ATEEZ is a popular South Korean boy group that has been making waves in the K-pop world since their debut in 2018. With their unique sound, powerful performances, and growing fanbase, ATEEZ has become one of the most exciting groups to watch. Here are 10 interesting facts about ATEEZ that you might not know.
1. The Meaning Behind Their Name
ATEEZ is not just a random collection of letters. The name actually stands for “A TEEnager Z.” This name was chosen to show that the group wants to represent everything about teenagers, from A to Z. It’s a clever way to connect with their young fans and show that they understand the experiences of being a teenager.
2. Their Pre-debut Identity
Before they became ATEEZ, the group was known as KQ Fellaz. This was their name when they were still trainees at their company, KQ Entertainment. As KQ Fellaz, they released a pre-debut song called “From” on July 9, 2018. This gave fans a taste of what was to come from the talented group.
3. American Training Experience
ATEEZ had a unique training experience before their debut. The members went to America to receive special training. This wasn’t just a quick trip – they spent enough time there to create 19 vlog episodes about their training experience. These vlogs were uploaded to their company’s YouTube channel, giving fans an early look at the members’ personalities and skills.
4. Diverse Training Backgrounds
Not all ATEEZ members started their K-pop journey at KQ Entertainment. Some members trained at other well-known companies before joining ATEEZ:
- Jongho trained at TOP MEDIA
- Mingi trained at Maroo Entertainment
- Yeosang and Wooyoung both trained at Big Hit Entertainment (now known as HYBE, home to BTS)
For the other members – Hongjoong, San, Seonghwa, and Yunho – KQ Entertainment is the first and only agency they’ve trained with.
5. Age Distribution
ATEEZ has an interesting age distribution among its members:
- Five members were born in 1999: Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, and Wooyoung. These five are known as the “99z” (pronounced “nine-nine-z”).
- Two members were born in 1998: Seonghwa and Hongjoong
- One member was born in 2000: Jongho
This means most of the members are very close in age, which likely helps with their group dynamics.
6. Stage Names vs. Real Names
Unlike many K-pop groups where members often use stage names, all ATEEZ members use their real given names as their stage names. This decision adds a personal touch to their public identities and makes it easier for fans to feel connected to them.
7. Unique Member Facts
Each ATEEZ member has unique traits or experiences that make them stand out:
- San used to have a part-time job harvesting garlic when he was a teenager in Namhae. This shows his hardworking nature from a young age.
- Mingi loves going to spas and jjimjilbang (Korean public bathhouses). He also gets scared easily, especially of ghosts, even though he tries not to show it.
- Yeosang owns five drones, showing his interest in technology and photography.
- Jongho is known for his incredible strength, often showcasing his ability to split apples with his bare hands during performances.
8. Creative Marketing Campaigns
ATEEZ is known for their creative and engaging marketing campaigns, especially for their album series “THE WORLD.” For example:
- For “THE WORLD EP.1: MOVEMENT,” they used the concept of anarchism and rebellion. They incorporated a symbol called “Circle-A” in their performances and even put up posters with this symbol in Hongdae, a popular area in Seoul known for youth culture.
- During pre-recording stages for their song “Guerrilla,” they raised flags with the “Circle-A” logo and dropped propaganda-style posters from the sky, creating a memorable and immersive experience for fans.
These unique promotional activities help ATEEZ stand out in the crowded K-pop industry and get fans excited about their comebacks.
9. Global Recognition
Despite coming from a smaller entertainment company, ATEEZ has achieved significant global recognition:
- They’re often referred to as one of the “miracle from a small company” idol groups in K-pop.
- The members themselves use the Korean saying “A dragon rose from a small stream,” which means achieving great things despite humble beginnings.
- In 2024, ATEEZ became the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella, a major music festival in the United States.
- They were also the first K-pop group to headline the Mawazine music festival in Morocco.
- The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism named them “Next Generation Leaders” in 2020.
These achievements show how ATEEZ has managed to make a big impact on the global music scene, even without the backing of a large entertainment company.
10. Album Success and Sales
ATEEZ has seen impressive success with their album releases:
- Many of their albums have topped the South Korean Circle Album Chart, including “Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action,” “Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer,” the “Zero: Fever” album series, and “The World” album trilogy.
- Their album “Zero: Fever Part.1” was their first to be certified platinum in South Korea.
- “The World EP.1: Movement” became their first album to be certified million, meaning it sold over a million copies.
- They achieved their first No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart with their second studio album “The World EP.Fin: Will.”
- ATEEZ has secured multiple No.1 positions on the Billboard Top Albums Sales Chart.
- They’re the first South Korean musical act to have three different releases chart in the top 10 of the UK Official Albums Chart within a single year.
- As of early 2025, ATEEZ has sold over seven million physical albums worldwide.
These impressive sales figures and chart performances demonstrate ATEEZ’s growing popularity and the strong support they receive from their fans, known as ATINY.
