The line from answer “the desert with nothing, we started there” makes me well up EVERYTIME. To get to witness their growth is humbling to say the least, I’m like a proud mother, bursting with pride 🥰
Watching your reactions is so satisfying because you pick up so many of the literary, cinematic and visual references on the first watch! The MVs and lyrics are rich with them. And as you go along, you'll hopefully notice the recurring motifs in the music, lyrics and choreography that really build the universe. Ateez seems tailored to your sensibilities. Looking forward to the next few weeks!
I also want to add to your point that these videos are such a step up in quality; KQ Ent. went into significant debt (~$4Million) to try and promote ATEEZ and didn't break even until 2021 and since then have given ATEEZ yearly bonuses which is a huge moment for a small company.
yup san used to be super squeaky, his high pitched voice and laugh, he used to do a lot of aegyo and doing cute things, but when his muscles came and his voice became low hes now really shy about being cute, he laughs like man now too. despite all this san is still the same san. he may have been detwinkified but he was and still is the same san that caught my eyes during their debut
He has some great covers and OSTs. My favs are his song Everything, Wildflower, his cover of So You, his duet of Ditto with Maddox, and his duet of Dear Name with San.
“Wave” was their FIRST EVER music show win, so I love that you love it so much! “Answer”, our under appreciated Queen that the fandom collectively agrees SHOULD have been a music show win. Bury me to this and Turbulance, it is my heart song. PLEASE listen to the song and focus on the hidden vocals. They deserve an award themselves. “Wonderland” is THE song that launched Ateez. They really came into their own in this era. They performed it along with the infamous medley that included BTS BS&T during their first MAMA performance. People can come at me, but these songs belong in Ateez’s Golden Age for me- like my fave songs, concepts, visuals of all time were during this era. They haven’t done anything truly bright since like 2021. Oh what Ateez used to do with a bucket of peanuts, Hongjoong’s laptop and a dream 🥲🥲🥲. Y’all need to watch the Kingdom performances one day. Ateez and KQ pre-planned this universe so much ahead, probably even pre-debut, that their Kingdom performances are literally a part of lore. The did Answer and Wonderland performance versions that they still perform today. I’ll leave you with this final fun tidbit: during Wonderland era, Seonghwa’s bangs were clip on extensions that the members like to play with and you can find vids of various members wearing them 😂.
@@milkyway1424 LOVE Halazia and Bouncy, possibly 2 of my top ATZ songs to date :) I meant “bright” as in concept- like the super youthful Illusion mv- not bright as in “smart” or “interesting”. Ateez remains one of the most creative and unique groups in the industry today for sure.
Hi!! Here again with the obligatory super long comment on the lore. The Wave/Illusion era is easily my favorite to theorize about. So once again, here is a passionate rambling about the key elements of the latter half of the treasure series: 1. The main thing to keep in mind throughout all of this is that the treasure series is happening within a time loop that in itself is happening in a dream (think of the movie inception). This is especially key in these mvs as you can visually see the dream breaking down as the members become more restless and agitated and want to escape, and Hongjoong acts somewhat as a villain here as he is the one keeping them within this dream and the time loop. Illusion is the major mv that shows this: this mv is very clearly happening within a dream (in fact, it's happening in a dream within a dream). The lyrics make it clear that the members are aware this isn't reality, that time isn't moving correctly and the sky and water are the wrong colors, but they decide to kinda ignore all of their questions about it and have fun instead. But what makes this mv so so intriguing to me is the darker undertones present. In the background in the chorus, they are chanting "Let me free", and every time they start questioning the dream they are in, Hongjoong interrupts and redirects their attention. 2. There are also a lot of hidden symbols throughout the Illusion mv. In different scenes, you can see the Halateez hat and mask in the background, and near the end at the end of the tunnel thing is the silhouette of one of the Halateez members (yunho if I remember correctly). They escape from the illusion by following Halateez, indicating that Halateez is trying to help them escape. There are also classic literary symbols throughout the mv like water and fire, both of which symbolize clarity and both of which are wielded by Wooyoung (he runs his hands through standing water and lights a match). Of all of the members, Wooyoung is the least "invested" in the illusion and the one with the most clarity on the situation (aside from Hongjoong who is controlling it). We see this continued into Wonderland where Wooyoung is chained up, and the speculation is that Hongjoong is the one who did this, trying to keep control of the dream as it is beginning to break down and trying to keep control of Wooyoung who is more aware than the rest that this is a dream that they need to escape from. 3. After they escape the illusion, we see them in Wave. At this point, because they were able to leave the illusion, they believe that they are in reality. They have somewhat attained there goals of finding a little utopia, able to live without a worry in the world. But what they don't realize is that they are still within a dream. We know this because Hongjoong uses a compass to tell whether he is in reality or not (it functions a lot like tops in the movie Inception). We can see him carrying a compass in the Illusion, Wave, and Wonderland mvs, confirming we are still within a dream. It is also around this point that they start to recognize that the treasure they're yearning for, a true utopia, is not attainable. In their song Utopia, they talk about how they yearn for a utopia that is present within their dreams, but the journey seems endless and they are mocked for trying to attain it, and the song ends on a very somber note (unless you listen to Ring Ding Dong right after 😉). 4. In Wonderland, we see that things are well and truly breaking down. The members are all lost in very confusing, confined, endless locations and are starting to question things. They recognize that they are approaching the end of their journey, but they have to keep going so they can finally get what they were searching for this whole time. At the end of the mv, they go through the door of truth, a decision that marks the end of their journey. There is no going back, and as they say, they are heading towards "the beginning where the end awaits" (hmmm, time loop??). 