#ateez world theory

[st4rrmii]

The N6(+Lucien) as Ateez songs, inspited by @littlefoodloverfangirl doing the N6 as (g)i-dle songs

Darius-Wonderland

Kenji-Turbulence

Ben-Halazia

Brooklynn-Guerrilla

Sammy-Blind

Yasmina-Answer

Lucien-Dune

[takitakidancetillthesunriseyea]

Wonderland and the Rabbit (Theory)

I thought by now my brain would’ve run out of Ateez theories but I was very wrong. Last night I was aimlessly scrolling the internet when I came across all of the rabbit-centric promotional material Ateez used for their latest comeback The World Ep. Fin: Will, that I had somehow missed seeing before their actual comeback.

I also discovered Mito which I had seen before but didn’t realize was also related to the comeback. I guess just I accepted without question that they would carry a little stuffed rabbit around for no reason. (Apparently Mito is short for Michin Tokki or Crazy Rabbit.)

Of course that set the gears in my brain turning. Crazy Form has a few things in common with Wonderland, (mainly the coats) but not enough that I would immediately think they’re connected lore wise.

However, Crazy Form has a lot, and I mean a lot. Of Alice in Wonderland references.

We have Hongjoong doing the Cheshire cat smile.

We got the rabbits everywhere and the little ear motions in the choreography. Personally I think the name “Crazy Form” alone is already pretty in line with the whole Alice in Wonderland “We’re all mad here,” thing. And of course we have whatever these godawful furry things are.

Even Seonghwa’s smile in the MV is rather Mad Hatter-ish

(I also find it interesting that his left eye is covered but that’s a point for a dif theory.)

So. From all that it’s clear they’re trying to make a connection to Alice in Wonderland. But why? What does Alice in Wonderland have to do with their story so much that they’re putting references in everywhere.

At first I assumed it had to do with their alternate universe thing. Is entering the doors to Strictland in the Wonderland MV them ‘going down the rabbit hole’? Is Mito their white rabbit? (Even though it’s black-) Is it just another reference to them being somewhere strange they don’t belong?

As I was thinking of all the things I could remember about Alice in Wonderland, suddenly it hit me. The ending. Alice in Wonderland ends with Alice waking up and realizing it had all been a dream.

(When I realized it I almost lost it)

There have already been a number of people theorizing that the Crazy Form MV is at least partially in a dream due to Hongjoong shooting real bullets out of his finger guns, San flying, etc... Oh yea and the crecent moon at the beginning that seems to instantly change to a full one.

Which just adds it to this list of dream related MV’s like Illusion, Wave, Inception, and Eternal Sunshine. But it really makes me wonder, was the Wonderland MV a dream too? We don’t have diaries for the Treasure series, so pretty much anything goes at this point.

It would make sense if all the weird maze stuff was part of a dream, but feel like the maze is something different entirely… AhhhHHhgh this is all so big brain that I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface of what’s actually going on.

It does makes me wonder though…just how deep does this rabbit hole (dream) go? How long have they been asleep? And when they wake up, where, when, and who will they be?

[tothisemptiness]

INTRO TO GOLDEN HOUR: NOT AN ACT II BUT A PART II

Hi hii!! Originally, I thought of only writing an analysis of IOMT. However, I realized unless I set up my point of view of the lore the whole thing would become very messy to explain in a single post. So, here is a brief analysis (that ended up being not so brief when I actually sat down to write it) of the overall story and Golden Hour Part 1!

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

According to Hongjoong's tips on the lore, at the beginning of Golden Hour series we are starting the later half of the complete lore. I believe KQ uses a 4 act structure while telling us the story, so i will use it to identify important plot points up until now. This is important to establish because of the parallels and juxtapositions I will explain shortly, but i will not be coverimg the whole story from the start.

ATTENTION: I have noticed that in the fandom "Treasure" and "Pirate King" are accepted as videos that further the plot/are part of the storyline that is followed by the rest of the "Treasure" series. I disagree because of a real world reason. At their debut KQ was a very small company, they didn't know if ATEEZ would survive past the debut so it would be unreasonably expensive and effortful to establish a lore right then. Also the audience wouldn't exactly care much about the lore of a group who doesn't even have an identity yet. Therefore, I believe the debut songs' MVs only introduce us to ATEEZ as a concept: who they are, what their goal is, what are their motivations and what are their themes. The same thing goes for the "Hala Hala" performance video except this time we are introduced to Halateez so that we are familiar with them in "Say My Name".

With this set up, without further ado, let's move on to the recap:

This is the structure I believe KQ uses in telling ATEEZ's story. If you go to the source I linked on the image you can read about this graph in more detail, so I will not be explaining it here. I will also be using these beats a bit more liberally since modern dramatic structures also do so.

The Hook: The story is set up in the entirety of Fever Part 1 diaries and the Diary Film. "Inception" sets the theme up using the members' dreams to give us a look inside their head and "Treasure", "Pirate King" and "THANXX" emphasise the themes and goals of our protagonists while not directly furthering the story.

The Inciting Event: The fight and Yeosang's father locking the hideout up (revealed in Fever Part 2 diaries).

The Key Event: Halajoong handing Hongjoong the Cromer.

The First Plot Point: ATEEZ use the Cromer, end up in World Z and encounter the Guardians. This is where the protagonist crosses the point of no return and starts to actively engage with the plot.

The First Pinch Point: The Guardians get the Cromer in the forest and injure Wooyoung. The group meets the Grimes siblings and Left Eye.

The Midpoint: Guardians Island raid and Yeosang's abduction (Fever Part 3 diaries). If ATEEZ storyline was a stage play, Act I would finish right when Yeosang breaks the Cromer.

The Second Pinch Point: The Sciensalvar encounter, Yunho's brother's second death, saving Yeosang. The entirety of Fever Epilogue diaries.

The Third Plot Point: Meeting the boy and the infiltration of the Prestige Academy. Movement and Outlaw diaries.

The Climax: Infiltration of the Guardians Island and everything that goes wrong in that plan.

The Climactic Moment: The entire scene where the Brothers die.

The Resolution: The end of Will diaries and the very first paragraph of Golden Hour: Part 1 diaries where the group decide to go back to World A.

"Hold up giant, you finished the structure 50% into the entire story arc!"

I have! Because here is the catch about ATEEZ's story arc: it is not one continuous story finished in one telling but rather a story in two parts. If we take the story until GH:1 as a film, the story that starts with it is the sequel film to it. The story is still connected, however it doesn't continue where we left off and will not necessarily explore the exact same themes. Now let's delve deeper into why I think that.

There is a big timeskip where the actual story of GH:1 starts, the kind that you usually see between two films of the same series rather than in the smack middle of the film.

The characters develop too much for this part to be considered as directly following the previous parts. Their motivations have drastically changed, most of them are now concerned with making money and finding a meaning in their life outside of art. I discussed this more in depth here by also using Golden Hour: Part 2 diaries.

In Professor Hongjoong's ATEEZ Storyline Special Lecture, Hongjoong specifically tells us that the first story that had been going on until the end of The World series ends there but the new story that starts will not disconnect from or change the first one. He says this before we even get a glimpse of the second story, indicating that this new one may seem very different in the beginning but will connect much better later on (thank you for not being able to keep secrets for the life of you HJ <3)

A REMARK: Sequel movies often add new story elements while tying up the loose threads left behind in the first movie. Therefore, I expect to see some new places/characters/objects that we will not make sense of in the next few comebacks and Halazia arc to be tied into the main storyline definitively in the near future.

Now then, our story structure is finished, where exactly are we?

Boom. Back at the beginning. After getting handed the story to us in The World series we are back to theorizing the shit out of this lore.

With our position established, let's focus on GH:1 specifically.

GOLDEN HOUR: PART 1 a.k.a TREASURE EP. LOST COUNT: BACK TO ZERO

Let's go way back to the lyrics of "Treasure", "Pirate King" and the lore disclosed by Fever 1 diaries. Back then their "treasure" was making their art and finding their audience and stage. And again we have the theme of searching for a "treasure"... except now it is literally money and gold.

"It takes money to dream," the diary says, and this sets up our new theme: growing up and the need to build your own life and make a living.

See a juxtaposition already? In the (chronologically) first series, the Fever series, the main theme was youth and chasing your dreams (as told by Hongjoong and Seonghwa). I have a feeling this won't be the only time we see a juxtaposition between these two series.

There is also a parallel! The intro narrated by Maddox parallels the Treasure intro, this time in a more nostalgic and bittersweet way.

Here I will touch the diaries very briefly, if at all, since I want to merge them with the GH:2 diaries and work from a wider perspective for a deep dive into the parallels and juxtapositions revealed for each member. Right now, the most plot relevant things are:

1) Yeosang is rich af and is actively financing arts.

2) Hongjoong is putting the first story out there where literally everyone and anyone can see.

