thank you guys for all of your comments! I've gotten a few wondering why i'm not an ateez fan so I just wanted to clarify: the reason why i'm not a fan isn't cause i don't like them or cause I think their music isn't good, I think i just don't have the mental capacity to be a fan of another group at the moment lol. i don't wanna call myself a fan if i'm just someone who occasionally listens to someone's music here and there. but i still think they're really talented and deserve all the recognition and success they've gotten so far! also, thank you guys for your comments that clarify some of the things I said in this video! I always try my best to do as much research as i can, but there are just some things you can't just "find on the internet" unless you've been a dedicated fan of an artist/company for a while! it's honestly really interesting to see you guys share your little nuggets of knowledge and your opinions :)
I understand that, coz now i'm in that situation, i know other groups like straykids that picque my interest, i just don't have energy and mentality to be multistan 😂
I think for me, one of the biggest things I can appreciate about KQ was giving Mingi his hiatus from the group while he was coping with his mental health. I just want all artists to be happy and healthy and it seems that Mingi is doing better from what he shows outwardly since his return. I don't like being a company stan for any group, but I think it's important to encourage companies like KQ to keep up with these practices when their artists need it most!
i remember reading about this while i was researching and i was actually really shook cause mental health in general isn't widely accepted here. i hope KQ will be a good example to the more "conservative" companies that there are certain things in the industry that need to change especially when it comes to the well-being of artists because just slapping a band aid on and calling it a day isn't gonna cut it.
Yeah, KQ included Mingi, his parents, his manager, and his psychiatrist in the decisions regarding Mingi’s treatment, his progress and when he would return. Atiny’s we’re fully supportive of waiting patiently for Mingi’s return. We missed him but wanted what was best for him. We are so glad he’s back.❤
the fact that they started with almost no money and still went all in with a HUGE high-budget storyline is crazy to me. as someone who loves storylines in kpop, ateez has the best one imo. you can tell that kq is really doing this more for the art than the money
SPEAK ON IT. Some companies drop the storylines and I definitely do not see KQ dropping ATEEZ or xikers storylines, ever. Which is comforting to my fangirl heart
Someone in KQ either has amazing taste or is super lucky because while baby Ateez were definitely cute and talented I don't know if I could have predicted that they'd all grow up to be top tier visuals and such amazing performers. It probably helped that KQ was such a small company but had their own dance team (BBTrippin, inherited from Block B) and a stable of producers, Eden-ary, so the members could get enough of the personal care and support to really flourish, and the group's style has always been recognisable and consistent and their songs feel authentic and earnest. Plus, I bet it's really motivating to be an idol who gets paid really well (we don't know exactly how much but if their birthday gifts from the ceo are for example Rolexes worth $15k and they can go shopping and buy a $10k jacket on a whim it has to be decent income).
i wonder if it's more of a "they were taught by the right people" than a "they picked the right trainees" kind of deal. of course some people might have more potential or drive than others, but i also think it's important to have the right mentors who understand how to bring out the best in a trainee/idol!
I think it's a combination of many factors, I think what is also underestimated is that the members really care for each other and therefore support each other and help each other. You can see this with Yeosang a lot I think. I think Ateez is a really good example how a band can strive if you treat them right. When Wooyoung was not happy with his weight and his appearance they paid a nutrionist to help him lose weight in a healthy way and not some bullshit diet. Also for Jongho they got a vocal trainer, they don't dictate to much how members have to behave in public (because be realistic sometimes those guys are a pr nightmare). So basically you had talented guys and you put them in a area where they would be nurtured and could grow. While the business in itself is toxic at least their company doesn't seem to be. And I think that makes a huuuuuge difference.
I think picking the right people is the simplest way to explain it. We learned that the CEO's catchphrase is about always being respectful (I can't remember the first word, maybe it was unyielding respect). I think he focuses on picking hard working people with good character. This includes producers, trainers, and staff. Everyone's goodness naturally creates a nurturing and welcoming environment.
@@nevaehschattenfluegel9652 totally agree with this take!! when both sides are dedicated to making things work in a healthy way, it just creates a good environment for everyone! management and the idols are a two way street!
@@flaggov6949 it must be really rewarding to work in an environment like that--i really hope other companies, both old and new can adopt more of that mindset!
KQ still uses both buildings. They started out with the floor over 7-eleven. Some portion of the offices are also BBTrippin’s. If you watch dance practices the first super tiny practice room is mostly used by BBTrippin. Then there is the long narrow one that Ateez and xikers use. BBTrippin contracts with a variety of artists (Psy and Zico) but is pretty much in house with KQ and their groups. While BBTrippin isn’t a Kpop group they are an interesting part of the business.
omg this info is GOLD. i did watch a video somewhere where someone said they still use the old building for the trainees and the new one is used for their artists who've debuted but I wasn't sure how true that was
Ateez are INCREDIBLE in person you can see why they are so famous and loved Maddox I saw live with ateez his voice is heaven❤ Xikers I'm seeing next month so excited kq really picks amazing trainees ❤ Kq is amazing company they truly care for them all
About three logos, KQ used to only rent one floor of this building (and the basement) so in the fandom we are joking that they just want to show people "hey, we've grown so much!" after they finally started being profitable and were able to afford renting the whole building
Thank you for informing us about the KQ history! Such a fascinating company: Small and artsy; Starting a group, because of a teenagers letter; Giving their artist freedom and guidance from top musicians as well as dancers to built something unique. Could be a great storyline for a movie 😀 They are one of the only companies from whom I buy the "family"/ we all love us image. Ateez even call the CEO "dad".
Most people only see ateez as a group that sell their sexy appeal, but the truth is, from my experience & from what i see in every YT reaction of ateez album, they fall for ateez mainly becoz their song, their voice and their lyrics that encourage people. I've seen them crying over the Sunrise song, or Turbulence, One Day at a Time, Star1117, Not Too Late and even at Wave song 😅 All those have meaningful messages to their fans that help them get over their sadness . All those beautiful song rarely become the tittle track or made into MV, mostly on their B side. That's why ateez have no bad song or skip discography. All of their songs are good & it's a fact 😊❤🎉 Give it a try to listen to those songs, ok?😉
totally agree on the first part! i think that's how media portrays them as, so most people have that impression of them. and yes, i'll give the rest of their discography a listen (once I mentally prepare myself lol)!!
