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The special strategy to overcome the sweltering summer, the K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS Vibe! ATEEZ, the boy group whose fame has spread far beyond the sea with their powerful performances, has returned carrying Korea's unique spicy taste. After finishing overseas tours in America and Europe, they've showcased cool visuals and energy in this newly released album. Their title track, ‘BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS),’ which contains exciting music and unique choreography, along with many other attractions are prepared in this album [THE WORLD EP.2 : OUTLAW]. Let's explore the spicy stories of the eight unique members with us, M Countdown Magazine!

Welcome back ATEEZ, returning for the second time with the ‘THE WORLD’ series. We heard that last year you toured in America and the UK, and this year you have an upcoming tour in Asia.

 Despite your busy schedule, are you all keeping well and staying healthy?  
Of course, with the release of our new album, we are indeed busy, but as much as we're busy, we have more days to spend with our fandom, ATINY, which makes our days even more exciting and happy. We are also taking good care of our health, so don't worry!  
 

It's exciting just imagining you guys with your international ATINYs. How was the atmosphere on site during the tour? Which ATEEZ song particularly hit the mark with your overseas fans?  
 

We were really thankful to the fans who responded passionately from the beginning to the end of our performance. Especially during tour, we felt that ‘Guerrilla’ from our songs received the most heated response. Hearing the voices of ATINY shouting ‘Break the wall,’ lyrics that match our tour title, piercing through our in-ears gave us unlimited energy.  
 

Like your slogan ‘8 makes 1 team,’ there's a sense of solidarity seeing you all move as one team. If you could pick one thing that's most important to ATEEZ's teamwork, what would it be?

We believe the most important thing is to have a caring heart for each other. Since we've been together from before our debut until now, we know each other very well. Of course, we take care of what's needed for each other. We also think we can prevent uncomfortable situations by being cautious first, because we are ATEEZ.  
 

Your passion to return with new songs despite your busy schedule is impressive! How do you feel when you come back to Korea after touring the world?

We've been through a lot of different venues through our two world tours. Instead of just giving a single performance, we eagerly strive to present an upgraded version of ourselves to fans as soon as possible, drawing upon the expertise we've gained from each experience.  
 

Producer EDEN is always a part of ATEEZ's music. Is there a behind-the-scenes story about the song creation for this album? How did you discuss parts with the producer and incorporate your own unique color into this album?

Producer EDEN has known us since before our debut, so he's very familiar with each of our strengths and charms. That's why, during the production process, he's constantly thinking about how to bring out the unique color and individuality of ATEEZ, and we're always grateful to him for that. As for the parts, after everyone tries singing the same part, the member who expresses it the best takes on that part.  
 

When we think of ATEEZ, powerful electronic and hip-hop music comes to mind! Does your everyday life also align well with such passionate genres?

Although we deliver intense concepts and powerful performances on stage, we're quite playful and relaxed off stage. So, after finishing our schedules or during break times, we all tend to spend our time quietly and ordinarily.  
   
 

As can be inferred from the title of your album, ‘OUTLAW,’ the concept of the lawless world is quite groundbreaking. The atmosphere of your songs feels slightly dark, reminiscent of a dystopia. Could you briefly explain this story that feels like a movie?

If our 8th mini album [THE WORLD EP.1: MOVEMENT] announced the start of our journey, this new album can be seen as containing a more daring and thrilling story. Our secret and exhilarating operations are hidden here and there, so we hope you enjoy listening to it.  
 

From the subtitle ‘K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS’ in your title track ‘BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)’ to the lyrics of ‘K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS Vibe,’ there's a lot of cleverness. How did you decide on this concept and come to write these lyrics?

While we were thinking about how to express the ‘spicy’ performance that captures ATEEZ's unique intensity, we thought of ‘Cheongyang Pepper,’ a representative spicy flavor unique to Korea. It seemed to be not only an intuitive word, but also a fitting lyric with wit in our song.

The powerful and rapid-fire rap in the middle of your title track, ‘BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)’ is impressive. Leader HONGJOONG and MINGI also participate in the rap composition. Who are some artists that you regularly enjoy listening to and like?

HONGJOONG: Recently, I've been enjoying music by Kendrick Lamar and Jack Harlow.  
MINGI: I really like Calvin Harris' songs, and among them, 'Slide (Feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)' is truly a masterpiece.  
 

As expected of a group known for their performances, the choreography of your new song is also full of energy. The dance move that reminds one of childhood train game is the most memorable. What is the key dance move that people can enjoy while listening to ‘BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)’?

There are many key dance moves in ‘BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS),’ such as ‘limbo’ and ‘ttangttameokgi,’ but the ‘train game’ choreography is the best to enjoy together. If you line up one by one and follow along until the ‘A bit different spicy / K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS Vibe part, you will be able to have even more fun.

Your music video felt like watching a Western or an action film. It's probably thanks to your high-level acting skills. Do you have any movies or actors you referred to or like?

Thank you for your compliment. All of us enjoy watching movies and dramas, especially hero-related ones. We think this has allowed us to immerse ourselves more in this music video and deliver thrilling performances. Haha.   
   
 

Songs like ‘DJANGO,’ which captures the lawless outlaw of the sunset, and ‘Wake Up,’ which invites us into a world of imagination and chaos, are as strong as your title track. What are your personal favorite tracks from the album?

HONGJOONG, SEONGHWA, JONGHO:  ‘Dune’

YUNHO, YEOSANG, SAN, WOOYOUNG: ’DJANGO’

MINGI:  ‘This World’  
 

We wish the best of luck to you and your new album [THE WORLD EP.2 : OUTLAW]. Could you say a few words to your fans in Korea as a final remark?

Hello, ATINY! We are so grateful for all the love you're showing for our new title track ‘BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)’. Let's continue to make more good memories and have fun together! We're counting on your support in the future as well, and we love you!