3) Yunho is searching for another artifact. Now I am a firm believer in the Chekhov's Gun principle which suggests a narrative element introduced into the story will become useful even if it doesn't seem important right now, so I believe in a few comebacks we will get a new artifact that does have similar characteristics to Cromer through his research.

Overall, the diaries are formulated in a way similar to Fever 1 diaries where each member gets his own spotlight and sets up his own situation. The story is rather static and mostly tells what has happened until "present", which is where each diary entry of each member ends. This diary is written with the main purpose of preparing the lore for what's to come.

EDIT: While reviewing the "Crazy Form" MV reaction video for IOMT, (thanks to HJ) I noticed the crescent at the beginning of the MV had turned into a red full moon. The opening title of the intro is "After the red moon rises", meaning the cookie takes place around the time the event that gives way to ATEEZ's return to World A, which turns out to be Z's defeat and the breaking of the second Cromer in GH:2 diaries. Upon a quick research I found three meanings of the full blood moon that are relevant to our story.

According to Mesopotamians and Incas, the blood moon symbolizes the death and the downfall of the king.

The claim of a blood moon being a sign of the beginning of the end times originates in the Book of Joel, where it is written "the sun will turn into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes." (I particularly like this because GH:1 signs the beginning of the end of our story).

The spiritual meaning of the blood moon is the opening of the path to exploring what is often referred to as our darker side, emotions such as rage, shame, and grief. (this take is particularly relevant to GH:2)

Moving onto the MV.

I have seen that it is almost a consensus that "WORK" MV is not directly related to the main storyline and is made more for funsies (I may be wrong since I am having trouble finding a lot of different perspectives on ATEEZ lore). I cannot stress how much I disagree. I strongly believe "WORK" is a dream sequence and acts just like "Inception" did for Fever 1 for setting the scene up and giving us a look inside the charaters' psyches.

What indicates this is a dream sequence? The vibrant colors that are a staple in ATEEZ dream sequence MVs and the ultra-absurd imageries like oil fueled ostriches, chicken that lay golden eggs, a flute that sounds like a clarinet, laundering money literally by putting it in the laundery machine, panning gold and directly finding coins and searching for oil and (successfully?) hitting water. Probably more too.

(HE COOKED YEOSANG'S CHICKEN??? GET THIS MAN OUT OF THE KITCHEN IMMEDIATELY)

Some of the members' jobs in the diaries are also directly referenced in the MV. Wooyoung has a plane behind him, we can see San's food truck in certain scenes, Yeosang's money scenes are reminiscent of his investment business and Jongho, who is the only one who keeps working with music, is the one who plays the clarinute.

Now yes, it is very evident that this MV's main theme is making money. But more than that this MV's main theme is making money a lot and in the easy way. Not only does the MV have the USA as its location and aesthetic, San is shown directly in scenes that parallel the Gold Rush and Pennsylvania oil rush eras. These are the eras in which the American Dream started, where people would immigrate to the US in hopes of finding work that pays them higher wages than in their homecountry or even finding opportunities that would make them rich quickly, such as striking gold or oil. When he pans gold, he doesn't find nuggets; he finds directly the coins. We see Yeosang print money and literally launder money along with other members. The chicken (originally goose) laying golden eggs is an imagery for get rich quick schemes. More unseriously, there is also a blatant reference to Grand Theft Auto series, a game most known for its money (and... well... sex) cheats.

To top the focus on money off, I also want to point out that they are unusually focused on achievements as well. The MV was filmed during the time when ATEEZ were getting achievement after achievement so it is a good way for them to (rightfully) boast but the characters also cling onto these physical manifestations of achievements alongside money to show that they are successful and are building themselves a life of their own. Another explanation I can come up with is that given these are music awards, the characters dream of having achieved success as musicians subconsciously. That is why these trophies are just decoration on the sides and in the back and have nothing to do with their actions in the MV. After all what is a MAMA trophy doing at a diner?

However there is a subplot going on especially on Mingi's side that caricaturizes this capitalistic desire for extreme wealth. He, along with HJ, literally fights Capitalism™ in the form of a money monster.

He is also seen dressed up like Willy Wonka, Charlie's Chocolate Factory is a book that criticizes greed. In fact, Mingi is not just dressed as Willy Wonka, he is dressed as a typical 19th century capitalist but in a more caricaturized way with his extreme fabrics, patterns and colors.

Do you see the resemblance in style?

Capitalism is also a concept that is directly related to the US and its culture and is part of the American Dream. I don't think LA was picked out to be the setting for this MV just because it looks fun but because the American Dream is the perfect theme that supports the theme we have here.

Now why do these come up in their dreams? Simply, they are haunted by the pressure to make money so much that they are dreaming of various ways of doing it. And they so don't like this process that they are just looking for easy ways out. Mingi hates this pressure to the point he literally fistfights capitalism (but honestly irl Mingi seems like he would do that awake if given the chance) and mocks it through his appearance. A fitting way for a model. This is too much of a stretch, I doubt anyone making the MV actually thought that deep but it makes sense that Mingi is particularly affected by this stress and takes on a much more aggressive and critical stance since he was the poorest in the group when they were young and knows what really is at stake if he can't keep making money or loses what he has.

There is one last remark I want to mention about this MV, and that is on the newspaper Yunho holds. In some frames you can see the writing more clearly than others and there is a story that is actually written there, that newspaper is not just for show. But it looks like the writing is grained on purpose and I couldn't find a way to clean it up. Below I am putting the cleanest frame and if anyone cleans it plz reach out to me too.

In another frame I now can't find I could make out “In a remarkable display of generosity and ingenuity, anonymous…” on top left corner. On bottom right the headline is most likely "Unmasking the Truth Behind Alleged Money Laundering".

And that is all I have to say about "WORK" and GH:1! Honestly going through the lore of this era was more fun than I had imagined because I was very sad that there was minimal lore going on in my first comeback as an Atiny but now I see it is deeper. There are many stuff I left for the analysis of IOMT since the diary entries of both eras directly follow each other and are also very similar, so please look forward to it! If you read up until this point thank you very much and hope to see you soon <3

[canyouhearthevoices]

THE WORLD EP. FIN: WILL

The final THE WORLD album, which, of course, continued, and in some ways concluded the story we saw in THE WORLD eps 1 and 2. It's still a bit ambiguous if this story itself is supposed to be separate from or part of the story in FEVER - there's evidence to point in both directions. But either way, they are still chilli-drug-dealing insane anarchists who love music.

This was also ATEEZ's first album to include unit/duo/solo songs (depending on the member). These songs all had MVs released with them, so that gives extra opportunity for analysis!

It also included a Part 2 track to what is probably one of my favourite ATEEZ tracks of all time - Crescent - which you know I loved to see, lore-wise, but which also, sonically, brought us nicely back to the realm of pirates - again, my favourite aspect of ATEEZ.

Tracks

We Know

Lyric Analysis

Emergency

Lyric Analysis

Crazy Form

Lyric Analysis

Choreography Analysis

MV Analysis

MV First Reactions (Part 1, Part 2)

ARRIBA

Lyric Analysis

Silver Light

Lyric Analysis

Crescent Part 2

Analysis

Dreamy Day

Lyric Analysis

MATZ (Hongjoong, Seonghwa)

Lyric Analysis

MV Analysis

It's You (Yeosang, San, Wooyoung)

Lyric Analysis

MV Analysis

Youth (Yunho, Mingi)

Lyric Analysis

MV Analysis

Everything (Jongho)

Lyric Analysis

MV Analysis

FIN: WILL

Analysis

[missmaniac25]

BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS) THEORY (not lore related)

Oh my soul here we go... Hi! I made a video! And it's too damn big for tumblr apparently so... YT it is! In this video I just explain why I think the song BOUNCY was created and it's just for fun. If you enjoyed it a even a little bit, please reblog. It would mean the most ❤️ (my notes below the cut)

Edit: part two link here

[binniesoob]

FIRST THOUGHTS ABOUT BOUNCY (LORE)

brain too fried and filled with exams stuff to properly talk about the lore rn BUT, i'll write down some thoughts/smol analysis of the BOUNCY mv in the meantime...

