Comparing the lunar new year content of Ateez and Enhypen, it seems clear that Ateez could really benefit from more structured content based on 'breakout groups'. When they're all together like that, it easily gets so loud and chaotic, and, as you pointed out in the Minsang post, mean. (Also what is the point of going through the trouble of assigning character roles if they Don't Even Stick To Them? It looks sloppy, actually. Maybe breakout groups would make this a more manageable task for the members, idk.)
Honestly the two of them saved that content and Yeosang really shined. It's just a shame because when you contrast the sort of calm and easiness that Minsang achieved, with the vibes the rest gave off, it does not make Ateez as a whole particularly appealing. Which is... Not Great, especially since variety content plays a big part in what gets viral/included in short form content that has big potential to draw more fans in.
That being said, I'm so excited to see how Yeosang and Mingi develop, both individually and as a friendship duo. It would just be nice if they were able to shine without being sidelined or disregarded by the rest :/ nonetheless! i hope they continue to stand their own.
(Thank you for that write up about them, it was really enjoyable to read.)
I enjoyed making that post, so I'm glad you liked reading it!
This was the character set up that they were supposed to enact, and as you point out, they dropped very quickly and didn't much bother with.
I'm sure there's a translation on the video itself, but basically the 'characters' they set up for the Ateez Family Cousins Personalities were all crap, and demonstrate a reductive view of these guys that's reminiscent of some of the most unfortunate and clumsy ways that KQ itself has played with the Idol personas of its star group.
Hongjoong is the "controlling" cousin, but this only highlights Hongjoong's unfortunate tendency to kill 'bits' by naysaying them in the service of bringing order. Seonghwa is supposed to be "the immature one that knows a lot of memes," but Seonghwa is 4th dimensional, not childish, and his face doesn't allow for that sort of mood without great effort. Yunho is the "successful" cousin - because I guess he's the most conventionally handsome? But like, that's why a lot of Atiny find him boring, this 'good boy' cover thing he does. And he's trying to break out of this. Yeosang is the 4th Dimensional cousin (i.e. weirdo) - this is so dismissive. San is the one "addicted to" trends. Mingi "says only facts" which in a Korean context is insulting- it implies that he lacks situational awareness, social charm and empathy. Wooyoung is "loving, despite his rough tongue" - why does the scriptwriter sound like a verbally abused partner making excuses for their abuser?!? Is this meant as a warning to Wooyoung to mind his tongue?!? And Jongho is "the youngest but is the most like an elder brother" - again, another dead-on-arrival character, in the vein of Hongjoong's 'character' which gives Jongho no opportunity to let his cuteness, fierceness or sense of humor shine.
Does anyone who is a stan of this group, or biases any of these members or has them in a bias line, find this inspiring?? This looks lazy as fuck to me and moreover, slapped together by someone who doesn't actually know or care about any of the following: (1) what persona their stars are actually trying to cultivate, currently OR (2) what the public, however you define it, want from that star OR (3) what's been the most memorable, likeable or funny moments of the side-content they've put out OR (4) what the particular Idol might actually be good at OR (5) what is actually possible to express in this format where they're all trying to cook a tricky dessert without a proper kitchen available.
Going a bit deeper purely from a Yunho bias pov - "a successful" cousin, implying the one that is the most conventionally successful and makes the most money gives Yunho absolutely nothing to do. In his budding-actor way, Yunho tries on a condescending stick-in-mud character, in broad strokes, but like, who wants to see Yunho do this? He usually uses these KQ productions to get really really offbeat (the bizarre KQ song, the self-ass slapping that destroyed everyone, dancing Troublemaker with Mingi).
Come ON KQ. Do betterrrrrr. Surely- ABSOLUTELY- Ateez is more important to KQ than Enhypen is to Hybe (you know, that also has BTS and Cortis to look after) and yet Enhypen content doesn't make its guys look lost or inaccurately present them as assholes.
UGH.
