Jess Phillips, Showbiz Editor, attended ATEEZ's performance at BST Hyde Park despite not being a K-pop fan. She admits knowing only a few BLACKPINK tracks and not understanding the appeal of expensive light sticks. However, after being dragged to a Stray Kids show last year by a friend, she returned the favour to see ATEEZ, another of her friend's favourite bands.
First Impressions of ATEEZ's Performance
ATEEZ consists of eight members: San, Wooyoung, Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yunho, Yeosang, Mingi, and Jongho. Phillips feared it would be hard to distinguish them amid elaborate dances, but found each member's personality shone through even from the edge of the Diamond VIP pit. Mingi's deep vocals and rapping stood out, while Yunho's dancing left her speechless.
ATEEZ debuted in 2018 and have since topped Billboard charts and amassed hundreds of millions of streams. Energetic tracks like WORK and Guerrilla got even reluctant audience members moving. However, a mid-set lull occurred with songs like ARRIBA and Ice on My Teeth failing to resonate personally, possibly due to her incomplete K-pop education.
Highlights and Encore
Phillips was drawn to the ballad Now This House Ain't a Home, performed with a backdrop of rain streaming down huge screens. The band also performed their latest single BAD, released at the end of June. After a much-begged encore, they performed The Real, leaving most fans screaming before departing.
Reflecting on the experience, Phillips said: "I found myself wanting to know more about each band member, and leaning over to shout questions in my friend's ear. At one point I asked myself, 'Is this why so many people love this music?' as I danced along in a swell of screaming fans." She concluded that K-pop is not just a genre but a community she was happy to be part of for one night.
