Nearly six years into their career, ATEEZ is still giving it their all.

KQ Fellaz

ATEEZ’s leader, Hongjoong, became a trainee at KQ Entertainment,  around 2015 after sending the company a letter and a mixtape expressing his desire to become a trainee. At the time, KQ Entertainment did not have any trainees, nor did they hold auditions. Hongjoong’s admiration for Block B fueled his decision to reach out to KQ Entertainment. Six months after Hongjoong became a trainee, Yunho joined the company. Over the following year: Mingi, San, Seonghwa, Yeosang, Jongho, and Wooyoung joined as well. Four of the members participated in the survival reality competition show Mix Nine in 2017.

In May 2018, the group adopted the name KQ Fellaz after their company. They launched their web series KQ Fellaz American Training on May 22, 2018. The series followed the eight members (and briefly a ninth member Lee Junyoung) as they trained in Los Angeles for a month.

DEBUT

The group announced their official name on July 3, 2018 through a teaser for their debut reality show Code Name Is Ateez.

ATEEZ debuted on October 24, 2018 with the six track EP Treasure EP.1: All to Zero. The group's rappers, Hongjoong and Mingi, have been active songwriters for the group since their debut.

In the first year since their debut, ATEEZ released three EPs and a studio album. They toured in over 15 cities across the United States, Europe, and Australia on The Expedition Tour and performed in Japan, New York City, and Los Angeles as a part of KCON 2019. They received their first music show wins in under a year with the release of “Wave,” an achievement that even groups under major companies aren’t always lucky enough to achieve. In 2019, they were awarded the “Next Generation Award” from the Golden Disc Awards, “Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10” from the MAMA Awards, “Best Korean Act” from MTV Europe Music Awards, “Best Song” from Mubeat Awards, and “Performance Award” from Soribada Best K-Music Awards. ATEEZ later went on to become the second fourth generation boy group to reach one million total sales while being rookies. 

CURRENT

On May 31, 2024, ATEEZ released their 10th EP, Golden Hour: Part.1, which was announced shortly after their performances at Coachella 2024. 

The group is currently preparing for their world tour: TOWARDS THE LIGHT : WILL TO POWER, which will kick off in North America on July 14th.

Edited by Lacey Diluvio