To say ATEEZ has had a successful 12 months would be an understatement. As the first K-pop boy group to headline Coachella, the only way has been up. After dominating the US on their Towards The Light: Will To Power Tour, it was finally time for Europe to get a taste of their anarchism lore the States had already enjoyed. Their Copenhagen stop was extra special, falling on Valentine’s Day- What could be a better way to spend such an evening?

The setlist was not only a high-energy cardio workout but also filled to the brim with fan favourites, both old and new. Opening with Crazy Form, Say My Name, and WIN was a bold – no, daring – choice. Starting with those three fast-paced songs alone, it felt like they were challenging themselves to prove they’re not just any ordinary group. Being able to open with some of their biggest hits and continue that momentum throughout showed that their discography is very strong.

What followed after their quick stage exit was Hongjoong appearing from beneath, looking distressed. Surrounded by a sea of red flashing lights and a sense of danger ahead, his acting reflected the dystopian rebellion seen onstage in previous acts. This was followed by Yunho and San, who brought the narrative to life through their solo dances. Between songs, each member played out a scene that tied the overall story of the setlist. A theatrical, dark, and dramatic concept linking their current lore of seeking the light – of course named after the tour itself. Rather than relying solely on VCRs, these segments allowed each member to express themselves through dance and acting. It was a refreshing approach, something I hadn’t really seen at other shows, and was a great way to keep the audience fully engaged – although frankly, that wasn’t an issue.

There was little time to fully absorb the talent before our eyes as we were thrown into This World and Wake Up. Then, Captain Hongjoong appeared coolly, stepping out to play the electric guitar intro to the fan favourite Guerilla. It’s a selfish request, but I would love to have seen more of rockstar Hongjoong. The fan chant for Guerilla was as one would hope – intense, loud, and excitable with a wave of “Break the wall” “floating” across the venue.

The fandom name, ATINY, makes you think very mindful, very demure, and, well, tiny. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The way this crowd engaged with the group and sang fan chants was unlike anything else I’ve seen before. They matched the group’s chaotic, sporadic energy as if they were a bunch of mischievous children, all left together to run riot. Which, in a way, perfectly matches the attitude ATEEZ has built since their debut with 2018’s Pirate King – rebellious, unwavering, and refusing to be confined to a specific image. 

The time had come that many of us in the audience had eagerly been awaiting: the first few bars of the familiarly haunting “Oh, light이 되어주오, oh, Halazia.” Those words caused a wave of excitement and a ripple effect for everyone ready for the goddess that is HALAZIA.  It’s crazy to hear this song and think it was meant to be a simple B-side track when, in fact, she is the queen who should never leave the setlist. 

And while love lingered in the air, the whiplash from sweet and wholesome to sweaty and seductive switched up every five seconds. Something that has become a unique selling point of ATEEZ. Seongwha’s solo dance not only showed his incredible skills but also told a story that had been reflected throughout the night in the VCRs. Light on his feet and practically floating through the air, he portrayed a tortured artist fighting to escape from the darkness and eventually breaking free – and feeling joy – from the very thing that he loves. In this moment, as Honjoong and Yunho joined him, it symbolised the strength of their teamwork helping each other overcome their struggles. 

The VCRs were simple, with a narration reminding everyone to seek the light in the darkness. The key message was not only centred on their story from debut to today but also something everyone with a dream could relate to, or simply navigating life. The question of how we seek the light in the darkness transitioned into Mingi and Yunho’s wholesome solo stage Youth. It reflected the worries of youth and uncertainty during their pre-audition, wondering if they could make it. Now, embracing their success, they seemingly found the light together. Watching them dance with backing dancers and then freestyling by simply having fun together were the real moments that matter on stage. It resulted in Mingi getting down on one knee, asking Yunho to be his Valentine. I’m not sure who was luckier of the two. 

The next stage was proof as to why Jongho has been credited as one of the best vocalists in the current K-pop generation. His live vocals are no joke, and a song like Everything does not require much in the way of production. The way he can effortlessly project his vocals so beautifully across an arena as if it’s the easiest and most natural thing is incredibly impressive. The crowd was nothing but silent, as no one dared to try and sing along to a Jongho solo – it would almost feel like a crime to try.

For me, the moment I had been waiting to experience arrived during Hongjoong and Seongwha’s solo stage for MATZ. It was a vision that will stay with me forever – a perfect blend of rock chic paired with androgyny. What makes Seonghwa so unpredictable aside from his rap, is his ability to embody both sides of gender- a construct he’s constantly breaking down. Earlier, we saw him light as a feather during choreography, yet in Matz he was powerful and dominating, radiating an air of confidence. Together the pair bounced across and revelled in the chorus, showing just why everyone loves Matz – both in their element rapping out the lyrics to those who hate on the sound created by the group.

The crowd’s energy was especially high before the infamous ARRIBA. The boys told fans that for the duration of this segment, it could only be celebrated with shouts of “Arriba.” The fun during Arriba had you wanting to go out and party alongside them, but for now, we all watched as they performed on a westernised bar. The stage production throughout the show was incredibly well done. Featuring onstage props that allowed the boys to act out alongside, dancing out of cages, and breaking free from the confines of shackles and chains. Again, these performances touched on powerful signs of the aforementioned struggles of being an artist while staying true to themselves.

Throughout the show, the boys shared many sweet interactions, reminiscing about their last visit in Copenhagen two years ago. Yeosang held signs with special messages asking ATINY to scream and then ask if they could be his valentines. In Korea, it’s tradition for boys to give girls chocolate on this day, and one very lucky fan received a box of chocolates from Yeosang as he walked along the front row. I’m sure no other Valentine’s Day will ever compare for her after tonight.

From start to finish, the message was clear: to continue to discover that light within us, even if it means using the group as a coping tool for now. Softly spoken, it told a story of their own struggles – reflected in their stages for each member. Whether it was Mingis rapping, Yeonsang, Wooyoung, and San’s incredible solo dance performances, or just all eight of them working as one to show the unstoppable force that is their group.

Wrapping up with an encore featuring 2024’s WORK and 2023’s Dreamy Day the members went on to share heartfelt thoughts about looking toward the future. A big shout-out goes out to each member who spoke in English and even showed off a little bit of Danish they had learned for the evening. There was no Korean spoken, and even the VCR story was in English. This kind of effort is rare at shows, and their effort did not go unnoticed and deserves applause. 

Seeing ATEEZ live is an experience like no other. It’s more than just a concert – it’s a theatrical spectacle, weaving together their dystopian folklore with themes of rebellion and hope. From the very start, the setlist was superb, but what was truly incredible was the stage production and VCRs. Their performance beautifully merged high-energy storytelling with humour and vibrant personalities. If you ever get the chance to see ATEEZ live, don’t think twice – just go and enjoy the ride!

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Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of Rookie Korean

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}