5. Answer shows us the end of their journey. They are aware of the truth that they are not present in reality, the lies and the facade burning away as they reminisce on how far they've come. There are also some cool choreography markers of this, like Seonghwa removing the hand covering his eyes cuz he can now see the truth (this comes back in a really cool way in their b-side Precious which ends with them covering Hongjoong's eyes, "blinding" him to the truth so the time loop can start over again). We also see the meeting of Ateez and Halateez in this mv, and the recognition that Halateez are trying to help them to escape the dream. However, as you become more aware that you are not in reality, the dream destabilizes and starts to break down. They are burning away the lies, but their memories are also starting to reset, burning away. And the building they are in crumbles down as we see in the opening and ending scenes (and the android giant comes in searching for them cuz they are lowkey fugitives in the real world). 6. There aren't mvs for these songs, but if you check out dance practices for Horizon and Precious, there are a lot of repeating elements with their first songs. In Horizon, they do this sort of back and forth walk move that is in the choreography of Treasure (right at the beginning of the song), and in Precious the ending exactly mirrors the beginning of Treasure. The lyrics of Precious are also very chaotic and tell a story of all of the members upset at Hongjoong for hiding the truth from them, asking kinda sarcastically if they are in a dream or reality this time. However, everything is breaking down at this point, and the time loop is resetting. There are the choreo moves that mirror the earlier songs, lyrics and refrains pulled directly from their first songs. As the song ends, Hongjoong is the last one to "reset", dropping down to his knees and drawing on the ground the letters A-T-E-E-Z and singing the opening of Treasure before the members surround him, shield his eyes, and the time loop completely resets. I hope this gives some of the lore context for the treasure series! It truly is my favorite to speculate on because we don't get clear defined lore, whereas in Fever-onwards, a version of the album comes with stories that detail the lore. Looking forward to the rest of the Ateez discography deep dive!!
44:38 Yessss, San he was considered the "false maknae" in these eras because of how adorable and smiling he was. He still is, but now he decides to show other multiple facets as an artist.
I think it was their MAMA 2019 performance were they performed wonderland with a bunch of other songs mixed in (like blood sweet and tear and view by shinee) and mingi just like tore his shirt open and showed full chest 😭😭. Still one of their best performances to this day.
I’m usually a quiet viewer, but ATEEZ are my ULT GROUP and I love to talk about them whenever I get the chance!!! I just wanted to say that the Illusion/WAVE Era was and honestly still is a very special era to me. This era was my first ATEEZ comeback (I started to get into them not too long after HALA HALA was released but I have been following them since their debut). WAVE is, to this day, my favorite title track of theirs and the same goes for that whole EP. Plus, I listened to this album a lot when I was on vacation in Cancun, Mexico with my family and just listening to that EP while I was on the beach and on a boat, the vibes were immaculate and so many memories made with it. Plus, seeing them get their first win with WAVE was just so surreal. Anyways, long ass tangent, but I am so glad that y’all are getting into ATEEZ and I look forward to the journey ahead ❤ (I’m a Yunho stan, I love that man with all my heart)
Yes more ATEEZ!!! To think King Mother Seonghwa used to cry while looking in the mirror and is now show stopping as an International Fashion Week Icon! UHHH I love him sm!!!
smart of you guys to clock the peter pan connection to pirate ships in the sky - peter pan is reference a lot on their lyrics through their discography. eternal sunshine is another bright song (you'll get to it later) that discusses similar themes of waking up from a never ending dream
Fun fact about San he did literally grow... taller. His height actually increased from debut to now, apparently a doctor told him his growth plates hadn't fused or stopped yet lol
@@LisaMT1218 yup and scientifically speaking it’s possible for all of us to keep growing until 30! It’s just not very common for it to go on that long ☺️
damn, watching your reactions made me realize how i kinda grew up with ateez. my friend was a debut atiny so i was always caught up with their releases. i remember galking about which release we liked more especially when illusion and wave dropped. wave will always have a special place in my heart because i would always play it whenever i was on the road back then.
I hope you guys watch their live performances too because that’s where they really shine especially for Wonderland and Answer. Their stage presence is insane and I believe the best in kpop.
i love your collective "OH MY GOD" the moment Seonghwa appeared at the screen in Wave. thats so real of u (and LMAO, yes, Seonghwa would definitely be Christine in the Phantom of the Opera) thank you for reaction! love it and can't wait for more!
im not atiny but ive had Answer in my playlist ever since i found it some years ago iTS SO GOOOOOD. glad to be on this journey w you guys and learn more abt them!
Wave hit me literally like a wave. It’s such a good vibe every time. As soon as Aurora started I broke into tears Hongjoong wrote it thinking about looking at atiny from the stage is like an aurora.
Answer is probably my favorite ateez song period. It was just bewitching (please don't laugh at me) the first time I heard it, and I'm especially glad I love San because whoever sang the intro was going to be my bias for sure.
Fun fact: most of the Treasure era b-sides have an island feel like Wave or kind of sultry feel like Aurora. Hard-hitting songs like Pirate King, HalaHala, and Wonderland are the aberrations. I'm sad you couldn't watch Promise (San at peak cuteness) and Utopia (vocaaals!), but I get it.
Wave was their first win. Atinys were given snippets and teasers of Illusion and Wave and voted for which would be the lead single. They did the same for Thanxx and Inception. (Vote early and vote often.) The song at the end of the Answer MV is a b-side from The World Ep.1, 2 years after it was teased. I first heard Ateez through Wonderland so my first comeback with them was Answer and it became so important to me for my 2020 coping. It has this celebratory, pre-nostalgia feeling when you’ve reached the end of a journey. I love how it lyrically references their previous title tracks. When I saw them in 2022, I burst into tears at the first note of Answer with that San choreo moment. Subjectively and objectively, it was the best kpop concert I’ve been to. Oh and you have to include Halazia in your reactions. Don’t skip it because it’s a “spin-off” album. It’s giving lore, and it’s also my favorite title track.
