The song is 'BAD', the record is 'GOOD'.. ATEEZ's 8-year growth story [★22nd Anniversary]②

*This content was translated by AI.

[Editor’s Note] As a fourth-generation K-pop idol group, ATEEZ has achieved dazzling results in the global music market and emerged as a new leading force of K-pop. Rather than simply inheriting the global influence built by senior groups such as BTS, the leaders of the third generation, ATEEZ is expanding its own way and broadening the scope of K-pop. In particular, it is noteworthy that they rose to stardom quickly with clear results in a relatively short period after their debut. This shows that K-pop is no longer limited to the success of some artists but has established itself as a sustainable global music genre through generations. StarNews, on the occasion of its 22nd anniversary, intends to talk about the past, present, and future of fourth-generation K-pop idol groups that are making a dazzling presence in the global music market.

Boy group ATEEZ (ATEEZ, Hong Jong-seong, Sung Hwa, Yoon Ho, Yeo Sang, San, Min-gi, Woo-young, Jong-ho) has solidified its position in the global music market based on steady growth. Since their debut, ATEEZ has been recognized for their unique music and intense performances, and they have established themselves as a representative K-pop group by reaching the top of the Billboard 200 chart three times up to this year.

They continued their growth momentum by expanding their influence in overseas markets through domestic and international concerts and achieving consecutive results on album charts. In particular, ATEEZ, which first gained attention overseas and established itself as a global group, is now broadening its field of activity by increasing public recognition domestically. With the experience and musical achievements accumulated on overseas stages, they are solidifying their position even in Korea, so interest is focused on what records ATEEZ, now entering their ninth year since debut, will create next.

Debuting in 2018, ATEEZ made a name for itself in the K-pop market with intense music and performances and an original worldview. Like other groups, ATEEZ gained attention overseas before domestic audiences from their debut and quickly expanded its global fandom.

ATEEZ laid the foundation for its fandom by gaining the response of overseas fans through the title track 'Say My Name' and the included track 'HALA HALA' from the mini 2nd album 'TREASURE EP 2 : Zero To One', released in January 2019. In addition, just four months after their debut, they embarked on their first world tour, 'THE EXPEDITION TOUR,' in five cities in North America and ten cities in Europe, revealing their presence on overseas stages early on.

ATEEZ achieved noticeable results overseas before even a year had passed since their debut, such as ranking fifth on the Billboard World Albums chart and first on the iTunes album chart. They further solidified their overseas fandom by appearing on major global stages such as KCON and MAMA, in addition to promoting the title track 'WONDERLAND' from their first full-length album 'TREASURE EP.FIN : All To Action', released in October 2019. ATEEZ's growth strategy, which formed its fanbase through overseas concerts and stages rather than building public recognition domestically, became the foundation for them to establish themselves as a 'global powerhouse.'

ATEEZ's growth momentum, having secured a global fandom early on, led to results on the main Billboard charts.

For ATEEZ, which grew into a global group by securing a thick fandom overseas first, domestic public recognition and popularity were long-standing challenges to solve. Although they have continuously achieved results in overseas concerts and charts, it took time to imprint the team's name and music on the public domestically. As a result, questions such as 'How will ATEEZ broaden its recognition in Korea?' and 'How will it secure popularity?' constantly followed them.

With their mini 8th album 'THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT', released in 2022, which ranked third on the Billboard 200 chart, reactions began to emerge domestically, starting with Mnet's 'KINGDOM: Legendary War.'

Among these, the title track 'BOUNCY' from their mini 9th album 'THE WORLD EP.2 : OUTLAW', released in 2023, became an important turning point. The intense sound, catchy melody, and ATEEZ's unique performances served as a catalyst to announce the team's presence.

However, ATEEZ did not repeat the success formula of 'BOUNCY.' Instead, in follow-up works such as 'Lemon Drop' and 'Ice On My Teeth,' they showed a different color from before and continued their own musical direction. Rather than repeating formulas that had worked well domestically to broaden popularity, they focused on expanding the team's identity by continuing new attempts with each work. In the process of consistently presenting their music, they naturally broadened their connection with the public.

