Hello! Longtime lurker, I love your writings! To add to the Jongho discussion, I definitely agree that his vibe makes you want him to like you! I went to one of their concerts this past summer and Jongho came over to my section ONCE and decided we did not pass the vibe check and it still haunts me to this day. He’s not even my main bias…
story of heartbreak sent 2025.12.16
OMG. I'm going to put you to bed and cover you with a fluffy duvet and get you a hot water bottle and a cold drink (err, I'm assuming you're in the northern hemisphere where it is winter) because you just lived my newly acquired nightmare. Poor thing! What happened?? And how did Jongho get it SO WRONG?? Pls share more details (if you'd like) (I really hope you do).
It's time to break down the story of our beloved maknae, Jongho! Click here for the masterlist!
Before Fever
Jongho didn't always dream of being a performer. Before he joined Ateez, he had big plans of becoming a decorated basketball player, and he was well on his way to doing so. Unfortunately for him, during one of his games, he snapped his ankle. Jongho assumed he would be able to play basketball again once he healed, but the doctor had other news. Crushed by the idea that all of his dreams were crashing down before his eyes, Jongho found Ateez and joined them. Music became his new escape, and eventually it became somewhat of a new dream for him. Knowing this, it makes total sense why Jongho got so mad when Mingi said that Ateez's dreams were worthless. Jongho got so mad, in fact, that he punched Mingi, only to be pulled off by Yunho. This fight is the catalyst for Ateez to break up, as the tensions are high and Mingi doesn't want to participate anymore. Jongho is left with nothing but two shattered dreams.
In the Diaries (Fever & Beyond)
Once the members arrive in World Z, they set off on a mission to help the Grimes girl find her voice and find Left Eye so they can cover the Cromer. Half of the members go to find Left Eye and the other half search for the voice, with Jongho in the latter camp. Searching through the dump is risky due to the smoke that covers it and causes hallucinations. Despite wearing a gas mask, Jongho suffers from an intense hallucination during the search for the girl's voice, believing himself to be playing in the basketball game that caused his injury. Jongho is immediately immersed and decides this is his chance to redeem himself, a redo of sorts, and begins running as hard as he can. When Yeosang sees that the rope attached to Jongho has gone tight, he puts on the final gas mask and goes in after him, finding him running hard straight for a cliff.
Within his hallucination, Jongho's fall off the edge of the cliff feels like the fall that injured him, and Yeosang's hand grabbing him becomes the arm of the doctor, revealing the bad news.
"All my teammates could do was leave me behind while looking back at me with pitiful eyes. I freed myself from the doctor's strong hold of my arm and yelled at them as they were becoming distant. 'Please take me with you! Please don't leave me here!' I screamed at the top of my lungs." - Fever Pt. 2
After Yeosang grabs him again, continuously shouting his name, he places his own mask over Jongho's face and Jongho comes out of the illusion at last, allowing them to leave the area together, the Grimes girl's voice having been found earlier.
Later on, when they've returned to World A and Yunho states that he doesn't want to help them save Yeosang, Jongho has to physically remove himself from the bunker and go outside to calm himself down. To Jongho, this feels like another betrayal and another shattered dream in a way. However, this time Mingi follows him outside. Jongho assumes it is because Mingi feels the same way, but Mingi reveals to Jongho that he respects Yunho's decision. Jongho listens to Mingi explain his perspective from the day he got punched and feels a greater understanding for both him and Yunho alike. Jongho is able to calm down due to their conversation, and the two return to the rest of the group.
After they save the brothers at Prestige Academy, Jongho is the one to realize that the Guardians are coming and cues the group to perform. His nonchalance in this scene is so funny to me, so I'll just put that here.
"'What a relief. Or maybe not...' ... As the members looked at Jongho, he shrugged, pointing behind him with his chin." - The World Ep. 2 Outlaw
Jongho's ability to stay calm under pressure allows him to be the one to radio over to the pirate bunker when they're held at gunpoint when trying to get to Z on the Guardian Island. His voice is described as coming through the radio softly and he is very straightforward with his message, informing the members of the situation clearly. Of course, the members in the bunker end up getting into their own trouble, but it is nonetheless impressive and helpful.
