The Concept of Mic

K-Pop.

What is K-Pop anyway?

Aren’t those the boy groups who wear makeup and look like women with their wildly colored hair?
These are the thoughts that come to most Westerners‘ minds when confronted with K-Pop. Understandable.

But isn’t there more to K-Pop than men with makeup and dyed hair?

The talent?

The hard work?

The love behind each song, the band members, the fan communities, and the dance performances?
K-Pop has inspired me. K-Pop has (extremely said) saved my life. It remains my inspiration for discipline and willpower to this day.

Ateez was one of those bands that showed me that DOING (in German we call it „Macher“ which translates to hustler) and holding on to your dreams was exactly the right way for me after I fell into a hole without knowing how or why I should get out. In times of despair, Ateez helped me immensely by teaching me not to doubt my dreams. Through their success, I realized that I can achieve anything if I firmly believe in it. With discipline and effort, you can shape your life the way you want it to be.

Ateez not only encouraged me to hold on to my dreams, but they also motivated me to be the best version of myself. Their passion and dedication to their music and fans have shown me that with hard work and determination, anything is achievable. They taught me that self-improvement is a constant process and that you should never give up, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Their messages in the songs and their impressive performances have repeatedly given me the courage and strength to pursue and realize my own goals.

And it has never let me down.
Isolation from other people at some point and my dedication to K-Pop was exactly the right path for me. The influence of unconditional love they give their fans made me view a new perspective of optimism. They never gave me negative energy in times where i only doubted myself. I needed this extreme change in point of view on the world (in a good way).

K-Pop is more than just pretty boys dancing around. Ateez and their music has helped me to be the best version of myself and to work hard and constantly to make my dreams come true.

So the next time you see me dancing at a K-Pop party or hear me passionately talking about it, know that it means so much more than a sexual attraction to Korean people. (Shout out to the so called „K-Boo’s“.)

effort never betrays.

– Park Seonghwa from ATEEZ