As an atiny since late 2019, i'm soooo enjoying this reaction lol. I remember having the exact same amazement with their music/discography and visuals. Every single title song from every album just flows so beautifully with great concepts and lore. I hope you guys check out the UTOPIA Japanese MV. FYI my biases are Seonghwa & San! I'm glad to say that I've admired San before he left his t**** era 🤣🤣
A fun fact about ateez songs is that there are snippets of their next song in the mv's. In the Answer MV the song at the end was the beginning of their song Sector 1
Fingers crossed you react to their dance practices. Their MV's are always insane, movie quality works but the choreo can sometimes get lost. Their energy during their dance practices is insane and infectious! ❤
just found ya'll and this was so funny and enjoyable, following for more ateez! many have talked about the twink death of san but i personally can't wait till you get to the mother-fication of seonghwa
Love your reaction! Thank you! Wave is such a joyful song isnt it. To me, anyone who doesn't vibe with Wave can't be trusted. 😅 14:02 Seonghwa is beauty personified. I love watching ppl gasp in awe at his stunning visuals. Ateez has hits upon hits upon hits. There is no song in their entire discography that I don't like. Answer remains at my no 1 favourite title track position. The music production, the vocal & dance performance, the lyricism. Everything.just.hits. When I first watched their Answer (Ode to Joy) performance on Kingdom show, I couldn't contain my tears. All Atiny hearts simultaneously burst with pride then.
There are interviews where they talk about how much they loved the choreography for illusion, and you can see it all over their faces in the MV But Hongjoong wrote Aurora and Wave was their first music show win, so this is a special era.
YAY IM SO HAPPY YOU LIKED WAVE!!! That was my Ateez song since before it was even released! Fun fact for this album, Ateez actually let Atinys choose the title track. They released 30 second samples of Illusion and Wave and we could vote every day, AND I WAS THE BIGGEST WAVE SUPPORTER!! That 30 second sample was lifechanging, especially when it got to the chorus I was like omg immediately best song ever. And what I love so much about this is how their final choruses just feel so legendary. Like with the Mingi Hongjoong teamwork transitioning to the Jongho high note to transition this from the bridge to final chorus, and how it's not the same as the last previous choruses, it's different words and a little different rhythm. I don't know to explain it but just changing the words a little bit is my favorite thing ever, it's like my version of how you guys obsess over a key change. Every single time I hear the ending of Wave I can't not get goosebumps, and the music video feeds into that energy and makes it even better. Like when you can see the silhouettes of the members in front of the sunset and the rest of them bend down and two point to each other. Omg I can't. Ateez is really good at making their endings of their songs legendary in general. They're the best group at it in my opinion. In Answer too they do the same Mingi-Hongjoon alternating rap leading into Jongho high note leading into final chorus where the lyrics and rhythm are different and the legendary high notes are in the background. They know what works for them and they do it well! EDIT: HEHEHE NOW I GOT TO THE PART WHERE ADAM SAID ANSWER IS HIS FAVORITE SONG HEHEHEH. I LOVE HOW YOU LIKE WHAT I LIKE!! AND I REMEMBER YOU ALSO SAID SAY MY NAME WAS YOUR FAVE AT THE TIME YOU HEARD IT WHICH IS WHAT I TALK ABOUT NEXT!! NOW DONT GET ME STARTED ON SAY MY NAME Like I can't not get goosebumps when, in say my name, the first two choruses Wooyoung goes "Nareul bulleojwo, na-na-nareul bulleojwo" BUT THEN FOR THE LAST ONE HONGJOONG PULLS OUT "Nareul bulleojwo, hamkke gal su itdorok" IN SUCH AN ADDICTING VOICE, WHILE THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IS ALSO LEGENDARY AND HAS CHANGED FROM THE FIRST TWO CHORUSES. Ugh. So good. Then there's also a key change there for when after it the members go "Nae ireumeun ireumeun A to the Z."
I love watching you both react to ATEEZ. My cheeks were burning by the time it finished. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Don't sleep on their Japanese releases either because those are some bangers too. In order of release would be Utopia, Rocky, Paradigm, Limitless, Not Okay & recently released 'Birthday'.
So much fun!!!!! Omgosh the Phantom of the Opera knowing yall will hear it in the drunkteez episodes was so funny! Answer is very much that dramatic song that I absolutely love!!! So excited for next week too!
yes omfg i’m loving this ateez deep dive, i found you both from the first ateez atom & will definitely be staying for future ateez content AND the plethora of other groups/series you react to. it’s really like sitting with a couple friends and just giggling and enjoying the content together. answer will always be one of my favorite ateez songs, idk why it makes me so emotional but somehow it does 😭 now for the lore…. im gonna hold your hands when i say this….. none of us have ANY clue lolllll. imo, it becomes much easier to follow with fever & the world eras (because 1. it’s more straightforward & 2. they make literal diary entries with pages of storyline starting with fever part 1). the dinner scene you pointed out is honestly the most confusing to me, because there’s so many other parts of the lore that you have yet to get to but just know that a lot of us lore-tiny think it’s after the events of everything (ik this makes no sense but you’ll understand once you make it through more eras) i’ve been here since their debut & i still get confused with treasure era in that aspect. speaking of lore, when you react to future eras, i definitely recommend watching the short films they put out. there’s one before inception/thanxx (fever part 1 diary film) that i HIGHLY suggest watching if you do want to delve into the storyline (& the mvs will make more sense.) there’s also a couple short films (like 2 minutes i think?) that go with halazia - this is from the “spin off” album that’s between guerrilla & bouncy. the album isn’t technically in “the world” series, however the song is a title track and was heavily promoted just so you know it wasn’t just a one-off single. sorry for this absolutely insane info dump 😭😭 i can’t wait to see more of your videos & now im off to watch your wanteez reactions 🙂↕️
Thanks for the reaction to ATEEZ wonderland was the first song I heard from them and start to stan this amazing group damn I freaking love the song it's go's hard even the live performance!
