In a world so often stale with old ideas and new fads, ATEEZ emerges as a breath of fresh air, confident in what they do without being “in your face” about it. ATEEZ can maintain confidence without arrogance in many ways, but especially because of a drive to make good music, a detailed and well-thought-out storyline, and captivating energy on stage.
Before their debut, ATEEZ was known as KQ Fellaz. In 2016, the group’s first member, Hongjoong, was discovered by KQ Entertainment after sending them a letter and mixtape expressing his interest in being part of an idol group. The rest of the group’s eight members became trainees at KQ throughout the subsequent year. The group has diverse talents that add to their success, from San’s background in taekwondo to Jongho with his six-octave range. ATEEZ debuted on October 24, 2018, including members Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho.
ATEEZ quickly became a beloved idol group without being overbearing. I think many factors play into their well-deserved success, including a complex storyline, incredible performances, and dedication to creating good music.
The group’s storyline and resulting concepts are detailed and can be confusing. It revolves around two worlds: the real world and Strictland, where the Halateez or The Black Pirates come from. Strictland is a dystopian nightmare where people can’t show emotions and music is banned. It seems the ATEEZ’s mission was given to them by The Black Pirates and seeks to remind people of their emotions and the beauty of music. ATEEZ’s fandom, ATINY (a combo of the group’s name and the word “destiny”) loves picking apart the group’s MVs and creating theories about ATEEZ’s storyline. “Bouncy” is an amazing MV with many hidden elements of the group’s story.
The group also has amazing dancing capabilities that add to their captivating performances. “Wonderland” is a great MV showcasing a darker concept, amazing graphics, and a lilting sort of melody that adds to the group’s story and shows their determination. Everyone has an amazing stage presence and this song is even better when performed live.
Overall, the group aims to produce good music. Often raps are even written by the members themselves, making the music feel more raw and authentic. ATEEZ hopes to have greater creative freedom in the near future. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and start listening to ATEEZ’s music, because trust me, it’ll be a story you can’t get enough of.