Strictland has now suburbs where "outlaws" live, probably those that Ateez as Guerrillas woke up from Strickland's control. Still, they are wanted, and there's people that would do anything for some more money :/ (see Mingi at the saloon) so they had to lie low for a while (the trailer says 6 months), splitting into pairs and hiding, until they plan the next move...

and the next move is killing the Android Guardian's boss that's been following them since forever, and they successfully do it ???? just like that ??? with Hongjoong's special bullet??? 😧

minute 1:37 of the mv: is that the Android Guardians Gallery...? with a glass case of chilies in the middle...? 🤔 is the chilli with the bullet inside that Hongjoong opens from that plant 🤔 he then breaks the glass case when he shoots, so is that something created by the government? 😮 and Seonghwa and Yeosang stole it to bring it to Hongjoong (see the trailer as well) to end the Android Guardian with his own weapon? 😮

2:56 they are inside the school 👀 but we don't see if they infiltrated to break free the students yet in this mv

they blow up the Android Guardian's headquarters/skyscraper?!?! (they are so cool i love them.)

last scene we see an annoyed Mingi saying "so freaking persistent..." and a logo similar to Zorro's (lol) over the wanted posters 😮🤔 did he make it? and is this a sign that the government is not defeated yet? (Makes sense, it couldn't be that easy, we still have The World 3 next, plus my Take Me Home theory regarding them escaping Strictland to go to Utopia after various tries of defeating the government and failing.) -> edit: new thoughts about this HERE

and the song playing at the end says "can't you see i'm a warning sign" ...? 👀👂🏻

they have a parrot!! and they teached it to sing!!

appreciation point for the TRON inspired motorcycles. that's it.

If you have any thoughts to add, they are very welcomed <3 let me know what you think :))

[sunniebirp]

Okay. Let's talk about comeback again because I've noticed something I think is really important, specifically about Seonghwa's most recent teaser.

So I was looking, and I was like, "Wow. This pose looks really familiar."

So I did some digging, and I found where I know it from...

[sanstropfremir]

I just got a chance to listen to Ateez's new jpn release and while I liked paradigm, I was surprised by the fact that it only had japanese versions of two of the bsides from their last korean album and just a slightly different version? of guerilla. What'd you think of the new song if you've heard it yet? Also very much enjoyed the mv being a performance mv since we haven't gotten one of those from them in a hot min

i liked it! it won't get the same play as guerrilla for me but you can't win 'em all. and the performance mv was great. san's weird arm ruffle shirt? 10/10. i do think it was a bit weird that their jpn album didn't have more new songs, but it might have been a situation where they were under a time crunch in between guerrilla and prepping for the world tour. it's also probably why they filmed just a performance mv with only two looks, as opposed to doing a 'full' mv. this jpn cb has been really guerrilla (lol), like i don't even think we got an official announcement that there was a jpn cb coming, we found out bc someone saw a truck campaign live in the wild in japan (or at least that's what i first saw). i feel like there's a possibility that they might have been under a contract obligation to do another jpn cb this year? idk, it is a bit weird, but also their last jpn album also only had one new jpn song on it (aside from the intro), so

[kpopcafeeee]

𝐀 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 ⚾️

➪𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐝! 𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐨 𝐱 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

➪ 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝, 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫, 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧.?

➪𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟, 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭, 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐲, 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫: talking behind another persons back, gossiping

➪𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: @deltamoon666 , @chngbnwf , @soso59love-blog , @jiwoongsblondehair , @nanaspeaches , @sannieily , @kyeomooniee , @whoronoa , @ateez-atiny380 , @manifestinglly , @mingimangomu , @miracle-sol , @e3ellie , @yoongilover3 , @amazaynaastha , @zhangyi-johee , @foxinnie8 , @jaerisdiction , @txpxwxk , @yothangie , @darkerrdaze , @bananabangtan , @mitchii , @blossomflowerpott

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟒 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟓

YUNHO POV

As Yunho wakes up, he stretches, feeling the slight stiffness in his muscles from the previous day. The early morning light filters through the blinds, casting soft patterns on the walls of his bedroom. He takes a deep breath, mentally preparing for another day of work. After a quick shower, he dresses in his usual attire—comfortable but professional—then heads to the kitchen for a light breakfast. While sipping his coffee, his thoughts wander back to you and Ye Joon. He can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more he needs to uncover, something that’s just out of reach. He tries to focus on the tasks ahead, but memories of the past keep slipping through the cracks. As he grabs his keys and heads out the door, he wonders if today will bring him any closer to understanding the missing pieces of the puzzle that is his old life and the new connections forming in the present. Yunho locks the door behind him and steps outside, the cool morning air waking him up fully. As he walks to his car, he can’t help but glance at his phone, half-expecting a message or call that will somehow bring clarity to his tangled thoughts. But the screen stays dark and silent. On the drive to work, his mind keeps replaying the moments from yesterday—Ye Joon’s proud smile, your distant gaze, and Wooyoung’s endless theories. He grips the steering wheel tighter, trying to shake off the unease that’s settled in his chest. There’s a nagging question in his mind, one that he hasn’t had the courage to voice out loud: What if the truth changes everything? Arriving at the practice field, he forces himself to focus on the present. The kids need him sharp, and he won’t let them down. But as he steps out of the car, the thought lingers—today might not be the day he finds answers, but he’s getting closer, and that both excites and terrifies him. For now, Yunho pushes those worries aside, greeting the team with a smile. But deep down, he knows that the question of who Ye Joon’s father is will eventually have to be answered.

Date: 6 Years Ago

It was one of those lazy Sunday mornings, the kind where time seemed to stretch and the world outside their bedroom didn’t matter. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. The bed was a tangle of blankets and pillows, evidence of a night spent in each other’s arms. Yunho lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling with a satisfied grin on his face, while you were nestled beside him, your head resting on his chest. His fingers traced idle patterns on your arm, the rhythm soothing and familiar. The sound of your soft laughter filled the room as you playfully teased him about his terrible attempt at cooking dinner the night before. “I swear, if I ever let you near a kitchen again, we might just have to live off takeout forever,” you joked, poking him lightly in the side. He chuckled, his deep voice rumbling through his chest. “Hey, I thought burnt pasta was a delicacy in some countries!” “Oh, sure,” you replied with mock seriousness, lifting your head to look at him. “I’ll be sure to book us a trip to wherever that is.” Yunho laughed, pulling you closer and pressing a kiss to your forehead. “I’ll leave the cooking to you, then. But you have to admit, I’m not so bad at making you laugh.” You smiled, your heart swelling with affection as you looked into his eyes. “Yeah, you’re pretty good at that.” For a moment, neither of you said anything, just enjoying the quiet intimacy of the morning. You felt safe and happy, like nothing in the world could touch the little bubble of joy you had created together. Then, out of nowhere, Yunho started tickling you, causing you to burst into uncontrollable laughter. “Yunho! Stop! I can’t breathe!” you gasped between fits of giggles, trying and failing to squirm away from him. He finally relented, laughing as he wrapped his arms around you again. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. But only because I love that smile of yours too much.”Catching your breath, you looked up at him, your eyes sparkling with happiness. “You’re impossible, you know that?” “And yet, you’re still here,” he teased, his smile softening as he brushed a stray strand of hair from your face. “Yeah,” you whispered, your voice filled with all the love you felt for him. “I’m still here.”

As Yunho sat at his desk, lost in thought and memories of the past, the sound of footsteps approaching broke through his reverie. Before he could fully snap out of his thoughts, a familiar voice called out. “Earth to Yunho!” Wooyoung grinned, waving a cup of coffee in front of his face. “You look like you could use this.” Yunho blinked, pulling himself back to the present. He hadn’t even noticed the time passing. “Thanks, Wooyoung,” he said, taking the coffee gratefully. “You were really zoned out there,” Wooyoung observed, leaning against the desk. “Thinking about someone special?” Yunho sighed, taking a sip of the coffee. The warmth of the drink helped ground him, but the thoughts of you still lingered in the back of his mind. “Yeah…something like that.” Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, clearly interested but sensing that Yunho didn’t want to go into too much detail. Instead, he opted for his usual lighthearted approach. “Well, whoever she is, you better snap out of it and focus, buddy. We’ve got a busy day ahead, and I can’t carry all the charm and good looks around here by myself.” Yunho chuckled despite himself, shaking his head. “You’ve got a point. Let’s get to it.” As they both settled into the day’s tasks, Yunho couldn’t help but feel grateful for Wooyoung’s timing. His friend’s antics might be a little over the top at times, but he always knew how to bring a bit of lightness to even the heaviest of days. And for now, that was exactly what Yunho needed.