I discovered Ateez when I watched "Kingdom" for Stray Kids (the only group I had stanned previously). I saw their performance of "Wonderland" and was freaking blown away. I'm not into the typical "bubblegum pop" sound of most KPop, but SKZ appealed to me because of the songs that people often call "noisy". I liked that they were loud and powerful, but also still melodic, and their rapping was pretty addictive. So when I heard Wonderland, I knew that I'd finally discovered another group with a really powerful, unique sound, and basically devoured everything I could find of their discography. I loved their very identifiable 'Ateez sound', their lyrics, the broad range of styles of their songs, and their amazing vocals. It was only _after_ that that I really started paying attention to the group itself and got to know the members as individuals. I was drawn to their charisma and their chaos, but it certainly didn't hurt that they happened to be really gorgeous guys 😆 So I guess I kind of did it backwards? 😅 You're totally right - they really don't have a bad song in their entire discography. Not all of them have made it onto my "favourites" playlist - but the percentage of their songs that _have_ make it to my "favourites" list is the highest of any group I've found so far. I'm particularly impressed that songs like Wonderland and Halazia made it to my favourites list, but also songs that are very different in style, like Turbulence and With U. It seems like there's pretty much nothing Ateez _can't_ do well!
@@raisyarasyeeda7781 It's funny, my brain must have got some wires crossed while I was writing my comment, because I actually mixed up "With U" and "Be With You". (I really do know the difference, my brain just jumbles the words I mean to say, sometimes!) I like both songs but I'd _meant_ to write "Be With You" because I've been listening to it a lot lately - it's one of the songs I listen to to help my brain wind down when insomnia is kicking my ass, I love it so much. But because you replied and made me realise I'd accidentally switched the names, I just went and listened to "With U" and have been reminded how pretty it is, and that I should listen to it more often! So thank you for that 😄 And I did see San's dance vid, yeah! It was pure coincidence that I caught it - I was lying on my bed watching random UA-cam videos last night because I was so brainfried after work, and it popped up as a UA-cam recommendation. I saw "Ateez" so I automatically clicked it - and it turned out that it was being released only 20 minutes later! So I was really lucky to be able to watch a KPop video as soon as it unlocked, for once! (I'm really bad at keeping up with the news, so I'm usually days behind everyone else, lol) I think I've watched it like a dozen times so far, and it gives me shivers every time when it ramps up to the intense part towards the end. It's seriously epic! San is just magnetic when he's dancing - I couldn't look away from him even if I wanted to. He really is a hell of a performer, and I'm so glad that he's been given a chance to shine like this!
xikers is not here to take over ateez in any way, they are their own group just like ateez is. and honestly, no group can take over ateez in terms of growth bc they have been outdoing themselves and constantly making new achievements with every single comeback which is very hard to replicate. ateez is a gem of a group and there's no one like them!
Great video! By the way, ATEEZ also has their own website for interacting with fans, it's pretty much exactly the same as the one for xikers. But as far as I know, the soloists do not have their own websites.
I’m not sure how other companies (or subsidiaries) operate, but the different parts of KQ work together very closely. It sounds cliche, but they really seem to be a family. To me, it seems like a combo of choosing people who have different aspects to bring to the table, choosing people with an “artistic collaboration/community”mindset, and right place/right time. Reading that letter from Hongjoong seems like fate working it’s magic…and it also seems to be a pivotal part of KQ’s decision to rethink strategy. Hongjoong constantly explores different artistic avenues, and he really seems to make creation of art (in whatever form) a top priority. I am beyond happy that KQ read that letter. Because so many people in the company play a part in Ateez’s music and performance, I’ve become a fan of Eden/Edenary, Maddox, Xikers, and BBTrippin too! The end results of their collective efforts amaze me daily! (Yeah, BlockB was a clown car cluster. People do make mistakes, but not everyone tries to learn from them and do better. In this case, like you said, KQ did something right!)
Seeing so many comments like these, I feel like atinys are so passionate about not just ateez, but the whole company itself and i find that so wholesome 🥹
thank you for clarifying! i think i'm just so influenced by all this "meta-verse storyline" stuff in the industry so anytime anything has the same name, i just assume everything's connected lol
My sister was an atiny before I was so I knew all there songs through her but when I tell you I was converted once I saw them live like brooothherrrrrr I'm not necessarily into "noise music" but at kcon my God they were so hyped it was definitely an experience. I think the most obvious entertainment group to do next is KOZ since it was mentioned
@@kikokikokiiiii that’s nice cause you didn’t have to do as much work to find the artists you like-you kinda just introduced them to the genre and then had them explore and share what they liked with you 🧠
they are amazing live arent they?! I took my nephew (a kpop fan) and my brother (non k-pop fan) to their 2022 concert in LA and they became atiny immediately after and binged their shows/content
The comedic delivery had me staying to watch even though I've been with Ateez before their debut. I think the freedom KQ gives Ateez makes them more relatable aside frm the great music and outstanding stage presence. They are naturally hilarious and you get to witness it without the pretty image K labels like to present. 0f course, KQ is only gonna allow so much but these talented 8 beings keep my interest and def will have my support until they retire. I always wish Maddox more success. It's def harder in kpop if you aren't a dancing, rapping, act. The Babykqs are having a great start. I think xikers will grow and they have the hardest working team to learn from.
KQ seems like a very relaxed company that also knows how to get things done. They definitely did the best thing they could've done by debuting ATEEZ for sure. I still watch their KQ Fellaz dance performances and I'm still stunned at how cohesively they were able to dance as a group predebut with so much precision. I've been an atiny since 2019 and I'm amazed by how far ATEEZ and KQ has come since then. Thank you for the great video on KQ's history and I hope you have a great day!!
KQ’s healthy relationship with their idols is the key to the success of Ateez you see today. I would be extremely surprised if they did not continue to extend their contracts after the current one ends.
