Derived from the combination of the two Chinese characters "love" and "beauty", and literally translated as "charm", it's a Korean term for acting cute and expressing oneself in a childlike way as an adult. K-pop idols often lend themselves to the exercise in response to a challenge, or simply to please fans.

Refers to a musical performance in South Korea when a song reaches number 1 on the real-time, daily and weekly digital charts.

In February 2024, KQ launched a whole range of merch around the group featuring animals - representing, for the most part, their own emojis - under the name of "ANITEEZ“.

Members worked with designers to create their characters.

Check out the merchandise available on the official shop on ATEEZ's website

"Antis" are people who oppose or hate a group or K-pop in general. Detractors who find nothing more "fun" than taking down the reputation of others on social networks or elsewhere.

"Atiny" is ATEEZ's fandom name and is a contraction of "ATEEZ" and "DESTINY", meaning that ATEEZ's destiny is closely linked to that of their fans.

Favourite member(s) in a K-pop group

Member(s) of a group that could change your bias

Name given to members of the Resistance who fights against the Central Government.

They come from different backgrounds but are united in the face of oppression operated by executives of Strictland.

The leaders of the movement are the members ofHalateez

Often mentioned in the storyline - by San - we don't know who is Bobo. Bobo.

An animal? Something like a toy?

Bobo is mentioned in the album's diary ZERO : Fever part 2 when San points out that the place where he and the other members find themselves bears an uncanny resemblance to their own world, but is not 100% identical, and refers in particular to a cliff". [...] under which Wooyoung saved our Bobo “.

The albums set of ZERO : Fever part 1 contain photocards of each member's "AR stories". One of San's reflections in the second part of his post below reads:

"[…] Therefore, the only friend that I can open up to was my friend, Bobo, who was always beside me."

This quote suggests that Bobo was "a cuddly toy or doll" who served as his imaginary friend since childhood. The only confidant at his side during his countless moves.

Another quote refers to his friend as not being "a real friend":

"I've never been away so long with Bobo. I'm worried if Bobo is eating well or not. Hopefully, Bobo is worried about me as well. Hey Bobo, I am on a strange journey with my first real friends. I'm not too sure how I am here and where I am but don't worry too much, I will be back. I promise.

However, the mention of "Bobo and its appetite" is confusing...

So is it an animal? An object?

The Breaker is a small rectangular machine that cuts the connecting link between the Central Government and the chip implanted under the human ear.

It helps people who activate it to regain emotions and establishes a connection to the Black Pirates.

It is delivered by ATEEZ and the Black Pirates to free people of Strictland from the Government influence.

Subunit/ship name for Jongho/San who share the same Korean name "Choi".

A K-pop comeback is characterized by the release of an album. There can be several comebacks in a year.

A promotional period is then launched, during which the group presents tracks from their album with MVs, gives interviews, takes part in variety shows or performs live on popular programs such as "Inkigayo", "M Countdown" ect.

A concept is actually a theme used on an album. Atmosphere, setting and clothing are designed to match a given theme.

Examples of concepts covered by ATEEZ: Pirates, Rebellion, Outlaws etc.

The Cromer is an hourglass-shaped relic of Mayan civilization.

It allows its user to travel in dimensions or time loops and reproduces the different phases of the moon.

The concept of "pirates" is one of the central themes used by ATEEZ in its universe.

Since 2019, with their "WANTED" show in amongst others, the group has been gradually revealing the highlights of their adventures as pirates.

One of the emblematic figures of their universe is their ship first seen in the MV Illusion.

The ship is regularly used as a backdrop or clue for ATEEZ content:

Illusion

Kingdom: Legendary War

Don’t stop

Little by little, facts about the ship are revealed. For example, in the MV Don’t stop, when the members manage to recover the deed to their vessel, it is discovered that it belongs to Hongjoong and is identified as the " Destiny ship “.

” Destiny ", an expression already used to create the name of their fandom " Atiny ” (Ateez + Destiny).

The ship is also regularly featured on the group's tours:

THE FELLOWSHIP: MAP THE TREASURE – 2020

THE FELLOWSHIP: BEGINNING OF THE END – 2022

THE FELLOWSHIP: BREAK THE WALL – 2023

The emojis used on social networks to represent each member are as follows:

Hong Joong :

🐿️

Seonghwa :

Yunho :

Yeosang :

San :

Mingi :

or

🐥

Wooyoung :

Jongho :

This is a passage that occurs at the end of a filmed performance for a K-pop group, when the camera lingers in close-up on one or more members.

