If you thought K-pop group ATEEZ couldn’t get any bigger, better, or more beloved than they already are, 2024 has immediately proved you wrong. This year is undoubtedly the Year of ATEEZ. After becoming the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella in April, the eight-member group set out on their biggest U.S. tour so far, performing 13 shows across arenas and even stadiums like BMO Stadium in LA and Citi Field in New York.

As the group wound down on the last two shows of their tour, “Towards the Light: Will to Power,” I finally got a taste of paradise on August 10, day one of ATEEZ’s Chicago show at Allstate Arena. As its name suggests, this show was about overcoming your darkness and walking towards the light for a better tomorrow — an idea that ATEEZ’s captain Hongjoong reiterates before going into their second song of the night, “Say My Name.” “No matter what others say, just follow your light […] nothing can stop us,” the rapper declared. With that affirmation lingering in my head for the next 2.5 hours of the night, here’s what I learned from my first ATEEZ concert experience.

Image courtesy of KQ Entertainment.

ATEEZ Bring The Heat, Literally

If you know anything about members Hongjoong, Mingi, San, Seonghwa, Yunho, Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Jongho, you’d know the group is highly praised for the energy and sheer magnitude they bring to their performances. To say I was unprepared would be an understatement, but as the lights dimmed and ATEEZ was revealed underneath their literal tower of light, it was clear that fans were in for the ride of their lives.

The group’s eclectic setlist kicks off with three songs that perfectly encompass what ATEEZ is all about, starting with my personal favorite, “Crazy Form.” Right out of the gate, the venue becomes increasingly too hot to handle in more ways than one. As the Afrobeat-infused track kicks in and Hongjoong repeats his opening line, “Get up,” the crowd erupts into deafening cheers with lightsticks excitedly waving in the air and the entire arena on their feet. “9024 kick that drum, my ego’s in this show,” fans shouted in unison with San. 

When you’re standing (or dancing) in a packed arena with thousands of other people, the atmosphere is bound to get a little heated. But ATEEZ took it to the next level as fans were met with short bursts of fire emanating from the flame projectors strategically placed across the stage. If you were close enough, either standing in the PIT or the lower 100 levels, you could literally feel the intense heat waves brushing up against your skin as if you were standing near an erupting volcano. Within minutes, I was already sweating, which led me to wonder how the members of ATEEZ could stand to not only be so close to it but engage in full-on choreography in front of these blazing flames. It can’t be without difficulty, I’m sure, as the group sported their first outfits of the night, covered in black from head to toe with little to no skin showing – at least, not yet, anyway. Each member even dons an extra layer in the form of black sparkly jackets, all in varying styles. It puts into perspective just how dedicated the group is to putting on a show that’s both visually and sonically impactful — it’s clear they do not pull their punches on that front.

The show then segues into the next two songs, “Say My Name,” and “WIN,” to which Mingi shouts, “Chicago, are you feeling good? Get ready for the time of your life and make some noise!” If I were to describe the group’s opening set in one word, it would be “militant,” partly due to ATEEZ’s inherently strong nature in how they move and carry themselves, but also partly because so much of their music lends itself to that soldier-like presence. However, that’s not to say the members don’t add their own flourishes, of course. They may move like one entity, fluid and precise, but they are far from one-note performers. Together, they are relentless — from the fierce choreography and spitfire raps to the unbelievable belting courtesy of main vocalist Jongho, there isn’t a moment of rest for ATEEZ or ATINY (the group’s fandom) alike. 

ATEEZ Are For the Drama Geeks and Theatre Kids

Theatrics in K-pop, especially for concert tours, are generally no surprise to K-pop fans. Most shows, no matter the artist, are productions filled with dazzling costume changes, flashing lights, and a bit of storytelling through skits and VCRs (pre-recorded videos that usually explore the group’s overarching concept and lore). For ATEEZ, this tradition is dialed up to 11 as the members took turns appearing on stage to transform this concert into a mini-drama/thriller fit for the big screen. 

First up is Hongjoong, who walks out onto the platform in a state of panic and paranoia. Hushed whispers invade the loudspeakers, giving the impression that Hongjoong is being watched and haunted. He then turns around to see two cloaked figures in masks standing before him, as they suddenly fall to the ground with the rapper following suit — terror flooding his eyes. Other members like Yunho and San follow suit, all with similar storylines of feeling oppressed and helpless. Later in the show, Seonghwa even has his wings metaphorically clipped. All of this buildup and anticipation lead to two of ATEEZ’s 2023 B-sides, “This World,” and “Wake Up,” which ooze mystery and sensuality in different fonts — something the group has an abundance of.

But all hell breaks loose during “Wake Up’s” chorus when what looks like velvet blindfolds are held in their mouths as each hip thrust, body roll, and menacing stare threatens to break you from the inside out. This is where ATEEZ’s seductive personas come out to play. In all my K-pop concert experiences, I’ve never been so speechless for three songs straight (“Wake Up” to “Guerilla” to “Cyberpunk”). You don’t know where to look from one minute to the next as pure adrenaline rushes through your veins and the overstimulation soon gets the better of you — which many others have echoed on X.

Much like their dramatic intro leading up to these performances, each ATEEZ member plays a specific role within the group’s dynamic on stage. Hongjoong and Mingi, both main rappers, are undoubtedly the biggest hype men. While Hongjoong’s swaggering confidence often teeters between lowkey and off-the-charts, Mingi (for the most part) stays in the pocket with it. When he’s not engaged in sharp choreography, you’ll mainly find him sauntering across the stage sporting various styles of shades to match his cool demeanor.