I feel like KQ shows their appreciation and respect to the guys moreso than some of the bigger companies and is more lenient with them Ateez is AMAZING and deff a stand out from other groups. Xikers has some awesome role models and are doing super well for themselves as well. I have seen them both in concert here in Texas and i pray they come back again soon after some rest ❤❤❤
3:44 (Forgive me if this is wrong but I heard that it has 3 logos because originally the company only have 1 floor of the building, which over time, ended up being 2 floors, and eventually 3, then the 2nd building) (I guess they got money🤷) also on on the topic of small companies I'd love for you to do dream catcher company (which branched from happyface ent) because fun fact, some of the producers under kq produce for dreamcatcher
Hey Great Video! It Was Both Informative & Entertaining. Ateez Is My Ult Group Right Now & I Always Love Any Information On Them. Keep Up The Good Work👍🏽 Also Dude Why Aren't You A Fan? Their Music Is Good. Their Vibe Is Good & They Are Actually A Bunch Of Good Guys. 🤷🏽♀️
they started with one logo on the building for one floor, and through succes they have taken over all the different floors in the buildings, that's why they got their logo so many times on it
In my opinion if your not a fan it’s because you haven’t given their music a really good listen. They have more than just their hard hitting sound that they tend to push more now a days. You have to hear their softer side too, they each have their own covers that they’ve made showcasing their talents as well and their worth checking out. Sans is my personal favorite, not just because of his stage presence but his vocal range is at par with Jongho’s, who in my opinion is 4th gens leading vocalist.
I admit, I haven't really taken the time to explore their music but I'm also scared to bc usually once I get hooked onto something, it's unhealthy and I can't afford to stan another group rn ahaha
love seeing folks prop up San's vocals - he is truly such an emotive vocalist and he is very powerful at higher octaves, but I do think Jongho has the training and capacity to make those super high notes last so his range is slightly higher.
@@jeremiahykim I here you on that! I’m not saying to become a stan or anything but you really are missing out on some sweet covers. If you’re a music fanatic like myself I say give it a shot.
@@vansonthewall yes! San has a lovely upper register - but a lot of people don't realize Seonghwa's range either (he's the one who goes so high in Utopia in the background - but he also gets down low with Yeosang at times when Mingi's doing other things). But hands down Jongho has the most power, consistency, and control of anyone.
I agree with you guys if you listen to there music they give it 100% they are excellent performers the music is superb the energy is awesome it's a shame you're not a fan you're missing out
I'm curious why you're not an Ateez fan? I can understand if their music just doesnt appeal to you, etc but I hope you still see their worth beyond the tiktok thirst traps. They're incredibly talented performers and their music honestly spans a wide variety of genres. But of course each to their own, you don't have to enjoy something just because someone else does, I'm just curious and hoping it's not because of something misunderstood
I'd say i'm not an ateez fan cause I'm someone who only listens to their music occasionally. to me there's a big difference between being a fan of an artist and just simply enjoying their music and I don't wanna label myself as a "fan" if i haven't really put in the work to be one (if that makes sense?)!
@@jeremiahykimI'm an Atiny but same for other groups, only that instead of fan I use stan. Everyone could be a casual fan if they like their music, but not necessary stan bc they didn't listened to all music nor keep up with their sns and what they do outside the music and performance
Too funny about the tattoos- the pic of Hongjoong’s neck tatt is fake😂 He only has the one on his leg/ankle and his “No 1 Like Me” on his inner bicep- (that has been shown to us) although Wooyoung’s back neck is real👍🏽
@@jeremiahykim FunFact: back in the early days My Music Taste w Helped to promote their first Word (basically the USA) and by the time of Atiny's first anniversary they (and by "they" I am talking about My Music Taste & the Ateez members) put out a fragrance called Star1117 it was a stick/ roll-on perfume and it came with a set of temporary tattoos. Unfortunately it sold out very quickly and was only released once. But the members themselves put the tattoos on each other for the concert.
Ateez are destined to be together, Each member has their own story of how they got into Kq like yeosang and woo being bighot trainees Wooyoung promised yeo to debut together so when yeo left bighit for some reason Wooyoung followed him to kq which a unknown company. He did this just to be with his and friend and fulfill that promise 🥺 And also Yunho and Mingi were friends since middle school, They didn't tell each other which company they were auditioning for and ended up in the same company
I have a kq theory i think they only accept good looking trainees bc 8/8 of ateez can easily pass as visuals and now there are xikers and they are very good looking too theres no way thats a coincidence
wow so many people here all of a sudden, i hope everyone stays here and subscribe to your content, cuz i'm sure people a lot of people will feel related to your humor just like i've been all this time
Kq has weird bans mostly to save their image in the public i guess😂 and not that serious...fans are speculating that xikers seeun got banned from saying "skkrrr" 'cz he used to say it every chance he got....and sumin got banned from doing the "happy happy happy" meme dance 😂 'cz he would suddenly start dancing it anytime😂
i just think the dynamic's so funny. it's giving: when your older sibling says "stop, i can't be seen in public with you" but they laugh on the side and lowkey enjoy your chaotic energy vibes
this is cute, but nothing particularly new, a bit hostile, but thats also not new where ATEEZ is concerned. But people who are new to ATEEZ would def appreciate this :3
Kq name their 'trainees' as kq fellaz simply because they are kq trainees. And the official website one, the other artist that are not a group or idols doesn't seem to have one but ateez and xikers have one.
It's a bit up in the air because they seem to move stuff around, also for example they have the vans that ATEEZ are driven around in at the old building, so ATEEZ definitely still go to the old building sometimes. I have seen ATEEZ going into the vans and since after a while of going to music shows and stuff you recognize the cars, that's how I know. I forget if Hongjoong still has his studio at the old building or not but I believe so... Also I wanted to say that in the video you were pretty close to finding the basement entrance for KQ's new building! I'm not too sure because of limited perspective but it looked like from where you were, you needed to go to the furthermost left side of the little walkway and then you'd be able to see the entrance under the walkway. Unless you were on the opposite side of the building and I couldn't tell lol. I've been there quite a few times (to both old and new) so I'm pretty familiar with the layout from outside haha. If there's anything else you'd like to know I'd be happy to share! I'm not in Seoul atm since I go to college in the US but while I was still there over the summer I was very involved in the in-person events and such with ATEEZ. :)
honestly i get really scared when i approach these buildings cause i dont wanna intrude so i didn't wanna investigate further lol but thank you so much for sharing all this info!!
