEEZ's performance director. Behind the scenes, we could hear about the members' preparation process.

◆ "It started with questions"

"From the moment we conceived the choreography, we constantly exchanged opinions with the members."

The performance director recalled the 'BAD' work process. First, he focused on expressing through performance the emotion and atmosphere felt first from the song. While conceiving the choreography, he continuously shared opinions with members, developing the performance in concrete terms.

"I tried to reflect the members' interpretations and ideas. While allowing each person's individuality and charm to shine, I considered the direction that would produce the best picture when all eight worked together. It was completed through multiple rounds of revision and refinement."

San consistently participates in choreography production. "San loves choreography and is genuine about performance. He always thinks about how to express things more coolly and effectively, and asks questions," he recalled. Not just San, but all members were emphasized as actively engaged.

He said, "What I feel most strongly every time I work with ATEEZ is the atmosphere of freely exchanging opinions. Any opinion can be comfortably shared, and a culture of mutual respect leads to good results."

"The members prioritize the process of creating results that everyone can be satisfied with over finishing quickly. It was impressive how they don't gloss over even small details but try to get everything aligned to the end."

◆ "A team that trusts and delegates"

"Because ATEEZ can do anything."

When asked what he keeps in mind most when creating choreography, he answered without hesitation. He emphasized, "I have confidence that ATEEZ can perfectly interpret any concept given to them in their own style."

This could be seen in recently released choreography practice videos. ATEEZ showed eight-member teamwork collaboration. It didn't end with one person's opinion. They created together, asking things like "Should we raise our heads? Lower them?", "What about the angle?"

The director was satisfied with the final result. "Even if a gesture, gaze, or movement changed by only about a sheet of paper's worth of difference, the stage atmosphere and completion level changed greatly. 'BAD' has details hidden throughout," he explained.

In particular, 'BAD' received praise for expressiveness. "The facial acting and stage play are results of members' endless contemplation and effort," he said enthusiastically. "I trust the members' interpretations and allow them to perform freely," he added.

"Rather, it seems we're always receiving inspiration from ATEEZ."

The director said, "Even though it's choreography I created, the way of expression differs depending on who performs it. ATEEZ is a team with excellent ability to analyze and express choreography. I'm always amazed by their way of expressing it," he added.

◆ "Ultimately, the stage proved it"

That achievement was confirmed in numbers. 'BAD' surpassed initial sales of 1.88 million copies and achieved seventh million-seller status. On the Billboard main album chart 'Billboard 200,' it also achieved its third number-one ranking. It dominated the World Album Chart and Artist 100 Chart at number one.

The director, having kept pace with members from a close vantage point for a long time, clearly sensed their growth. "As experience accumulated, there was definitely a sense of ease. I clearly felt growth in the way they enjoy the stage itself," he recalled.

He said ATEEZ's competitiveness cannot be explained simply by synchronized formations or technical perfection. Beyond accurately executing movements, their ability to convey their own energy, emotion, and story makes the team special, he explained.

He said, "The immersion created by eight people together cannot be easily replicated. Beyond individual skill, when teamwork and expressiveness are completed in one performance, ATEEZ's true color emerges."

"When you see the stage, you'll know! Their thirst for the stage, sincerity, and passion are all contained in it. That's why I think they've been able to continue with the modifier 'performance team' for so long."

<Photo source=KQ, SBS>