ATEEZ's Mingi's Unstoppable Energy
A person who pours out energy on stage to the point where the microphone pack might burst. That is ATEEZ's Mingi.
[translation of SINGLES Magazine interview]
From Billboard and Coachella to the Asia-Australia tour and Grand Prizes at various awards ceremonies, the accolades surrounding ATEEZ are extraordinary.
We were happy to be able to properly convey the image we wanted to show through our recent "Adrenaline" activities. I feel that "Adrenaline" was the starting point of our new journey, and I sensed that now is the stage where we need to properly show the real ATEEZ.
The way you interact with the audience on stage is unique.
The fans’ ‘barking’ culture is one example. At first, the howling was just something I did as an interjection, but before I knew it, the fans started imitating it, and it became a culture. These days, it feels like we’re competing with the fans on stage to see ‘who has more fun.’ Haha. When we pour out all our energy, the fans send us even louder cheers so we don’t lose. This time, too, while we were standing on stage before the announcement of the winner, our fans started barking, and I heard that fans of other artists were fascinated by it.
Is there a reason you pour out so much energy?
I’ve really loved watching performances since I was young. I’ve always admired the energetic artists on stage. Even now, the performances of the artists I loved still linger in my mind like afterimages. Since fans take the time to travel from far away to come see me, I want them to return to their daily lives revitalized after watching the show. This also connects with the direction I want to take as an artist.
ATEEZ is also famous for its intense choreography.
The reason I try not to let go of dancing until the very end is thanks to the members. Everyone dances as if their lives depend on it, and I feel like if I lose my focus even a little bit next to them, I'm causing harm to the team. That energy keeps me moving. My biggest desire is to perform harder and more impressively to completely dominate the stage.
Is there a stage that particularly stands out in your memory?
The sing-along part of ‘Guerrilla,’ which is performed towards the end of the concert, is actually quite tough. (Laughs) That’s when I rely on the members the most, and it makes me feel like we are creating the performance together. It also makes me feel like ATEEZ is with our fans.
I'm curious about your personal routine before standing on a big stage, Mingi.
I do have a routine, but it's really weird.
What is it? I brush my teeth. Ten minutes before going on stage.
You brush your teeth with such grim determination.
I’ve never once missed doing it before stepping onto the stage; I’ve done it unconditionally. I don’t know why, though. Even if I brushed 30 minutes beforehand, I have to do it again right before the performance. Haha.
The bigger the stage, the more I tend to try not to think about anything. After all, we've likely practiced that much more. You know how people usually say that you don't get nervous as you gain more experience. Looking back to when I debuted, I never felt nervous. However, as I moved into my fourth and fifth years, I found myself getting more nervous. Considering what I've shown so far, the expectations fans have of me, and the image I have, I felt a sense of responsibility to perform even better. So, I actually zone out for a while, and then start thinking again about 10 seconds before I go on stage.
So, you practice sufficiently and approach the stage with a clear mind.
People think Mingi is an energetic person, you know. But I actually like saunas, watch healing videos, and seek out things that help me relax. Since I pour everything out on stage, it seems like I actually need the opposite things more.
How do you spend your time after coming down from the stage having poured out everything like that?
When I feel a bit overwhelmed after a performance, I actually try to spend more time with the members. Since we've been friends since our teens, when we talk, meaningless conversations like "What should we eat?", "Is this fun?", or "Why do you live like that?" often continue, but these things actually serve as motivation for me in life. We recently finalized our 7-year contract renewal, and since we are friends I'll be seeing for the rest of my life, it is important to be together without any formalities. There is a sense of stability and comfort when we are together.
What does ATEEZ mean to you, Mingi?
I often think that my success depends on these guys succeeding. So, I simply cannot let them fail. If there is one thing all eight of us agree on, it is that without the team, there is no individual. Since we know each other's strengths and weaknesses so well, we give each other both praise and constructive criticism. We are meant to lead one another. And that is what created the ATEEZ of today.
In the end, it’s all about the ‘team.’
I truly believe that. When we first started growing, we could have been envious or jealous of one another. But we all move forward with one heart. Even if we succeed at different times, that ultimately benefits the team. And right now, those opportunities are coming to everyone. Seriously, without exception. The members feel it too. So, pushing someone even harder when they succeed, and embracing them even more when they falter—I think that is what is truly important.
Seven years have passed as ATEEZ, and recently, all members renewed their contracts.
The past seven years have been a time of continuous challenges, as we went through the fever of youth together. There were many times when we felt frustrated and upset because we couldn't reach the results we wanted, but that was because we were aiming for even higher goals. We simply couldn't be easily satisfied. However, those times actually motivated us and served as the catalyst that led us to resolve to stay together forever. I believe the next seven years are a time to show what we can truly show. To put the finishing touch on ATEEZ at the very top, the members and I are still talking and deliberating for two hours every day.
I heard that the amount of your original songs is also tremendous.
“Deadlines” are what motivate me. (Laughs) Just like an office worker, I sit in my studio and hold onto the work until it’s ready. It’s my loss to release a song I’m not satisfied with. It’s really painful while I’m making it, but once it’s released and gets stuck on someone’s playlist, I find myself incredibly happy. I think I like songs that feel like a hit the moment I hear the intro. After all, the mood of the song is the most important thing.
Is there a genre you're really into these days?
The genre I want to explore is EDM. I realized this at Coachella, but at DJ festivals, people don't look at the stage; they look at the person next to them. So, it's just me and that person having fun. Since I'm always the player, I perform while saying, "Look at me, look at my stage." But I found the concept of "You do the stage! I'm going to have fun with the kids" really cool. So, I became interested in creating music where people look at me when they want to, and where I can play along with the audience.
Could you give us a little hint about a song that hasn't been released to the world yet?
When I was a trainee, I only knew how to dance and knew nothing about music. So I was picky about genres. But these days, I don't think genres matter. What matters is simply the music I like. If you listen to my songs, you can just hear my unique ‘Mingi color.’ The genres may all be different, but isn't that the most important thing? The songs to be released in the future will likely be the most polished ones I’ve ever created, and they might sometimes feel unfamiliar. However, I think all of this can be described as a journey that is ‘Mingi-like.’
The courage to change. That’s not easy, you know. Just as I’ve remained Mingi while living as ATEEZ for the past seven years, I think my strength is navigating this path well while maintaining who I am. My motto is “Live the way you want,” and I think I’m currently maintaining about a 50:50 balance. When I’m making music, I have to stay centered because thinking about too many people can make my direction waver, and since there are people I’m responsible for, I can’t just do whatever I want. Still, I’m trying my best to keep that balance.
Is there a goal you absolutely want to achieve?
My goal is for the team to take first place. I cannot achieve my personal goals unless the team wins. Once that is fulfilled, I want to try various challenges that allow me to expand my horizons. I think there could be fashion elements within the performance, and I also want to try a stage that combines theatrical and musical elements. I also want to create a show where the audience can move and enjoy themselves, rather than just passively watching the stage.
Lastly, what do you want to tell ATINY?
There is only one thing I wish for from ATINY. I hope that through us, each of your lives improves by even just one step, just as I have found comfort in music. Whether you are hiding behind curtains or working a normal job, returning to your daily lives feeling a little happier than you do now—that alone would make me so happy. Because I am happy only when ATINY is happy. So let's be happy together!
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