At practice, Ye Joon was full of energy. He loved baseball—every throw, every swing, every cheer from his teammates. Today felt different, though. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he felt even more motivated than usual. As Coach Yunho and Coach Wooyoung gave them tips and instructions, Ye Joon soaked it all in. He wanted to make his mom proud, but there was something about Coach Yunho that made him want to give it his all even more. Maybe it was the way he talked to him, or how he seemed to understand what Ye Joon was thinking without him having to say a word. After a particularly good throw, Coach Wooyoung came over, clapping him on the back. “Nice one, Ye Joon!” he said with a grin. “Hey, by the way, I heard a rumor—you got any secrets you want to share with your old coach?” Ye Joon looked up at him, his face lighting up with a mischievous smile. He put his index finger to his lips and whispered, “It’s a secret, Coach! Only me and Mom know!” Then, with a playful wink, he ran off to join the other kids, leaving Wooyoung laughing behind him. As practice went on, Ye Joon felt the weight of his secret, but in a good way. He knew something special that no one else did—something that made him feel important. And as he looked over at his mom, sitting in the bleachers with a proud smile on her face, he knew that whatever secrets they had, they were safe with her. Ye Joon’s eyes darted to the stands once more, and he spotted his aunt waving excitedly beside his mom. She had come to every practice lately, cheering just as loudly as his mom. He felt even more energized knowing that both of them were there, supporting him. Auntie always brought him snacks after practice, and he could already imagine the treat she’d have waiting today. As he waited for his next turn at bat, he could hear her voice over the crowd. “You got this, Ye Joon!” she called out, her smile as bright as his mom’s. It made him feel like a superstar. When he finally hit another solid shot, sending the ball soaring across the field, he could hear both his mom and aunt celebrating together. They jumped up, high-fiving each other, and Ye Joon couldn’t help but laugh as he rounded the bases. After practice, as he ran toward them, he saw his aunt holding out a bag of his favorite snacks. “Great job, superstar!” she said, ruffling his hair as he took the bag. “Thanks, Auntie!” Ye Joon beamed, feeling on top of the world with both his mom and aunt there to cheer him on. As practice wrapped up, all the parents and children gathered near the field. The air buzzed with excitement as Wooyoung and the other coaches stepped forward, calling everyone’s attention.

“Alright, everyone!” Wooyoung began, clapping his hands to quiet the chatter. “Listen up, because we’ve got some exciting news. Next week, we have a big game coming up. And if we win, guess what?” He paused, grinning as the kids leaned in closer, their eyes wide with anticipation. “We get to go on a trip!” The kids erupted in cheers, their faces lighting up with excitement. Ye Joon’s eyes grew wide as he looked up at his mom and aunt, who smiled back at him, just as thrilled. The idea of a team trip added an extra layer of motivation for everyone.“We don’t know where we’re going yet,” one of the other coaches added with a wink, “but I promise it’ll be something special. So, make sure you’re all practicing hard this week!” The parents exchanged amused glances, some already discussing the logistics of the possible trip. The kids, meanwhile, were buzzing with energy, talking about how they were going to train even harder to ensure the win. Ye Joon looked up at his mom, tugging at her sleeve. “Mom, do you think we’ll win?” he asked, his voice filled with excitement and determination. She smiled down at him, ruffling his hair. “I know you’ll do your best, Joonie. And no matter what, we’ll be there cheering you on.” As Yunho observed the interaction between Ye Joon and you, he couldn’t help but smile. The way Ye Joon’s face lit up with excitement, and the warmth in your eyes as you encouraged him, stirred something deep inside Yunho. It was a scene that felt both familiar and distant—like a glimpse into a life he once imagined but never fully had. Seeing you with Ye Joon, your bond so natural and strong, brought back memories of when things were simpler between the two of you. For a moment, all the worries, questions, and uncertainties faded away, replaced by the quiet contentment of watching this small, precious moment unfold. Yunho’s smile lingered as he turned his attention back to the kids, his heart feeling a little lighter yet still weighed down with what could have been.

As the field cleared out and the other parents and children began to leave, Yunho lingered, organizing the last of the equipment. He overheard two moms standing near the bleachers, their conversation shifting to you. “Did you hear about Y/N?” one of them said, her tone laden with gossip. “I heard she might be messing around, and some say she might not even know who Ye Joon’s real father is. There’s even a rumor that Ye Joon could be her sister’s child.” The other mom nodded in agreement. “It’s just strange how private she is. Maybe she’s hiding something. It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s pretended to be something they’re not.” The remarks stung, but Yunho’s concern for you and Ye Joon overpowered his initial shock. He walked up to them, his expression serious. “Excuse me,” he said firmly, “but it’s not okay to talk about someone like that. Ye Joon deserves to have his family’s privacy respected, and you have no right to spread such rumors. For all you know, Ye Joon’s father could be someone who works hard to support him and Y/N.”

The two women glanced at each other, taken aback. One of them asked, “Are you the father, then?” Yunho was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by the direct question. He quickly shook his head. “No, I’m not.” The woman smirked. “That’s what I thought,” she said, her tone dripping with skepticism. Yunho felt a mix of frustration and sadness. “I don’t want to hear any more of this. It’s not acceptable to gossip about someone’s private life. You should treat others with the same respect you’d want for yourself. Please don’t let this happen again.” Seeing the gravity in Yunho’s demeanor, the women reluctantly agreed. They nodded, mumbling apologies, and quickly walked away. Yunho watched them go, feeling a mix of relief and lingering frustration. He hoped that by standing up for you, he had done something positive—something that might start to mend the distance between him and the life he had left behind.

As the weekend rolled around, you, Ye Joon, and your sister decided to tackle the grocery shopping together. The aisles were bustling with shoppers, and the three of you navigated the crowded space, chatting and picking out items for the week. In the midst of your shopping, Yunho happened to walk into the same grocery store. As he made his way through the aisles, he spotted you and your sister a few rows over. Just as he was about to approach and say hello, a tall man with a warm smile and an easy demeanor came up to you.

“Hey, Ye Joon! Hi, Y/N! Hi, Jihyun!” the man greeted, his voice cheerful. Ye Joon ran up to him with excitement. “Mingi!” he exclaimed, hugging the man tightly. Yunho stopped in his tracks, his curiosity piqued. He watched as Mingi interacted with you and your sister, noting the friendly and familiar nature of their conversation. The way Ye Joon clung to Mingi and the ease with which Mingi spoke to you gave Yunho pause. As Yunho observed from a distance, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He noticed how Mingi seemed to be an important figure in Ye Joon’s life, though Yunho couldn’t quite piece together the exact relationship. The affectionate interaction between Mingi and Ye Joon affection towards each other was very questionable like their were a son and father duo. Yunho’s thoughts swirled with questions and unspoken regrets. As he continued to watch from afar, he felt an increasing sense of longing and a subtle pang of envy. The sight of Mingi’s easy rapport with you and Ye Joon only deepened Yunho’s feelings of what could have been, leaving him to reflect on his choices and the path his life had taken.

Yunho’s heart ached with a blend of envy and regret as he watched the interaction between you, Ye Joon, and Mingi. From his hidden spot, he observed Mingi’s effortless ease with your family, the way Ye Joon beamed at him, and how comfortable and natural everything seemed. Mingi’s presence brought a warmth to the moment that Yunho felt he had missed out on.He saw how Mingi gently guided Ye Joon through the grocery store aisles, making him laugh with playful banter. The sight of you and your sister chatting with Mingi, clearly at ease and familiar with him, only deepened Yunho’s sense of exclusion. He envied the way Mingi seemed to fit into your lives so seamlessly, providing a comfort and stability that Yunho felt he had failed to offer. The affectionate way Ye Joon interacted with Mingi, calling him by name and hugging him with genuine affection, tugged at Yunho’s heart. It made him question his own choices and the opportunities he had lost. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had been too late, if there was still a place for him in your lives. As Mingi said his goodbyes and left, Yunho remained behind, lost in thought. The sight of you and Ye Joon walking away together, content and happy, left him grappling with a deep sense of regret. He envied the relationship between Mingi and you, feeling the sting of missed moments and wondering if he could ever bridge the gap that had grown between him and the family he had once hoped to have. With game day 1 day away, the atmosphere becomes electric. Yunho can’t shake the feeling that this game could change everything—for the team, for Ye Joon, and perhaps for his own life as well. He notices how Mingi seems more integrated into your life, and the envy he feels gnaws at him, a constant reminder of what he lost. Every time he sees Ye Joon practicing, he can’t help but wonder about the connection between you, your son, and Mingi.

Your sister, always the supportive one, keeps things light-hearted, but even she can sense the unspoken tension. You find yourself caught between the excitement of the upcoming game and the unresolved emotions that seem to bubble up whenever Yunho is around. Every interaction, every glance exchanged, seems to carry a weight that wasn’t there before. As the days tick by, Yunho wrestles with whether to finally address the questions that have been eating away at him. He knows he needs to focus on the team, but the lines between his personal and professional life blur more and more with each practice. The closer the game gets, the more Yunho realizes that he’s not just fighting for a win on the field—he’s fighting for clarity, closure, and perhaps a second chance. After practice, Ye Joon is full of energy, despite the long session. His little legs move quickly as he runs toward you with a wide grin on his face. “Mama, did you see me? I hit the ball really far today!” he exclaims, his excitement contagious. You smile warmly, crouching down to his level. “I saw, baby! You did amazing. You’re getting better every day.” His aunt ruffles his hair playfully, adding, “You’re going to be a star, Ye Joon. Just like your favorite player!” Ye Joon beams, his confidence soaring. As you all gather his things and prepare to head home, you notice how he can’t stop talking about the upcoming game. “If we win, we get to go on a trip! Coach Wooyoung said so!” he says excitedly, bouncing on his toes. As you buckle him into his seat, you can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “We’ll be cheering for you the loudest,” you promise, giving him a kiss on the forehead. On the way home, Ye Joon chatters non-stop about practice, the game, and even Mingi, who has been helping him with some extra practice sessions. His excitement is infectious, and by the time you reach home, you can’t wait to see him shine on game day. At dinner, the atmosphere is cozy and filled with warmth as you, Ye Joon, and your sister sit around the table. The scent of the meal fills the air, and the clinking of utensils is accompanied by light-hearted conversation. Ye Joon excitedly recounts his practice, his voice animated as he talks about his friends and the upcoming game.

