After 3 Billboard No. 1s, Ateez looks to climb higher with new album

Seoul, Nov. 12 - K-pop boy group Ateez has announced its upcoming 15th EP, Golden Hour: Part. 6, which will be released on Friday at 2 p.m. The album, fronted by member Up, features five tracks including Anemia, Drip, Faith, and Hollow Victory.

Hongjoong, the group's leader, explained that they chose Up as the lead track to demonstrate that Ateez is still ascending after eight years in the industry. He emphasized that the group aims to convey a message of reaching for new heights with the strongest sound and performance. San, one of the members, described the lead track as a song about pushing past the group's own limits, expressing a belief in overcoming all obstacles and boundaries.

He aimed to convey the group's ambition to move toward the highest place, beyond even their own limits.

Mingi, who wrote the lyrics for all five songs with Hongjoong, mentioned that the lyrics draw inspiration from the group's debut album, Treasure, through the Golden Hour series. The melody line from their debut song, Pirate King, was also incorporated. The group earned its third cumulative Billboard 200 No. 1 in July with Golden Hour: Part. 5, and the lead track Bad topped South Korean TV music programs and gained traction on short-form video platforms, largely due to San's closing choreography.

San noted that the group's growing recognition has changed how they are received both domestically and internationally. In the past, they often had to explain their overseas success during television appearances and interviews. Now, people recognize Ateez immediately upon hearing their name, which feels like a dream come true. San added that while the fans love them, the group must strive to be worthy of that love by pouring their whole soul into the album and delivering the best of themselves.

Hongjoong reiterated that the group is not seeking to replicate the viral success of Bad but rather to continue proving themselves through their music and performances. He emphasized that their essence lies in the stage and the music, and they aim to be loved while creating iconic moments on stage. Yunho credited the group's fandom, Atiny, as a driving force behind their continuous challenges and growth over the past eight years.

He expressed his desire for people who had not known Ateez before, or those who discovered them through Bad, to become curious about their concerts through the upcoming album.