[Herald Review] Ateez kicks off world tour with dramatic performance

Boy band Ateez completed a two-day concert in Seoul, marking the beginning of the group’s second world tour, “Towards The Light: Will To Power," last weekend.

From Saturday to Sunday, 15,000 fans gathered at Jamsil Indoor Stadium to support the eight-member group with enthusiastic cheers.

The group’s second world tour follows the group’s 8th mini album, “The World Ep.1: Movement,” 9th mini album, “The World Ep.2: Outlaw,” and second full-length album, “The World Ep. Fin: Will.” Dubbed "The World Series," the series calls for strong will to make progress, without being shaken by the gaze of others.

The octet appeared on the stage Sunday amid a thick mist and kicked off the concert with “Crazy Form” under a piercing red light.

“We will try to show you how much we have grown this year. We’ve been working so hard, almost staying the entire day in the practice room. This concert will be an opportunity to show you how much we have endeavored,” said Hongjoong.

A 16-meter tower installed in the middle of the main stage was transformed into a surveillance tower and between performances, members ran away from guards or hid from the gaze of the tower, conveying the message of the concert -- the will to show their true selves in spite of others interfering.

Throughout the three-hour-long concert, Ateez mesmerized the audience with powerful choreography, passionate singing and rapping, and immersive acting. The group performed a total of 25 songs including hit songs like “Say My Name,” “Guerrilla” and “Bouncy.”

The stage of “Arriba” and “Django,” which featured exotic rhythms, was performed in a bar-like atmosphere and the members took to the stage in cowboy-like costumes.

The members performed as units and soloists. San, Yeosang and Wooyoung appeared in bright ivory costumes and showed off their charisma through "It's You," while Mingi and Yunho sang the duet "Youth," recreating conversations from their trainee days when they were striving for their dreams. The youngest member, Jongho, also the team's main vocalist, appeared on the spiral stairs and sang “Everything,” mesmerizing audiences with his perfect high notes. Hongjoong and Seonghwa performed the intense hip-hop duet song “MATZ” wearing fur coats and black sunglasses.

At the end of the concert, a surprise video made of handwritten messages from fans was revealed. “This year will be the year to prove ourselves. We will become artists who show great performances and actions rather than vain words,” said San after watching the video in full.

“I wanted to finish this concert without tears, but I couldn’t help it as I watched that video. I am so happy right now, and I hope our fans – Atiny – felt the same,” said Yunho.

Hongjoong surprised fans with news of a fan meeting. “We will hold a fan meeting in Seoul this July. We are so happy to confirm this news. Promise me you will all come and visit us then.”

Ateez will continue its 2024 World Tour at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Feb. 3 and 4.