Your sister smiles as she listens, occasionally chiming in with a joke or question, making Ye Joon laugh. You can’t help but feel a sense of contentment, watching your little family interact so naturally. After dinner, you and your sister clear the table, while Ye Joon goes to grab his favorite bedtime story. Once the kitchen is clean, you move into the evening routine—preparing Ye Joon for bed. He eagerly brushes his teeth, and you help him into his pajamas, all while your sister tidies up his room. As you tuck him in, Ye Joon pulls out the storybook, holding it up with a sleepy smile. “Can you read it to me, Mama?” he asks softly, his eyes already drooping. You sit beside him, smoothing his hair as you read aloud. Your sister sits nearby, adding funny voices to the characters, making Ye Joon giggle. Soon, his laughter fades, replaced by the steady rhythm of his breathing as he drifts off to sleep. Once he’s settled, you and your sister quietly step out of the room, closing the door softly behind you. The day has been long, but the moments spent with your family bring a sense of peace as you both prepare for the night ahead.

As you prepare yourself for bed, your thoughts drift back to the old times with Yunho. Memories flood your mind—his laughter, the way he used to look at you, the moments you shared. Those days felt so distant now, yet still so close in your heart. You sigh as you slip into your pajamas, staring at your reflection in the mirror. The thought of telling Yunho the truth about Ye Joon crosses your mind, lingering there for longer than usual. Maybe he deserves to know. Maybe it’s time to stop hiding and give him the chance to be a part of your son’s life. But as you focus on that idea, doubt creeps in. What if he’s angry? What if he can’t forgive you for keeping such a huge secret from him all these years? The thought of Yunho’s possible reaction—his hurt, his anger—makes your chest tighten. You pause, letting out a shaky breath. The risk feels too great. The fear of losing what little peace you’ve found outweighs the hope of a happy reunion. No, you can’t tell him—not now. Maybe not ever. With a heavy heart, you crawl into bed, pulling the blankets over yourself. As you close your eyes, you try to push the thoughts away, but Yunho’s face lingers in your mind. Sleep doesn’t come easily, and when it does, it’s filled with dreams of what could have been and what may never be.

The morning of game day arrives with a mix of excitement and nerves in the air. Ye Joon wakes up early, buzzing with energy. As soon as he opens his eyes, he’s already thinking about the game, imagining himself on the field, ready to make his big plays. You wake up to the sound of him rustling around in his room. When you enter, you find him already half-dressed in his uniform, struggling with his socks, a determined look on his face. You can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Ready for the big game, champ?” you ask, leaning against the doorframe. Ye Joon looks up, his eyes shining with excitement. “I’m gonna hit the ball so hard today, Mom! Just like Coach Yunho taught me!” You laugh softly and help him with his socks, making sure his uniform is all set. After a quick breakfast, you pack his practice bag with water, snacks, and his glove, double-checking that everything is in place. As the two of you head out the door, your sister joins you, carrying a small cooler with snacks for later. The morning sun is bright, and the crisp air feels refreshing. Ye Joon’s excitement is contagious, and you find yourself feeling optimistic about the day ahead. In the car, Ye Joon talks nonstop about the game, his strategy, and how he plans to impress everyone. You listen, smiling at his determination, and give him a few encouraging words. When you arrive at the field, it’s already bustling with parents, coaches, and kids. Ye Joon hops out of the car, practically bouncing with excitement. You watch as he runs ahead, ready to join his teammates, your heart swelling with pride. As you make your way to the bleachers, you spot Yunho talking with Wooyoung, both of them looking focused and ready for the day. When Yunho catches sight of Ye Joon, a smile spreads across his face, and he waves at your son, who eagerly waves back before joining his friends. The game day has officially begun, and you can’t help but feel a mix of pride and nerves as you take your seat, ready to watch Ye Joon give it his all.

As the game progresses, the scores remain tied, and the tension on the field is palpable. Ye Joon steps up to the plate, determination in his eyes. But just as the pitcher winds up, something feels off. The ball comes hurtling toward Ye Joon, not at the bat, but at his thigh. The painful thud echoes through the field, and Ye Joon stumbles back, clutching his leg. A collective gasp rises from the crowd as you shoot up from your seat, making your way down to the field. Ye Joon, furious, prepares to retaliate, but before he can, the other coach intervenes, pushing him back. "Stop right there, kid. You need to calm down," the coach orders, his voice stern. Before you can even reach them, Yunho steps in between Ye Joon and the opposing coach. "Keep your hands off him," Yunho says, his voice firm. "Your player hit him on purpose—and mocked ye joon by sticking his tongue out at him"

The other coach glares at Yunho, his voice rising. "Are you the father of this kid? Because if you're not, maybe you should step back and let the parents handle it." Yunho opens his mouth to reply, but just as he's about to speak, you arrive, stepping in front of both men. "I’m Ye Joon's mother," you say, your voice steady but full of controlled anger. "And I don’t appreciate anyone putting their hands on my son. That pitch was deliberate, and your player owes him an apology." The other coach sneers, refusing to back down. "Maybe if you taught him to handle the game without causing a scene, we wouldn’t be here."

You cross your arms, unwavering. "My son wasn’t the one who threw that ball out of spite. Your player needs to learn that sportsmanship matters." Yunho nods in agreement, stepping beside you. "There’s a difference between a mistake and intent. This wasn’t an accident—it was intentional." The coach narrows his eyes at Yunho, still defiant. "A coach, huh? Maybe teach your team to take some heat instead of running to his mom every time." You take another step forward, your voice firm. "This isn’t about taking the heat. It’s about respect. Your player crossed the line, and you're making excuses for him." After a few more moments of tense back-and-forth, the opposing coach realizes he's outmatched. With a huff, he raises his hands. "Fine. Let’s just get back to the game." You give Ye Joon one last reassuring look before heading back to your seat, knowing that, despite everything, your son is ready to finish the game. Meanwhile, Yunho stays on the field a moment longer, his eyes lingering on you and Ye Joon.

Even after the argument and Ye Joon’s minor injury, his team won the game and the trip to wherever they wanted to go. The celebration was lively, and you were joyfully cheering with Ye Joon. As the excitement continued, your sister pulled you aside, her tone serious. “You need to tell Yunho the truth,” she urged. “He needs to know that Ye Joon is his son. It’s the right thing to do.”You were about to reply when a sudden crash interrupted you. Two cups of water had fallen, their contents splashing onto the floor. Looking up, you saw Yunho standing a few feet away, his face a mix of shock, disappointment, and heartbreak.

He took a step forward, his voice trembling slightly. “Is it true? Am I… am I Ye Joon’s father?”

A/N: WHAT A SHOCKER 🫢

PLEASE DO NOT COPYRIGHT, OR PLAGIARISE!

➭taglist for part 5:

MADE BY KPOPCAFEEE ©

[atiny-for-life]

Ateez's Full Storyline Explained - Updated Regularly!

Xikers' Full Storyline Explained - Masterlist

Ateez's label, KQ Entertainment - Everything you need to know.

Creative Spotlight Masterlist (Ateez Solo Projects)

Everything is in chronological order and updated whenever new information/content is released so, if you start at Part 1 and go from there, you should be fully caught up with the entire storyline up until now.

Side note: Early Japanese comebacks are not included since they're fully self-contained and Don’t Stop was left out since it's part of Ateez‘s 'Universe' (now 'Klap Entertainment') content which is separate from Ateez’s main storyline.

If I overlooked or forgot something, feel free to hit me up and if you'd like to discuss theories, feel free to message me as well!

Masterlist:

Part 0: Glossary

BONUS: The Cromer

BONUS: The Members (A-World)

BONUS: The Kingdom Performances

BONUS: Turbulence & The Real

BONUS: Work

Part 1: Fever Series Masterlist

Part 2 - Treasure Series Masterlist

Part 3 - The World Series Masterlist + Not Okay

Part 4 - Golden Hour Series Masterlist + Birthday

[st4rrmii]

What the N6+Lucien would wear to an Ateez concert because the concert is in a week and I'm feeling insane. (+Who they bias cause once again, insane.)

Darius-

Darius gives me Yeosang bias vibes, I feel like he could def pull off the iconic babygirl Bouncy look

Kenji-

C,,,Coachella Yunho fit,,,, Kenji gives Yunho bias but also just I feel like he would eat up an outfit inspired by this.

