[Dispatch=Reporter Koo Min-ji] "They're good at this too? These guys were always about this!" (Hongjoong)
ATEEZ reveals their true colors again. They have returned with the music and performance they do best. They have raised the pirate flag once more. They have woven eight years of narrative into their music. They added confidence to the familiar intensity.
It is not a simple return to the past. After various musical attempts, they have taken their starting point again. They have expressed the experience they have built through new music. With ambition unchanged from their debut, they look toward even greater heights.
Hongjoong said, "I thought about what the most intense stage only ATEEZ could create," and "I wanted to convey the message that even as we mark our eighth anniversary, we are still looking upward."
ATEEZ held a press conference on the 12th at Novotel Ambassador Gangnam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul to commemorate the release of their mini 15th album "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6."
◆ Eight Years of Voyage, Pirates Again
ATEEZ established themselves as pirates from their debut. They have put stories of adventure and challenge toward unknown worlds into their music. This time, they gathered the narrative they have built.
The title track "UP" is at the center. It is a song combining intense brass and explosive bass. It contains the will to transcend limits without pause or boundary. It is a declaration toward a higher place.
In particular, they connected it to their debut song "Pirate King." They borrowed the melody line and quoted lyrics from songs released from their debut album "TREASURE" to "Golden Hour." They compressed eight years of time into one new song.
Mingi explained, "What I thought was most important while writing the lyrics was the eight-year narrative. The goal was to express ATEEZ's story in the most trendy way while demonstrating stage dominance."
He continued, "I hoped that after listening to this song, a flow would be created where people go back and listen to our past music as well," and emphasized, "Transcending ourselves is the goal of this activity."
◆ The Most ATEEZ-Like Stage
Seonghwa recalled his debut days after hearing "UP." "I thought the story ATEEZ has told from debut until now was well captured. I became convinced that our ambition now is no different from back then," he said.
Hongjoong felt the same way. He said, "At the point of marking our eighth anniversary, I thought about what the most intense stage only ATEEZ could show would be. We are still looking upward, and I wanted to convey the ambition to move forward fiercely."
The answer is the title track "UP." Intense brass and explosive bass come together. The dynamic performance cannot be overlooked. In the final chorus, Yeosang stands center and leads the dance break.
Wooyoung pointed to it as "the part that best expresses the grandeur of the song." Yeosang said, "The dance break is an important part of ATEEZ's performance," and added, "I practiced hard with a sense of responsibility this time as well."
In the music video, a scene where San breaks through a wall is highlighted. Hongjoong said, "San breaking through the wall aligns with the ambition of 'UP' to keep moving forward. It is a scene with a direct message," noting the point.
◆ Music Beyond Intensity
The B-side tracks capture ATEEZ's diverse musical colors. They expressed a wide range of emotions from intense confidence to anxiety and resolve, to the emptiness after success. Hongjoong and Mingi participated in writing lyrics for all tracks.
Pre-released track "DRIP" is characterized by heavy trap rhythm. They boldly revealed the achievements they have built. Mingi expressed affection for this song.
He said, "If 'UP' is a song that shows ATEEZ's narrative, 'DRIP' is a song that brings together the trendiness only ATEEZ can express. If you listen to the song and watch the stage together, you'll feel the charm of the rhythm better."
Jongho picked "Hollow Victory." Over a mysterious sound, the languid yet sharp vocals create contrast. It is a song depicting the emptiness that remains after glorious success.
Jongho said, "The melody line is different. The progression from the pre-chorus to the chorus is also appealing," and introduced it as "a song where the vocal melody and rap line blend well."
The new album contains a total of 5 tracks. It includes "ANEMIA," which holds cries of confusion and salvation, and "FAITH," which expresses the will not to retreat in the face of adversity.
◆ What "BAD" Changed
ATEEZ has grown consistently. They topped the Billboard 200 three times. Their previous mini 14th album exceeded 1.88 million copies in initial sales, setting their own record.
There were changes domestically as well. Their previous album "BAD" received public love. It led challenges on SNS and dominated algorithms. They even appeared on various entertainment programs.
Wooyoung said, "I am grateful that the domestic public recognized us so much," and laughed, saying "small changes happened, like being given extra service at restaurants or greeted warmly."
San said, "In the past, we had to explain at variety shows and interview venues how well ATEEZ was doing overseas. Now when we say ATEEZ, people recognize us right away. It feels like a dream."
With that came greater responsibility. San emphasized, "I think we should become people who are worthy of the love we receive," and "I put all my effort into this album."
◆ At the End of Growth, Back to Essence
Their public recognition has grown. Achievements have accumulated. But what ATEEZ wants to protect is no different from their early debut days. They emphasized it was their stage and music.
Hongjoong said, "I was so happy when 'BAD' went viral. I think the reason a few-second video became a topic was ultimately thanks to San's eye contact, choreography, and expression on stage."
He continued, "ATEEZ is a group that wants to create iconic moments on stage and prove ourselves to the public and fans with good music," and emphasized, "To keep up the good momentum, we need to find what is ours in our essence."
The "Golden Hour" series was also part of that process. They expanded ATEEZ's territory with diverse musical attempts. Now it is time to showcase the music they do best based on that experience.
Hongjoong said, "This album is not a story about our success," and explained, "It is a story of a successful artist focusing on their essence while looking toward what comes next."
◆ To Higher Heights, The Voyage Continues
ATEEZ still looks upward. Mingi cited "transcending oneself" as the goal of this activity. It is a resolution to not settle for achievements so far and move toward new records and stages.
Hongjoong shared the same sentiment. "ATEEZ is a team that has consistently drawn an upward trajectory both numerically and in terms of achievements," and said honestly, "Since it's 'UP,' it would be nice if the numbers go up even more."
Their eyes turned toward the next stage. Hongjoong said, "I hope this album gives greater anticipation to those waiting for next year's tour and becomes an opportunity that draws even those who haven't seen ATEEZ's performance."
He added, "Through 'UP,' I want to get the reaction 'so these guys were always about this.' I hope those who came to know ATEEZ through 'BAD' also think 'they're good at this too?' If people become curious about ATEEZ's performances, that alone would be satisfying."
They cited their fanbase, ATINY, as the team's driving force. Yunho smiled and said, "We have been running non-stop since debut. While our teamwork as members is good, we have come this far thanks to ATINY who always shows us great love."
Meanwhile, ATEEZ will release their mini 15th album "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6" at 2 p.m. on the 13th.
▲ Hongjoong
▲ Seonghwa
▲ Yunho
▲ Yeosang
▲ San
▲ Mingi
▲ Wooyoung
▲ Jongho
<Photos=Photographer Jung Young-woo>
