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Some idols pierce through our hearts at the speed of light — it only takes a viral fancam, or a fashion week appearance to have their imagery emblazoned in our minds. Others have their seed of affection planted early on, before they grow stable roots that endure season after season. Lovingly known as the “bias-wrecker” of ATEEZ, YUNHO embodies the latter type of idol, one who possesses the allure of a sleeper hit movie that, over time, becomes solidified as a cultural phenomenon. In a saturated landscape of boy bands, individuals who can sing, perform, and act are numerous; what makes YUNHO a standout in a room full of all-rounders extends beyond his talents. It is a magnetic charm that pulls fans into his orbit, as he exudes an explosive stage presence, a “golden retriever”-like aura with fans, and solid, versatile vocals that translate from bangers to ballads. Through fan interactions, it becomes no surprise that his earnest displays of affection are what fans cherish him for the most.
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If you have only just begun your journey as an ATINY, the music videos are just the beginning. Take “BAD”, for instance. In its lush music video, you are initially presented with a dizzying array of saccharine-sweet visuals, complete with actor Chase Infiniti. Between scenes of each member spitting out their verses with bravado, the tuft of silver hair stands out to you. “Ah, that’s YUNHO,” you quickly start to differentiate each of them. Soon, you find yourself scrolling through TikTok, giggling at edits, or teeming with envy as you watch close-up recordings of him at fan events. Hungry for more, you envelop yourself in the tender stylings of his voice as you come across “On My Way to You”, a classic K-pop-style ballad. An impression alone does not cultivate connection — that charm needs to be in sync with different concepts for a dose of authenticity. As whimsical and audacious as ATEEZ concepts go, from unruly misfits to dystopian pirates, you still see them as fully-realised individuals, not mere characters.
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Do a little research on Reddit, and you will find threads upon threads about how fans claim the 27-year-old has crept up on their personal ranks after paying more and more attention to him. Six years ago, he was regarded as mysterious and underrated for his versatility in talents; today, he overtakes the place of his peers as the bias of fans — a live performance is all it takes. “Charisma… he’s always had it but now masterfully plays it like a violin in all ranges from soft pianissimo to powerful fortissimo,” writes a fan. Charisma is a funny thing. Often imitated, never duplicated, masterful production can only harness its ephemeral quality into a steady stream, rather than imbuing it in someone who does not possess it. Over the years, we get to observe the different facets of YUNHO’s charm, solidifying him as a constant, cooling breeze that persists, rather than a torrential wind that comes and goes. Two years since his last cover, Men’s Folio catches up with YUNHO on growth, strategy, and self-care.
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What is a recent pinch-me moment that had you reflecting on ATEEZ’s journey? Do you ever write it down in a journal or on your phone to try and remember it?
I’ve always kept photos of the cities we’ve visited and the venues we’ve performed at while touring around the world and meeting ATINYs. I want to remember and cherish every moment, as to make sure I keep these memories alive, I make it a point to capture photos of the venue and the city at every stop. I like to think that each one has its own special meaning in our journey.
The GOLDEN HOUR series centres on the band’s brightest moments. What does it mean to you as an artist?
This moment right here, right now, spent with ATINY as YUNHO of ATEEZ is my GOLDEN HOUR. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, and I know that in the future I’ll look back on this period of my career and remember it as some of the most precious moments of my life.
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What was it like having that crossover with Chase Infiniti in the “BAD” music video? I love that she’s both an ATINY and an actress in an Oscar-winning film.
It was such a pleasure and an honour to work with Chase. We got to know her while filming, and that made everything even more special. Seeing that we both appreciate each other as fans made me incredibly happy, and in a way, it made me feel even more like I was sharing the experience with ATINY.
Eight years in, do you feel like the pressure has only gone up as a musician or has it got easier?
Throughout our career, I’ve always tried to approach each new challenge with a positive mindset, so I haven’t necessarily felt overwhelmed by the pressure. As we’ve continued to grow and take on bigger challenges, though, I think I’ve gradually become more aware of the weight that comes with preparing for each new step. Promoting “BAD” reminded me of that feeling. Each release comes with its own expectations and responsibilities, and you naturally feel some pressure knowing that there’s always something new to prepare for. But I also think that pressure can be a positive thing. It comes from having something to look forward to and being excited about what’s next. So rather than letting it weigh on me too much, I try to use it as motivation and focus on the new experiences and opportunities ahead.
