It's Wednesday, and that means that we're here to personally recommend some of our favorite ATEEZ videos. So, whether you're just getting into ATEEZ or it's been awhile since you've let yourself sit back and enjoy their content, we've got you covered.
The title here is slightly misleading because the video I'm going to recommend today is actually a longer form interview, of which ATEEZ's artistry is merely one part. Today, I'm recommending ATEEZ's most recent interview on the Zach Sang Show.
There is much discourse right now about low views on ATEEZ videos, and so I have partially chosen this video because it is one of the videos that does in fact have very low views. Atiny as a fandom has always discounted the importance of views (and streams), which is a disservice to getting ATEEZ booked on more interviews.
KQ has no power over which shows agree to have ATEEZ on as guests--that is done by casting directors and writers. All KQ can do is show a past history of good performance so that these shows want to bring ATEEZ on. Shows don't put groups on out of the kindness of their hearts--they put on groups who will make them money. They make money by getting views. It's all business, and as much as that sucks, that's how it is.
And so, yeah, I'm of the opinion that we as a fandom need to do a little better at giving the original content views.
And now I shall climb down from my soapbox and talk about why I love this interview.
The Intern.
In this interview, we learn the most important thing we will ever learn about ATEEZ's storyline: canonically the intern who writes their storyline is a woman.
For those not in the know, The Intern is the person who writes ATEEZ's storyline. I have written numerous fanfictions about The Intern and they are my most beloved member of the KQ family.
So thank you, Zach Sang for asking the Right Questions and getting me the answers I needed to know.
Hongjoong.
I'm not sure there is any single story more inspiring to me than hearing Hongjoong tell the story of how he got discovered by KQ (except for the time he had his laptop stolen). I know this is a story we've heard before, but it's a story we've mostly heard through translation and fan account. It feels different to hear Hongjoong tell it in his own words.
But can you imagine having the confidence to send a letter to a company that wasn't hiring and be like, 'please take me, I can do it. I want to make music.'
And it makes you wonder what Daddy KQ saw in him that was like 'you know what, I bet he can.'
Like, shoot your shot, dream your dream. Hongjoong is the poster boy for taking control of your own life.
Philosophy.
A very consistent and steady theme of this blog is how ATEEZ does more than just make music--it's deeper than just kpop--and hearing them talk about their storyline is just more evidence of that fact.
When Hongjoong says, 'there are still many injustices in the world', he might be talking about their storyline, but you know that he's thinking about the broader application of their storyline to the world.
Look even at how Hongjoong has chosen to live his life as an idol. Since taking up the polished man campaign, he has never once appeared without having at least one nail painted in support of it. He frequently donates to charities, and even in his words, he asks others to live a life of kindness and understanding.
Artistry.
It is human nature to create stories and art to explain the world. People have been doing it since the beginning of time, passing down stories through generations as a way to understand our own place. It's what good art does. It makes us contemplate and think about our purpose and what we want.
Something I think about often is an interview given by the creators of the Game of Thrones television show. They once said that themes are for 7th grade English papers, and as a former English teacher, a writer, and a human being, I take a lot of offense from the the statement.
You'll notice, of course, that the final season of Game of Thrones was absolute garbage. And I believe it's because the writers missed the whole point in their need to shock and entertain. You can be entertained for a while and not be touched. A good story says something. A good story has a point.
And that's what a theme is. It's the point. It's the reason you told the story in the first place.
I have been saying for years that ATEEZ are trying to do more than just entertain people and make music. They have something to say. And this interview, Hongjoong gives us the proof.
I have a writer friend, and we talk often about the writing process. When we sit down to start a new story, we always think first about what issue we want to explore--what human ideas we are currently wrestling with--what themes will the character have to encounter and overcome.
So it makes my writer and artist heart happy when Hongjong says that what they start with is the message. When working on a new album, they consider what they want to say with it, and only when they know what they want to say do they begin to piece together the music (story).
Because it's not just.. good music (even though it is that too). It's that something more that draws artists and creatives to ATEEZ. We can feel it in their music, and that's why their music sticks with us and keeps us coming back for more in a way that any old good song might not.
The whole interview is lovely, and this is the type of interview that I love to see ATEEZ doing: one's with real questions about their art and their ideas. So give it a watch if you haven't, and if you have, maybe turn it on again because it's fun and worth a second watch! Let us know your favorite part or if there is any other underrated interview you'd recommend!
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