The priest who is captivating social media by performing the electrifying choreography of ATEEZ’s “BAD” is Lee Chang-min, whose baptismal name is Marciano. A member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, he serves as an assistant parish priest at the Catholic Church of Guro 3-dong in Seoul. Ordained on 24 January 2024, he devotes a significant part of his pastoral mission to young people.
In the video that has gone viral, Father Changmin joins the president of the parish youth group in performing the dance challenge for “BAD”, a song released by ATEEZ on 26 June 2026. He even recreates the famous chest-popping move made irresistible by San—the moment in the choreography that has swept across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, attracting millions of views even beyond the ATINY fandom.
What is surprising is not simply the sight of a priest dancing to the music of one of the most energetic K-pop groups of the moment. Changmin genuinely possesses rhythm, stage presence and a natural confidence in front of the camera. Behind these abilities lies a truly remarkable story.
Before putting on his priestly attire, he dreamed of becoming an idol. At the age of twenty, he attended numerous auditions and attempted to enter South Korea’s three major entertainment agencies—SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment—but was not selected. He later joined the parade performance team at the Everland amusement park, where he was able to express his talent for singing, dancing and entertaining audiences. His life changed profoundly during his military service, when he lost his father following a battle with cancer. During that painful period, he met a nun who offered him peace and comfort. She later encouraged him to watch the Korean documentary Don’t Cry for Me, Sudan, dedicated to the missionary life of Father Lee Tae-seok. After watching it, Changmin realised that until then he had mainly pursued his own happiness, and he began to feel a desire to devote his life to others.
Father Changmin, therefore, never truly abandoned his childhood dream: he transformed it. The stage became a place of encounter, dance became a language through which he could reach young people, and his energy became a way of bringing the Church closer to new generations. His stated mission is to help young people discover the joy of living a life inspired by Jesus.
The priest who dances to ATEEZ is therefore far more than a passing social media curiosity. He represents a young, joyful and contemporary faith—one capable of speaking through the music of its time. Sometimes even a K-pop choreography can become a bridge: between the Church and young people, between a seemingly lost dream and a vocation finally discovered.
From all of us at AMOR‑K, we would like to offer Father Changmin our warmest and most heartfelt wishes. May he continue to be a shining shepherd for young people, capable of listening to them, understanding them and walking beside them with the smile, sensitivity and energy that make him so special.
We hope he never loses the music he carries in his heart and that he continues to transform it into a bridge leading towards faith. Even a song, a dance step or a shared moment of joy can bring young people closer to God, helping them discover a welcoming and vibrant Church that knows how to speak the language of new generations. May his journey reach an ever-growing number of young people and remind them that faith does not extinguish dreams: it can illuminate them anew and give them an even deeper meaning.
