ATEEZ’s Seonghwa has opened up about the strong response to BAD and shared how the song’s success made him feel that years of staying true to his choices were finally being recognized.
On August 18, WWD Korea revealed Seonghwa’s September pictorial and interview under the theme IN HIS GOLDEN HOUR, highlighting where he stands as ATEEZ approaches its eighth anniversary.
After the shoot, Seonghwa reflected on how his perspective has changed, saying, “I learned that even without adding anything more, I can shine enough just as I am now.”
During the interview, he also looked back on ATEEZ’s journey over the past eight years. Despite completing well over 100 tour performances, Seonghwa said the members continue to remind one another to perform with the mindset that each stage could be their last.
ATEEZ released their 14th mini album GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5 in June. The album later reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking the group’s third time topping the main U.S. album chart.
The title track BAD also continued climbing domestic charts. As of August 11, the song reached No. 10 on Melon’s daily chart, setting a new personal best for the group.
The album also surpassed 1.88 million copies in first-week sales, becoming ATEEZ’s seventh million-selling release.
Seonghwa admitted that he went through moments of confidence and uncertainty while preparing the music and styling for BAD. However, seeing the positive response after its release gave him a new sense of reassurance.
He said, “I felt that people eventually recognized what I had continued doing without changing my beliefs.”
Seonghwa connected that feeling to one of his favorite sayings, which means doing everything within one’s power and then accepting the outcome.
He also shared that his approach to fashion has become more flexible over time. Rather than sticking to one clearly defined style, he now chooses clothes depending on how he feels that day.
“Fashion is a flexible way of expressing how I feel that day,” he explained.
Seonghwa also spoke about his long relationship with fashion brand Songzio, saying, “The inspiration I received through Songzio changed many parts of me.”
Outside of music and fashion, Seonghwa revealed that he has recently started fencing and hopes to participate in an amateur competition someday. He has also begun learning guitar and continues to spend his free time reading, writing poetry, and recording his thoughts while traveling.
When asked about the brightest moment in his life, Seonghwa pointed to the final moments of a concert when he looks out at the audience.
He also shared a message for his fellow ATEEZ members, saying, “Thank you for continuing to work hard without changing for eight years. I really want to tell you that you’ve worked so hard and that I’m grateful.”
With BAD continuing to show strong results and ATEEZ reaching new career milestones, Seonghwa’s latest interview reflects both his confidence in the group’s progress and his determination to keep moving forward.