Do you have a reference for the idea that KQ never planned to create another group? When I've heard them talk about it, the time frame has been ambiguous like 'They weren't planning on creating a group' which could mean either at the time Hongjoong sent his mixtape they weren't, or they never intended to (I can't speak Korean so perhaps it's missing from the subs). The reason I ask is because with Block B needing to enter the military at some point, it seems unlikely KQ wouldn't have realized that they'd need another group to keep the company afloat while Block B's members served.
KQ was initially created to represent producers and a few solo artists. It was created because they couldn’t use Seven Seasons because Seven Seasons contract was explicitly for Block B only. It’s never been 100% clarified if trainees were part of the future plans but when they found Hongjoong’s letter (which focused on his desire to write/produce music) the decided to create a bg. So Hongjoong’s letter may have shortened the timeline or changed the direction at that moment in time. Either way KQ had no plans to create a BG when they found his letter. Hongjoong was the first and only trainee for about 6 months. He also did not desire to be an idol but they basically told him he was going to be in the bg.
Can you talk about Vine Entertainment? You might interested, because they are the first company that debuted first Indonesian Female K-Pop Idol. I'm sure alot of Indonesian fans also like to know about it.
Wow..........its amazing enough,like helooo? Can you imagine??? The whole building was quiet,lonely,cold and stiff but now have 360°chnge?? Thank you jeremiah kim,now i know that Conclusion: ateez save their companies isnt...?
I honestly don’t know that much about KQ, but just in a general perception, the whole relationship seems to be closer to a BTS - Big Hit type than a big label (YG / JYP) type. The artists have more freedom and more support. I love artists from all labels - not a single label stan - but I appreciate some of these smaller labels more.
yesss. i fully support these smaller labels. but it can really be a hit or miss cause sometimes being smaller means you have less resources to give your artists what they really need so it just makes the process harder for everyone. but i think kq is a good example of how both the artists and the management used what they had and made the most out of it (with a lot of effort too of course). my greatest fear with these companies though is that they start to lose their originality and charm once they become more successful/commercialized :/
Since they trained at the most-well known dance studio in LA, my guess is they wanted them to be good especially at American styles of dance like hip hop and krump.
they didn't really specifically state why, but maybe they wanted the group to diversify their styles and learn from choreographers in america! i think it does help to have that experience!
@@Rachel88009 We know for sure San couldn't 😅. Eden said Hongjoong started below average in every area, but worked hard to get where he is. Yunho and Mingi trained at the same dance academy (I think the location was different), so they had prior experience. Seonghwa created a dance group at his school while Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Jongho trained at other companies (Bighit and TOP), so they all had prior experience as well.
@@Rachel88009 That's some of them. Wooyoung and Yeosang came from Hybe, Mingi and Yunho met at the same dance studio while in high school and Jongho came from TopMedia so they definitely have dance experience.
thank you guys for all of your comments!
I've gotten a few wondering why i'm not an ateez fan so I just wanted to clarify:
the reason why i'm not a fan isn't cause i don't like them or cause I think their music isn't good, I think i just don't have the mental capacity to be a fan of another group at the moment lol. i don't wanna call myself a fan if i'm just someone who occasionally listens to someone's music here and there. but i still think they're really talented and deserve all the recognition and success they've gotten so far!
also, thank you guys for your comments that clarify some of the things I said in this video! I always try my best to do as much research as i can, but there are just some things you can't just "find on the internet" unless you've been a dedicated fan of an artist/company for a while! it's honestly really interesting to see you guys share your little nuggets of knowledge and your opinions :)
I feel that--its me and Stray Kids. They're great. I like their music, but I don't have the band width right now.
I understand that, coz now i'm in that situation, i know other groups like straykids that picque my interest, i just don't have energy and mentality to be multistan 😂
I consider myself a fan if I like the music. But I only consider myself a Stan if I start to fall hard for the group entirely.
I think for me, one of the biggest things I can appreciate about KQ was giving Mingi his hiatus from the group while he was coping with his mental health. I just want all artists to be happy and healthy and it seems that Mingi is doing better from what he shows outwardly since his return. I don't like being a company stan for any group, but I think it's important to encourage companies like KQ to keep up with these practices when their artists need it most!
i remember reading about this while i was researching and i was actually really shook cause mental health in general isn't widely accepted here. i hope KQ will be a good example to the more "conservative" companies that there are certain things in the industry that need to change especially when it comes to the well-being of artists because just slapping a band aid on and calling it a day isn't gonna cut it.
Yeah, KQ included Mingi, his parents, his manager, and his psychiatrist in the decisions regarding Mingi’s treatment, his progress and when he would return. Atiny’s we’re fully supportive of waiting patiently for Mingi’s return. We missed him but wanted what was best for him. We are so glad he’s back.❤
the fact that they started with almost no money and still went all in with a HUGE high-budget storyline is crazy to me. as someone who loves storylines in kpop, ateez has the best one imo. you can tell that kq is really doing this more for the art than the money
SPEAK ON IT. Some companies drop the storylines and I definitely do not see KQ dropping ATEEZ or xikers storylines, ever. Which is comforting to my fangirl heart
Someone in KQ either has amazing taste or is super lucky because while baby Ateez were definitely cute and talented I don't know if I could have predicted that they'd all grow up to be top tier visuals and such amazing performers. It probably helped that KQ was such a small company but had their own dance team (BBTrippin, inherited from Block B) and a stable of producers, Eden-ary, so the members could get enough of the personal care and support to really flourish, and the group's style has always been recognisable and consistent and their songs feel authentic and earnest. Plus, I bet it's really motivating to be an idol who gets paid really well (we don't know exactly how much but if their birthday gifts from the ceo are for example Rolexes worth $15k and they can go shopping and buy a $10k jacket on a whim it has to be decent income).
i wonder if it's more of a "they were taught by the right people" than a "they picked the right trainees" kind of deal. of course some people might have more potential or drive than others, but i also think it's important to have the right mentors who understand how to bring out the best in a trainee/idol!
I think it's a combination of many factors, I think what is also underestimated is that the members really care for each other and therefore support each other and help each other. You can see this with Yeosang a lot I think.
