ATEEZ Declare "We Prove Ourselves on Stage" as They Headline ATA Festival

ATEEZ expressed their determination to prove the group's true strength through their performances. Continuing their rise both in Korea and overseas, the group took the stage as the headliner of the ATA Festival and brought the event to a spectacular close.

ATEEZ performed at the 2026 Asia Top Artist Festival (ATA Festival), held on September 20 at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul.

Amid the success of "BAD," ATEEZ have recently seen their popularity grow further in Korea as well as internationally. The members said they especially feel their rising popularity when fellow artists mention the group. "Just a little while ago, Jannabi gave us a shout-out. It's moments like that when we really feel our popularity," they said.

Band Jannabi performed immediately before ATEEZ that day and mentioned the group during their set. Jannabi's Choi Jung-hoon said, "I really like ATEEZ. Our guitarist Kim Do-hyung has been working out after being inspired by Choi San." ATEEZ, who were watching from backstage, later responded to Jannabi's shout-out.

When asked which part belonging to another member they would like to try, Wooyoung chose Hongjoong's rap in their new song "BAD." After performing the part himself, he jokingly responded to the members who burst into laughter, "Why are you laughing? Why are you making fun of me?" drawing laughs at the scene.

Beyond "BAD," ATEEZ have built a catalog of songs that strongly showcase the group's distinctive identity. The members said, "There are so many great songs among ATEEZ's B-sides as well." For listeners who have only recently discovered the group, they recommended "UTOPIA" as a B-side worth checking out.

As for what makes ATEEZ unique, the members pointed to their confidence, increasingly striking visuals and each member's individual ability on stage. "Every single member is a master of the stage and has their own individual charm," they said confidently. When asked to describe the group in just one word, they chose "stage." ATEEZ explained, "We're a group that proves ourselves on stage. If we had to describe ourselves in one word, we think it would be ‘stage.'"

ATEEZ, who debuted in October 2018, are now approaching their eighth anniversary. "Next month will mark our eighth anniversary. We hope we can stay healthy and continue promoting together for a long time beyond our 18th and 28th anniversaries, all the way to our 80th," the members said.

Meanwhile, hosted by Hankyung Media Group including TenAsia and Hankyung.com, 'ATA Festival' is a comprehensive K-culture festival spanning music, K-food, K-beauty, and K-fashion, held over two days from September 19 to 20.

Following day one, which featured Hi-Fi Un!corn, Kim Su-young, Lee Oh-wook, Dynamic Duo, Car, the garden, LUCY, &TEAM, and CNBLUE—the second-day lineup concluded the festival on a high note with Dragon Pony, Choi Ye-na, Choi Hyun-wook, Daybreak, Urban Zakapa, ALPHADRIVE ONE, Lee Mu-jin, KickFlip, Jannabi, and ATEEZ.