Brooklynn-

She has blue hair and pronouns she would so be a Hongjoong bias and would absolutely try to do this bluejoong Bouncy look.

Yasmina + Sammy-

It would be so easy to say Sammy would do a cowgirl look, which she would! But also they would eat tf out of a Matz couple fit. Both give Seonghwa bias vibes.

Ben-

San biased so he has to step the FUCK. UP. would body the vogue moment. Might draw him in this tbh.

Lucien-

Mingi biased (me too) and would either do the Kcon 2023 look (what my outfit is based off ��🤭🤭) OR he would match Ben and do the Mingi Cosmo look.

[takitakidancetillthesunriseyea]

Crescent part 1 & 2 (Theory)

So! For the last day or two I’ve been obsessively trying to put Ateez entire discography in chronological order according to the lore. (The JP releases are driving me insane because idk where they all fit-)

BuT, in looking through all the songs and the lore, there was something I found odd: Crescent. They’re not intros or outros yet they’re mostly instrumental (with a little talking). So, what’s so special about them to be instrumentals in the middle of albums? And then it hit me while looking at the World Ep. Fin: Will song poster. Crescent

It’s a crescent moon.

A crescent moon means the Cromer has dream powers.

After looking at the songs around them, I realized it’s entirely possible that Crescent and Crescent 2 are supposed to represent either entering or exiting a dream state.

Crescent 1 appears in the middle of Treasure Ep 3, sandwiched between Illusion and Wave, one which is clearly a dream or hallucination and one which seems to show them waking up.

Crescent 1 repeats “Open your eyes”, which is how Wave starts. That (I think) seems to show that someone used the Cromer’s powers to send them a message to wake them up from some kind of dream they were in.

Which brings me to Crescent 2, sandwiched between Silver Light and Dreamy Day. Dreamy? Eh? Eh???

Silver Light (other than being one of the songs I cry to on the album) is about seeing hope in the distance, and “following the light”.

While Dreamy Day is about wanting a good day to last forever even if it’s just a dream.

If I’m correct this means the Teezers were in a dream/hallucination of some kind again during World Ep. Fin: Will, whether on purpose or not. (What goes on in Strictland ToT)

And while Yes, I know they don’t seem to be dreaming/hallucinating in the Will diaries, but the diaries don’t tell everything.

A good amount of the albums can be explained by diaries, but the Treasure series is a huge gap in what we know for sure. Between that and the how the Crazy Form MV doesn’t seem to be connected to the Will diaries at all. I think it’s safe to leave this theory open.

Plz feel free to add your ideas in the comments or tell me if I missed anything. I’m so curious what all this could mean. ＼(＾▽＾)／

[bunnakit]

one of the most difficult parts of navigating ATEEZ lore is you have to decide which avenue you're going to operate under -

are you operating under the assumption that they've traversed dimensions (A -> Z) with elements of time travel interspersed and the Halateez are tangible human beings they can interact with?

or are you operating under the theory that they've only time traveled "to a different world" (because the future is so bleak it feels like a new world entirely) and the Halateez are shadows of their future, no longer occupying that space-time because ATEEZ has taken their place and the Halateez are only reflections of their inner selves?*

and depending on your choice are you assuming Halazia is a third dimension where the events of the timeline occurred differently? or that it's instead even further into the future and what may be in store for society if ATEEZ cannot fix things in the Z era, the time of the Halateez?

this is why i think it's so difficult to say any one theory is correct when there is so much unconfirmed, so many elements to play with, and so many details to turn over in our head. it's an absolute blast to navigate and experiment with. i wonder if someday we'll have it all spelled out to us but part of me almost hopes it never is. (and i know some things have been 'confirmed' in interviews but we know KQ and HJ are known to be very tricky with the way they word and tease things.)

*i personally find it very curious that we only ever see interactions between the two through some form of reflective surface - aside from answer but even then they're lifting a glass to cheers and it could be said that they're viewing their reflections through that glass. (and we know reflective surfaces are banned in strictland for the sense of identity they can grant.)

there is also no direct dialogue between them in any of the diaries except a brief interaction between hongjoong and the version of him trapped in the glass on the prison island, when he adopts the black pirate costume for himself. we know the guardians can take people's voices, i don't think it's out of the realm of possibility for them to take and contain souls {no more, keep your soul} - especially of those they want to punish rather than dispose of - or for this to be some moment of self reflection and a realization of the path he wants to take moving forward

[canyouhearthevoices]

BOUNCY MV First Reactions

COWBOY COMEBACK!

Thank you KQ for releasing this in the middle of my work day... :/

I have to say, I love that they used a different aspect ratio for the MV - it’s another example of ATEEZ’s unique use of the screen itself (another one being when the robot arms come out of the video in WONDERLAND).

I’m in love with the MV. For starters, Gothic pirate cowboys. And then we have blue-hair Hongjoong making a return. And then we have the funky vibes of the song itself. And, of course, epic ATEEZ choreo. And then there’s the use of film grain, and the increased budget they have, and how they integrate elements from previous MVs (like they always do), and in general, each comeback reminds me of why I ult ATEEZ. This is the kind of stuff I’m into. 

And I hope you’re into it too, if you’re on this blog. 

Oh by the way? You know how ATEEZ were talking about bringing anarchy onto the world in HALAZIA and Guerrilla? Well, now they’ve literally brought anarchy onto the world through one of the world’s (hah) best-known representations of anarchy - the American Wild West. Whoever made this choice is a genius because it’s amazing shorthand for the anarchy and passion they’ve actually created, and brings an expressive world for them to put their music out into. 

Also - fire. Ahem, the fire Hongjoong destroys things with? Don’t forget that Don’t Stop was one of our first teasers of THE WORLD. 

Now, I will say that I don’t condone (and hopefully ATEEZ don’t either) the dangerous and/or illegal activities in this MV (no-rules boxing, driving motorbikes without a helmet, murder, owning illegal weapons, drug dealing). That said, they did make me laugh a lot in this MV. Idols are supposed to have a perfect image and ATEEZ are happily breaking the law everyday. And I found some specific moments oddly quirky and funny which I will dsicuss later. 

But let’s talk about the MV. Full discussion below the line.

Lyrics

Well, they’re what I’d expect from a cowboy ATEEZ comeback. They have the common motifs of bouncing/dancing, playing music, being the coolest, and so on. They also include the mandatory ATEEZ references to burning up, exploding, and so on. And they include the mandatory THE WORLD references to raising your microphone and making your own voice and music in the face of... well, a world that prohibits those things.

But that’s, as I said, to be expected of ATEEZ. Let’s talk about the actual MV.

MV Analysis

So it starts the same way the opening sequence did, but in snapshots - since they know that we’ve already seen it. I do think it’s interesting that they cut out the Wanted posters, since they have been a pretty integral motif for the past few years. 

I’d just like to say that this is the perfect shot to open this MV on. It’s got the warm colours, gritty tone, and fire that are important to this era (THE WORLD), and seen in ATEEZ mvs in general (FEVER). It’s got the fire - another important motif, it establishes the setting which I’ve already mentioned is a representation of anarchy, and thus establishes the tone of the song and comeback. But it also has an interesting camera angle - one which places the audience in a position inferior to ATEEZ, but ATEEZ inferior to the remnants of the government/other institution that has power in this world. 

It’s also a very pretty set, which is always a bonus. 

This is a great followup shot since it again shows how powerful Mingi is - although we don’t know it’s Mingi yet. It also shows that this world isn’t quite as gritty and old-fashioned as we thought - there are electric lights and the floor is actually relatively clean. 

Nice context for the actual face reveal, and, since it plays into Western tropes, it gives us a hint of what will come - a face reveal, dramatics, and a shootout.

I am a massive fan of black wing eyeliner Mingi.

Crazy Hongjoong is back.

Ahh yes goats - the symbol of the Wild West.

Not entirely sure what the red lines are supposed to mean here - other than ATEEZ and lights being big, and red and HALATEEZ.

Ahh yes, best set is the drug-dealing den disguised as a reputable establishment. This also further shows that the Wild West setting of the story doesn’t apply to everything - for instance, it is quite different (yet also surprisingly similar) to this underworld cyberpunk city.

SAAAAAAAAN. And here is our third setting - the boxing arena. All of these settings have the motif of anarchy and conflict, but the Wild West, grungy neon city, and boxing arena do so in different ways - guns, crime, and punches. 

I love the grainy effect here - another visual symbol of ‘the old days’which are seen as being more like anarchy, and, in lots of cases, like a better time. 

I also love how this MV practically made Woosan canon. 

This is definitely the heist Wooyoung from Don’t Stop.

CG motorbiking ATEEZ do not condone riding your motorbike without helmets. Protect your brain - it’s important.

Turbulence tunnel?

Love how he’s doing nothing and is far back but is still subtly checking on San. 

