Requested by wiz_creations03

Written by RookWri78

Greetings fandom-lovers!

We're back with two amazing fandoms in this month's #FanHouse - the vast, starry world of Korean Dramas (KDramas) and the first KPop boy band to ever perform at Coachella, ATEEZ.

Check out "Lights, Camera, KDrama!" here. But before you go, chill and hang out with one of the coolest KPop groups of all time.

https://youtu.be/tiFZsr6-pyw

ATEEZ is an active boy band founded and managed by KQ Entertainment, a small company compared to the 4 Powerhouses of K-Pop (HYBE, SM, JYP and YG) but is behind other boy bands like Block B and Xikers. Since its inception in 2018, ATEEZ has sold over 7 million physical albums globally, scored multiple No. 1 Albums on the Billboard 200, and has recently bagged the Grand Honor's Prize (Daesang) in the Korean Grand Music Awards 2024.

https://youtu.be/bCG2MD7PPKk

But how did ATEEZ come into existence?

KQ Entertainment was initially reluctant to form another boy band, as they were focused on their then-solo group, Block B. However, a fan of the band submitted a mixtape and a letter of interest to join the company as a trainee. Although it took a year for the tape to be discovered, KQ was impressed by the fan's songwriting skills. This guy thus became the first-ever trainee at KQ Entertainment.

Can you guess who this member is? Hint: He's known to be a total workaholic and hates mint-chocolate.

Six months after this historic moment, the other seven members joined KQ as trainees. Some had loads of experience, a few had failed previously, while one had no idea of how to dance, but every member had zeal and a hardcore determination to make it big together. Blessed with a pre-debut reality show, the erstwhile KQ Fellaz made their mark in the K-Pop industry on October 24, 2018, with the extended play "Treasure EP.1: All To Zero".

https://youtu.be/5A9EMLrURS8

Do you know the full form of ATEEZ? Let us know in the comments!

Also, there was a ninth trainee who was part of the group pre-debut but didn't make it to the final lineup. Do you remember the name of this trainee?

HONGJOONG

"Don't waste your calories with food that isn't delicious."

https://youtu.be/KS1fXjLx-ac

>> Hongjoong is referred to as Captain since he dislikes the term "leader." He is still regarded as the group dad, though.

>> He and Seonghwa despise mint-chocolate.

>> Hongjoong has two tattoos: 'NO 1 LIKE ME' on his inner right arm and the word 'faith' and wings on his ankle.

SEONGHWA

"Don't be afraid. Always face it confidently."

https://youtu.be/P3SRBHxvNYY

>> Although the oldest in ATEEZ, Seonghwa smells the best according to other members.

>> He can't sit cross-legged.

>> Fans say he resembles Toothless from the animated film, How to Train Your Dragon.

YUNHO

"Let's do our best rather than being the best."

https://youtu.be/Omnw40xhKM4

>> Yoonho is the energizer of the group.

>> He debuted as an actor in the Korean Drama Imitation (2021).

>> Yunho texts his manager the most.

YEOSANG

"If it's hard, you can rest for a while. I'll always cheer for you."

https://youtu.be/LTWZlN4fP9Y

>> A former HYBE trainee, Yeosang received offers from 6 different companies before choosing KQ Entertainment.

>> He has a unique birthmark near his left eye, but it often gets covered with makeup.

>> Yeosang specializes in skateboarding and drone flying.

SAN

"I will be the one you look for when you're tired and want to take a rest, just come to me. I will be waiting."

https://youtu.be/-sA1XjhjmWQ

>> San is ATEEZ's mood maker.

>> He has a matching tattoo with Wooyoung on his knee saying, "amicus ad aras," which translates to "friends until the end."

>> San claimed that Hongjoong is his fashion icon and Yeosang his bias.

MINGI

"You don't have to be good at everything. You can cry when you want to cry, rest when you want to rest for a while. I will be by your side."

https://youtu.be/bI78KH8C8bo

>> Mingi and Yunho were acquaintances before joining KQ Entertainment. However, they auditioned for the company separately and coincidentally met again during the audition.

