<aside> <img src="/icons/note-sixteenth_gray.svg" alt="/icons/note-sixteenth_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Welcome! This week we’ll be focusing on three topics:

<aside> <img src="/icons/drafts_gray.svg" alt="/icons/drafts_gray.svg" width="40px" /> $\large \tt 1.1~kpop~ terminology$

  1. Trainee: A trainee is an aspiring artist who is undergoing training under a K-pop entertainment company with the aim of debuting as an idol. Trainees are selected through auditions and go through rigorous training programs, often for many years.
  2. Debut: The official introduction of a K-pop group or artist to the public. It typically involves releasing a debut single or album, along with promotional activities to gain attention and fans. The debut date is often celebrated as the anniversary of the group.
  3. Generation: K-pop groups are typically referred to by what ‘generation’ they debuted in, which allows closer comparisons in metrics to other similar groups. For example, BTS and Blackpink are considered 3rd gen, since they debuted between 2012-2017. ATEEZ are considered 4th gen since they debuted later, in 2018.
  4. Comeback: The release of new music by a K-pop group or artist. It often involves promotions such as music show performances, variety show appearances, and fan meetings. Members often prepare for comebacks by changing their hair colours or styles for a new era.
  5. Music Show: A Korean music show, also known as a music program, is a television show dedicated to live performances of the latest music releases. These shows are a significant part of the K-pop industry, providing a platform for artists to promote their new songs, interact with fans, and compete for weekly awards. Music show wins are highly-coveted and a sign of success for K-pop groups.
  6. Comeback Stage: A televised performance by a K-pop group or artist on music shows to promote their latest comeback. Comeback stages typically feature live performances of the group's new songs and choreography.
  7. Era: Often referring to the period of time from one comeback/album to the next. Eras can also refer to multiple albums together; for example, ATEEZ tends to release album trilogies that share similar concepts or themes, so you could refer to the entire trilogy as an era (THE WORLD era, ZERO: FEVER era, etc.).
  8. Bias / Bias Wrecker / OT / Ult: Bias is a term used by fans to refer to their favourite member(s) of a K-pop group. Fans often have a bias based on personal preferences for a member's personality, looks, talent, or other characteristics. A bias wrecker is a member who could tend to steal focus, or would at times take over as one’s favourite member. If you like all the members of a group and cannot pick a favourite (or are consistently being wrecked), you can say you are OT8 which stands for ‘one true eight’, where 8 is the number of members in the group (BTS would be OT7, etc.). An ult is one’s favourite member or group across all K-pop groups.
  9. Visual / Vocalist / Rapper / Dancer: Members are usually defined by their roles in the group, which usually falls into one or two of these positions. ‘All-rounders’ or ‘Aces’ are rare but would refer to a member who is exceptional at all of these positions.
  10. Line: Used to refer to subunits of a group, either official or not. For example, “rap-line” would likely be an official subunit of the band’s rappers, whereas “demon-line” or “bias-line” would be fan-made subunits. Also, Koreans often identify their age by the year they were born in; for example the 97-line would refer to idols born in 1997.
  11. Fandom: A community of dedicated fans who support a particular K-pop group or artist. Fandoms often have their own name, culture, and activities, such as fan projects, fan meetings, and online fan communities. ATEEZ’s fandom name is ATINY (eh-tee-nee).
  12. Light Stick: A handheld device used by fans during K-pop concerts and events to show support for their favourite group or artist. Light sticks often feature the group's name or logo and can be synchronized to change colors or patterns during performances. ATEEZ’s light stick is called LIGHTINY.
  13. VCR: In the context of K-pop concerts, VCR refers to pre-recorded video segments that are played during the concert. These videos can serve various purposes, such as introductory clips, transition videos, storyline or concept videos, or special messages.
  14. Ment: This term is derived from ‘comment’ or ‘mention’ and refers to the speaking segments during a concert where the idols interact directly with the audience. Each member will often have the chance to make their own comments to the fans.
  15. Fan Chant: Standard chants that fans will sing/shout during specific songs at a concert. Sometimes these are prescribed by the group or company, other times fan-made.
  16. Photocard / PC: A photocard is a collectible item often included in physical copies of K-pop albums, merchandise, or fan goods. They are often random drops and there is a large community surrounding their collection and trading. Unofficial photocards (cards printed by other businesses or fans) are referred to as ‘lomo’ cards and are often given away as freebies at events. POB stands for pre-order benefit, and will frequently be some sort of special photocard or insert.
  17. Lore: Lore refers to the fictional storyline, universe, or conceptual narrative that a K-pop group creates and follows through their music videos, albums, and other content. It involves a series of interconnected themes, characters, and plotlines that evolve over time.
  18. Title Track / B-side: The title track is the main song promoted from an album. It is often the centerpiece of the album and the focus of promotional activities. B-sides are the other songs included in an album that are not the main focus of promotions.
  19. Killing Part / Point Dance: Though subjective, the ‘killing part’ refers to the most impactful line(s) of a K-pop song, often highlighted by one member’s particular performance of it. The ‘point dance’, or point choreography, is the dance moves of a song that are the most memorable, repeated throughout the song, and/or used for dance challenges. </aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/tabs-user_gray.svg" alt="/icons/tabs-user_gray.svg" width="40px" /> $\large \tt 1.2~introduction~of~the~members$

Here is a brief introduction of the members and their roles! We’ll be discussing more about each one individually throughout the course.

Untitled

</aside>

Untitled

<aside> <img src="/icons/headphones_gray.svg" alt="/icons/headphones_gray.svg" width="40px" /> $\tt extra~credit$

Listen to their debut mini-album (19m25s) and post your thoughts of each track! As we delve into their later music it will be interesting to compare how they evolved through each era.

[English Translations - Genius]

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/4ayTucmOGwLd0WrJddrUwx?utm_source=generator

</aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/music-album_gray.svg" alt="/icons/music-album_gray.svg" width="40px" /> $\large \tt 1.3~debut~era$

In 2015 Kim Hong Joong, the future leader of the group, sent a mixtape to KQ Entertainment. A year later he became the first trainee of the company, with Yunho auditioning and joining six months later. The others would follow, some transferring from other K-pop companies. They were known as KQ Fellaz prior to debuting.

The group debuted on October 24, 2018 with their first mini album TREASURE EP.1: All To Zero. Their name, ATEEZ, is an acronym for "A TEEnager Z” [I hate this 😂]. It also stands for A to Z [I’m choosing to believe this instead]. The title track of the album, Pirate King, along with the accompanying debut single Treasure, introduce their pirate concept and more importantly begin to explore some of their recurring themes surrounding this idea → freedom, adventure, nonconformity, journey, discovery, and found family/crew, to name a few.

Their fan name ATINY is a combination of ATEEZ and ‘destiny’. The ATINY fandom celebrates their birthday each year on November 17, as the fan name was first announced on November 17, 2018.

ATEEZ’s motto/cheer is “8 makes 1 team”.

This week we’ll be watching their debut stage (first live performance on a music show - we’ll be talking more about music shows next week!) of Pirate King, plus their first music video (MV) for Treasure. Note how baby they are!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAXWhITwJp8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLV83ndOwz4

</aside>

$\small \tt references$