You guys are so fun!! Love your energy and your faces lol! I’m a Seonghwa bias but also OT8 cuz its so hard not to fall in love with all of them at one time or another. But Seonghwa…his beauty and his personality 😌❤️
I am so glad you guys included Aurora. It's just a b-side, but it was immediately one of Atiny's favourite b-sides. My favourite part of Aurora is that it was Hongjoong's first song that he was the lead producer and writer on, and you can tell how excited he was about it because you can see him lipsyncing other members parts throughout the m/v. He wrote it thinking about how Atiny's in the crowd with their lightsticks at concerts looked like auroras to him. It was his love ballad to Atiny's. But I also petition that Halazia be added to The World series when you guys get to it. Halazia was the song that pulled me in and made me Atiny. It still is in my top 3 favourite songs.
The Wave album is as bright as we've ever gotten with Ateez, it doesn't come back guys. Lots of black and leather from here on out. I love this era, Wave is my fave Ateez song.
I love the order you doing it because any Atiny will tell you, you always think the most recent comeback is peak but then we get clapped...As for lore, we are all lost Clowntinys but Answer is rumoured to either be the end (congratulatory drink) or the "agreement" of World A Ateez helping World Z Halateez....
I’m laughing soooo hard seeing yall jumped and yalls facial expressions when you went from innocent 90s boy band Aurora to rebellious in your face gritty Wonderland 🤣🤣🤣🤣
ALL of ateez are known for their crazy good performances, the grp (as a whole) is known as performance kings (I don't know why some atinys are excluding the other members).
I hope you guys watch Kingdom after this! You may have hesrd Wonderland becasue their verison of it they did for the show went viral! (Along with Stray Kids Gods Menu/Ddu-du Ddu-du which not only ended in them becomin gpublic friends with Ryan Renolds and Hugh Jackman, but also led to them making Chk Chk Boom which is in the Deadpool soundtrack!)
i loveeee so much that you are doing this journey!!! please let me know if you think that park hanbin and san have the same energy because it was literally what makes me interested on hanbin during boys planet!!! cant wait to see more of this
the jongho vocals are just always so insane like he always just sings his soul out. He is so Terry/Kookie in terms of adlibs and driving the songs forward. Like his voice lifts you and creates such an impact in bridges and heightening the last chorus. I love it so much. Ateez is just so talented.
publically campaigning for y'all to include halazia when you get to the world series 🙏
A must-watch for sure
PLEASE HALAZIA IS SO UNDERRATED it's one of my faves
They HAVE to, especially as Seonghwa fans- his whole look and killing part are ICONIC in Halazia!!
OMG - Halazia is a MUST!
HALAZIA MENTIONED
Everyone talks about the twink death of San but I need more people to talk about the twink death of Mingi because gurl!!
Was Mingi ever a twink though? Mingi is and always has been a princess.
The line from answer “the desert with nothing, we started there” makes me well up EVERYTIME. To get to witness their growth is humbling to say the least, I’m like a proud mother, bursting with pride 🥰
btw aurora was composed/produced by hongjoong!
Watching your reactions is so satisfying because you pick up so many of the literary, cinematic and visual references on the first watch! The MVs and lyrics are rich with them. And as you go along, you'll hopefully notice the recurring motifs in the music, lyrics and choreography that really build the universe. Ateez seems tailored to your sensibilities. Looking forward to the next few weeks!
I also want to add to your point that these videos are such a step up in quality; KQ Ent. went into significant debt (~$4Million) to try and promote ATEEZ and didn't break even until 2021 and since then have given ATEEZ yearly bonuses which is a huge moment for a small company.
yup san used to be super squeaky, his high pitched voice and laugh, he used to do a lot of aegyo and doing cute things, but when his muscles came and his voice became low hes now really shy about being cute, he laughs like man now too. despite all this san is still the same san. he may have been detwinkified but he was and still is the same san that caught my eyes during their debut
damn I had heard that Jongho was so good at singing but he's actually so phenomenal. he adds so much depth to the sound!
He has some great covers and OSTs. My favs are his song Everything, Wildflower, his cover of So You, his duet of Ditto with Maddox, and his duet of Dear Name with San.
“Wave” was their FIRST EVER music show win, so I love that you love it so much! “Answer”, our under appreciated Queen that the fandom collectively agrees SHOULD have been a music show win. Bury me to this and Turbulance, it is my heart song. PLEASE listen to the song and focus on the hidden vocals. They deserve an award themselves. “Wonderland” is THE song that launched Ateez. They really came into their own in this era. They performed it along with the infamous medley that included BTS BS&T during their first MAMA performance.
People can come at me, but these songs belong in Ateez’s Golden Age for me- like my fave songs, concepts, visuals of all time were during this era. They haven’t done anything truly bright since like 2021. Oh what Ateez used to do with a bucket of peanuts, Hongjoong’s laptop and a dream 🥲🥲🥲.
Y’all need to watch the Kingdom performances one day. Ateez and KQ pre-planned this universe so much ahead, probably even pre-debut, that their Kingdom performances are literally a part of lore. The did Answer and Wonderland performance versions that they still perform today.
I’ll leave you with this final fun tidbit: during Wonderland era, Seonghwa’s bangs were clip on extensions that the members like to play with and you can find vids of various members wearing them 😂.
