Drowning in the “Drip” with ATEEZ’s pre-release on October 23, ATEEZ returns with another part of their GOLDEN HOUR series, asking in a set of Morse Code in their latest promotional poster: WHERE ARE THEY?
WHERE ARE THEY?, ATEEZ Returns for the 3rd Time in 2026
Making their debut under KQ Entertainment in 2018 and celebrating their 8th year anniversary on October 24, ATEEZ is making ample preparations for their third EP release this year, achieving great heights with their latest comeback “BAD” with over 100M viewership on their official music video. Together with Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho, the members of ATEEZ successfully earned their rightful place in K-Pop history, from performing at major award shows and festivals all over the world, participating in survivals shows as trainees and as one group, and adored by fellow K-Pop fans and the general public for their music, performance ensembles, and personalities. Their music production is heavily directed by KQ Entertainment’s in-house production team Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox, Peperoni, Oliv, Door, Levi, Kikoi, tankzzo, BALM), along with both Hongjoong and Mingi avidly participating in the production and writing on behalf of ATEEZ, experimenting with various genres, instrumentals, and various themes explored through their lyricism.
Throughout their history as ATEEZ, their projects include an intensive lore enveloped in their TREASURE, ZERO : FEVER, and THE WORLD album series, casting the members themselves as ATEEZ that occupy World A alongside personas known officially as “Men in Black Fedoras” but are commonly referred to as “HALATEEZ” based on their song “HALA HALA” by fans. “HALATEEZ” exist in an alternative world noted as World Z, much of the lore revolving around these two worlds and time traveling, detailed in physical album merchandise, stage performances, and on-site promotional material showcasing a heavily immersive world building and storytelling quality most K-Pop artists do not build their image around. In a fandom filled with theorists, new hints and Easter eggs surface in newer content while simultaneously calls back to previous eras, inviting the average listener to dig deeper while requiring true appreciators of ATEEZ’s discography to interact with the material holistically and with critical thinking.
In their latest pre-release “Drip”, ATEEZ rides on a trap-filled instrumental, many fans alluding its similarities to B-side tracks “NASA” and “The Leaders”. Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox, Peperoni, Oliv, Hongjoong, Mingi) teams up with Billboard charting songwriter, artist, and producer Jordan Shaw (aespa, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ILLENIUM, ZEROBASEONE) and Grammy nominated songwriter Conor Blake (MEDUZA, Goodboys, LISA, ZAYN) to produce a track on par with South Korean boy groups and their plethora of hip-hop and trap related title tracks. “Drip” is no different to what’s currently resonating with the industry trends, a song emphasizing their status, wealth, and artistic integrity leading them down a path paved for relevance and cultural impact in contemporary music history, whether as a representative of the Asian music industry, or as world class artists on the global stage.
Check Out “Drip” Official Music Video Below As ATEEZ Rises.
The Sides of ATEEZ We’ve Seen in Previous Eras of GOLDEN HOUR
With the fifth EP of the GOLDEN HOUR series on the horizon with its release date on November 13, 2026, ATEEZ pieces together a vibrant arrangement of genres, concepts, and performances worthy of review for older ATINYs and newcomers alike. An album series dedicated to the concept of “golden hour”, a magical hour of soft and intense color in the sky for a brief period of time, where if one looks away for just a moment, it’s gone in a flash. Each “golden hour” offers a different perspective, context, and version of ATEEZ as a whole, their strengths lie in their unity, teamwork, and desire to continue challenging themselves as idols, artists, and cultural trailblazers.
She’s So BAD, Used to the Flashes Like Mona Lisa
The latest EP GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5 released on June 26, 2026 with the title track “BAD”, featuring multi-nominated and National Board of Review awarded actress and well-known K-Pop fan Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another [2025], The Testaments [2026] and The Julia Set [2026]) in their official music video. Produced and written by Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox, Peperoni, Oliv, Hongjoong, Mingi), with the company of JORDAN, ELJAY, and writing and production duo Joe Harvey and Jack Harvey (CHUNGA HA, TOMORROW X TOGETHER), “BAD” taps into ATEEZ’s familiar side of Latin American-inspired musicality, depicting a beautiful, wealthy, and sultry Latin woman that sways anyone who crosses paths with her.