Another member who seems to gravitate towards his dark sunnies almost as much is Seonghwa. With his hair pulled back into a short ponytail and a menacing glare glued to his expression, Seonghwa makes all his performances feel like seduction personified. It’s like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit’s face — of course, we’re going to eat it up. Meanwhile, San, one of ATEEZ’s main dancers, brings an unyielding presence to his performances. His expressions are laser-focused while his movements are decisive and unwavering, like a warrior preparing for battle.

The next two main dancers, Wooyoung and Yunho, also exhibit completely different qualities when it comes to stage presence. While Wooyoung thrives off his cheeky nature, moving with impeccable fluidity, Yunho is a ticking time bomb — you just never know when he’s about to explode into a fiery ball of energy. And finally, there’s Yeosang and Jongho; the former of whom can only be described as graceful, and the latter, who has the voice of an angel but can also bring the house down with every octave. All eight pieces of this beautifully chaotic puzzle come together to form a singular work of art that could easily rival the Mona Lisa.

But as ATEEZ smoothly transition between more of their hype tracks, it’s the unit stages that left an even bigger impression on me as a self-proclaimed theater kid. Well, one in particular:  As Yunho walks up to a ringing telephone booth, he picks up the phone to hear Mingi on the other line. The two friends hold a short but sweet conversation about their respective auditions — a callback to their history as longtime friends who unknowingly auditioned for the same company. “Hey, imagine us taking the stage together someday. Sounds amazing, right?” Yunho asks as the phone booth slowly turns to reveal Mingi standing on the other side. “Let’s stick together and get through this. Talk to you later, Mingi!”

The wholesome interaction is followed by an equally heartwarming number as the two perform their duet, “Youth,” a jazzy mid-tempo track that stands out among ATEEZ’s usual style. Decked out in gray three-piece suits, Yunho and Mingi look and feel as if they’ve just stepped out of a Broadway production, delivering emotion, style, and finesse with every step. This is further established during the duo’s dance break which exudes familiarity, trust, and joy. It gives the audience a glimpse of their friendship through a more “musical theatre” lens while using their real-life experiences as character tropes. Watching Mingi’s face melt into a grin whenever Yunho pulls off a silly gesture is like watching a sunrise — the brighter it gets, the warmer you feel inside and out. Given their history together, it’s easy to see how fate knew better than to separate a bond this deep. There’s no other place that would’ve felt quite like home for these two than with ATEEZ.

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes — Some Wear Cowboy Hats

Have you ever wondered what makes a superhero and why they’ve become such a mainstay in our culture? What qualities come to mind when you think of iconic fictional heroes — Superman, Captain America, Spider-Man? Maybe it’s their selflessness despite having every reason to be selfish or their unwavering display of courage in the face of danger, knowing the odds are stacked against them. Whether it’s through folklore or comic books, humans have always had a soft spot for extraordinary beings with immeasurable power. But what makes many of these characters so beloved isn’t just about what they can do; it’s about who they are behind the costume, the shield, and the mask. And for ATEEZ, they’re about as superhuman as you could get in a cowboy hat, leather pants, and jackets with fringe (their signature aesthetic over the past year and a half).

Like the Marvel and DC heroes of our time, ATEEZ embody the positive values and morals that inspire others to achieve their dreams. Debuting from a small Korean agency, the octet was disadvantaged compared to many of its colleagues. They needed to work overtime to break the stereotype and prove they had what it takes to be among some of the K-pop’s elites. Six years later, now performing in some of the biggest venues and festivals worldwide, ATEEZ have officially reached the upper stratosphere of K-pop stardom. And while fame and fortune could easily turn good people into greedy, hollow shells, it’s quite the opposite for this group.

Throughout ATEEZ’s time on stage, particularly when they take the time to address and talk to the audience, the message of hope, resilience, and willpower remains their sole focus. Just as the members become a source of strength for their fans, the love and compassion are reciprocated to remind us how the artist-fandom relationship is so strong and palpable. 

“We prepared this show to send a message of encouragement to ATINY, but it’s become so clear to me, from this show, that we’ve received so much love and energy from you instead,” Seonghwa said during the group’s ending speech. While San and Yunho echoed this message, Hongjoong closed it out on a sentimental and inspiring note. “Lastly, I just want to make a promise [with] you all, please, to always keep moving towards the light, okay?” he asked while holding out his hand for a pinky promise.  “Let’s remember this moment and walk toward the light together.” He then dedicated their third-to-last song, “Turbulence,” to both ATEEZ and ATINY before the group officially closed the show with “Dreamy Day” and the cheerful “Utopia.”

ATEEZ Are Most Definitely: THEM

Okay, let’s just cut to the chase, shall we? ATEEZ are exactly who they (and the rest of the world) think they are — perhaps, even more. How else can you describe eight performers with the skill, talent, and dedication to back up their global success and a deliciously suffocating aura that leaves you breathless? Every minute spent ogling over the group’s stage presence is another minute spent desperately trying to claw your way to the surface before the sensation drives you mad. That’s how it feels seeing ATEEZ live in concert; enter at your own risk.

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Looking for more concert recaps? Check out our latest recap on SAAY’s concert in NYC here!

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