The member(s) then stare at the camera until it cuts out.

Idols can use the opportunity to make a cute or sexy gesture (wink, aegyo...).

In K-pop, it represents a period of several albums with the same concept.

e.g. for Ateez: "Treasure" which includes the albums :

E.P1 : All to Zero, EP.2 : Zero to One, EP.3 : One to All, EP.FIN : All to action, EPILOGUE : Action to Answer

or "Zero" which includes the albums :

Fever : EP. 1, Fever : EP. 2, Fever : EP. 3, Fever : EPILOGUE.

The general term "Fanbase" refers to fans of a group or artist.

In K-Pop, the role of fanbases has grown considerably in recent years.

Using social networks as a rallying point, some accounts act as spokespersons for the entire fanbase, setting up projects or promoting the work of the group they support.

Generally speaking, each country - or continent - has a distinct fanbase that supports projects at key events such as :

Concerts

• Designing, financing and organizing distribution of banners or fanpacks
• Setting up projects to show fans' commitment and love for the group (songs, videos, etc.)

Comebacks

• Promotion of the group's new albums
• Track votes to help them win awards
• Track streams and shares to increase group popularity
• Participation in special events (e.g. fancafe events).

On another note, fanbases can pass on any comments or suggestions they consider useful to the group's label, in order to improve artist/fan relations or the group's comfort.

Long denigrated, fanbases now also have a certain "power" with sales outlets in each country.

France, long a laggard when it comes to K-Pop, has developed its commercial network thanks to the hard work of certain fanbases. Of course, there's still a long way to go, but fanbases are now listened to and sometimes even involved in the development of album distribution networks for certain groups struggling to find their place on the French market.

Fancalls are short video conversations between artists and their fans.

These events were initiated in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to replace fansigns.

Fancalls are often organized as part of merch sales (album sales, for example) or partnerships.

The purchase of an album gives you a chance to be drawn. So the more albums you buy, the more chances you have of being drawn.

The duration of fancalls varies from group to group, but is generally between 1 min and 1 min 30.

It's a well-known song that's taken up by all the group's fans. ATEEZ has several. All the fanchants are available on this page.

A fandom is a community of fans with a common interest. Characterized by a sense of belonging to the same family.

K-pop groups use fanservice to satisfy the demands of their fandom.

The purpose is to keep fans entertained by offering much-appreciated touches such as winks, cute or sexy poses.

A meet-and-greet with K-pop artists where fans can talk to group members and receive autographs.

Fansigns generally last 2-3 hours.

Fans gather in a room with chairs installed. The artists come on stage and sit at a table facing fans.

Fans wait in turn until they can get to the group's tables. There's time for a quick chat with each of the members, who also sign and hand over their autographs.

When all the fans have passed, a short 30-minute interaction closes the fansign.

Time during which artists wear cute outfits (headbands, costumes, hats, etc.).

Founded in 2010, Gaon is one of the officially recognized music classification in South Korea.

Affected by several scandals involving the manipulation of statistics, an overhaul of "Gaon" has given rise to a new entity now called "Circle charts".

It's the equivalent of "Billboard" in the US or "Oricon" in Japan.

Circle charts is based on streaming data from platforms used in South Korea and album sales.

The Android Gardians are giant humanoid soldiers in the dystopian universe of Strictland. They have no faces and wear masks.

They obey the Central Government and are in pursuit of Halateez, the Black Pirates as well as ATEEZ and seek to seize the Cromer.

The yellow gaz, or yellow smoke, acts on the nervous system, causing hallucinations, among other things.

The Central Government has used technology to modify its properties and steal the memories and vital energy of all living beings. It allows them to control the population to their own advantage.

Halateez , also named Black pirates are anarchists fighting against the dictatorial policy of the Central Government in the dystopian world of Strictland.

Imprisoned by the Central Government, their leader, Halajoong, manages to use the Cromer's energy to enter the dreams of ATEEZ members and call them into their dimension.

Halateez are physically similar to ATEEZ members. There are still many mysteries that surround them.