But Halazia... And Bouncy... Well, everyone has different tastes, of course. But you write as if Ateez has become completely uninteresting...
@@milkyway1424 LOVE Halazia and Bouncy, possibly 2 of my top ATZ songs to date :) I meant “bright” as in concept- like the super youthful Illusion mv- not bright as in “smart” or “interesting”. Ateez remains one of the most creative and unique groups in the industry today for sure.
@@Everybodysnoona Oh, then I'm sorry, 🙏🏻 I got your comment wrong...
San is famously known for his stage presence! Let's be honest, I can barely take my eyes off of him when he is performing
Ive found them!! My fellow Seonghwa simps!!! OMG I've found my people!!
Can I join this club?! 😂
Me too! 🥹😁❤️
you guys are literally me whenever seonghwa breathes
the performance of wonderland on kingdom that they did is absolutely insane, definitely watch it on your own time if you can
Really want them to watch Kingdom! This is my absolute favorite performance from the show.
I’d kill to see you guys react to their wonderland (symphony 9 ver) live stage, its a perfect performance
Answer is an absolute masterpiece and it’s still that queen!
Hi!! Here again with the obligatory super long comment on the lore. The Wave/Illusion era is easily my favorite to theorize about. So once again, here is a passionate rambling about the key elements of the latter half of the treasure series:
1. The main thing to keep in mind throughout all of this is that the treasure series is happening within a time loop that in itself is happening in a dream (think of the movie inception). This is especially key in these mvs as you can visually see the dream breaking down as the members become more restless and agitated and want to escape, and Hongjoong acts somewhat as a villain here as he is the one keeping them within this dream and the time loop. Illusion is the major mv that shows this: this mv is very clearly happening within a dream (in fact, it's happening in a dream within a dream). The lyrics make it clear that the members are aware this isn't reality, that time isn't moving correctly and the sky and water are the wrong colors, but they decide to kinda ignore all of their questions about it and have fun instead. But what makes this mv so so intriguing to me is the darker undertones present. In the background in the chorus, they are chanting "Let me free", and every time they start questioning the dream they are in, Hongjoong interrupts and redirects their attention.
2. There are also a lot of hidden symbols throughout the Illusion mv. In different scenes, you can see the Halateez hat and mask in the background, and near the end at the end of the tunnel thing is the silhouette of one of the Halateez members (yunho if I remember correctly). They escape from the illusion by following Halateez, indicating that Halateez is trying to help them escape. There are also classic literary symbols throughout the mv like water and fire, both of which symbolize clarity and both of which are wielded by Wooyoung (he runs his hands through standing water and lights a match). Of all of the members, Wooyoung is the least "invested" in the illusion and the one with the most clarity on the situation (aside from Hongjoong who is controlling it). We see this continued into Wonderland where Wooyoung is chained up, and the speculation is that Hongjoong is the one who did this, trying to keep control of the dream as it is beginning to break down and trying to keep control of Wooyoung who is more aware than the rest that this is a dream that they need to escape from.
3. After they escape the illusion, we see them in Wave. At this point, because they were able to leave the illusion, they believe that they are in reality. They have somewhat attained there goals of finding a little utopia, able to live without a worry in the world. But what they don't realize is that they are still within a dream. We know this because Hongjoong uses a compass to tell whether he is in reality or not (it functions a lot like tops in the movie Inception). We can see him carrying a compass in the Illusion, Wave, and Wonderland mvs, confirming we are still within a dream. It is also around this point that they start to recognize that the treasure they're yearning for, a true utopia, is not attainable. In their song Utopia, they talk about how they yearn for a utopia that is present within their dreams, but the journey seems endless and they are mocked for trying to attain it, and the song ends on a very somber note (unless you listen to Ring Ding Dong right after 😉).
4. In Wonderland, we see that things are well and truly breaking down. The members are all lost in very confusing, confined, endless locations and are starting to question things. They recognize that they are approaching the end of their journey, but they have to keep going so they can finally get what they were searching for this whole time. At the end of the mv, they go through the door of truth, a decision that marks the end of their journey. There is no going back, and as they say, they are heading towards "the beginning where the end awaits" (hmmm, time loop??).
5. Answer shows us the end of their journey. They are aware of the truth that they are not present in reality, the lies and the facade burning away as they reminisce on how far they've come. There are also some cool choreography markers of this, like Seonghwa removing the hand covering his eyes cuz he can now see the truth (this comes back in a really cool way in their b-side Precious which ends with them covering Hongjoong's eyes, "blinding" him to the truth so the time loop can start over again). We also see the meeting of Ateez and Halateez in this mv, and the recognition that Halateez are trying to help them to escape the dream. However, as you become more aware that you are not in reality, the dream destabilizes and starts to break down. They are burning away the lies, but their memories are also starting to reset, burning away. And the building they are in crumbles down as we see in the opening and ending scenes (and the android giant comes in searching for them cuz they are lowkey fugitives in the real world).
6. There aren't mvs for these songs, but if you check out dance practices for Horizon and Precious, there are a lot of repeating elements with their first songs. In Horizon, they do this sort of back and forth walk move that is in the choreography of Treasure (right at the beginning of the song), and in Precious the ending exactly mirrors the beginning of Treasure. The lyrics of Precious are also very chaotic and tell a story of all of the members upset at Hongjoong for hiding the truth from them, asking kinda sarcastically if they are in a dream or reality this time. However, everything is breaking down at this point, and the time loop is resetting. There are the choreo moves that mirror the earlier songs, lyrics and refrains pulled directly from their first songs. As the song ends, Hongjoong is the last one to "reset", dropping down to his knees and drawing on the ground the letters A-T-E-E-Z and singing the opening of Treasure before the members surround him, shield his eyes, and the time loop completely resets.