I think Ateez is a really good example how a band can strive if you treat them right. When Wooyoung was not happy with his weight and his appearance they paid a nutrionist to help him lose weight in a healthy way and not some bullshit diet.
Also for Jongho they got a vocal trainer, they don't dictate to much how members have to behave in public (because be realistic sometimes those guys are a pr nightmare).
So basically you had talented guys and you put them in a area where they would be nurtured and could grow. While the business in itself is toxic at least their company doesn't seem to be. And I think that makes a huuuuuge difference.
I think picking the right people is the simplest way to explain it. We learned that the CEO's catchphrase is about always being respectful (I can't remember the first word, maybe it was unyielding respect). I think he focuses on picking hard working people with good character. This includes producers, trainers, and staff. Everyone's goodness naturally creates a nurturing and welcoming environment.
@@nevaehschattenfluegel9652 totally agree with this take!! when both sides are dedicated to making things work in a healthy way, it just creates a good environment for everyone! management and the idols are a two way street!
@@flaggov6949 it must be really rewarding to work in an environment like that--i really hope other companies, both old and new can adopt more of that mindset!
KQ still uses both buildings. They started out with the floor over 7-eleven. Some portion of the offices are also BBTrippin’s. If you watch dance practices the first super tiny practice room is mostly used by BBTrippin. Then there is the long narrow one that Ateez and xikers use. BBTrippin contracts with a variety of artists (Psy and Zico) but is pretty much in house with KQ and their groups.
While BBTrippin isn’t a Kpop group they are an interesting part of the business.
omg this info is GOLD. i did watch a video somewhere where someone said they still use the old building for the trainees and the new one is used for their artists who've debuted but I wasn't sure how true that was
bbtrippin's choreo is gold
Kq all artists are very friendly to eachother and I love when they interact be it Bbtrippin , maddox , eden, They call their CEO 'father'.
Ateez are INCREDIBLE in person you can see why they are so famous and loved
Maddox I saw live with ateez his voice is heaven❤
Xikers I'm seeing next month so excited kq really picks amazing trainees ❤
Kq is amazing company they truly care for them all
you're really a dedicated kq stan 😭 i honestly didn't know who maddox was until i did research for this video, but I really like how his voice sounds!
When you stan Ateez..you can't help but stan KQ💪😂
@@regulus17Facts.
About three logos, KQ used to only rent one floor of this building (and the basement) so in the fandom we are joking that they just want to show people "hey, we've grown so much!" after they finally started being profitable and were able to afford renting the whole building
okay, that's a power move.
Thank you for informing us about the KQ history! Such a fascinating company: Small and artsy; Starting a group, because of a teenagers letter; Giving their artist freedom and guidance from top musicians as well as dancers to built something unique. Could be a great storyline for a movie 😀
They are one of the only companies from whom I buy the "family"/ we all love us image. Ateez even call the CEO "dad".
Most people only see ateez as a group that sell their sexy appeal, but the truth is, from my experience & from what i see in every YT reaction of ateez album,
they fall for ateez mainly becoz their song, their voice and their lyrics that encourage people.
I've seen them crying over the Sunrise song, or Turbulence, One Day at a Time, Star1117, Not Too Late and even at Wave song 😅
All those have meaningful messages to their fans that help them get over their sadness .
All those beautiful song rarely become the tittle track or made into MV, mostly on their B side. That's why ateez have no bad song or skip discography. All of their songs are good & it's a fact 😊❤🎉
Give it a try to listen to those songs, ok?😉
totally agree on the first part! i think that's how media portrays them as, so most people have that impression of them. and yes, i'll give the rest of their discography a listen (once I mentally prepare myself lol)!!
I discovered Ateez when I watched "Kingdom" for Stray Kids (the only group I had stanned previously). I saw their performance of "Wonderland" and was freaking blown away.
I'm not into the typical "bubblegum pop" sound of most KPop, but SKZ appealed to me because of the songs that people often call "noisy". I liked that they were loud and powerful, but also still melodic, and their rapping was pretty addictive.
So when I heard Wonderland, I knew that I'd finally discovered another group with a really powerful, unique sound, and basically devoured everything I could find of their discography. I loved their very identifiable 'Ateez sound', their lyrics, the broad range of styles of their songs, and their amazing vocals.
It was only _after_ that that I really started paying attention to the group itself and got to know the members as individuals. I was drawn to their charisma and their chaos, but it certainly didn't hurt that they happened to be really gorgeous guys 😆
So I guess I kind of did it backwards? 😅
You're totally right - they really don't have a bad song in their entire discography. Not all of them have made it onto my "favourites" playlist - but the percentage of their songs that _have_ make it to my "favourites" list is the highest of any group I've found so far.
I'm particularly impressed that songs like Wonderland and Halazia made it to my favourites list, but also songs that are very different in style, like Turbulence and With U.
It seems like there's pretty much nothing Ateez _can't_ do well!
@@cyphermage6112 i love With U song too, its in my healing playlist 🤭 and have u seen San special clip yet ? Its amazing 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@@raisyarasyeeda7781
It's funny, my brain must have got some wires crossed while I was writing my comment, because I actually mixed up "With U" and "Be With You". (I really do know the difference, my brain just jumbles the words I mean to say, sometimes!)
I like both songs but I'd _meant_ to write "Be With You" because I've been listening to it a lot lately - it's one of the songs I listen to to help my brain wind down when insomnia is kicking my ass, I love it so much. But because you replied and made me realise I'd accidentally switched the names, I just went and listened to "With U" and have been reminded how pretty it is, and that I should listen to it more often! So thank you for that 😄
And I did see San's dance vid, yeah! It was pure coincidence that I caught it - I was lying on my bed watching random UA-cam videos last night because I was so brainfried after work, and it popped up as a UA-cam recommendation.
I saw "Ateez" so I automatically clicked it - and it turned out that it was being released only 20 minutes later! So I was really lucky to be able to watch a KPop video as soon as it unlocked, for once! (I'm really bad at keeping up with the news, so I'm usually days behind everyone else, lol)
I think I've watched it like a dozen times so far, and it gives me shivers every time when it ramps up to the intense part towards the end. It's seriously epic! San is just magnetic when he's dancing - I couldn't look away from him even if I wanted to.
