How were each ATEEZ member discovered by KQ Entertainment?

In 2018, KQ Entertainment debuted its newest boy group, ATEEZ. Composed of eight members, Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung It is Jonghothe group was known in their trainee days as “KQ Fellaz”.

Today, the group has already become one of the biggest names in the fourth generation of K-pop, accumulating a huge number of hits, such as “Pirate King”, “WONDERLAND”, “Deja Vu”, “HALAZIA”, “Guerrilla”, “ Wave”, “Utopia”, “Say My Name” and “BOUNCY(K-Hot Chili Peppers)”.

Furthermore, in the last two weekends, ATEEZ performed at Coachella, in the United States, one of the main music festivals in the world, attracting a legion of people to follow their powerful performance.

But, do you know how the members of ATEEZ were discovered by KQ Entertainment? RECREIO tells you!

Jongho

The group’s maknae and main vocalist was the penultimate member to join the company. When he was younger, Jongho He was passionate about sports, however, he also ended up discovering a passion for music. Thus, he decided to become a trainee, initially being part of the company TOP Media. The star ended up going to KQ after passing an audition.

Wooyoung

As reported by Koreaboo, Wooyoung decided he would like to become an idol after a performance at school. Initially, he joined BigHit Entertainment (currently BigHit Music, BTS’s company), where he met Yeosang. The two left the company together, and Wooyoung He even received invitations from other agencies, but decided to go to KQ in order to stay by his friend’s side.

Mingi

Like the other members already mentioned, Mingi He was also a trainee at another company before KQ: Maroo Entertainment. He was the third member to join the current agency and, like Wooyoung, Jongho It is Hongjoongparticipated in the survival program “MIXNINE” before debuting as ATEEZ.

San

Unlike the other members, San I had no artistic experience before auditioning for KQ Entertainment. After joining the company, the idol even tried to participate in “MIXNINE”, but was not approved. Today, he is extremely recognized mainly for his great dancing ability.

Yeosang

The history of Yeosang is practically the same as Wooyoung. Before joining KQ Entertainment, he was a trainee at BigHit, but ended up deciding to change companies, in addition to receiving offers from six different agencies. However, unlike my friend, Yeosang failed to pass “MIXNINE”, but secured his place in ATEEZ.

Yunho

Yunho He had the dream of becoming an artist since he was very young and, therefore, attended different dance schools in South Korea, where he ended up meeting Mingi. After many classes, he decided it was time to become a trainee, and auditioned for KQ Entertainment, where he passed.

Seonghwa

Being a natural talent, Seonghwa He passed the audition for KQ Entertainment on his first try. However, initially, the star auditioned as a rapper and eventually changed his position to vocalist. Like other members, he also tried to join “MIXNINE”, but was not approved.

Hongjoong

Hongjoong, captain of ATEEZ, has a slightly more curious story about joining KQ Entertainment. In an interview with the American radio DJ, Zach Sang (via Koreaboo), the leader revealed that he joined the company after sending a letter asking them to give him an opportunity to work together.

“I heard that [na época] There was no plan to create a new idol group, a new K-Pop star, but I really like Block B sunbaenim. [Gostei] of their music and style, so I sent a letter to my now boss,” Hongjoong explained. “I [escrevi] that I’m Hongjoong and I write some songs, so please listen to this song and if you have any interest in me, contact me… I really want [trabalhar para sua] company and make some songs with you.”

The idol also explained that the official response only came a year later, as the letter was only discovered when the company moved buildings. Second Hongjoong“They changed [edifícios] company and found my letter. From then on, they contacted me… ‘Oh, are you still making music?’”.