ATEEZ injects 'Adrenaline' into 4th 'GOLDEN HOUR' release

From left, K-pop boy group ATEEZ members Yunho, Seonghwa, San, Yeosang, Hongjoong, Wooyoung, Jongho and Mingi pose during a press conference at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

By Pyo Kyung-min

• Published Feb 5, 2026 5:36 PM KST

Performance-driven K-pop boy group ATEEZ is set to return with a boost of "Adrenaline" this Friday, aiming to sustain its momentum as one of K-pop's most globally visible acts with its 13th mini album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4."

ATEEZ debuted in October 2018 under then-relatively unknown agency KQ Entertainment. The eight-member group — Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho — has built its reputation on performance-centric, high-intensity music, gaining attention through tracks such as "Crazy Form," "BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILI PEPPERS)" and "Work."

The group's global growth was particularly visible in 2025. Title tracks "Lemon Drop" and "In Your Fantasy," from "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3" and its follow-up "In Your Fantasy" edition, entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 69 and 68, respectively. The group also appeared in five categories on Billboard's 2025 year-end charts.

The group also recently completed its 2025 world tour, "IN YOUR FANTASY," which began in Incheon before traveling to 12 cities in North America and three in Japan. The tour will continue in 2026 across Asia and Australia, including the group's first standalone concerts in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Macau.

Ahead of the album's release, all eight members appeared Thursday at a press conference at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, where they discussed the fourth installment of the "GOLDEN HOUR" series and the group's current direction.

"This is our first album of the year and also our first since renewing our contracts, so there was both excitement and pressure," group captain Hongjoong said. "We prepared it with the goal of showing a different side of ourselves."

Jongho described the album as a symbolic release.

"It is the fourth 'GOLDEN HOUR' album. We prepared it with hopes that 2026 will be a golden year," he said.

According to the agency, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4" centers on ATEEZ's "resolve to move forward" while holding onto its convictions, even amid turbulence. Seonghwa said the group approached the project with a mindset similar to its early days.

"We prepared this album with the same feelings we had when we debuted years ago," he said. "That sense of urgency has continued even after renewing our contracts, and the members worked together closely for this release."

The album features five tracks, led by title song "Adrenaline," alongside "Ghost," "NASA," "On The Road" and "Choose." Hongjoong and Mingi are credited as lyricists on all five tracks, reflecting ATEEZ's continued involvement in its music production.

In particular, lead single "Adrenaline" is built around a heavy, metallic beat and highlights the group's performance identity, pairing raw vocals with restrained rap sections.

"All eight members unanimously chose the title track," rapper Mingi said. "It has the feeling of an engine starting and pushing forward, and we wanted something that captures that sense of movement."

Yunho described the track as driven by a powerful EDM sound that complements the group's performance style, while Wooyoung highlighted Hongjoong's opening rap as a defining moment.

Despite its expanding global presence, the group remains focused on offering a wider range of music to fans.

"We achieved many goals last year, but there was still a sense of hunger when it came to sharing more diverse songs," Hongjoong said. "This year, we want to present new music fans have been waiting for, as well as sides of ourselves we have not shown before."

The group also addressed upcoming military enlistments for some members.

"Fulfilling military service is a natural responsibility," Seonghwa said. "Each of us will enlist at the appropriate time, serve sincerely and return."