>> Mingi behaves like the maknae (youngest) when they're in their dorms or the studio.

>> He believes he would live the longest in a zombie apocalypse out of all the members.

WOOYOUNG

"Don't try to be someone else. Instead keep those who love you just the way you are."

https://youtu.be/Vs_avsxXJ9g

>> Wooyoung is the noisiest according to the other members.

>> His favorite games include FIFA and League Of Legends.

>> He was the last to join KQ Entertainment.

JONGHO

"Do not be afraid if you have not even tried."

https://youtu.be/BUQ3znHFZcU

>> The youngest yet strongest of ATEEZ, Jongho can break fruits in half with his bare hands.

>> Born in a family of athletes, his love for singing influenced Jongho to become an idol.

>> Jongho has contributed to many OSTs, including Gravity from "Reborn Rich" and A Day from "Lovely Runner".

So, tell us who your favorite ATEEZ member is, and when was the first time you saw them?

Also, have you been to any of ATEEZ's concerts?

This K-Pop band is dominating the global stage, and so is their fanbase. ATINY, which is a combination of the words "ATEEZ" and "destiny," means that ATEEZ's future lies with their fans. On November 22, 2019, it was formally founded following the conclusion of the initial recruitment a year before.

Hailing from a company outside the Big 4, it was definitely not easy for ATEEZ to have its albums surpass 1 million sales within a week of launch, achieve 2.6 billion (and counting) streams on Spotify, appear numerous times on the Billboard 200, or be nominated for various accolades (including a Grammy) and win them; definitely not without the support of their dedicated and enthusiastic fans.

https://youtu.be/Er7_MuV8brc

wiz_creations03 is an ATINY with over 10+ ATEEZ fanfics on Wattpad. They requested us to feature the rising band, stating:

"As they always say, ATINYs have been their constant supporters and the reason for their success. As an ATINY for just a year, I've found this fandom to be immensely supportive, extremely fun and comparatively less toxic than the others.

The concepts that ATEEZ brings forth are definitely unique. From debuting with Pirate King to their latest comeback with Ice On My Teeth, each song has a unique taste to it, with an intriguing lore which compels viewers to think beyond the MV. Their music has quite a different style and personally, I feel their songs will seem interesting to almost anyone who listens/watches them.

In the end, being an ATINY means a lot to me and I hope more people come to know about them in future."

We really hope they will, Wiz. Thank you for bringing ATEEZ to the #FanHouse.

https://youtu.be/uIbDRvUjJwQ

Calling all ATINYs! How well do you know ATEEZ? Take a short quiz right here and get a chance to be featured in #FanHouse on January 10th.

1. ATEEZ's 2021 single "Be My Lover" (바다 보러 갈래?) was a collaboration with who?

2. How many extended plays (EPs) have ATEEZ released till now? (Both Korean and otherwise)

3. Yunho debuted as an actor in Imitation (2021). Do you know which other ATEEZ members starred in this KDrama and what roles they played?

4. All members of ATEEZ auditioned for a survival reality show (MIXNINE) during their pre-debut, but only half made it through. Can you name those who made it and if they succeeded?

5. According to the Official Charts Company, ATEEZ is the first South Korean musical act to achieve three new top 10 positions on the UK Official Albums Chart in a single year. Do you know when this occurred, with what album and who they've surpassed with this record?

***

That's it from us. Do let us know if we've missed anything about ATEEZ in the comments.

Until next time,

The Fanfic Team

P.S. Don't forget to check out the KDrama edition of #FanHouse here.

P.P.S. A shoutout to KQ Entertainment, Wikipedia, YouTube, Billboard, KPop Wiki, ATEEZ Wiki, The KRAZE Magazine, Soompi, AminoApps.com and KProfiles.com. Thank you for keeping records of ATEEZ's remarkable journey and achievements.