All ATEEZ members renew contracts, stay with KQ as full group

From left, ATEEZ members Yunho, Seonghwa, San, Yeosang, Hongjoong, Wooyoung, Jongho and Mingi, pose during a press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo District, Seoul, June 12. Yonhap

All eight members of ATEEZ have renewed their contracts with KQ Entertainment for another seven years, the agency announced Thursday.

In a press release, KQ said it was "pleased to continue this partnership based on the trust built over the past seven years" and added that it plans to "fully support each member in showcasing their limitless potential and expanding onto even greater stages."

The eight-member boy band, consisting of Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho, debuted in October 2018 with its first EP, "TREASURE EP.1: All To Zero."

Known for its powerful and often sultry performances, the group found success overseas before gaining local recognition. In 2023, ATEEZ reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts with its second full-length album, followed by another No. 1 hit with its 11th EP released later that year.

Last month, the group made its debut on Billboard's Hot 100 songs chart, landing at No. 69 with "Lemon Drop," the title track from its 12th EP, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3."

At a press event held last month to celebrate the release of "Lemon Drop," leader Hongjoong hinted at the group's future, saying they had long been considering how best to present ATEEZ in the years ahead.

"We'll be sharing good news very soon," he said at the event.

ATEEZ is set to release a new version of its latest EP, titled "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 – In Your Fantasy Edition," on Friday at 1 p.m.

The group is also preparing for a tour that will take them to 12 cities across North America, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. Additional concerts are scheduled in Japan, with stops in Saitama, Nagoya and Kobe.