Established in 1998, Hanteo is a South Korean ranking system that counts all K-pop album sales and compiles them to give an overview of the market.

A relatively effective way to measure a group's popularity in Korea and the rest of the world.

Hehetmon is a character created by Yeosang.

The name of Hehetmon comes from the fact that Yeosang often uses the expression "헤헷" ("hehet") when writing messages. The character's first appearance dates back to Ateez's mini-show "Test ‘n periode" broadcast in December 2018. He then draws this cartoon on his slate while answering questions.

As a result, many fans asked him to draw it at fansign events.

The final form of his character features a sunflower on his head. He explained the reason in, the 3rd Teez-Mon episode, broadcast on youtube in November 2022.

I only look at ATINY... Like a sunflower looking at the sun.

Yeosang

Yeosang likes the cute, easy-to-draw look of Hehetmon

Hello82 is a subsidiary of KAI media inc. founded by Jae Yoon Choi and Sang H. Cho in 2019.

Based in Los Angeles, USA, and Seoul, South Korea, its ambition is to produce content for international K-pop fans.

Since its foundation, 7 separate entities have been created specifically for American, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Indonesian, Japanese & European fandoms.

ATEEZ has already taken part in numerous projects, especially in the United States, designed to facilitate interaction between them and their American fans.

Scientist and leader of the religious organization Sciensalvar.

Like many other characters in the storyline, he is looking for the Cromer and seems to know a lot about this ancient object.

He has his own theory that everyone has their own energy flow and that the ills of humanity can only be solved by science. He is convinced that the Cromer holds the key to saving humanity from extinction.

Subunit/ship name for Yunho/Jongho.

The Red Humans are labourers present on the disposal site. They are the ones who operate the incinerator where humans deemed "defective" are disposed of.

They wear rags and have skin reddened by the furnace. This is how they are described in the storyline:

"In rag-like clothes with skin reddened by the furnace, the appearance of the Red Humans is so hideous they now resemble goblins more than people"

Designates the oldest member(s) of a K-pop group.

The oldest member of ATEEZ is Seonghwa.

The Hyung line includes Seongwha, Hong Joong, Yunho, Yeosang.

It's a term typically given to stars in the K-pop industry.

The intro (or introduction) marks the beginning of a song. It reveals the song's atmosphere, rhythms and melody.

It must make the listener want to continue listening to the song.

An intro generally contains no lyrics. It is mostly instrumental.

The chords in the introduction are often the same as those in the verse or chorus.

A musical genre from South Korea created in the 90s. Influenced by Western music, it mixes everything from hip-hop and electro to rock and traditional Korean music.

The South Korean label, as we know it today and previously named "Seven Seasons", was founded in 2016 by Kim Gyu-Uk (also known as "Kim Kyu Wook").

KQ Entertainment manages artists and produces music through their main label and its two subsidiaries "Seven Seasons" and "KQ Produce".

Artists managed by KQ and subsidiaries :

KQ Entertainment

• Ateez
• Xikers

Seven Seasons

• Block B
• Bastarz (Block B subunit)
• Taeil
• B-Bomb
• Jaehyo
• U-Kwon
• Park Kyung
• P.O

KQ Produce

• Eden
• Maddox

The leader in a K-Pop group is the one who guides and inspires the other members.

Heavy responsibilities fall on him, as he is the spokesperson and the one who must manage the stress or conflicts of members within the group.

The leader is not necessarily the oldest member of the group.

For example, in ATEEZ, the leader is Hong Joong.

He's not the oldest member, but was naturally chosen since the creation of the group was built around him.

Left Eye is a character from Strictland who manages a sort of landfill site. A desolate land on which the yellow gas circulate.

He used to run a small brand-name boutique until the accidental death of his daughter.

In the hope of seeing his daughter again, he began to inhale yellow gas (a powerful hallucinogen) and, over a long period, sank into depression. Trapped between reality and illusions.

The daughter of Left Eye has been hit by a car. He's convinced that the government is to blame, having implemented their utopian policies that have gradually turned humans into empty shells.

ATEEZ members met Left Eye when their journey to find the lost Cromer started.

The object is believed to be located in the bunker of the Android Gardians. Left Eye is the only one who knows exactly where it is located.