He really is a hell of a performer, and I'm so glad that he's been given a chance to shine like this!
@@cyphermage6112 i love Be With U too 🤭 and yes i watch San video dozen times too 😁👍
theyve come so far im proud :') also that random seonghwa crying laughing meme got me rolling
i try my best in the meme department. i forgot to include a few in that i really wanted to use and now i'm mad at myself lol
xikers is not here to take over ateez in any way, they are their own group just like ateez is. and honestly, no group can take over ateez in terms of growth bc they have been outdoing themselves and constantly making new achievements with every single comeback which is very hard to replicate. ateez is a gem of a group and there's no one like them!
Great video! By the way, ATEEZ also has their own website for interacting with fans, it's pretty much exactly the same as the one for xikers. But as far as I know, the soloists do not have their own websites.
Soloists have Instagram personal accounts, and Maddox also have personal UA-cam channel where he makes vlogs and talks to his fans on lives.
It’s very expensive. You have to pay an annual membership and buy a 1 month separate voucher for each member to get access to the private lives !
I’m not sure how other companies (or subsidiaries) operate, but the different parts of KQ work together very closely. It sounds cliche, but they really seem to be a family. To me, it seems like a combo of choosing people who have different aspects to bring to the table, choosing people with an “artistic collaboration/community”mindset, and right place/right time. Reading that letter from Hongjoong seems like fate working it’s magic…and it also seems to be a pivotal part of KQ’s decision to rethink strategy. Hongjoong constantly explores different artistic avenues, and he really seems to make creation of art (in whatever form) a top priority. I am beyond happy that KQ read that letter. Because so many people in the company play a part in Ateez’s music and performance, I’ve become a fan of Eden/Edenary, Maddox, Xikers, and BBTrippin too! The end results of their collective efforts amaze me daily! (Yeah, BlockB was a clown car cluster. People do make mistakes, but not everyone tries to learn from them and do better. In this case, like you said, KQ did something right!)
Seeing so many comments like these, I feel like atinys are so passionate about not just ateez, but the whole company itself and i find that so wholesome 🥹
I think KQ FELLAZ are just like a name for (maybe) all of KQ pre-debut groups, not a new group trying to “take over” the older group lol.
This. It's a generic name for trainees.
thank you for clarifying! i think i'm just so influenced by all this "meta-verse storyline" stuff in the industry so anytime anything has the same name, i just assume everything's connected lol
KQ trainees or called KQ FELLAZ.
Xikers as formerly known as KQ FELLAZ 2 which means 2nd generation KQ Trainees that will debut
My sister was an atiny before I was so I knew all there songs through her but when I tell you I was converted once I saw them live like brooothherrrrrr I'm not necessarily into "noise music" but at kcon my God they were so hyped it was definitely an experience. I think the most obvious entertainment group to do next is KOZ since it was mentioned
it's always the sibling/friend pipeline that gets people hooked on groups 👀
@@jeremiahykim I got all my siblings into kpop but they got me into their favorite groups that I didn't generally listen to previously
@@kikokikokiiiii that’s nice cause you didn’t have to do as much work to find the artists you like-you kinda just introduced them to the genre and then had them explore and share what they liked with you 🧠
they are amazing live arent they?! I took my nephew (a kpop fan) and my brother (non k-pop fan) to their 2022 concert in LA and they became atiny immediately after and binged their shows/content
@@CheeseDippu literally a Live performance made all the difference, so much energy and excitement definitely worth it to go see them perform
KQ is trying establish a name for their predebut groups as “KQ fellaz”. We are wondering if they’re gonna call their girl trainees that as well.
I assume it would be like KQ Ladiez
I think it will be the Same since fellaz means friends
KQ Galz? 🤨
KQ FELLAZ 3
Fellaz is pretty gender neutral. So maybe KQ Fellaz … a number😅
I'm thinking that their next trainee will be a girl group. and it will be a smash HIT!!!!
last month we were buying milk at 7/11 in kq old building. and we mentioned 3 or 4 cute girls who came from kq to buy snacks. so I agree :)
manifesting 😤
@@bellamartiswooee could thos girls be trainees in the building?? I am excited if they get to debute a girl group! 😀
I'm so agree, maddox's song/voice such a lullaby. ❤
The comedic delivery had me staying to watch even though I've been with Ateez before their debut. I think the freedom KQ gives Ateez makes them more relatable aside frm the great music and outstanding stage presence. They are naturally hilarious and you get to witness it without the pretty image K labels like to present. 0f course, KQ is only gonna allow so much but these talented 8 beings keep my interest and def will have my support until they retire. I always wish Maddox more success. It's def harder in kpop if you aren't a dancing, rapping, act. The Babykqs are having a great start. I think xikers will grow and they have the hardest working team to learn from.
KQ seems like a very relaxed company that also knows how to get things done. They definitely did the best thing they could've done by debuting ATEEZ for sure. I still watch their KQ Fellaz dance performances and I'm still stunned at how cohesively they were able to dance as a group predebut with so much precision. I've been an atiny since 2019 and I'm amazed by how far ATEEZ and KQ has come since then. Thank you for the great video on KQ's history and I hope you have a great day!!
KQ’s healthy relationship with their idols is the key to the success of Ateez you see today. I would be extremely surprised if they did not continue to extend their contracts after the current one ends.
I feel like KQ shows their appreciation and respect to the guys moreso than some of the bigger companies and is more lenient with them
Ateez is AMAZING and deff a stand out from other groups. Xikers has some awesome role models and are doing super well for themselves as well. I have seen them both in concert here in Texas and i pray they come back again soon after some rest ❤❤❤
3:44 (Forgive me if this is wrong but I heard that it has 3 logos because originally the company only have 1 floor of the building, which over time, ended up being 2 floors, and eventually 3, then the 2nd building) (I guess they got money🤷)
also on on the topic of small companies I'd love for you to do dream catcher company (which branched from happyface ent) because fun fact, some of the producers under kq produce for dreamcatcher
"What are they banned from doing?"
