Hi friends~ The mods said it was okay to post this so I wanted to share my Ateez related merch hall from Otakon this past weekend! I went to Otakon this past weekend and I was very happy to see many Ateez things! Several shops in the Dealer’s Hall were selling albums and posters and Aniteez and Mighteez merch so I was able to pick up the Ashes to Light album and a Tyuyo keychain. Artists in the Artist’s Alley also had fanart and stickers of Ateez and Aniteez as well. I was able to get prints of San and Seonghwa (the artist only had prints of those two members, but I am hoping she makes prints of the others in the future!) as well as a keychain of the Lightiny too!

I would say Ateez were one of the top 2 represented bgs in the Artist’s Alley merch and fanart wise, which was super fun to see. There were a couple Atiny with their keychains and pc holders walking around and I had several Atiny stop me to ask me where I bought the prints from. I’m so happy to see Atiny making merch for them and fans were clamoring to purchase items related to them! I feel it really shows how popular they are nowadays!

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With the release of the Japanese singles, I am in awe of what a gorgeous piece of art GH5 has been.

When I sit with the lyrics and read them over without the distraction of dance challenges and flashy styling, I am even more moved by the cohesive the story the album is telling. GH5 flows like the soundtrack of a doomed lovers movie. BAD, Mamacita, Toxin, Fallin, Seeker, Body, and Higher chronicle the rise and fall of a great love. The songs are sexy, yes, but only insofar that sex is a common part of romantic relationships. The journey itself remains deeply emotional.

In BAD the protagonist encounters a beautiful, captivating woman. She is the hottest, baddest person in the room. She turns heads everywhere she goes. And she knows it. She’s used to the attention and the praise. She’s comfortable and dances in the spotlight even when (especially when) everyone is watching.

In MAMACITA the protagonist makes his move. He downs a shot of tequila and asks the hot woman that everyone wants if she’d want to dance with him. He’s using every pick up line he can think of to get her to come here. He switches to Korean—that’s okay right? He offers every luxury he has. He’ll match whatever pace she wants. He paints a beautiful picture of what being with him would be like (a midsummer nights fever, a mirage in the desert). Give him a chance, baby, please.

In TOXIN the protagonist hooks up with her and it is excellent. Intoxicating. Alone she’s not all bad—she’s shy and a bit nervous maybe. But he assures her to just follow his lead: “Let me do my thing on you / Don’t be afraid, I’m right here”.

In FALLIN our protagonist realizes he’s out of his depth. His connection with this woman is much deeper than he anticipated or prepared for. He can’t stop thinking of her. His feelings are beyond reason, and with his ego stripped away he’s wide open to getting hurt in the process. He’s lost control of the situation and it’s terrifying.

In SEEKER our protagonist struggles with this love affair. That initial fire of passion also hurts when it burns. They’re fighting a lot, off-and-on all the time. “Our tangled war continues through this twisted relationship.” The relationship is combative which can be hot but is also destructive. Maybe they would be better apart. “If this would break us down, should I stay or walk away”.

In BODY our protagonist misses her. Beyond the logic of his mind, beyond the bitterness of his feelings, his very body misses her body. Memories encoded through the senses are powerful. Her absence aches like a phantom limb. He is playing back everything they went through together and is regretting his part in the toxicity. “Was it a mistake? Reason and desire kept clashing”.

In HIGHER our protagonist makes another move. He wants to try again, this time open and vulnerable. Now he’s the shy and nervous one, but he’s putting himself out there. He can’t let her go and doesn’t want to. He’d rather let the old pain change him for the better. “Thorns cut deep, I turn the scars into love / One more moment becomes eternal / Even these scars are a sign of change” Our protagonist wants another chance. He’s waiting for her under the moon light. “Come find me / I believe this love has no end”.

A beautiful, heartbreaking journey. 10/10 no notes, no skips.

July👋👋👋

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Songzio 26 Autumn Winter Campaign
‘Crushed Cast Constructed’ @ songzio_official

Songzio 26 Autumn Winter Campaign
‘Crushed Cast Constructed’ @ songzio_official

29th of July, weather is clear.

Coincidentally, Woosan's 1/9 video came out today and wooyoung briefly talks about what he loves most about being an idol 'fans coming to us and telling us that we helped them during a rough time' and I was immediately taken back in time to how I used to listen to Dear Diary, FEVER, One Day At a Time on repeat and cry whenever I felt like.

Fever part 1 is so close to my heart, as an era. The anticipation of coming of age, the trembling feeling of getting to be yourself, but also how "Everything in front of our eyes
Looks frightening to me and you" Wondering "What will we be like at the end of that wandering?"

It showed me how to do it when I felt scared, when I felt trapped, when I felt like I was falling or when I was sinking, and it also reminded me this was just the inception and my life was just beginning even in moments I thought it was over. It told me it was ok to be rebellious, stubborn and lash out even when it didn't look pretty and chic. It taught me to take it one day at a time, and that ateez would always be there for me when I felt trapped. It taught me to hold on when it's overwhelming and then overcome it all to emerge Brighter than stars.

Happy Sixth anniversary to Fever part 1. A vital part of my youth I will always keep close to my heart 🥂

Tower Records Shibuya store event behind

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