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Forbes
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
ATEEZ Discuss The Themes Of ‘Golden Hour : Part.3' Album, 'Lemon Drop'
ATEEZ attends ATEEZ's the 12th mini album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3' press conference at Hotel Naru ... More Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu on June 12, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images) From burning up stages in Europe to the sun-drenched visuals in their latest concept photos and their first-ever Billboard Hot 100 entry, ATEEZ's whirlwind of milestones have made the first half of 2025 their hottest yet — and they're just getting started. With GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3, the eight-piece powerhouse released music in a season that truly suits, serving up new single 'Lemon Drop' as a refreshing R&B and hip-hop anthem for long days and balmy nights. But in true ATEEZ fashion, they've taken the seemingly simple idea of summer to represent something far beyond easy-singalong hooks, weaving three interlocking themes —'Thirst,' 'Emotion' and 'Truth' — into every beat, lyric, and conceptual aspect of the album. Ahead of an even deeper exploration of these themes coming via an upcoming deluxe edition, GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 'In Your Fantasy Edition,' dropping on July 11, the members reflect to Forbes via email on nostalgia and yearning. The octet acknowledges that what feels effortless on stage often masks a deeper hunger for growth (a theme explored in 'Thirst'), the struggle to stay present amid relentless touring ('Emotion'), and the quiet courage it takes to embrace one's imperfections ('Truth'). ATEEZ is known for blending dramatic storytelling into their soaring anthems, but the latest chapter of the GOLDEN HOUR series showcases the additional heart poured into every era. From ATEEZ's past tracks that hold special meanings to a preview of the group's upcoming 'In Your Fantasy' World Tour, read on for the latest with the guys below. Jeff Benjamin: Hello ATEEZ! Congratulations on this huge comeback. Before we look ahead, how has the first half of 2025 been for you? HONGJOONG: I can't believe we're already in the second half of the year — time flew by so fast. We were busy preparing for GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3, touring in Europe, and even releasing the movie version of our concert. In between all that, we spent a lot of time in the practice room perfecting our performances and getting ready for our new tour, 'In Your Fantasy.' It's been non-stop, but every moment has been exciting and meaningful for us. Jeff Benjamin: What first stood out to me in GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 is 'Lemon Drop' being perfect for summer. This is your first seasonal song in a bit; why did you want to lean into the summer vibe? WOOYOUNG: Like you mentioned, it's been a while since we released a seasonal song and we all felt like this summer was the perfect time to come back with something refreshing. ATEEZ always enjoys switching things up and trying new styles, and 'Lemon Drop' felt like the right way to bring our own ATEEZ-style freshness into the season. It's a fun blend of R&B and hip-hop, just like a lemon drop cocktail. We also hope it brings a bit of mood-lifting energy to anyone who listens to it. JONGHO: Yes, we actually released more remixes of 'Lemon Drop' on June 16! Each version adds a different twist to the original track, so fans can enjoy the song in a new way. There's no English version this time, but we hope the energy of the song still comes through to everyone who listens. Jeff Benjamin: While 'Lemon Drop,' 'WAVE' and 'Eternal Sunshine' are clear summertime singles, are there other ATEEZ songs you would recommend to new listeners who like this style? MINGI: Of course songs like 'WAVE' and 'Eternal Sunshine' are summer classics for us, but if I had to recommend more, I'd say some of our recent B-sides like 'Blind' and 'Shaboom' really carry that summer energy too. They're the kind of tracks you blast with your friends and lose track of time — the melody is fun and the lyrics make you feel like you're at a concert or a festival. ATEEZ individual concept photos for 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3' Jeff Benjamin: Can you discuss the overall concept photos and imagery for GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3? Was there a specific theme you wanted to portray? SEONGHWA: For GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3, we really wanted to capture a more carefree and youthful side of ATEEZ. The freckles and sun-kissed makeup, along with the lighter summer outfits, were all part of creating that breezy, relaxed feeling — like you're enjoying the height of summer with your closest friends. YEOSANG: Every detail in the concept photos, from the parking lot to the poolside scenes, were chosen carefully and with a lot of thought. Those settings reflect the fleeting moments of stillness and joy, the golden hour of summer where everything feels calm yet alive. Jeff Benjamin: GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 explores living in the moment through three main themes: 'Thirst,' 'Emotion' and 'Truth.' When did these ideas come to your story? HONGJOONG: The themes of 'Thirst,' 'Emotion,' and 'Truth' actually started to take shape early on while we were discussing how GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 would connect to the rest of the series. We always think about the continuity between albums, and we wanted this one to feel like a real-time snapshot — living in the moment, but still tied