They're banned from jumping in public xD
I appreciate KQ for good treatment towards ATEEZ, xikers, EDEN and Maddox
stan KQ for clear skin ✨
Hey Great Video! It Was Both Informative & Entertaining. Ateez Is My Ult Group Right Now & I Always Love Any Information On Them. Keep Up The Good Work👍🏽
Also Dude Why Aren't You A Fan? Their Music Is Good. Their Vibe Is Good & They Are Actually A Bunch Of Good Guys. 🤷🏽♀️
they started with one logo on the building for one floor, and through succes they have taken over all the different floors in the buildings, that's why they got their logo so many times on it
In my opinion if your not a fan it’s because you haven’t given their music a really good listen. They have more than just their hard hitting sound that they tend to push more now a days. You have to hear their softer side too, they each have their own covers that they’ve made showcasing their talents as well and their worth checking out. Sans is my personal favorite, not just because of his stage presence but his vocal range is at par with Jongho’s, who in my opinion is 4th gens leading vocalist.
I admit, I haven't really taken the time to explore their music but I'm also scared to bc usually once I get hooked onto something, it's unhealthy and I can't afford to stan another group rn ahaha
love seeing folks prop up San's vocals - he is truly such an emotive vocalist and he is very powerful at higher octaves, but I do think Jongho has the training and capacity to make those super high notes last so his range is slightly higher.
@@jeremiahykim I here you on that! I’m not saying to become a stan or anything but you really are missing out on some sweet covers. If you’re a music fanatic like myself I say give it a shot.
@@vansonthewall yes! San has a lovely upper register - but a lot of people don't realize Seonghwa's range either (he's the one who goes so high in Utopia in the background - but he also gets down low with Yeosang at times when Mingi's doing other things). But hands down Jongho has the most power, consistency, and control of anyone.
I agree with you guys if you listen to there music they give it 100% they are excellent performers the music is superb the energy is awesome it's a shame you're not a fan you're missing out
I'm curious why you're not an Ateez fan? I can understand if their music just doesnt appeal to you, etc but I hope you still see their worth beyond the tiktok thirst traps. They're incredibly talented performers and their music honestly spans a wide variety of genres.
But of course each to their own, you don't have to enjoy something just because someone else does, I'm just curious and hoping it's not because of something misunderstood
I'd say i'm not an ateez fan cause I'm someone who only listens to their music occasionally. to me there's a big difference between being a fan of an artist and just simply enjoying their music and I don't wanna label myself as a "fan" if i haven't really put in the work to be one (if that makes sense?)!
@@jeremiahykimI'm an Atiny but same for other groups, only that instead of fan I use stan. Everyone could be a casual fan if they like their music, but not necessary stan bc they didn't listened to all music nor keep up with their sns and what they do outside the music and performance
@@vanessarl8 that's a good way to put it! i think everyone has their own definitions of what is means to be a fan!
@@jeremiahykim Yeah!
OH MY GOSH YOU'RE TELLING US YOU'RE NOT A ATEEZ FAN?¿THERE' SPECTACULAR THERE ENERGY IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL 💯
Too funny about the tattoos- the pic of Hongjoong’s neck tatt is fake😂 He only has the one on his leg/ankle and his “No 1 Like Me” on his inner bicep- (that has been shown to us) although Wooyoung’s back neck is real👍🏽
omg what? i was convinced it was real.
@@jeremiahykim FunFact: back in the early days My Music Taste w
Helped to promote their first Word (basically the USA) and by the time of Atiny's first anniversary they (and by "they" I am talking about My Music Taste & the Ateez members) put out a fragrance called Star1117 it was a stick/ roll-on perfume and it came with a set of temporary tattoos. Unfortunately it sold out very quickly and was only released once. But the members themselves put the tattoos on each other for the concert.
as far as i knew, they (Ateez) got banned from mafia game😂
I HEARD ABOUT THAT AND THE REASON WHY AND I LAUGHED SO HARD WHEN I FOUND OUT 😂
There was also the "no jumping outside" rule for a few years, thanks to San
@@atinydiane its from their pre-debut era isn't? 😂
Ateez are destined to be together, Each member has their own story of how they got into Kq like yeosang and woo being bighot trainees Wooyoung promised yeo to debut together so when yeo left bighit for some reason Wooyoung followed him to kq which a unknown company. He did this just to be with his and friend and fulfill that promise 🥺
And also Yunho and Mingi were friends since middle school, They didn't tell each other which company they were auditioning for and ended up in the same company
I have a kq theory i think they only accept good looking trainees bc 8/8 of ateez can easily pass as visuals and now there are xikers and they are very good looking too theres no way thats a coincidence
ATEEZZZZZZ
They not only allow the to drink, they even make content out of it. It's hilarious! 😄 They're even allowed to get political.
wow so many people here all of a sudden, i hope everyone stays here and subscribe to your content, cuz i'm sure people a lot of people will feel related to your humor just like i've been all this time
hoping they join the fam 🥹
Kq has weird bans mostly to save their image in the public i guess😂 and not that serious...fans are speculating that xikers seeun got banned from saying "skkrrr" 'cz he used to say it every chance he got....and sumin got banned from doing the "happy happy happy" meme dance 😂 'cz he would suddenly start dancing it anytime😂
i just think the dynamic's so funny. it's giving: when your older sibling says "stop, i can't be seen in public with you" but they laugh on the side and lowkey enjoy your chaotic energy vibes
Ateez are banned from jumping in public or playing that Mafia game💀❤
i think they only owned one floor, then they keep buying the other floors, hence the repeated logos
this is cute, but nothing particularly new, a bit hostile, but thats also not new where ATEEZ is concerned. But people who are new to ATEEZ would def appreciate this :3
Kq name their 'trainees' as kq fellaz simply because they are kq trainees. And the official website one, the other artist that are not a group or idols doesn't seem to have one but ateez and xikers have one.
Here from your TikTok!! Wish you well!!!
As a fan of Black B, ATEEZ and Xikers. I did not even know this. I knew BB left their company, but I didn’t know there was a lawsuit:(
Thank you for this informative video.
How do people know whether or not a group has a dating ban? I thought it was implied for all idols and the topic was just generally avoided
i think it is implied but maybe some companies are more lenient about it? or kind of like a "it's okay as long as you dont get caught" kind of thing?