ATEEZ's upward trend became particularly noticeable after 2023. 'THE WORLD EP.2 : OUTLAW' reached second place on the Billboard 200 chart and ranked tenth on the UK Official Albums Chart. In addition, their second full-length album 'THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL' topped the Billboard 200 chart and recorded second place on the UK Official Albums Chart.

The upward trend did not stop at a one-time record. Their mini 10th album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1', released in 2024, reached second place on the Billboard 200 chart, and their mini 11th album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2' of the same year topped the chart, recording a second number-one position. In particular, 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2' recorded 184,000 album units in the United States, breaking their own record, and ATEEZ became a K-pop artist with multiple number-one albums on the Billboard 200, following BTS and Stray Kids.

The upward trend continued into 2025. Their mini 12th album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3' debuted at second place on the Billboard 200 chart, and the title track 'Lemon Drop' entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time, ranking 69th.

In 2026, they achieved even more noticeable results. Their mini 13th album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4' reached third place on the Billboard 200 chart, marking their eighth consecutive top-10 entry, and their mini 14th album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5' returned to the top, achieving their third number-one position on the 'Billboard 200.'

This persistent effort reached another turning point with the recent release of 'BAD.'

ATEEZ's greatest competitive advantage is that they have continuously accumulated global chart results without relying on the success of any specific album. In fact, by repeatedly entering the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, they secured a stable album consumption base in the U.S. market, and in 2026, they reached the top for the third time overall, proving that their growth momentum is still ongoing.

In particular, it is noteworthy that through the 'GOLDEN HOUR' series, they have continued the team's musical identity and worldview while organically expanding album sales, concerts, and global fandom. This is why evaluations are emerging that ATEEZ has established itself not merely as a 'K-pop group popular overseas' but as a team with its own fandom and purchasing power in the global music market, including the United States.

ATEEZ's upward trend became even more evident through the recently released 'BAD.' While ATEEZ had previously shown a strong presence in overseas concerts and album charts, 'BAD' achieved noticeable results on domestic music charts as well, broadening their connection with the public. In particular, intense performances centered on member San spread through online platforms and short-form content, serving as an opportunity to introduce the team to new audiences beyond existing fans.

Album performance was also outstanding. The album containing 'BAD' topped the Billboard 200 chart and broke its own record by surpassing 1.88 million copies in initial domestic sales. It also made it onto the list of seven million-selling albums overall. For ATEEZ, which built its fandom overseas first and grew centered on albums and concerts, the success of 'BAD' is even more significant as it marks the beginning of broadening public recognition domestically.

However, it is difficult to say that the success of 'BAD' immediately translated into domestic popularity. The challenge ahead lies in expanding their proven global chart competitiveness into broader popularity. Having achieved clear results in the global market, such as reaching the top of the Billboard 200 three times, attention is focused on whether they can further solidify their position as a popular artist beyond global charts.

A music industry official evaluated ATEEZ's steady growth background by saying, "ATEEZ has not repeated a specific hit formula but has continued to maintain the musical identity they have built with each work. Rather than relying solely on domestic reactions, they consistently presented their music centered on their overseas fandom and grew by continuously breaking their own records in the process."

Continuing, "Ultimately, ATEEZ's strength lies not in focusing on a single domestic popularity success but in growing together with their global fandom while maintaining their musical direction. After 'BAD,' it will be important not to simply repeat past successes but to figure out how to expand ATEEZ's unique identity."

Another official stated, "ATEEZ's next challenge is not merely to record higher chart positions but to determine how much of the global competitiveness they have accumulated so far can be expanded into domestic popularity. Having confirmed this possibility through 'BAD,' if they continue to maintain their own musical identity rather than chasing a specific hit formula and broaden their connection with the public, they will be able to extend their current golden age into a long-term trend."

ATEEZ's growth story cannot be explained simply by the modifier of being a 'group from a small or medium-sized agency.' Since their debut, ATEEZ has expanded its fanbase in overseas markets and revealed its presence on global charts with each album release, drawing its own trajectory. Now, they are experiencing another change by expanding the strength accumulated overseas to domestic audiences as well. As ATEEZ, now in their ninth year since debut, reaches the third peak of the Billboard 200 chart, interest is focused on what records they will write next with 'BAD' as a stepping stone.

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*This content was translated by AI.