I hope this gives some of the lore context for the treasure series! It truly is my favorite to speculate on because we don't get clear defined lore, whereas in Fever-onwards, a version of the album comes with stories that detail the lore. Looking forward to the rest of the Ateez discography deep dive!!
the synchronized San jumpscare at 33:05 took me OUTT LOL
thanks again for your reactions to atz!! they are lovely boys who make great music :-)
I dropped everything I was doing for this
same
44:38 Yessss, San he was considered the "false maknae" in these eras because of how adorable and smiling he was. He still is, but now he decides to show other multiple facets as an artist.
I think it was their MAMA 2019 performance were they performed wonderland with a bunch of other songs mixed in (like blood sweet and tear and view by shinee) and mingi just like tore his shirt open and showed full chest 😭😭. Still one of their best performances to this day.
I’m usually a quiet viewer, but ATEEZ are my ULT GROUP and I love to talk about them whenever I get the chance!!! I just wanted to say that the Illusion/WAVE Era was and honestly still is a very special era to me. This era was my first ATEEZ comeback (I started to get into them not too long after HALA HALA was released but I have been following them since their debut). WAVE is, to this day, my favorite title track of theirs and the same goes for that whole EP. Plus, I listened to this album a lot when I was on vacation in Cancun, Mexico with my family and just listening to that EP while I was on the beach and on a boat, the vibes were immaculate and so many memories made with it. Plus, seeing them get their first win with WAVE was just so surreal. Anyways, long ass tangent, but I am so glad that y’all are getting into ATEEZ and I look forward to the journey ahead ❤ (I’m a Yunho stan, I love that man with all my heart)
Answer is one of the best ateez song❤❤❤ the song is so dramatic and it gives goosebumps every time I listen to it
when answer came out, i literally teared up at the Ateez A and Z all sitting together, i was like YES STORYLINE
Answer is still my favorite tittle track of them until today ngl
10:50 The appropriate reaction to Seonghwa 😂❤
to this day i know san is all bulky but he’s still cute to me … i get it new atiny’s are seeing him Now but i can’t not see him as a cutie pie
@@tanasiascott same!
Also every time you told Seonghwa to get off your screen it made me burst out laughing. As a Seonghwa bias, i get it.
Yes more ATEEZ!!! To think King Mother Seonghwa used to cry while looking in the mirror and is now show stopping as an International Fashion Week Icon! UHHH I love him sm!!!
I’m loving this tracking of twink San lol. He is super cute in Illusion and I agree with yall. I love Wave! Mingi’s song for me .
smart of you guys to clock the peter pan connection to pirate ships in the sky - peter pan is reference a lot on their lyrics through their discography. eternal sunshine is another bright song (you'll get to it later) that discusses similar themes of waking up from a never ending dream
RENT IS DUE TOMORROW FOR SAN😂😂😂😂
San always has rent due, I couldn't agree with you more😂😂
One of my fave songs in the treasure series is Utopia. It’s on the same album as illusion and wave and it’s just as good if not better 😭🫶🏼
And Seonghwa's high note--ethereal.
@@flaggov6949genuinely too good
Fun fact about San he did literally grow... taller. His height actually increased from debut to now, apparently a doctor told him his growth plates hadn't fused or stopped yet lol
That's not unusual for males. Many continue to grow until 22-23.
@@LisaMT1218 yup and scientifically speaking it’s possible for all of us to keep growing until 30! It’s just not very common for it to go on that long ☺️
wait until they see seonghwa in inception 😭😭😭😭
Answer is still my fav Ateez song of all time!! It's just so good and emotional listening to it!
wonderland was my song for YEARSSS. before i was atiny i replayed the hell out of this pirate chanty (and the kingdom remix)
also y'all have 100% have heard wonderland before because they opened KCON day 2 last year with the aforementioned kingdom remix 😅
to assume we heard anything over the roars of atiny is crazy
Adam single handedly responsible for making every Atiny freak out, thinking they are ending 😂😂
wave is my favourite bright song from ateez! Wonderland's true magic is in their performances. My jaw was on the floor when I watched them perform it!
seonghwa’s BANG was a moment
damn, watching your reactions made me realize how i kinda grew up with ateez. my friend was a debut atiny so i was always caught up with their releases. i remember galking about which release we liked more especially when illusion and wave dropped. wave will always have a special place in my heart because i would always play it whenever i was on the road back then.
Queen Answer nation rise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you guys watch their live performances too because that’s where they really shine especially for Wonderland and Answer. Their stage presence is insane and I believe the best in kpop.
i love your collective "OH MY GOD" the moment Seonghwa appeared at the screen in Wave. thats so real of u
(and LMAO, yes, Seonghwa would definitely be Christine in the Phantom of the Opera)
thank you for reaction! love it and can't wait for more!
You need to put a warning!! I choked on my food when you made the remark about Mingi lol
im not atiny but ive had Answer in my playlist ever since i found it some years ago iTS SO GOOOOOD. glad to be on this journey w you guys and learn more abt them!
Wave hit me literally like a wave. It’s such a good vibe every time. As soon as Aurora started I broke into tears Hongjoong wrote it thinking about looking at atiny from the stage is like an aurora.
Answer is probably my favorite ateez song period. It was just bewitching (please don't laugh at me) the first time I heard it, and I'm especially glad I love San because whoever sang the intro was going to be my bias for sure.
this means next week will inception …. their best song to date
Fun fact: most of the Treasure era b-sides have an island feel like Wave or kind of sultry feel like Aurora. Hard-hitting songs like Pirate King, HalaHala, and Wonderland are the aberrations. I'm sad you couldn't watch Promise (San at peak cuteness) and Utopia (vocaaals!), but I get it.
yesss I love Promise so much I wish they could have watched it
Wave was their first win. Atinys were given snippets and teasers of Illusion and Wave and voted for which would be the lead single. They did the same for Thanxx and Inception. (Vote early and vote often.)