In the official music video, Chase plays the role of who ATINYs suspects to be recurring character known as “Sopro” in ATEEZ’s extensive lore, a “…magical spirit that synchronizes the feelings of those who hold it with those who draw breath around them…” according to “Left Eye”, an ally to ATEEZ and resistance group “Black Pirates”, cited in many physical album inclusions referred to as “diaries”. Enchanting, captivating, someone who simply draws you in, a double meaning on what considers someone so beautiful as “bad”, ready to destroy just as much as to love and become enamored with.
We’ll Say It Respectfully, Watch “BAD” Official Music Video Below.
Buzzin’ Up Our Necks, We’re Pumping Adrenaline
GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4 featuring title track “Adrenaline” released on February 6, 2026, Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox, Peperoni, Oliv, Kikoi, Hongjoong, Mingi) produced alongside multi-platinum producer, DJ, and songwriter BL$$D (The Weeknd, Young Thug, Playboi Carti, LE SSERAFIM), an EDM track with intense percussion and experimental blaring sound effects and synthsm complimenting the details of tingling sensations and nervousness to fully charge and confront what’s threatening up ahead. For ATEEZ, this looks like pumping up to perform and present their efforts on a big stage, taking on a bigger-than-life presence in the music industry.
We’re Pumpin’ “Adrenaline” Watching the Official Music Video Below.
In Your Fantasy, A Devil in Disguise
Currently the only repackage album of the GOLDEN HOUR series, with the title track “In Your Fantasy” released on July 11, 2025, Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox, Peperoni, Oliv, Hongjoong, Mingi) produced and wrote with Billboard charting producer and songwriter Alex Karlsson (TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, SuperM, &TEAM), a highly passion-filled and sensual electro-R&B track that taps into the individual members and their sexuality. Heavily suggestive lyrics riddled with mischievous, devilish innuendo, and borderline explicit desire and yearning, a title track that completely captures ATEEZ in a different limelight, one begging for more. The repackage also introduces their listeners to official solo tracks, with a variety of genres, themes, and presentations from member to member that really shines when they perform each song on their own stage.
Come Take a Seat “In Your Fantasy” to Watch ATEEZ’s Official Music Video Below.
Lemon Drop, Stay Up All Night ’til the Sunrise
Released during the peak of summer on June 13, 2025, Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox Peperoni, Oliv, Ollounder, Hongjoong, Mingi) worked on “Lemon Drop” along with BL$$D, returning to an image many are familiar with their most cherished title track that earned their their first domestic music show win (M COUNTDOWN, 2019) “WAVE” on their TREASURE EP.3 : One To All: bright, energetic, and nostalgic. In comparison to “WAVE”, “Lemon Drop” brings out a new air of maturity and life to the members, one with experience, confidence, and oozing in sensual appeal. Raising a glass to a new age of ATEEZ that’s youthful with age, celebration with gratitude, and enjoyment with reassurance that all they’ve worked for all this time has finally awarded them with a moment of relaxation.
Enjoy a Tequila Along with the Sunrise as You Check Out “Lemon Drop” Official Music Video Below.
Buying Diamonds at the Dentist, Ice On My Teeth
GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2 EP featuring “Ice On My Teeth” as the title track becomes proof that Eden-ary (EDEN, Maddox, Ollounder, Peperoni, Oliv, Hongjoong, Mingi) and BL$$D are a lethal combination on the production side of things, leading the track with a rhythmic violin-led hip-hop and R&B genre, blending the strength of two beloved sounds while allowing the violin to shine throughout the instrumental. Sticking to the groove, “Drip” relates the “ice” sentiment back to “Ice On My Teeth”, a group ready to take down anyone who challenges their presence, their royalties, and their time they could be spending on elevating, leveling up, and conquering everything within their reach as they continue climbing the charts.
Go Get Your Diamonds at Your Dentist So You, Too Can Have “Ice On My Teeth” By Watching the Official Music Video Below.