Dude wants his money and a husband.

Very convincing police disguises...

This shot is great because it is way easier to notice the steampunk aspect of the bar and the world. 

JOOOOOOOONG AND HIS SHIPPPPPP.

Mandatory pirate reference.

10/10 choreo - groovy and slightly threatening, but also relates to the story since they cut the chillis in half to reveal the bullets they’re hiding. I f eel like it wouldn’t be a very good way to store bullets but good on them - whatever works to take down the 1984 government.

A fascinating shot and scene - the ornate architecture paints them as gods of some description, while the red is of course, scary, and the glass it’s encliosed in reminds us of the cube in Say My Name. The chandelier is also a motif in their MVs. 

There’s also the contrast of blue and red, and of the grunge of the motorbikes and ornate room around them.

I hope they have a bigger chilli farm than just this one box, because this one ain’t gonna produce a lot.

Yes try to kill Mingi - I’m sure it’ll work out for you.

CHILLLLLLLI.

Moral of the story - Mingi’s on drugs. Maybe this whole MV and era - or even all of ATEEZ’s storyline from the start - was just Mingi on drugs. 

I love the choreo and cinematography of this scene - it’s another example of ATEEZ’s unique use of the camera and alternating jerky and still camera angles. And, of course, it’s used to tell a story and to create hype. 

CG Seonghwa says you should keep your hands on the wheel/handlebars when driving. 

Where to KQ get these extras? They’re great!

This is when I started laughing. It was the canon Woosan, how the water just dribbled out of San’s mouth, how dramatic they were being in an MV, and how serious they seemed when I know the director said çut’and someone rushed over to put more blood on San.

Unsubtle storytelling is here. 

Clearly the only reason San was losing was because he was boxing, not using his martial arts skills. 

I love the freeze frame when he kicks his opponent for emphasis. 

Lmao. Literally smoking the money. Wooyoung has great facial expressions. 

Great combination of lyrics and video to tell a story and to subvert my expectations of what the lyrics would mean (I was thinking of WONDERLAND’s start of a race).

This was another shot that made me laugh. It was the funky camera angles, the weird dance moves, them all being in a line, and how serious Hongjoong was while doing it all. 

My respect for him and his performance grows every day. 

I mean the choreo is pretty snazzy, it just shouldn’t be painted in such a serious light, I think. 

Literal canon Woosan literally being on top of the boxing world. 

ATEEZ the gods of the chilli pepper. 

On a more serious note - the shift to white is a bit unusual, but it leads us into the final verse and to the reveal that comes later.

OMG NOW WE KNOW WHY THEY’VE BEEN DRUG DEALING CHILLIS. 

haha

Hello High Noon Jhin from League of Legends.

Okay, bruv.

Why would you destroy your chilli crop?

Okay, it’s probably a different scene, but still.

That is one nasty bullet. That won’t do any more damage than a regular bullet unless it explodes on impact.

Please imagine that I gasped so hard that I fell off my chair, my jaw detatched, my soul left my body and I revived and became a god. 

My question then is - did this bullet actually kill the Guardian? Was that why it was weird? Is it possible to kill the Guardians?

And by the way this is the ‘white’reveal that I was talking about. Believe it or not - the white earlier probably made it easier for the audience to process this split-second reveal. 

I love the transition from fire to fireworks to champagne/water/whatever it is - it helps the audience understand, makes sense in the given scenes, and is HYPE.

Hey Don’t Stop ~

I love how this is like an old Western poster - and also how it includes buildings we are more familiar with from Guerrilla and HALAZIA - which connect it to the previous albums. 

According to the subtitles, this says ‘so freaking persistent,’which may or may not be censored. 

To which I assume he means the Wanted posters - but which could be the mark on them. Am I unobservant, or have we not seen this mark before? I doubt ATEEZ made it. Did the Guardians make it?

I also find it interesting that Mingi is kind of the main character of this MV. He’s a great choice for it, especially with the Wild West and intimidating theme of the MV, but I wonder if there is also a storyline reason for it. 

And that’s it! That’s the end of the MV! It pretty nicely continues the story from the previous releases, and shows how the world has progressed in the period between albums. They picked some super clever imagery to express this, which is all in service of the storyline and communicating the story as easily as possible in such a short time frame. I heard that some people think that it’s sad that ATEEZ are so dedicated to their storyline, since it means that they create less ballads - something that lots of people like. But not only am I not a fan of ballads, I love how dedicated they are to the storyline because it’s so unique to be this dedicated, and because the story itself is their identity and a key part of their success. They’ve showed dedication to artistry and storytelling over popularity, and that’s great. Not that prioritising popularity is bad - just that I admire ATEZ’s dedication. 

Conclusions

Woosan is now canon, ATEEZ’s directors, set designers, creative directors and so forth are geniuses, their extras are hilarious, and ATEEZ have amazing performances which I want to see more of. The cowboy theme is amazing here - andI probably love it even more since it reminds me of Face The Sun by SEVENTEEN - another stellar comeback and album. 

[tothisemptiness]

The base IOMT post

EDIT: Hello! If you found this post before my newer ones please know that I have started a series of analysis regarding Golden Hour: Part 2 that explain everything more neatly and in detail.

Golden Hour: Part 2 Analysis Series Part I: The Diaries

Golden Hour: Part 2 Analysis Series Part II: The "Ice On My Teeth" MV

Golden Hour: Part 2 Analysis Series Part III: The Chess Piece Theory

This is not the fully fleshed theory post on iomt but more of a starting point. I am just extracting my google doc on here so that 1) i can remember to edit it and 2) maybe people will see it and talk to me about it. so here we start with some bullet points about my scattered thoughts:

atp the falling chandeliers must mean something. not only are they in the mvs, they are also part of the actual stage now

the recurring theme of making money in the songs/mvs and the need to make money winning over their desire to follow their dreams in the diaries. it's just that while "work" caricaturizes it "iomt" goes with a darker criticism

the chandeliers, dust and ashes, broken piano and dinner tables decorated with candles draw parallels to answer and halazia

other halazia parallels: the tendency for arson, destruction of art, a seemingly more in control yunho and hongjoong more removed from the group

the broken mirror: a crooked version of themselves, the greed for money at the expense of passion and art is the opposite of the original ateez. the mirror appears on the d-day poster and also in hongjoong's first part

The white towel turning black: we first await the good, usual ateez we know and love. The towel turning black might mean that this is not the case and now we are face to face with the crooked version in this MV.

return of the ruby, which is probably badly handled by wooyoung (may be the cause of this crooked mirroring): we don't know the exact functioning of the ruby, now named Sopro, and all foreshadowing shows that things won't go well when wooyoung hastily and drunkenly uses it

tic-tac-toe: in the MV we see a tic-tac-toe game in tie in the room Jongho is in, previously mentioned in seonghwa's mini-rap (speaking of which, someone help me with the meaning of the "engrave the 3 letters of my name in this game" lyric). in the mini-verse created since gh1 it may symbolize the battle between passion and money: without money they won’t be able to live and realize their dream but without chasing their passions there will be no meaning to their survival. the black/gray cat walking around may symbolize woo who is trying to find a way out

the mansion well matching the description of yeosangs mansion

there are also parallels drawn between ateez and z with the mention of mingi’s ads

overall, feels like a new, older version of ateez trying to destroy their old image

also reinforced by jongho not being able to listen to their first song and the chaos that comes after they finally listen to it as a group: bitterness towards the past and the failure of their lives

golden hour is not about appreciating the moment they are in anymore: they are nostalgically reminiscing about the golden hour that passed them by and carry more or less some bitterness about not having been able to utilize it. they could not treat the trauma within the 60 minutes they had (make it as artists after having returned to world a before money ran out) and now have to lead imperfectly put together lives

The MV probably takes place in the aftermath of the diary. In the diary, Yeosang is the only one to explicitly go against Woo when the matter of trying again comes up, all the others either play along with woo or don’t say anything. In the MV, yeosang is shut up by Yunho and San chimes in with the “little bird over there has a lot to say”. By creating an alternate reality using Sopro, Woo may be making everything fit “as he would like” (things don’t seem to go in that direction) and Yeo may be trying to speak up but is pressed down by Sopro/other members under the influence of Sopro.

at the end of crazy form we see the cromer broken and sopro taken away by the blue bird. we see both of these in yeosang’s mansion since he took them in when nobody cared. in halazia, it is yeosang who sings about the little blue bird. again, in iomt mv he has parallels to a little bird. throughout the lore, yeosang has already been likened to a bird but at this point i don’t think it is crazy to say that the blue bird directly symbolizes yeo.

(from the crazy form reaction video)

San: “Now we found freedom”

Hongjoong: “That’s going to be…it’ll be connected to the next one.”

