K-pop band ATEEZ returns to London, talks songs, influences and touring

Record ID: 1671079

  • Title: K-pop band ATEEZ returns to London, talks songs, influences and touring
  • Date: 29th April 2022
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - NOVEMBER 12, 2017) (REUTERS) LONDON'S WEMBLEY ARENA WHERE MTV EMAS 2017 WAS HELD LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - OCTOBER 23, 2018) (REUTERS) LONDON'S WEMBLEY ARENA WHERE "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY" PREMIERE WAS HELD
  • Embargoed: 13th May 2022 15:26
  • Keywords: ATEEZ European tour HONG JOONG JONG HO K-pop band London Wembley Arena MIN GI SAN SEONG HWA South Korean WOO YOUNG YEO SANG YUN HO
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM/ VARIOUS FILMING LOCATIONS
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM/ VARIOUS FILMING LOCATIONS
  • Country: UK
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Music
  • Reuters ID: LVA00B477229042022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: K-pop band ATEEZ will play London's Wembley Arena on Saturday (April 30) as part of their world tour, which was delayed from 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Known for songs like "Say My Name", "Pirate King" and "Turbulence", the eight-member boy band has garnered a legion of fans around the world since their 2018 debut.
    Members HONG JOONG, SEONG HWA, YUN HO, YEO SANG, SAN, MIN GI, WOO YOUNG, and JONG HO spoke to Reuters on Thursday (April 28) about the tour, their songs, and influences ahead of the two London weekend gigs.
    After saying their special greeting, "'A' makes one team" which, that according to HONG JOONG is inspired by the movie line from "Kingsman" spoken by actor Colin Firth's character when he says "manners maketh the man", the group explained why they think their songs are so popular.
    "Our songs have their own energies," said HONG JOONG.
    "I think ATINYS (ATEEZ fans) love our performance, outlook, and storyline," added band member YUN HO.
    Their fans got the name 'ATINY' after a blend of the group name and the members' love of the word 'destiny', taking the ending.
    The meaning of ATEEZ at the start meant: "Everything teenagers need from A to Z". However, as the music has evolved and the members grow up, it now means "Everything you need from A To the Z", the group said.
    Mixing all kinds of music styles, including pop, rap, rock, and big ballads, MIN GI suggests new fans should listen to "Say My Name" to get the best sense of what ATEEZ is all about.
    "If I had to recommend one song that screams ATEEZ that would be 'Say My Name' because it's a very comfortable song to listen to and it has very meaningful lyrics and is an impactful song," the songwriter said.
    YUN HO believes newcomers to their music should start at the beginning with the band's debut album "Treasure EP.1: All To Zero" and songs "Pirate King" and "Treasure".
    With a varied wardrobe and changing hairstyles, the members said it is up to them as individuals, though they have worn some interesting outfits on stage.
    "There was the first time I tried two belts, which is apparently in style nowadays," said SAN.
    "So that was something interesting for me to try on stage."
    "In the show, we have a part where we are all wearing white and I have something coming out from here (gestures to the neck), all white, and I look like an angel coming down from paradise," added SEONG HWA.
    While in London, the band's British ATINYS have suggested trying fish and chips. YUN HO told Reuters he wanted to visit Abbey Road's famous Beatles crossing, and bandmate WOO YOUNG is in search of some magic at Harry Potter Studio at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford, Hertfordshire.
    Having performed a week ago (April 23) in Madrid, Spain at the start of their "The Fellowship: The Beginning of the End" European tour, ATEEZ was asked what it felt like to finally be touring again.
    "We are really thankful to all the fans who waited... for us to come back... We have been practising and working really hard to come up with a better and stronger performance on stage for them," said SEONG HWA.
    HONG JOONG added that the group members were "so excited" to play Saturday's sold-out show at the 12,500-seat arena and meet the fans.
    "Finally we are enjoying this time now because we waited for a really long time (for it to happen)."
    (Production: Gerry Mey, Lisa Keddie, Marie-Louise Gumuchian)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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