Interviews · GOLDEN HOUR Era
StarNews — 'ATEEZ Doesn't Stop: Aiming for Grammys and the Super Bowl' (ATEEZ Group Interview, Seonghwa)
StarNews's exclusive ATEEZ interview for "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4," on their AAA sweep and enlistment plans.
An extensive exclusive full-length group interview by StarNews, published February 23, 2026, tied to the release of eleventh mini album "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4" and title track "Adrenaline," and looking back on ATEEZ's five-trophy sweep at the 10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025. Seonghwa answers individually at length throughout: on the AAA win, expressing satisfaction that the show captured their stage well and gratitude for how it let the members focus while considering fans' needs; on the concept behind "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4," saying he agonizes musically over every album, and that thinking as a team about what ATEEZ's beginnings were and what their "conviction" (신념) is led to "Adrenaline" — an unwavering expression of that conviction; on the "Adrenaline" choreography, recalling that from the moment they commissioned it he said "we want to show this ourselves this time, even if it's hard," with San joining the choreography-making process; and on military enlistment, stating plainly that enlisting is a given, that he has no regrets after seven years of activity, that their recent contract renewal means little should change after discharge, and that in the meantime their job is to make sure fans don't feel shortchanged.
Seonghwa's Words — English Translation
Q: You took home 5 trophies at the 10th AAA 2025. What are your thoughts on attending? A: "We did a lot of year-end stages this time, and I think the '10th AAA 2025' captured our stage really well, so it was a show I was very satisfied with. I'm truly grateful they gave us so many awards — I think it let all of us, the ATEEZ members and ATINY [ATEEZ's fandom name] alike, wrap up the year happily. It was also an awards show where the thoughtfulness really stood out. They let the artists focus on the stage and thought carefully about what fans needed too — I'm grateful for that."
Q: "GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4" seems like an album with special meaning for ATEEZ. What message did you want to convey through this album, and what mindset did you prepare it with? A: "(Rather than a message,) I think musical concerns come first for me. It was the same with the last album too — with every album there's a big question of 'what should we show them this time?' For this album, the members thought together about what ATEEZ's beginnings were, and what fans' needs might be. And thinking about what our 'conviction' is, the result was 'Adrenaline.' There are always a lot of things we agonize over, but this album especially — it's a song that really shows our unwavering conviction."
Q: The "Adrenaline" stage shows off explosive energy. I'm curious how the choreography came together. A: "From the moment we commissioned the choreography, I said, 'This time, we want to show this ourselves. It doesn't matter if it's hard.' And San also joined the choreography-making process directly, thinking through the direction with us."
Q: It's a bit early, but what are your enlistment plans? A: "I think enlisting is just a given. I've been active for seven years without regret, and the most important thing is that we've renewed our contract, so I don't think it'll be a big problem even after we're discharged. That said, I think it's on us to make sure fans don't feel shortchanged in the meantime."
Translated directly from the original Korean text of the StarNews (via Nate) article linked below.
Official Sources
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Era Context
GOLDEN HOUR Era · 2024 – Present
The current chapter. Continued global touring, expanded solo visibility in fashion and media, and an evolving artistic voice — documented here as it unfolds.