Journey of THE The WORLD Series Ep.3
“Stars in the sky could not be seen because people never raised their heads. The stars didn’t stand out, but it didn’t mean that they were gone. When all the light were put off, there they appeared shinning faintly and the boys came from the horizon crossing the border. But the darkness stopped the boys and there was no light to cast it away.”
Why did this journey begin?
Finding hope even amidst despair. Like dreaming of an ocean at the desert. With only trust each other, a place nobody went, They headed for their new starting point. What did they want to gain and what did they want to lose?
Everyone had their own individual desires and thoughts. Throughout this journey, they had become everything for one another. The end of this journey was near, and they had already made a pact to embark on a new one. The struggles they had faced before were now behind them. By the end of this journey, they emerged from the darkness with an answer in hand—a treasure.
The reunion they sought was now further away, but one day, they would find it, even if they had to go beyond their limits. For now, even as the waves tried to hinder them, they had to move forward. The reason for this instinct was something even they couldn’t remember, yet they knew they had to keep going. And in that moment, a call reached them.
The source of hope, the tree that seemed like a reflection of utopia within dystopia, was burned by Ateez during the first rebellion.
In this world, where they now sought to nurture hope, they would also need it. Thus, Ateez, who no longer retained their memories, hadn’t only shifted dimensions—they had also traveled back in time. They were now in a time before I’m The One, before the tree was burned.
Strictland was a place where hope and emotions had been left behind, and war and art had become part of history. It was an underground world that could also be referred to as the 4th dimension. This dark place, a mix of fire smoke and yellow haze, was Ateez’s current target.
The reason Ateez embarked on the Treasure journey was to possess an undying light in this dark world. But by the end of their journey, they didn’t have a star in their hands—only darkness. As a result, their inner light wasn’t enough for this world, and within the city’s shadows, they, too, began to lose their emotions. When they first arrived in this city, the fire within them was ablaze, but now, just like the city, it had become freezing cold. The feeling that had once reminded them, "You must defeat the darkness," was now telling them, "Pay attention to your inner voice."
Though Ateez didn’t fully understand their purpose, they had come here to create a new chapter. The game of black and white that began with Deja Vu had to continue. But which piece would they move now?
Perhaps it would be the pawn—the only piece with the potential to become a queen. Because in Sector 1 lyrics says:
“This zombie who has woken up can't die, for real
For real”
The zombie buried deep in the ground might have once been a vampire—who knows?
Blue blood and red tears—ATEEZ's very existence is a paradox. Though inevitable, they continue searching for an answer. Perhaps in this black-and-white photo studio where they are lost, there lies a clue to who they truly are.
But above all, they had to escape the effects of the hallucinogenic gas. While they might not be able to regain their memories, if they could at least recover their emotions, they could return to their mission. Even the Alter egos, watching them from the depths like spectators, couldn’t fully understand what was happening. In Strictland, where Ateez had lost their emotions, they questioned where they were falling, and even the Alter egos were puzzled by Ateez's state.
“Where do you go?”
Just as Jongho, under the influence of the yellow smoke, began to see an illusion of his past regrets, all the members of ATEEZ started experiencing hallucinations tied to their old memories.
Days repeated endlessly for them. Butare they let it repeat again? All the people were waiting for these children to come from beyond the horizon, to bring back the light. Yet, ATEEZ found themselves in the most unlikely place, in the most impossible situation.
The exit button was in the mirror. When ATEEZ saw the reflection of themselves, they knew they had to put an end to it.
Just as ATEEZ realized they needed to break free from the hallucination, red lights—the symbol of their other side—appeared, as always. The path out of the maze led back to the black-and-white photo studio.
If they were to adapt to the black-and-white world, to carry on with their plans in this colorless realm, they, too, would have to become black and white.
Could Ateez hear their voices, That will they break them free?
The song, which symbolized hypnosis, conveyed how the Alter egos were trying to wake Ateez, urging them to escape from this hypnosis.
As Ateez began losing their emotions and minds to hypnosis, the only thing the Alter egos could do was call out to them, say their name.
The place Ateez longed to reach—Utopia—was only accessible if they woke up now. When the rain poured and drenched all the dryness, only then would Ateez discover who they truly were. Their identities would be revealed.
Dark days, chaotic nights—they must embrace the darkness to escape. They must adapt to the darkness of this world and wield their own shadows.
"Close your eyes, come here. If you can't see the truth, you need the darkness to escape it."
Everything we thought we knew is transforming. Perhaps the true treasure, the treasure we’ve needed all along, was always right beside us. And so, instincts turned into foresight, and the darkness they needed revealed itself.
With a whisper calling out to them, Ateez awoke.
The Alter egos wanted one more chance, and instead of escaping the labyrinth-like darkness, Ateez broke through the walls and emerged.
Goodbye, darkness. Now, everything left behind, all of Ateez's memories, is filled by witnesses who have been watching everything from within throughout their journey. Thus, for the first time, a true treasure is placed into Ateez’s hands. The rain that was meant to fall and the lightning that was destined to strike finally appear, and they transform into guerrillas.
Now, we can say that Halateez, who refers to themselves as a glitch in void, is coming from the path that’s one step behind. We now see these companions as glitches in the performances after Halazia, during the Hala Hala performances.
In the songs we will hear now, the electronic vocals no longer represent Halateez, but Guerrilla Ateez.
When Ateez escapes the maze and rises back to the surface, it’s time for them to return to their plans. The second rebellion must begin.
The Awakening of Summer, the first rebellion failed. They couldn’t save Yeosang, and they burned an important tree. This was Chapter 1. But after The End, the second rebellion, Chapter 2, was about to start. This time, it was here to fix the mistakes made before with the blue light.
the one weak Ateez who with the pearl necklace’s mistakes in Guerrilla music video…
We see them surprised in the clip because Ateez starts the rebellion before them, not allowing them to burn the tree. Also, during this time, Wooyoung and Mingi return.
As a whole, Ateez starts dancing with the Black Pirates against the androids and performing for the people. This causes many people to wake up and begin joining the pirates. After the second rebellion ends, Ateez enters a period of rest.
During this time, they plan for a more effective movement. They must go to Prestige Academy , which is connected to the Guardian Island. Here, young citizens undergo 40 years of education to become useful humans. The Prestige Academy was where Yeosang trained before, during his life in Strictland.
This place was different from the Guardian’s Bunker where Yeosang had been kept in the past, and where energy capsules were located. Yeosang had been kept in a gallery.
In a world without emotions, in a gallery...
But what would Ateez do now? Most of the Z’s guardians was now gone, and Prestige Academy and the Disposal Center was also lost their meaning.
Before Ateez’s return, Z attempted to escape with the Cromer, accidentally taking them with him. ATEEZ was unprepared for this; it all happened so quickly. During this sudden departure, Z was eliminated by the Thunders’ leader.
They had saved the world they intended to rescue, but they couldn’t create a utopia.
Thanks to the Thunders and the Black Pirates, the world own their choices. Half of them chose freedom, and the Black Pirates continued to support them.
Returning to their world, ATEEZ was once again left with their original dream: music.
It was their aspiration before they needed to save the world. Confronted with the reality of this world, ATEEZ no longer wished to chase childish dreams. It was time to grow up.
Meanwhile, their inner fire began to fade. The dreams stopped coming; the Fedora-wearing men had disappeared. The journey was over. They were no longer the heroes who saved Strictland.
