All it took was one move. A chest thrust perfectly synchronized with the rhythm, San’s magnetic gaze directed at the camera, and just a few seconds of choreography were enough to turn “BAD” into one of the most irresistible hits of 2026.
Released on June 26 as the lead track from the mini album “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5”, “BAD” blends the pulse of Brazilian funk with electronic percussion, aggressive basslines, and all the powerful stage presence that has always distinguished ATEEZ. But it was above all San’s now-famous chest movement that took the internet by storm: the brief sequence flooded TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube Shorts, generating millions of views, imitations, reactions, and irresistible dance challenges. An apparently simple choreography, yet built on control, precision, and expressiveness. Because with ATEEZ, nothing is ever just dance: every gesture becomes an interpretation, every gaze tells a story, and every stage is transformed into a cinematic spectacle.
The success of “BAD” was not confined to social media. The album “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5” debuted straight at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming ATEEZ’s third release to reach the top of the prestigious US chart. With 228,000 equivalent album units sold in its first week, the group also achieved the best American result of its career.
Triumph at the 2026 K-World Dream Awards
That unstoppable energy carried ATEEZ all the way to the stage of the 2026 K-World Dream Awards, held on August 27 at KINTEX in Goyang and hosted by Jun Hyun-moo and Jang Do-yeon.
The evening turned into a true triumph for the group, who took home four awards: the prestigious Best Artist Award, presented to the male group, the Best Stage Award, the group popularity award, and the Artist Award. With four trophies, ATEEZ were the most awarded artists of the entire ceremony. A result that perfectly reflects their strength. The Best Stage Award celebrates the quality of their performances, while the popularity award testifies to the love of ATINY, the fandom that supports them in every corner of the world. The Best Artist Award, meanwhile, represents the definitive recognition of a journey built on determination, talent, and constant growth.
Founded in 2017 as the Soribada Best K-Music Awards, the awards reached their tenth edition in 2026. Over the years, the ceremony has changed its name, first becoming the K-Global Heart Dream Awards and later the K-World Dream Awards. The winners are selected through a combination of streaming data, global fan voting, and evaluations by critics, journalists, and music industry experts.
Who are ATEEZ?
ATEEZ debuted on October 24, 2018, under KQ Entertainment with the mini album “TREASURE EP.1 : All To Zero”. The group consists of eight members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho. From the very beginning, they have built an instantly recognizable identity based on interconnected musical narratives, adventurous and almost dystopian atmospheres, powerful choreography, and extraordinary interpretive ability. During their concerts, they do not simply sing and dance: they seem to live every song, transforming it into a story. Their international journey has been remarkable. Coming from a smaller company compared with the major K-pop giants, they have conquered arenas, charts, and festivals around the world. In 2024, they became the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella, proving that they could dominate one of the world’s most important music stages.
ATEEZ and their bond with Italy
ATEEZ made their Italian debut on January 20, 2025, at the Unipol Forum in Assago, in front of their Italian ATINY. They then returned on July 8, 2026, as headliners of Rock in Roma, performing in the capital for the first time. At the Ippodromo delle Capannelle, they captivated the audience with a show filled with energy, powerful choreography, and a stage presence capable of transforming the concert into a complete visual and musical experience. The Rome concert was the only Italian date announced for summer 2026, confirming the group’s strong bond with audiences in our country.
A world tour across continents and major stadiums
ATEEZ’s global presence was consolidated through the “IN YOUR FANTASY” world tour, which began on July 5 and 6, 2025, at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. The tour travelled across South Korea, the United States, Mexico, and Japan, before continuing through Asia and Australia in 2026. Among its many stops were Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Saitama, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Macao, and Bangkok. In the United States, the group also performed in major stadiums such as Citi Field in New York, Wrigley Field in Chicago, BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, and Globe Life Field in Arlington. Every ATEEZ concert is conceived as a narrative journey in which sets, costumes, lighting, special effects, and choreography draw the audience into their universe. Following their appearance in Rome, their international schedule continues with the Music Bank World Tour in Barcelona, scheduled for September 12, 2026, and Music Expo Live 2026 in Taipei on October 25. These events are not yet part of a new world tour, but they confirm the group’s continuing presence on major international stages.
ATEEZ also conquer the world of fashion
ATEEZ’s appeal extends far beyond music. Thanks to their distinctive image, several members have become ambassadors or the faces of major international campaigns.
In October 2025, San was appointed Global Ambassador for Dolce&Gabbana, and in 2026 he starred in the fashion house’s Fall/Winter campaign, photographed by Steven Meisel.
Seonghwa, meanwhile, is a Global Ambassador for SONGZIO, the Korean fashion house for which he has also walked the runway in Paris. In 2025, he was also the face of the Isabel Marant Homme Spring/Summer campaign, becoming the first Asian celebrity chosen to represent the brand.
On August 27, 2026, Wooyoung was announced as the first Global Ambassador in the history of STUDIO TOMBOY, following the great success of the previous summer campaign.
Mingi has collaborated with Calvin Klein, while all eight members worked with AVIREX on a capsule collection celebrating the brand’s fiftieth anniversary.
ATEEZ have also been invited to Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks by fashion houses such as Diesel, Prada, Courrèges, Christian Louboutin, and AMI Paris. From music to fashion, from international stadiums to Milan and Rome, the group continues to build a global identity in which talent, style, and personality become parts of the same spectacle.
Why are ATEEZ so popular?
ATEEZ’s secret does not lie solely in technical perfection. What captivates us is the feeling that they live every performance until their very last breath. They are intense, theatrical, and charismatic on stage, yet spontaneous, humorous, and affectionate when speaking to their fans.
Each member possesses a distinct artistic personality, but together they become a single force: their famous motto, “8 makes 1 team”, is not simply a slogan, but the very essence of the group.
ATINY recognize their authenticity, determination, and constant desire to push beyond their limits. ATEEZ have never stopped experimenting, moving from hip-hop to EDM, from rock sounds to Latin influences, without ever losing their identity.
“BAD” is the most recent example: a bold, sensual, and electrifying track capable of captivating even those who had not yet discovered the group. Its explosion across the internet was therefore no coincidence, but the result of eight years spent building a personal and recognizable artistic language.
Today, with four new trophies in their hands and the world still dancing to the sound of “BAD,” ATEEZ once again confirm that their journey is far from over. In fact, perhaps their true Golden Hour has only just begun. Well done, boys!
Awards ceremony video: © K‑World Dream Awards / FANTHEONE.