The song at the end of the Answer MV is a b-side from The World Ep.1, 2 years after it was teased.
I first heard Ateez through Wonderland so my first comeback with them was Answer and it became so important to me for my 2020 coping. It has this celebratory, pre-nostalgia feeling when you’ve reached the end of a journey. I love how it lyrically references their previous title tracks. When I saw them in 2022, I burst into tears at the first note of Answer with that San choreo moment. Subjectively and objectively, it was the best kpop concert I’ve been to.
Oh and you have to include Halazia in your reactions. Don’t skip it because it’s a “spin-off” album. It’s giving lore, and it’s also my favorite title track.
Halazia is the only song that can rival Answer for my heart--Queens.
i agree,san always performs like he has bills to pay
As an atiny since late 2019, i'm soooo enjoying this reaction lol. I remember having the exact same amazement with their music/discography and visuals. Every single title song from every album just flows so beautifully with great concepts and lore. I hope you guys check out the UTOPIA Japanese MV. FYI my biases are Seonghwa & San! I'm glad to say that I've admired San before he left his t**** era 🤣🤣
I’m seeing seonghwa bias coming soon
Glad you guys loved Aurora!! It’s my favorite Ateez song, and Hongjoong wrote it!!!
A fun fact about ateez songs is that there are snippets of their next song in the mv's. In the Answer MV the song at the end was the beginning of their song Sector 1
Lmao I loved the segment of you guys just yapping about Alice in Wonderland and doing imitations of it and then realizing WHAT ARE WE DOINGGG
Fingers crossed you react to their dance practices. Their MV's are always insane, movie quality works but the choreo can sometimes get lost. Their energy during their dance practices is insane and infectious! ❤
just found ya'll and this was so funny and enjoyable, following for more ateez! many have talked about the twink death of san but i personally can't wait till you get to the mother-fication of seonghwa
Illusion is the song that made me a San bias. He’s so smiley in it! Thank you for your investigation into twink death.
YES QUEEN ANSWER STRIKES AGAIN. I had a feeling you would love her!
Thank you youtube for recommending me this video - you two are delightful!
This is what I’ve been waiting. Mingi and Yunho are my bias.
Love your reaction! Thank you!
Wave is such a joyful song isnt it. To me, anyone who doesn't vibe with Wave can't be trusted. 😅
14:02 Seonghwa is beauty personified. I love watching ppl gasp in awe at his stunning visuals.
Ateez has hits upon hits upon hits. There is no song in their entire discography that I don't like. Answer remains at my no 1 favourite title track position. The music production, the vocal & dance performance, the lyricism. Everything.just.hits. When I first watched their Answer (Ode to Joy) performance on Kingdom show, I couldn't contain my tears. All Atiny hearts simultaneously burst with pride then.
ALSO WATCH the Halloween Version live stage of "Wonderland". Their makeup and performance is crazzyyyyyy
There are interviews where they talk about how much they loved the choreography for illusion, and you can see it all over their faces in the MV
But Hongjoong wrote Aurora and Wave was their first music show win, so this is a special era.
illusion and wave are so nostalgic for me stopppp
MORE ATEEZ PLEASE
YAY IM SO HAPPY YOU LIKED WAVE!!! That was my Ateez song since before it was even released! Fun fact for this album, Ateez actually let Atinys choose the title track. They released 30 second samples of Illusion and Wave and we could vote every day, AND I WAS THE BIGGEST WAVE SUPPORTER!! That 30 second sample was lifechanging, especially when it got to the chorus I was like omg immediately best song ever.
And what I love so much about this is how their final choruses just feel so legendary. Like with the Mingi Hongjoong teamwork transitioning to the Jongho high note to transition this from the bridge to final chorus, and how it's not the same as the last previous choruses, it's different words and a little different rhythm. I don't know to explain it but just changing the words a little bit is my favorite thing ever, it's like my version of how you guys obsess over a key change. Every single time I hear the ending of Wave I can't not get goosebumps, and the music video feeds into that energy and makes it even better. Like when you can see the silhouettes of the members in front of the sunset and the rest of them bend down and two point to each other. Omg I can't.
Ateez is really good at making their endings of their songs legendary in general. They're the best group at it in my opinion. In Answer too they do the same Mingi-Hongjoon alternating rap leading into Jongho high note leading into final chorus where the lyrics and rhythm are different and the legendary high notes are in the background. They know what works for them and they do it well! EDIT: HEHEHE NOW I GOT TO THE PART WHERE ADAM SAID ANSWER IS HIS FAVORITE SONG HEHEHEH. I LOVE HOW YOU LIKE WHAT I LIKE!! AND I REMEMBER YOU ALSO SAID SAY MY NAME WAS YOUR FAVE AT THE TIME YOU HEARD IT WHICH IS WHAT I TALK ABOUT NEXT!!
NOW DONT GET ME STARTED ON SAY MY NAME Like I can't not get goosebumps when, in say my name, the first two choruses Wooyoung goes "Nareul bulleojwo, na-na-nareul bulleojwo" BUT THEN FOR THE LAST ONE HONGJOONG PULLS OUT "Nareul bulleojwo, hamkke gal su itdorok" IN SUCH AN ADDICTING VOICE, WHILE THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IS ALSO LEGENDARY AND HAS CHANGED FROM THE FIRST TWO CHORUSES. Ugh. So good. Then there's also a key change there for when after it the members go "Nae ireumeun ireumeun A to the Z."