Gotta WORK, Give ‘Em Whiplash When They See Us Earn
Revisiting the first part of the GOLDEN HOUR series that started it all, an iconic title track released on May 31, 2024 with the catchiest one-liners “Gotta make that money, make purse”, “WORK” became everyone’s vocal stim for the rest of the year, introducing a fun and whimsical concept with ATEEZ as Western cowboys. A title track alluding to frequent travel, luxurious lifestyle as they enjoy the fruits of their labor while their songs exist in the background of daily life, ATEEZ recalls an existence that does not bind itself to a particular place, status, or role in the grand scheme of the music industry. They rely solely on their own merits and path, enabling themselves to follow the current, or work against it. This is the advantage that has truly solidified their place in the music books: one that does not solely follow trends, but simply makes trends or remixes them in their own flavor. Either way, they’re making their money, and working their way up to the level of accolade and achievement that is far from stopping.
Make Money and Make Purse as You Stream the “WORK” Official Music Video Below.
A Return to the Beginning?
With eight long years filled with hardship and adversity after debuting in 2018, ATEEZ’s origins stem from taking a chance on new opportunities from a humble company outside of the recognizable “Big Four” (ie. SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, HYBE Labels, JYP Entertainment), a true representation of the “underdogs” in the K-Pop industry. Making their mark in Korean pop music as world class performers, a damning reality is underway: mandatory military enlistment for all South Korean male citizens, including the members of ATEEZ. Filling 2026 with endless comebacks and eras, releasing Part.4 and Part.5 of the GOLDEN HOUR EPs all within months of one another, future comebacks where all eight members are not present at one time is quickly creeping up on us. However, all is not lost, as ATEEZ announced their initial 2027 dates and cities for WORLD TOUR [ZERO TO ALL], embarking on their journey around the world once more, beginning in Incheon, South Korea at the end of January. “ZERO TO ALL” refers to ATEEZ’s TREASURE EP.1 : All to Zero EP, serving as a chiasmus to reintroduce one of the most iconic eras of ATEEZ’s career: their debut that began it all. The hard work that followed after, slow and steady then all at once, exploding into the sensation known and beloved today.
Featured in GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1’s first track “Golden Hour”, a fully spoken track by maddox, a fellow KQ soloist and contributing member of Eden-ary, a sentiment reminding us of what the “real” golden hours of life are.
Golden hour
The brightest moments in life
Those moments are like quick flashes
And never come back
Everyone has their own special times in life
Some people look forward to what’s ahead
While others cherish the memories of what’s gone by
But just like every beginning has an end
What should we dream of and hope
For as these fleeting moments pass?
What should we call, all thе other times
Apart from those bеautiful
And shining moments?
Could living for the moment leave
Our hearts feeling emptier?
The moments of laughter with friends
Quiet family dinners, relaxing weekends
With loved ones
Could these be the real golden hours
Of our lives?
Spending time with our loved ones, acknowledging the simple matters of every day living, cherishing memories that become long gone as quickly as they seem to exist. “…just like every beginning has an end” may come across bittersweet, however, ATEEZ begs to differ, asking the listeners to name the other moments outside of the golden hours. In fact, they reason with the listener: are the real golden hours the shining and flashy moments, or are they actually the quieter, more subtle moments?
As they enter the latest era of their GOLDEN HOUR series with “UP” as their EP’s official title track, ATEEZ revisits the question once more, WHERE ARE THEY? The answer is simple: they’re right where they are, remembering where they came from, and keeping in mind where they plan on heading. With their previous title track well loved by multiple countries, a world tour at the beginning of 2027, and other opportunities for the members to shine and express themselves, ATEEZ reverts back to a calmer time of their life, in a completely different headspace before debut with fresh eyes, a stronger will, and excitement that for most artists, dies out with age and experience. What truly makes ATEEZ an incredible group of individuals is their gratitude for what lies in the time of real “golden hour”, memories shared with loved ones, in the calmest of moments and exthusiastic of moments. Truly a sight to behold as they embark on their next chapter, marked on November 13, 2026 and beyond.
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