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Do you approach performing for intimate shows with ATINYs with a similar strategy and energy as you would with larger festivals like Coachella? How do they differ?
After experiencing a huge festival stage like Coachella, I’ve actually noticed that I’ve grown a lot in the way I communicate with ATINY on stage. When I watch our performances back these days, I can really see that growth. At the same time, ATINY have always been great at communicating with us and bringing so much energy to each performance, so it’s been really meaningful to see how much we’ve grown together.
If you had free rein to propose an entire concept for the band with a different style, genre and look altogether for a one-off project, what kind of music and visuals can we expect?
This is hard because we always try to experiment with something new every comeback, so if it was instead a chance to do a one-off special project, I think I’d actually want to bring ATEEZ’s epic story and journey to life on a large scale. I’d love to create something that puts a light on our narrative in a project that we can share with ATINY.
What are some other amazing ATINY stories you have heard recently?
There are countless stories, but there’s just so much we receive in the constant love and support ATINY always show for us. Especially during the award season, seeing ATINY come together to cast their votes really made me realise just how much time, effort, and love our fans put into supporting us. I’m always so grateful for you, ATINY!
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I absolutely adore tracks like “On My Way to You”. Will we get to hear more ballads from you soon?
I really love emotional songs and sentimental tracks like that myself, so I’d love to show ATINY more of that side of me. I’ll try to share more songs like this through different covers or future releases in the future!
Speaking of movies and dramas, were there parts of acting in “Back! Stage” And “Electronic Brain Manager Jeong” that you really enjoyed or perhaps surprised yourself with?
Every project has been an important step in my growth, and they’ve all given me such happy and memorable experiences. I genuinely enjoyed every moment, but getting the opportunity to experience acting and the environment of being on set firsthand was especially new and refreshing for me. It gave me a whole new appreciation for acting and made the experience even more meaningful.
Will we be seeing more acting work from you soon?
I’ve really grown to enjoy acting, and am becoming more interested in exploring it further. I’d love to show you more sides of myself through different roles and projects, so please look forward to what’s to come!
You once mentioned that unity is the recipe for forming an unbreakable bond with your teammates. Do you also cherish the time spent alone for self-reflection or prefer sticking with one another
I think we’ve always had a really good dynamic as members, and since we spend so much time together, I’ve come to realise how important it is for us to have time for ourselves, too. We still love going out together for good food and talking about all kinds of things, but when we have time off, I tend to enjoy spending some time on my own. I think having that balance gives us time to reflect and recharge individually, which ultimately makes our time together even better.
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As someone who has a reputation of taking care of others, how do you show up for yourself?
I only started making more of an effort to take care of myself fairly recently. I’ve found that spending time in nature or simply taking in a beautiful view helps me clear my mind and organise my thoughts. I also enjoy playing games and treating myself to good food. They may seem like simple things, but those little hobbies and moments of quiet time really help me recharge and take care of myself.
What has been a recent trip that felt healing to you?
Actually, the time I spent with Men’s Folio for the shoot was during our group vacation, so it was already a nice opportunity to take some time for myself. After that, I travelled to Japan with my family, and we’ve been enjoying a little food tour together. It’s been really relaxing and healing for me to spend that time with my family, eat good food, and just enjoy the trip at our own pace.
As your band begins to mature sound- and identity-wise, what are some of your personal discoveries as an artist? Are there other facets of your artistry you’d like to explore next? As ATEEZ’s identity and musical style have become more established, and as people have come to recognise what we represent, I’d also like to put some focus on showing who I am as YUNHO within ATEEZ and as an individual artist. I want to keep growing and challenge myself so I can show even more sides of myself and leave a stronger impression through my own artistry as well. Please look forward to seeing more of my growth and the different sides of me!
Photography Chae Daehan
Creative Direction & Styling Izwan Abdullah
Story LingJie Tuang
Executive Producer Manfred Lu
Set Design Jion
Grooming Suhee Kim | Commune
Hair Jeongmin Lee | Commune
On-set Styling Ju Hyun | The Cosmos
Production Kieran, Ami
Styling Assistant Luna
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