Few K-pop groups dominate a stage like ATEEZ. Every step ignites, every note strikes, every glance sparks connection — a perfect whirlwind of movement, sound, and charisma that pulls fans in and refuses to let go.
“Break the wall” chants roar, lights flare, and somewhere between the first note and the last, the room becomes electrified. On stage, ATEEZ live — and with ATINY beside them, that energy pulses through the crowd, making everyone feel alive.
Seven years have passed since ATEEZ’s first Australian tour, when the fresh-faced rookies performed hits like “Pirate King”, “Say My Name”, “HALA HALA”, and “Wave” mere months after their debut.
Now, they return to Melbourne and Sydney, carrying a global career filled with milestones: Billboard Hot 100 entries, five No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart, and 2025 K-pop Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
But accolades only tell one side of the story. In their Rolling Stone AU/NZ interview, ATEEZ reflect on seven years of growth, the bond that defines them, the intensity of their latest EP GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4, and the fans who make every moment unforgettable.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: There’s this electric chemistry when you perform — yet each of you has a distinct identity that shines through. On stage, how do you balance expressing your individual selves while moving together as one team?
Hongjoong: We talk a lot about our staging, our songs, and our next concept. Through those discussions, we make sure our individual charm comes through while still coming together as one on stage.
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“Eight makes one team” started as a catchphrase, but now it feels like a reflection of the loving, chaotic brotherhood ATEEZ has become. In your song “Choose”, you pledge to stick together — for each other and for ATINY. Seven years in, what does being part of this family feel like now, compared to when you were rookies?
San: We weren’t that close before debut, but over the years, we made a lot of memories — both good and bad. Those memories made us family. When I’m with the members now, I feel like I’m home. The most important thing is that without ATINY, we wouldn’t be who we are.
Hongjoong: We chose ATINY, and ATINY chose us. It feels like destiny. They loved our songs, and we continue to share that message with our fans and with each other.
One of the best things about ATEEZ is how much you encourage fans to take care of themselves. You share personal stories that inspire people to keep going — like Hongjoong’s line: “I hope there are days when you fall in love with being alive.” During this tour, have there been moments on stage where you’ve felt that — truly present and alive?
Hongjoong: These days, I like speaking honestly with ATINY about my mindset and what I’m thinking. I feel alive on stage, and also off stage when I see ATINY’s messages. That’s why I like sharing those thoughts with them.
Yunho: Whether I’m on stage or off stage, I feel most alive when I’m with ATINY. I hope ATEEZ can always hold on to that feeling of loving to be alive.
Through your fashion, performances, and songs like “Skin”, what does it mean to you to express yourself honestly and reveal your true self?
Seonghwa: As eight members, we’re able to move forward together because we share the same goal for our music. “Skin” was only possible because of that. Each of us is very different, and we’ve grown in our own ways. Personally, “Skin” gave me the chance to show another side of myself — a more personal side. The environment matters too — the members understand that, and the fans give me the courage to show it.
GOLDEN HOUR: PART.4 moves through such different emotions — from the explosive energy of “Adrenaline” to the haunting introspection of “Ghost”. As a group, what were you trying to express through this chapter?
Seonghwa: This part of the series shows our determination and passion. The lyrics, especially in the title track “Adrenaline”, reflect that energy and the goal we have for this project.
Do you have a favourite song from the latest EP?
Yunho: “NASA”.
Yeosang: “On the Road”.
Jongho: “On the Road”.
Mingi: “On the Road”.
Wooyoung: “On the Road”.
Hongjoong: “Ghost”.
San: “Adrenaline”.
Seonghwa: “Choose”.
During your first visit to Australia in 2019, you were fresh-faced rookies on your first tour. Now, having grown into seasoned global artists, how has the way you connect as a group and with fans changed since then?
San: First, we want to thank our global fans. Every stage means so much to us… and our fans give us those opportunities.
Hongjoong: It’s been seven years. After the first tour, this is the first time we’re doing a full show in Australia. Back then, we didn’t have many songs, and we weren’t as natural at communicating with fans. Yesterday, we performed in Melbourne, and there’s a big difference now. We can feel each other on stage and express ourselves more naturally to ATINY. It made me realise how much we’ve grown.
Looking back, what are you most proud of, and what has surprised you about your own growth?
Jongho: Each of us has been part of ATEEZ for seven years. There are so many things we’ve worked on and grown through that now feel natural, and we can be proud of that. When we talk about our growth, we’re able to see ourselves shining through the fans’ acknowledgment. Seeing their excitement and reactions helps us understand our own potential — and realise how far we’ve come.
On stage, you move between such different energies — from explosive tracks like “Guerilla” to playful ones like “Bouncy”. Which song makes you feel the most alive or confident when performing, and why?
Seonghwa: “Guerrilla.” When we sing it, and the fans respond with “break the wall,” I feel really alive.
Wooyoung: I feel the most alive performing “Say My Name”. It feels like a very representative song for the group.
Yeosang: Honestly, no matter what song it is — as long as we’re with ATINY, I feel alive.
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Excluding solo tracks, if you had to assign an ATEEZ song to each member that reflects their personality, which songs would you choose?
Seonghwa: For San, I think “Hala Hala”. On stage, he’s very scary, but inside, he’s very sweet.
San: “The Leaders”. The vibe [of the song] fits Hongjoong.
Hongjoong: I’ll pick two songs for Wooyoung. The first one is “Deja Vu” — he’s very good at sexy performances. The second is “THANXX”, because I love his very free vibe.
Wooyoung: For Mingi, I pick “NASA” because I really like the rap part he has in it.
Mingi: I pick “Pirate King” for Jongho because he’s like a pirate king. I think he’ll lead the next generation — he’s the only one born in the 2000s.
Jongho: For Yeosang, I pick “Adrenaline”. When we were promoting the song, he showed a new side of himself. There’s a part he performs by himself, and the way he does it, he really immerses himself in it.
Yeosang: I pick “Wave” for Yunho because you can feel the smoothness he brings to the song. There’s a warmth he adds, and you can really feel his passion when he performs it.
Yunho: For Seonghwa, I’ll choose two songs: “Inception” and “We Know”. They’re a bit more experimental, and Seonghwa emphasises the sexiness that comes with those tracks.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
ATEEZ’s latest EP, GOLDEN HOUR: PART. 4, is out now. For full In Your Fantasy tour dates and ticket information — including their Sydney shows on March 6th-7th — head here.