After all the chaos has ended and they return to World A again, Jongho pushes pretty hard for them to continue making music, but, unlike Wooyoung, he knows his limits. When the group seems to be falling apart, Jongho resolves to continue working in music and live out his new dream at least in some capacity. Although he fails at becoming a solo artist, the songs he used to make with Ateez catch the eyes of some entertainment companies, and he finds work as a vocal coach and recording guide tracks.
One day, Jongho is working a the producer for a younger group, and a fight breaks out. The fight is directly reflective of the same type of fight he and Mingi had back in the day, and this realization strikes him. An engineer in the studio tries to step in, but Jongho tells him to let them get their emotions out. Once they've finished shouting at each other, Jongho steps in to break it up and talks to them. He sees himself on both sides. One boy is anxiously trying to become a singer to escape a bad home life, which Jongho says he can relate to, that anger born of anxiety. The other boy wants to be an actor but is trying to sing instead in the hopes of finding acting success along the way, which Jongho relates to because he also had to go with his second-choice dream.
"I heard that kindness also requires stamina. You're both so tired that you're overcome with anxiety and confusion. ... I know it's impossible to really understand each other's struggles, but let's at least try to be kind to each other. How about it?" - Golden Hour Pt. 2
Jongho is so strongly reminded of his members that he goes to listen to one of the first songs he ever made with them. At first, he just notices how amateur it sounds, but once the members start singing, it really touches his heart, and he begins to cry.
Unfortunately, his emotional moment is interrupted by a fire alarm as a stray cigarette has set the building on fire. Jongho hesitates, startled by the sound, until a firefighter breaks down the door and rescues him. The firefighter is, of course, Seonghwa! After successfully saving Jongho, the two of them sit together and catch up. Jongho listens intently, and Seonghwa notes this new maturity about him, only recognizing the Jongho he remembered when Jongho protests after Seonghwa says he won't be at the get-together the following day.
That night at the party for Hongjoong's book at Yeosang's villa, Jongho is the one to get their little dance party started, playing the songs he made for them. Everyone's moods are improved greatly and it prompts Wooyoung to make comments about the group getting together more regularly again. While all the members brush it off drunkenly, Jongho takes Wooyoung seriously and sides with him, saying he's already written songs and likes the idea. Even when Yeosang scolds Wooyoung and Wooyoung starts to blow up a bit, Jongho keeps this maturity about him, choosing to try and defuse the situation rather than encourage a fight. Jongho tells Wooyoung that he stands by what he said, but says they should probably work on checking their schedules and everything before they dive in. Unfortunately, Wooyoung is too far gone but it was certainly a good effort. This is where we leave Jongho for now.
-fire (ie Inception, Everything, Ice On My Teeth, Firework) (please note that fire is a general motif for all members but I do think it also fits with Jongho in particular a lot)
-musical instruments/equipment like speakers and such (ie Ice On My Teeth, Guerrilla, Work)
-flags (ie Halazia, Guerrilla, Treasure)
Jongho's Primary Character Traits:
-tactful
-quick to anger
-sarcastic
-dedicated
Closing Thoughts
I think that Jongho has shown the most growth out of all the members throughout the story. His character has shown a direct path of improvement, particularly in terms of managing his anger and becoming more of a peacemaker for the group. His character is so admirable to me because he is so dedicated to Ateez and to making music, knowing the whole time that this is not what he dreamed of doing for himself. Importantly, when all the members have to learn how to settle for their second-choice dreams in Golden Hour, Jongho handles it well and also doesn't change career paths because he is already settling for his second choice. I can imagine how difficult that feels, and he is so respectable to me because of his attitude throughout this process. Jongho deserves the world. I hope he can find some satisfaction in whatever career he ends up in.
Please send in any questions and please look forward to the next deep dive tomorrow! I'll be releasing them at the same time each day until the end of this week. :) I hope this was interesting!