Ateez members have indicated they can date anyone, they don’t have any restrictions for Ateez members
Wow, never heard all of these infos from KQ, this company i think is the best 😅
It's a bit up in the air because they seem to move stuff around, also for example they have the vans that ATEEZ are driven around in at the old building, so ATEEZ definitely still go to the old building sometimes. I have seen ATEEZ going into the vans and since after a while of going to music shows and stuff you recognize the cars, that's how I know. I forget if Hongjoong still has his studio at the old building or not but I believe so... Also I wanted to say that in the video you were pretty close to finding the basement entrance for KQ's new building! I'm not too sure because of limited perspective but it looked like from where you were, you needed to go to the furthermost left side of the little walkway and then you'd be able to see the entrance under the walkway. Unless you were on the opposite side of the building and I couldn't tell lol. I've been there quite a few times (to both old and new) so I'm pretty familiar with the layout from outside haha. If there's anything else you'd like to know I'd be happy to share! I'm not in Seoul atm since I go to college in the US but while I was still there over the summer I was very involved in the in-person events and such with ATEEZ. :)
honestly i get really scared when i approach these buildings cause i dont wanna intrude so i didn't wanna investigate further lol but thank you so much for sharing all this info!!
Ateez Are amazing amazing , favourite artist . Can you talk about itzy next
Do you have a reference for the idea that KQ never planned to create another group? When I've heard them talk about it, the time frame has been ambiguous like 'They weren't planning on creating a group' which could mean either at the time Hongjoong sent his mixtape they weren't, or they never intended to (I can't speak Korean so perhaps it's missing from the subs). The reason I ask is because with Block B needing to enter the military at some point, it seems unlikely KQ wouldn't have realized that they'd need another group to keep the company afloat while Block B's members served.
yes! i put a link in the description! it's under "Beginnings of kq explained"!
KQ was initially created to represent producers and a few solo artists. It was created because they couldn’t use Seven Seasons because Seven Seasons contract was explicitly for Block B only.
It’s never been 100% clarified if trainees were part of the future plans but when they found Hongjoong’s letter (which focused on his desire to write/produce music) the decided to create a bg. So Hongjoong’s letter may have shortened the timeline or changed the direction at that moment in time.
Either way KQ had no plans to create a BG when they found his letter. Hongjoong was the first and only trainee for about 6 months. He also did not desire to be an idol but they basically told him he was going to be in the bg.
Can you talk about Vine Entertainment? You might interested, because they are the first company that debuted first Indonesian Female K-Pop Idol. I'm sure alot of Indonesian fans also like to know about it.
Wow..........its amazing enough,like helooo? Can you imagine??? The whole building was quiet,lonely,cold and stiff but now have 360°chnge?? Thank you jeremiah kim,now i know that
Conclusion: ateez save their companies isnt...?
KQ made some mistakes in the past but they learned and now i think they are the company that treat their idols the best
it's the way all those thirst traps are of san
that’s all that popped up when I searched “ateez thirst traps” on TikTok LOL
Ateez also has their own fansite.
I honestly don’t know that much about KQ, but just in a general perception, the whole relationship seems to be closer to a BTS - Big Hit type than a big label (YG / JYP) type. The artists have more freedom and more support. I love artists from all labels - not a single label stan - but I appreciate some of these smaller labels more.
yesss. i fully support these smaller labels. but it can really be a hit or miss cause sometimes being smaller means you have less resources to give your artists what they really need so it just makes the process harder for everyone. but i think kq is a good example of how both the artists and the management used what they had and made the most out of it (with a lot of effort too of course). my greatest fear with these companies though is that they start to lose their originality and charm once they become more successful/commercialized :/
WE NEED jeremiah TO DO A SERIES ON UPDATING USS ABOUT KQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next pledis and seventeen plz
It's a small company and Ateez slandered Kikyo and San is also world famous
Atp the name thing is a staple not a trend in kpop, its been happening since 1st gen- fun, quirky ..
This is literally the whole KQ history 😭
yes!! this is part of my series! i usually talk about the history of a company and (sometimes) give my hot takes!
How did Kayque found Ateez?
Why did they go to LA to train?
Since they trained at the most-well known dance studio in LA, my guess is they wanted them to be good especially at American styles of dance like hip hop and krump.
they didn't really specifically state why, but maybe they wanted the group to diversify their styles and learn from choreographers in america! i think it does help to have that experience!
When they join as a trainee can they literally not dance?
@@Rachel88009 We know for sure San couldn't 😅. Eden said Hongjoong started below average in every area, but worked hard to get where he is. Yunho and Mingi trained at the same dance academy (I think the location was different), so they had prior experience. Seonghwa created a dance group at his school while Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Jongho trained at other companies (Bighit and TOP), so they all had prior experience as well.
@@Rachel88009 That's some of them. Wooyoung and Yeosang came from Hybe, Mingi and Yunho met at the same dance studio while in high school and Jongho came from TopMedia so they definitely have dance experience.
結論言いますね。この動画は釣りです。
だからティニの皆さん釣られて再生回数伸ばしちゃだめですよ。
おそらくこの方は再生回数を増やすためだけにATEEZの名前を使ってるんだと思います。この人の他の動画の再生回数を見れば一目瞭然ですよね。ATEEZを嫌いではないけどただファンじゃないだけだと言い訳し、本当じゃないことまで話してますよ。AITNYの気持ちを揺さぶり再生回数を伸ばしたいだけの人です。可哀想な人ともいいます。
ATEEZの素晴らしさはティニにしか分かりません、だからティニ以外のこういう輩を相手にするのはやめましょうね。
KQ Company accepts new trainees? And girls..?, because it is the only company where I think a lot about my future
i think i spotted some "how to apply" audition videos for kq on youtube so I think they are accepting new trainees?
@@jeremiahykim Can you send me a link to one of these auditions, because I only saw one
@@Melissa-dh2mv i can't find anything on google, and most of the recent youtube searches are pretty old :/
I just want to know what does *KQ* mean? I always see it like *Kings Queens* but then I remember that there is no girl group under this company💀❤
It's the first letters of CEO's name: Kim Gyu (reads like "Q") Wook
@@Megan-bw5zh thanxx!