ATEEZ and the “Say My Name” Comeback
On January 15, 2019, ATEEZ released their second mini-album TREASURE EP.2: Zero To One as well as the music video for title track “Say My Name.” Leading up to the album’s release, KQ Entertainment released an 88 second performance video to their official YouTube channel for “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” on January 9, giving fans a sneak peek at the second promoted track. They also released teaser videos for “Say My Name” and “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” on January 13, 2019 and February 6, 2019 respectively.
The Music Videos
The music video for “Say My Name” opens with leader Hongjoong walking between rows of people dressed in black robes. We then see the eight members sitting opposite each other, half in the outfits of their other selves featured in the music video for “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive),” with the group beginning to openly hint at different parts of the TREASURE universe. Without us diving too deep into the TREASURE lore, as that would take an entire other article to flesh out fully, the video mainly focuses on group choreography shots and features one of the most beautiful music video transitions towards the end of the track, when Seonghwa, Yeosang, Yunho, San, and Jongho each sing their lines before the final chorus and the camera goes from one scene to the next, seamlessly showing San sitting on a pedestal before panning in front of a column only for Jongho to be there instead.
The music video for “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” was released on February 7, 2019 and opens with solo shots of each member, switching between them with and without black masks covering the lower half of their faces. This opening music would later be released as the first track on their debut Japanese album TREASURE EP. EXTRA: Shift The Map as “Hearts Awakened, Live Alive - Expression Revisited.” The music video is completely focused on the choreography; the members are decked out in all black outfits, with black masks and hats hiding their faces from view, forcing viewers to appreciate their talents as musicians and dancers over their appearances. After Hongjoong and Mingi’s second verses, the members toss their hats to the side, Hongjoong sprays the camera red, and the true beautiful chaos of the track is unveiled before ending with the members “breaking” their necks and crumpling to the floor, with Wooyoung standing in the middle of the carnage and smearing blood across his mouth.
The Comeback Performances
The “Say My Name” comeback was January 17, 2019 on M!COUNTDOWN. Set on a smoky stage with an industrial-like backdrop, the members performed in outfits from the music video. While the video for “Say My Name” did a great job at showing off the boys’ dancing skills, this performance really showcased how ATEEZ are the only group that could make the “driving a car” point choreography and skipping in a circle highlights in one of their most intense choregraphies to date. Wooyoung did a great job performing in his baggy, fur-tufted jacket and the cocky, self-assured facial expressions from him throughout showed just how comfortable he was performing the choreography, which is most likely why this performance is his fancam with the most views.
While ATEEZ performed “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” during promotions for “Say My Name,” the group had a special stage for the track on January 31, 2019 on M!COUNTDOWN. Like the stage name suggests, this stage was special as it was served as notice that the music video would be released a week later and that they would begin promotions for just “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” afterwards. Rather than wearing outfits from the video, ATEEZ wore outfits very similar, foregoing the masks and hats and adding pops of red. Of course, like with many performances of the track, Seonghwa’s facial expressions were on point, Yeosang looked positively ethereal even in all black, and we got to see demon San during the krumping section of the choreography, which is definitely why this performance’s fancams for Seonghwa, Yeosang, and San are their fancams with the most views.
The Legacy
TREASURE EP.2: Zero To One debuted and peaked at No. 6 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart, No. 12 on the Gaon Monthly Albums Chart, No. 7 on the Billboard U.S. Heatseekers Albums Chart, and No. 5 on the Billboard U.S. World Albums Chart. None of the tracks from the mini-album charted, but they did experience some growth between TREASURE EP.1: All To Zero and the release of TREASURE EP.2: Zero To One, with the latter peaking one spot higher on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart, 16 spots higher on the Gaon Monthly Albums Chart, and seven spots higher on the Billboard U.S. World Albums Chart.
While ATEEZ didn't take home any music show wins or end-of-year awards, both promoted tracks from their second album are considered by ATINY to feature some of the hardest ATEEZ choreography and to be some of the group's best songs. “Say My Name” made it onto multiple year-end lists as one of the best K-Pop songs of 2019, ranking at No. 4 on BuzzFeed’s “30 Songs That Helped Define K-Pop in 2019,” No. 6 on Refinery29’s “The Best K-Pop Songs of 2019,” and No. 13 on Billboard’s “The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019.” And for fans of the group, “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” will always fondly be remembered as the track San has broken far too many headset microphones when performing live.
During “Answer” promotions in January 2020, the group performed another special stage for “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” on M!COUNTDOWN. ATEEZ wore modified and updated versions of the outfits seen in the original special stage as they celebrated a year since the release of TREASURE EP.2: Zero To One.
They also performed both tracks most recently on Knowing Bros, with Hongjoong performing Mingi’s verses since he is still on hiatus. It just goes to show that, while “Say My Name” and “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)” didn’t get the recognition they deserved in 2019, they have stood the test of time and two years later have just as much impact as they did when they were originally released. We here at The Kraze send our love and support to Mingi and hope to see him with the other boys again soon. Love you, Mingi!