K-pop band ATEEZ will play London’s Wembley Arena on Saturday as part of their world tour, which has been delayed from 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Known for songs like “Say My Name” and “Turbulence,” the eight-member boy band has gained a legion of fans around the world since its debut in 2018.
Members HONG JOONG, SEONG HWA, YUN HO, YEO SANG, SAN, MIN GI, WOO YOUNG, JONG HO spoke to Reuters about the tour, their songs and influences ahead of the weekend’s two concerts in London.
Below are excerpts from the interview, through a translator, edited for length and clarity.
Q: Why do you think your songs are so popular?
HONG JOONG: “Our songs have their own energies.”
YUN HO: “I think ATINYS (ATEEZ fans) love our acting, perspective, and story.”
Q: Which ATEEZ song would you suggest a new fan listen to first?
MIN GI: “If I had to recommend a song that screams ATEEZ it would be ‘Say My Name’ because it’s a very comfortable song to listen to and it has very meaningful lyrics and it’s a shocking song.”
YUN HO: “For me it would be our first album that has two title songs which are ‘Pirate King’ and ‘Treasure’”.
Q: What has it been like finally going on tour?
SEONG HWA: “We are very grateful to all the fans who waited… for us to come back… We have been practicing and working really hard to put on a better and stronger performance on stage for them.”
HONG JOONG: “We are finally enjoying this moment because we waited a long time (for it to happen).”
Q: What are your main influences for your music videos?
SAN: “We are inspired by other artists, people who have come before us, and also by movies and everything around us. And also from the stories of our fans.”