South Korean powerhouse Ateez set Kuala Lumpur ablaze on March 22 when it brought its In Your Fantasy World Tour to the Unifi Arena (formerly Axiata Arena).
Long before the first spotlight hit the stage, the atmosphere was already electric, with thousands of fans – affectionately known as Atinys – filling the space with deafening chants that set the tone for the evening.
Scenes like this are familiar for the eight-piece group, led by Hongjoong and joined by Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho.
While the band had performed in Malaysia during the 2025 Kpop Masterz concert alongside other acts, returning for a solo show was something entirely different.
“We’ve always wanted to come to Malaysia, and having our own concert here feels different,” Yunho, 27, told StarLifestyle in an exclusive interview just an hour before soundcheck on the day of the show.
“It’s like having a special time for only us and Atinys... It’s extra meaningful for us.”
He was joined by Hongjoong, who said returning here carried a personal resonance.
“I first visited Malaysia 10 years ago with my family but never knew that I’d be performing here someday... It feels like I’ve reached another fantasy,” Hongjoong, 27, said.
Embarking on a new journey
Fresh off the Feb 6 release of its EP Golden Hour: Part.4, Ateez stands at a pivotal intersection: closing one chapter while boldly stepping into the next.
Hongjoong described the Golden Hour series, launched in 2024, as a reflection of the group’s artistic growth since its debut in October 2018.
“Through this series, we wanted to explore new sides of Ateez and experiment with different concepts.
“Each instalment features a mix of genres, and for the latest one, we focused on showcasing a more energetic side to kick off the year.
“We just wrapped up our seven-year story, so I think it’s good to show a new side to kick off our new journey,” he said.
Part.4 is particularly meaningful as it marks Ateez’s first comeback following contract renewals with talent agency KQ Entertainment.
Despite consisting of just five tracks, each song offers a distinct vibe – the lead single Adrenaline bursts with explosive energy; On The Road is more introspective; and Nasa boldly highlights the group’s ambitious side.
A key challenge behind the project was capturing Ateez’s many facets within the confines of a tightly packed 16-minute EP.
Despite that, Yunho believes these hurdles are necessary for growth.
“If there were no challenges, there wouldn’t be Ateez. We grow with the difficulties we face each album,” he said.
Shared dreams
Since debuting on Oct 24, 2018, Ateez has consistently pushed the boundaries of its sound with hits like Wonderland, Inception, Ice On My Teeth, Bouncy and more.
The group has also made history globally, becoming the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella and the first South Korean act to headline Morocco’s Mawazine Festival, the world’s second-largest music festival.
Even amid these accolades, Ateez remains committed to growth – both collectively and individually.
Hongjoong emphasised that balancing group goals with personal ambitions has become central to its journey.
This balance shone in Part.3 (In Your Fantasy Edition) where all eight members showcased their individual artistry through solo tracks for the first time.
Despite exploring solo strengths, unity remains top priority for Ateez.
“Everyone has different charms and are great as individuals, but the best version of ourselves is when all of us are together,” Hongjoong said.
According to Hongjoong, everyone made a promise back in 2018 to keep making new goals and move forward together as eight.
“We share the same goal – we want to continue our journey with Atinys which is why there was no hesitation when we renewed our contracts together,” he added.
Unbreakable bond
Reflecting on Ateez’s journey, Yunho shared how the group’s bond has strengthened over the years.
He noted that communication has become almost instinctive – a simple glance is often enough to understand how each member is feeling.
“After spending seven years together, it’s natural for our bond to become stronger. The results we’ve achieved and the trust Atinys have placed in us motivate us to work even harder as a team,” he said.
Hongjoong recalled that during the group’s early days, the members often clashed due to different thoughts and opinions.
“Not physically but through verbal arguments,” he laughed, before continuing, “We were so young back then, but we’re getting older and are adults now.”
He added that today, the members respect each other’s boundaries and make a conscious effort to communicate thoughtfully and clearly.
“We put effort into understanding each other so that no one gets hurt. We’re also very clear when talking about what we want to avoid misunderstandings,” he explained.
As our conversation drew to a close, both members shared a glimpse of what Ateez has in store for Atinys in the year ahead.
Individually, Hongjoong said the members are focused on highlighting their own strengths moving forward.
“Everyone has different desires in a positive way, and I respect that. We’re all working to find a balance between our solo ambitions and group goals,” he added.
On the group front, Yunho promised a year full of comebacks and exciting activities.
“We want to show more sides of ourselves and release many different genres of music. There will be various activities and a lot of different things we will do to express ourselves better.
“We are currently working hard on preparations, so please look forward to it,” he said.