He would later become a lead figure in the rebellion against the Central Government.

They are siblings encountered when the members of ATEEZ find themselves transported into the dimension of Strictland and face some quite unfriendly Android Gardians.

After saving their lives, the two young children explain the rules of their dimension and offer to be their guides.

Learning that the young girl had her voice stolen by the Android Gardians and to thank the Grimes siblings for rescuing them, ATEEZ members decide to help them find it.

Name given to ATEEZ lightstick. There are currently 2 versions.

The first version was released on February 3, 2020 and the second one on November 1st, 2022

Lightsticks are glow-sticks specific to each K-pop group, enabling them to identify with their fandoms.

Very popular among fans, they are used at concerts and light up in several colors.

The latest generations are now able to synchronize via Bluetooth using apps, or are equipped with motion sensors.

Designates the youngest member(s) of a K-pop group.

The youngest member of ATEEZ is Jongho.

The Maknae line includes San, Mingi, Wooyoung et Jongho.

A self-produced or independently released album, used In hip hop and R&B culture.

World A

Refers to the reality in which the members of ATEEZ lived before using the Cromer, which could be described as our current world.

World Z

Alternative reality of Strictland, ruled by a tyrannical totalitarian government headed by a mysterious figure known as Z.

A contraction of the words "Net" for Internet and "Citizen" for Citoyen, which designates members of an online community.

The outro is the concluding section of a song. It's the opposite of the intro.

It can take several forms:

• A fade-out: gradually lower the volume of the song.
• A repetition of the chorus or intro.

Also abbreviated "PC", are collectible cards with photos of the members or the group, found in albums, or among other merch.

The Prestige Academy is a renowned establishment in World Z, which only recognized high-potential students can join.

This choice is made 6 months following birth of each child, after running several tests carried out by a government-approved health facility.

The children who have been identified as "talentend" are then placed in one of five classes depending on the results of their entrance examination.

Class 1 - For those who will be responsible for researching and implementing systems for better efficiency and control of society in the future

Class 2 - For future Guardians, trained to control people and punish those who defy control according to Government guidelines.

Class 3 - For those who will work to the classification of new humans following the system and then educate them accordingly.

Class 4 - For those who will manage various tasks necessary for human survival (new energy exchanges, control chips charging, essential energy supply and manufacturing).

Class 5 - For those in charge of city management, sanitization and organization.

Refers to the rappers in a group.

In ATEEZ, the main rappers are Hong Joong & Mingi.

This term, with its highly pejorative connotations, applies to fans with obsessive behaviors, who go as far as to follow members, seek out personal information about them, etc.

Sciensalvar is a religion established in 1999 by its creator Henry Jo. The leader and his followers are fervent defenders of science and are trying to get their hands on the Cromer which - according to their belief - holds the key to saving humanity from extinction through the energy condensed inside the object.

It's a contraction of "Self & Camera" in Korea, also known as "Selfie".

For ATEEZ, the selca-day takes place on the 22nd day of the month in Korea and on the 21st in France (due to the time difference).

It's a sort of game in which you post artistic montages of yourself with your bias(s). This can be a photo that repeats the same pose, where you wear the same clothes, go to the same places, etc.

A ship refers to a couple/duo that you love to put together. Whether in a friendly or romantic way (e.g. you "ship" Wooyoung and San as best friends or as a couple).

List of Ateez ships:

• HonGi (Hongjoong × Mingi)
• HongSan (Hongjoong × San)
• HongSang (Hongjoong × Yeosang)
• JonGi (Jongho × Mingi)
• JongHwa (Jongho × Seonghwa)
• JongJoong (Jongho × Hongjoong)
• JongSan (Jongho × San)
• JongSang (Jongho × Yeosang)
• JUNGs (Yunho × Wooyoung)
• MATZ (Seonghwa × Hongjoong)
• MinHo (Mingi × Jongho)
• MinHwa (Mingi × Seonghwa)
• MinJoong (Mingi × Hongjoong)
• MinSan (Mingi × San)
• MinSang (Mingi × Yeosang)
• SeongSan (Seonghwa × San)
• SanSang (San × Yeosang)
• TOPAZ (Hongjoong × Wooyoung)
• WooGi (Wooyoung × Mingi)
• WooHwa (Wooyoung × Seonghwa)
• WooJoong (Wooyoung × Hongjoong)
• WooSan (Wooyoung × San)
• WooSang (Wooyoung × Yeosang)
• YunGi (Yunho × Mingi)
• YunHwa (Yunho × Seonghwa)
• YunJong (Yunho × Jongho)
• YunJoong (Yunho × Hongjoong)
• YunSan (Yunho × San)
• YunSang (Yunho × Yeosang)

The disposal site is a place created by the Central Government, placed under close surveillance and maintained by the red humans.