Answer is still my #1 Ateez song. And silver haired Hongjoong...made me salivate😂😂😂
I love watching you both react to ATEEZ. My cheeks were burning by the time it finished. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Don't sleep on their Japanese releases either because those are some bangers too. In order of release would be Utopia, Rocky, Paradigm, Limitless, Not Okay & recently released 'Birthday'.
Answer is still my favourite song of theirs. It just grabbed me the moment I first heard it and has never let go
So much fun!!!!! Omgosh the Phantom of the Opera knowing yall will hear it in the drunkteez episodes was so funny! Answer is very much that dramatic song that I absolutely love!!! So excited for next week too!
Seonghwa needs to watch this, and finally admit he looks not real
Answer is to this day still one of Ateez' best songs!
AURORA is MY song ^^
yes omfg i’m loving this ateez deep dive, i found you both from the first ateez atom & will definitely be staying for future ateez content AND the plethora of other groups/series you react to. it’s really like sitting with a couple friends and just giggling and enjoying the content together. answer will always be one of my favorite ateez songs, idk why it makes me so emotional but somehow it does 😭
now for the lore…. im gonna hold your hands when i say this….. none of us have ANY clue lolllll. imo, it becomes much easier to follow with fever & the world eras (because 1. it’s more straightforward & 2. they make literal diary entries with pages of storyline starting with fever part 1). the dinner scene you pointed out is honestly the most confusing to me, because there’s so many other parts of the lore that you have yet to get to but just know that a lot of us lore-tiny think it’s after the events of everything (ik this makes no sense but you’ll understand once you make it through more eras) i’ve been here since their debut & i still get confused with treasure era in that aspect.
speaking of lore, when you react to future eras, i definitely recommend watching the short films they put out. there’s one before inception/thanxx (fever part 1 diary film) that i HIGHLY suggest watching if you do want to delve into the storyline (& the mvs will make more sense.) there’s also a couple short films (like 2 minutes i think?) that go with halazia - this is from the “spin off” album that’s between guerrilla & bouncy. the album isn’t technically in “the world” series, however the song is a title track and was heavily promoted just so you know it wasn’t just a one-off single.
sorry for this absolutely insane info dump 😭😭 i can’t wait to see more of your videos & now im off to watch your wanteez reactions 🙂↕️
yehey. another ateez reaction. so happy. thank you. more ateez reacyion please. thanks
Thanks for the reaction to ATEEZ wonderland was the first song I heard from them and start to stan this amazing group damn I freaking love the song it's go's hard even the live performance!
You guys are so fun!! Love your energy and your faces lol! I’m a Seonghwa bias but also OT8 cuz its so hard not to fall in love with all of them at one time or another. But Seonghwa…his beauty and his personality 😌❤️
Answer is so good i can still sing their background vocals bcs its too good
also Aurora is my all time fav Ateez song
I am so glad you guys included Aurora. It's just a b-side, but it was immediately one of Atiny's favourite b-sides. My favourite part of Aurora is that it was Hongjoong's first song that he was the lead producer and writer on, and you can tell how excited he was about it because you can see him lipsyncing other members parts throughout the m/v. He wrote it thinking about how Atiny's in the crowd with their lightsticks at concerts looked like auroras to him. It was his love ballad to Atiny's. But I also petition that Halazia be added to The World series when you guys get to it. Halazia was the song that pulled me in and made me Atiny. It still is in my top 3 favourite songs.
The end of answer mv has a melody which was later released as a song two years later in 2022
They connect stuff like that a lot, even choreography.
I can’t wait for you to see Halazia!!!
The Wave album is as bright as we've ever gotten with Ateez, it doesn't come back guys. Lots of black and leather from here on out. I love this era, Wave is my fave Ateez song.
Welcome into Softeez with illusion and Aurora
adam's face at hongjoong is me everytime the man shows up on screen lol
Absolutely love these videos, thank y’all for doing ateez
WAVE IS MY ALL TIME QUEEN SHE NEVER GETS OLD NEVER RETIRES SHE IS THE SUMMER EXCELLENCY im so glad you got to know it
Answer is an amazing song. I love love it!!!
I love the order you doing it because any Atiny will tell you, you always think the most recent comeback is peak but then we get clapped...As for lore, we are all lost Clowntinys but Answer is rumoured to either be the end (congratulatory drink) or the "agreement" of World A Ateez helping World Z Halateez....
I’m laughing soooo hard seeing yall jumped and yalls facial expressions when you went from innocent 90s boy band Aurora to rebellious in your face gritty Wonderland 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The way you thirst over seonghwa gives me reasons to live
The thing is, San and Mingi may have grown up, but they are still the biggest babies/princesses in Ateez.
Answer best song ever
ALL of ateez are known for their crazy good performances, the grp (as a whole) is known as performance kings (I don't know why some atinys are excluding the other members).
I hope you guys watch Kingdom after this! You may have hesrd Wonderland becasue their verison of it they did for the show went viral!
(Along with Stray Kids Gods Menu/Ddu-du Ddu-du which not only ended in them becomin gpublic friends with Ryan Renolds and Hugh Jackman, but also led to them making Chk Chk Boom which is in the Deadpool soundtrack!)
Random but honestly gagged that you guys could name so many Caribbean countries and don't think we're all in Jamaica 😂
i loveeee so much that you are doing this journey!!! please let me know if you think that park hanbin and san have the same energy because it was literally what makes me interested on hanbin during boys planet!!!
cant wait to see more of this
the jongho vocals are just always so insane like he always just sings his soul out. He is so Terry/Kookie in terms of adlibs and driving the songs forward. Like his voice lifts you and creates such an impact in bridges and heightening the last chorus. I love it so much. Ateez is just so talented.