ATEEZ, 'UP' (Comprehensive) capturing the essence in raw energy

5 songs including the title track 'UP'Officially released on the 13th at 2 PMGroup ATEEZ's YUNHO SEONGHWA San YEOSANG HONGJOONG WOOYOUNG JONGHO Mingi (from left) attended a press conference for the release of their fifteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' held at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 12th and posed for photos. / Reporter Park Sang-min[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group ATEEZ is set to break through their limits once again with "vibrant primal energy."ATEEZ (HONGJOONG SEONGHWA YUNHO YEOSANG San Mingi WOOYOUNG JONGHO) held a press conference for the release of their fifteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 12th, marking the start of their comeback activities.'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' is an album that focuses on the "raw energy" that ATEEZ possesses. With this album, ATEEZ has expressed their determination to overcome their own limits in their most authentic form.The album includes a total of 5 songs: the title track 'UP', pre-release song 'Drip', 'ANEMIA', 'FAITH', and 'Hollow Victory'.Hongjoong, who took the stage that day, said, "It's already our fifteenth mini-album, but I always feel nervous and excited with each new release. I feel even more so this time because it seems like many people are looking forward to it. We will repay you with a great performance."He added, "We actually promised each other as members at the beginning of this year that we would have three comebacks. We've given meaning to 2026, our 8th anniversary, because we are an 8-member group. At this point, we thought about what kind of powerful performance only ATEEZ can deliver. So, even though it's our 8th anniversary, we expressed that we are still moving towards the future with the sound we do best."The fact that the 'GOLDEN HOUR' series has reached its sixth installment is also noteworthy. Compared to typical K-pop series albums that conclude with a trilogy, this is quite unusual.Regarding this, Wooyoung said, "We don't set an end to the series when we create it. We don't know if the next album will be 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.7' or a new series."However, he quickly added with a laugh, "Personally, I feel it's a bit long. I think it's time to move on to a new series."ATEEZ's fifteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' includes 5 songs: the title track 'UP', 'Drip', 'ANEMIA', 'FAITH', and 'Hollow Victory'. / Reporter Park Sang-minIn response, the team's leader Hongjoong said, "I believe we have broadened our scope by experimenting with various genres in the 'GOLDEN HOUR' series. Furthermore, the title track 'BAD' from 'GOLDEN HOUR Part.5' was a great hit with the public." He continued, "It's true that reaching Part.6 is long, but on the other hand, I also wish it could continue," he said, eliciting laughter again.Hongjoong also shared his future plans, stating, "The most important factor in starting a new series is ultimately the message. We will move on to a new series when we have a new message we want to convey."The background for the heightened anticipation for this comeback is the success of the previous work, 'BAD'. The title track 'BAD' from 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5', released in June, caused a huge sensation, being cited as one of the biggest challenges of 2026, and achieved career highs in both album sales and digital music.Wooyoung and San also mentioned the changes since the hit of 'BAD'. They said, "In the past, we often had to explain how well ATEEZ was doing, but now people often recognize us first. And we often get complimentary service at restaurants." They added, "Thanks to that, we are living dream-like days. We've poured all our efforts into this album to become artists worthy of your expectations."Hongjoong said, "Although 'BAD' dominated the algorithms, I honestly hoped for the same when 'DRIP' was pre-released. However, with this album, I wanted to show that we are not swayed by the success of the previous work. Of course, the title track 'UP' sings of reaching the top, but the album's focus is on the message of 'focusing on the essence and looking towards the next step'."The title track 'UP', which embodies this determination, is a song that captures ATEEZ's obsession with overcoming their own limits. Based on powerful brass and explosive bass, it expresses the primal energy inherent in the members.ATEEZ will release their fifteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' on various music sites at 2 PM on the 13th. / Reporter Park Sang-minSan said, "'UP' is a song that contains our ambition to move towards the highest place and beyond." YUNHO explained, "We've incorporated a lot of ATEEZ's identity that we've built up so far into the music, performance, and visuals. It's a song that expresses what only we can show in the most intense form."Furthermore, Mingi emphasized, "The goal for this 'UP' is to showcase ATEEZ's past 8 years with the most trendy music and performance. Through this, we aim to surpass ourselves. If you look at the lyrics of 'UP', there are many parts that quote the content of our previous songs. This is also an expression of our will to look back on the past 8 years and overcome them."The 'limit breakthrough' that ATEEZ desires is not just about breaking numerical records.Hongjoong said, "Of course, I'm happy if we achieve better numbers. But our biggest goal is for people who haven't seen our performances to come to our concerts and for us to meet more people." He added, "We hope that friends who don't know us will discover our music anew, and for those who already know us, we hope their perception expands to 'ATEEZ used to make this kind of music'."ATEEZ will release their fifteenth mini-album 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.6' at 2 PM on the 13th. Following this, they will embark on a new world tour 'ZERO TO ALL' starting in January 2027.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]