BRO WANTED TO SPEAK SO BAD ON THAT REMARK THEY IN FACT DID NOT FIND FREEDOM

who tf even is the doctor

what was supposed to happen in strange mansion before we died like fucking idiots

WHERE ARE WE IN THE LORE

parallel to second half of fever first diaries, crisis happens, shit goes to shit, new artifact appears and we are left at the cliffhanger right before the adventure

after this: crisis unfolds, probably back to a world seen before (very likely halazia since it is left little discovered and with many mysteries), crisis ends along with the entire plot (probs another 5-6 years to go if we don't count military service)

on a personal note: i feel like we are being a little stalled. the "work" mv seemingly doesn't enhance the plot at all unless we take it as a dream sequence of the members' in world a and a lot of time is put into explaining the members' lives than actually creating action in both golden hour diaries. even when given the chance in the Sopro room Yunho still doesn't mention his archeological finding in gh1 and further the plot in that direction.

CHESS PIECE THEORY EXTENSION

For the people that don't know, there is a theory on twitter that suggests the members each symbolize chess pieces. I think it is a very smart theory and is reinforced in the MV with Mingi playing with bedazzled chess pieces. To sum it up, the Ateez in the MV are the black pieces and we get this idea from the concept photo where each member mirrors their counterpart except for HJ and SH, who are the king and the queen. I have taken the theory and kinda did a bit of research to make more sense of it.

(PS: I got most info from here: https://www.chessstrategyonline.com/ so a big thank you to the admin of this website)

YUNHO AND MINGI (ROOKS)

Rooks are strongest when they protect each other (even sitting next to each other on the plane may foreshadow something). The rooks protect each other by being positioned along the same line. In the rook doubling strategy, one of them charges ahead while the other stays one line behind for protection. For successful attacks, the rook must go far in enemy territory to either take pawns down or restrict movement

Usually not used in the early game, starting the mv off with Yunho is a bold move. It either means they have a unique strategy they are so sure of, or they are making a very bad choice very flashily

The rook pawn openings are considered to be one of the worst openings in chess

Rooks are defensive pieces, putting them at the forefront (letting them take leader roles) is not exactly smart

In the MV the leadership role belongs to our rooks (mafia leader Mingi and Yunho being seen in leader positions and shutting Yeosang up in front of the press)

Mingi and Yunho also take part in a lot of action (the middle of the board). Mingi goes around with a clique of “pawns” as their leader, sets the furniture on fire, and breaks the car window. Yunho also is seen with a lot of pawns and is the one who interacts with the doctor.

SAN AND JONGHO (KNIGHTS)

The knight is a master of surprise, and can hop in and out of the most unexpected locations. (i sure as hell was surprised with san in the mv)

Best positioned in the center

the knight is sometimes vulnerable to being trapped if it runs out of squares -> possibility of (very likely san) being trapped in enemy territory or in the middle of battle -> either miraculously and riskily gets saved or pulls a sacrifice

Very risky to move along the edge of the board (aka, isolate or distance from action)

WOOYOUNG AND YEOSANG (BISHOPS)

Many, many possibilities to use them, we are not yet privy to Woo and Yeo’s exact roles

Except… they are usually not held in the center for long. In the choreo Wooyoung takes the center position often

bros suck at this game

SEONGHWA (THE QUEEN)

Mostly offensive, weak in defense, must be protected by others

Especially vulnerable when brought out too soon

A lost queen is almost as bad as a check

In the MV, SH is mostly surrounded by pawns (the ballerinas), a fitting protection

HONGJOONG (THE KING)

Castles protect the king the best

In the MV we see him isolated. Except for group sequences and a quick shot (related to the group sequence), HJ is seen totally alone in obscure corners of the villa. This is good for the protection of the king, but also means there is no one protecting the king. We can take Wooyoung the bishop as his protector if we take the black and white photos flashing in the MV into consideration.

A side note: The Ateez in the MV are the black pieces, however a lot of the “pawns” we see are white with just black masks. This has to symbolize something. I don’t know what.

Another side note: I think the white pieces they are playing against are the "normal" ateez we've known from the start. The real black pawns are all dressed in suits, which is a very classic symbol for capitalism, while the white pawns that have black masks are all artists or sports players (the tennis army). the white towel turning into black (expectation of seeing the "normal" ateez refuted by being met by the "crooked" ateez) may also be a nod to this. A very big stretch, i know, but in some occasions in halazia world mvs we see an overpowering theme of white on the members' costumes

in halazia mv, woo and san are shown in all white for their dance sequence. parting from theirs and mingi's costumes i take this entire look, which is predominantly white, as a canonical part of halazia

in "it's you" and "matz", the trapped versions of the members also wear predominantly white/light colors

this is all for now, i will be thinking solely of this comeback and how it ties into the general lore for the next weeks to come. if you have read until here, thank you so much and if you have anything to say plz do! <3

[csmiclxtte]

ATEEZ Fama [408] asteroid mini reading

disclaimer: i'm still learning & idk these ppl personally. so dont be too serious

ATEEZ has Fama in Aquarius (2°). As a group, they are known to be:

Original, unique, eccentric.

Aware of social issues

2° : "Fame" is a gift which can help them to produce wealth.

Fama Shadow Side

Spreading of news & controversies

ATEEZ is rather unproblematic, but if we take a look, the scandals mainly involves Aquarian theme.

Cultural appropriation(s)

Plagiarism (original ideas getting stolen)

ATEEZ's Fama aspects

square Sun-Venus, square Uranus, opposite NN forming a fixed Grand Cross / Grand Square

They may find "fame" to clash wih their ego (square Scorpio Sun).

"Fame" might trigger love-hate reactions from public. Or members may have tricky relationship with "fame", things can be awkward or tense (square Scorpio Venus).

"Fame" made them question their personal values at some point (square Taurus Uranus retrograde).

Their goal is to achieve fullest form of self-expression (Leo NN).

Fixed signs causing them to face the same issues again, if lessons not learned.

ATEEZ Members Fama Placement

Who they are known to be

Hongjoong | Fama in Virgo 8H (22°)

Workaholic, critical, and perfectionistic

Self-reliant.

Manage resources well.

Natural charisma, mysterious.

8H rules legacy, it can mean leaving a big legacy into this world.

Regenerate wealth.

Seonghwa | Fama in Cancer 12H (12°)

Emotional, sensitive, moody.

Nurturing, "motherly".

Imaginative, intuitive, may be spiritual.

Delusions & illusions which can mean he is often misunderstood. Or people may see him just as they like.

Great at conveying emotions and playing roles.

Yunho | Fama in Virgo 10H (28°)

Hardwork, competence, and diligence.

Perfectionistic, critical.

Professional and able to control his emotions relatively well.

Soft and caring, comforts people.

Intercepted Fama 10H: may mean Yunho have difficulty in climbing career ladder & gaining reputation.

Note: Fama in 10H can mean higher level of fame (positive or negative). Also the 28° degree, from what i've read, can be linked to karmic disposition. If his birthtime is exact, Yunho also has intercepted 4H. It can be translated as lacking familial/parental support. However he does have a strong ancestral connection, which possibly means that his career & reputation is linked with karmic clearing & such.

This is only based on degree theory & interception theory.

Yeosang | Fama in Virgo 6H (24°)

Hardworking, pays a lot attention to detail.

Takes extra care of his fitness & health.

Can be very particular about things.

Coworkers may often talk about him.

Can be known as spirirtual/mysterious, head in the clouds, not so present.

San | Fama in Virgo 1H (29°)

Another workaholic placement, striving for perfection, especially in how he represent his physic.

San seems to have a specific image/concept he wanted to project.

He can demand a lot from himself & his body.

Anaretic degree: ability to master the Virgo qualities. It might be something familiar and the energy is much easier to direct.

Mingi | Fama in Libra 9H / 11H (6°) - not sure what time Mingi was born, either 12 pm or 4 pm (please lmk which one is correct tysm)

Natural charm and beauty.

Center of attention.

Well-liked in foreign land/culture or internet.

May be indecisive.

Travel, media, and exploration will help him (9H), or rather technology and his friend group (11H).

Perfectionistic.

Wooyoung | Fama in Scorpio 1H-2H cusp (10°)

Scorpios are usually magnetic, so Woo doesn't need to do much to lure people.

Gives people a sense of intimacy, but also very private in a way. People are naturally curious of him.

Fearless, won't hesitant to approach taboo/forbidden stuffs.

Known for the his journey & transformation in building success.

Jongho | Fama in Sagittarius (6°) - also ugh idk his birthtime

Got famous by literally doing whatever he wants and following his guts.

Great sense of humor.

Known to be optimistic, wise and knowledgeable, philosophical, adventurous.

Perfectionist, practice make perfect.

Notice how Virgo energy is always involved in the placement, aside from Wooyoung and Seonghwa. Perfectionistic & critical ppl fr.

I by no means state this all as fact. Take it for fun only. Again, idk these ppl irl.

I'm just exploring astrology theories :>

Thank you for reading!