An incinerator lies at the heart of the site, where humans recognized as "deficient", either because of a physical handicap, or because they have been awakened to emotions, are discarded.

The citizens of world Z identified as "anomalies" are imprisoned on the site until their execution in the furnace...

Contraction of "Stalker" and "Fan". It means being a fan of someone or some group and follow everything about them.

Strictland is a different dimension from that of ATEEZ and is ruled by a tyrannical government.

It's a dystopian place where feelings are eradicated.

The Central Government was created after the last industrial revolution. With the development of Artificial Intelligence, it created a predictable, ultra-monitored world and applied a policy based on Utopia.

Realizing that the only thing the rulers had no control over was human feelings, they decided to outlaw all entertainment in order to - according to them - prevent crimes and terrorist acts.

Establishing a system based on oppression and obedience, they forbade music, dance or any other form of positive expression.

Refers to sub-groups within the global group. There can be "Sub-units" for photos or songs.

Teez-Mon are mascots created by ATEEZ in 2022.

The creative process of Teez-Mon was filmed and broadcast on the group's channel in 11 minisodes.

Each member participated in the design of their character, and also created a profile.

Thunder is a group of elite students from the Prestige Academy acknowledged by Z and created to monitor the establishment and enforce the strict rules imposed by the leaders of world Z.

One of their missions is to identify "deficient" students who show signs of being open to emotions, so that they can be reported.

Their leader is a girl.

As the storyline unfolds, we discover that Thunder is in fact a resistance organization with a goal similar to that of the Black Pirates.

Their elite status gives them access to key locations, they gather information that could compromise the plans of Z.

TOKTOQ is a platform created specifically for KQ.

This tool has been developed by the South Korean company Bemyfriends specializing - among other things - in platform building for brands, private companies, medias and entertainment companies etc.

Several types of supports are available, KQ Entertainment selected bemyfriends as its global fandom business partner in order to develop their own app without the risk of reliving their bad experience with UNIVERSE. They are now totally independent and free to develop it the way they want to.

ATEEZ's TOKTOQ community is still evolving, and is set to offer more multimedia elements. Since the official launch, the app already offers a wide range of free and paid content, including photos, videos, posts, an instant messaging system with integrated chat and more.

Consult the TOKTOQ app guide.

Trainee is a student in training to become an idol.

The trainee follows a training program that can last from 3 to 7 years, during which the future idol learns various skills: singing, dancing, rapping, writing, composing and so on.

To become a trainee, you have to pass rigorous castings. Very few young Koreans make it through to the final selections that allow them to join a label.

Short for "Ultimate Bias", some people use this notion to indicate that, among his/her favorites, he/she has a "ultimate favorite".

Universe was a South Korean application launched on January 28, 2021. ATEEZ produced a lot of content such as photos, videos and podcasts between 2021 and 2022 on this app.

Unfortunately, the platform closed after barely 2 years of existence on February 17, 2023.

Refers to the most visually appealing/beautiful members (it's very subjective!).

It was a South Korean application featuring lives from various celebrities, including Ateez.

Vlive officially ceased its activity on December 1st, 2022, and replaced by a platform set up by HYBE label: Weverse.

Refers to the vocalists of the group.

The lead vocal of the group is Jongho who brings great strength and depth to the group's songs.

Like the "visual line", it's difficult to fix any particular member in a specific "vocal line"

Z is an Artificial Intelligence that controls the World in the dystopian dimension of the ATEEZ storyline.

It's still unclear whether a human is behind this entity, or whether it exists as an artificial intelligence that has supplanted the human race.

Time will tell.

Z controls and represents the World Z. No one knows where he is. His location is kept secret. He broadcasts messages via monitors to the humans under his authority.