to our bigger journey. Can you elaborate on each of the themes in more depth and share a personal story about how you connect with them? YUNHO: 'Thirst' perfectly describes the feeling of being in your youth — always running toward something with passion, but sometimes not even knowing exactly what that 'something' is. There are moments where we're so focused on pushing forward — especially with practice and performances — that we don't fully process our own emotions. That's where the 'thirst' builds. But I think that thirst also drives us to keep growing. SEONGHWA: As someone who cares deeply about storytelling and emotional expression on stage, I always try to put real 'Emotion' into our performances — not just to act it out, but to help people watching connect with me. Each performance is a reflection of this theme and a representation of confronting the emotions that we feel in our everyday lives. SAN: 'Truth' shows you how important it is to embrace the process, not just the result. There were times when I felt unsure or frustrated — moments where I questioned whether I was doing enough or doing it right. But looking back, even those clumsy or imperfect moments were full of passion, and they shaped who I am today. I've come to realize that doing my best in each moment, no matter how small or difficult, is already something beautiful. That's the kind of truth I've come to accept as I grow both as a human and as an artist. Jeff Benjamin: Are there particular songs any of the members have a strong personal connection to in Part.3? YEOSANG: I also feel a strong connection to 'Now this house ain't a home.' There's a melancholy in the melody, but at the same time, the rap and vocals really pull out the raw emotion. It reminds me that even when we feel a little lost, we have to keep moving forward — not just for the future, but for who we've been in the past. It's one of those songs that stays with you long after it ends. Jeff Benjamin: ATEEZ's 'In Your Fantasy' World Tour will soon begin in Korea before coming to North America. What can you share about it and how will you top your previous shows? MINGI: We've been working really hard to prepare new stages and fresh versions of ourselves that ATINY haven't seen before. It's not just about performing songs — it's about creating a full experience. YUNHO: There will definitely be special stages and new songs that haven't been performed live yet. We've put a lot of thought into how to push beyond what we've done in the past — from visuals to setlists, even the way we tell the story on stage. Each tour is a chance to grow, and this one will show a whole new side of ATEEZ. We can't wait for ATINY to see it. Jeff Benjamin: Anything else you'd like to share at this time? WOOYOUNG: We're always so thankful for the love and anticipation ATINY shows us with every comeback. Your reactions and support give us so much strength, and we always keep that in mind when preparing. We can't wait to meet you all on tour and give back everything we've been receiving. SAN: We really miss you too, Jeff! And ATINY, see you soon!
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ateez Joins BTS And Stray Kids With A Debut Hot 100 Smash
Ateez earns its first Hot 100 hit with 'Lemon Drop,' which debuts at No. 69, helping the band join ... More BTS and Stray Kids with a proper American smash. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 12: ATEEZ attends ATEEZ's the 12th mini album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3' press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu on June 12, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images) It was only a little more than half a year ago that Ateez scored its second No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and now, the South Korean boy band is back with Golden Hour: Part.3, a new EP that earns lofty debuts on a number of Billboard tallies. While it doesn't add to the group's list of champions on the main albums ranking, the set has produced Ateez's first major hit in America — a feat the musicians have long been waiting for. Ateez Charts Its First Hot 100 Hit The lead single from Golden Hour: Part 3, "Lemon Drop," was shared the same day the EP became available. Fans in the United States quickly turned the track into a proper win, earning the boy band its first appearance on the Hot 100 this frame. "Lemon Drop" opens at No. 69 on Billboard's ranking of the most consumed songs in America. Ateez Joins BTS and Stray Kids As the title arrives, Ateez becomes one of a very small group of South Korean names to place on the competitive list. The eight-member vocal group is now just the third K-pop boy band to reach the Hot 100, joining BTS and Stray Kids. BTS leads with 27 placements on the Hot 100, which is the greatest number of wins among all K-pop stars in America. Stray Kids, meanwhile, have collected a trio of Hot 100 charters, and that number could easily climb again later this year. Girl Groups and K-Pop Soloists Lead Many other K-pop stars have appeared on the Hot 100, including girl groups from that space such as Blackpink, Fifty Fifty , Le Sserafim, NewJeans, Twice, and others. Soloists, including several BTS stars, have also scored multiple wins – so it's really boy bands that have been breaking through as of late and playing catch-up. 'Lemon Drop' Opens at No. 1 As it debuts on the Hot 100, "Lemon Drop" also appears on two other Billboard tallies. The track launches at No. 9 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart and leads the charge on the World Digital Song Sales tally. Two other tracks taken from Golden Hour: Part 3 — "Castle" and "Masterpiece" — also arrive on the latter list.
