ATEEZ members reveal physical injuries endured for intense stage performances

During a recent appearance on KBS WORLD TV, ATEEZ members shared how they pushed through broken fingers and hairline rib fractures to complete performances. The group, recently named to Billboard's Top 10 Most Profitable K-POP Tours of 2025, also discussed JONGHO losing approximately 8kg while preparing for their latest comeback.

The group ATEEZ, who earned the descriptor "intense passion" for the powerful energy they release on stage, has revealed the times of pain and endurance hidden behind that heated fervor.

In a video related to 'The Seasons' released by KBS WORLD TV, the members of ATEEZ shared the injuries, difficulties during tours, and the tight bond they have built over eight years that were hidden behind their flashy performances. Having proven their global influence by being named to Billboard's recent 'Top 10 Most Profitable K-POP Tours of 2025,' the group visited the studio immediately after returning home from a performance in Jakarta.

Broken fingers and cracked ribs: Times endured for the stage

The "intense passion" that serves as a symbol for ATEEZ is not merely a descriptor. The members confessed that when their immersion on stage increases, they reach a point where they cannot even feel pain. In particular, specific instances of injuries suffered on stage during their rookie days were revealed, showing how fiercely they have approached their performances.

Member SEONGHWA revealed that during his rookie days, he lost his balance on stage and fell, resulting in an injury where his ring finger was bent backward. He recalled that the sound of his finger bending could be heard at the time, and while he burst into tears backstage, he would return to the stage with a smile just before his part began. This was because his desire not to disappoint fans came before the pain.

Another member shared an anecdote about suffering from a severe cold during a tour. He stated that he coughed so much that he suffered hairline fractures in his ribs, but at the time, he endured the pain and continued the performance because he did not want to ruin the stage by showing he was hurting. Although it was confirmed later that he actually had hairline fractures in his ribs, they completed the stage out of a sense of responsibility toward their fans.

"If we fail, I'll fail with you"... 11 years of loyalty and the effort of an 8kg weight loss

The solid teamwork of ATEEZ stems from the narrative of members who have been together for a long time. WOOYOUNG and YEOSANG are in a relationship that has continued for 11 years since they first met in their first year of high school. Mentioning YEOSANG, whom he had been with since his trainee days, WOOYOUNG revealed that he joined the company with the mindset of, "Even if we fail, I want to fail with you, and even if we succeed, I want to succeed with you."

The members' honest first impressions of WOOYOUNG, who was the last to join, also became a topic of interest. It was reported that when WOOYOUNG first joined, the members felt somewhat unwelcome due to the change in the group's composition. However, thanks to the outstanding skills and unique sociability WOOYOUNG demonstrated, the members quickly opened their hearts, and they have now become like family.

The thorough self-management of the members ahead of their recent comeback also drew attention. JONGHO revealed that he lost approximately 8kg while preparing for the recent comeback compared to his appearance during the Chuseok special, hinting at the effort they exert to push themselves for the stage.

The start of 25 million views and an expanded stage

The global growth of ATEEZ was not an accident, but a result of strategies continued since their debut combined with the response of fans. The background that allowed them to start tours in the United States and Europe only four months after their debut was a performance video that gained word-of-mouth popularity among overseas fans. That video currently holds 25 million views, proving that the response from overseas fans began before the domestic response.

The anecdote from their first overseas concert, where the fans' cheering was so loud that the MR (accompaniment) for the first song could not be heard, forcing them to continue the stage by instinct, shows both their growing pains and their joy. This energy has led to recent Coachella stages and the 'Adrenaline' performance utilizing large-scale sets. For this stage, in which member SAN participated in the choreography production, ATEEZ is expanding the scale of their performances by deploying a total of 24 people, building their own unique color.

Source: KBS WORLD TV (YouTube)