Ateez

Prior to their debut, Ateez were called KQ Fellaz[8] after their label, KQ Entertainment. KQ Entertainment released a YouTube series, KQ Fellaz American Training in which they traveled to Los Angeles, California to train. During this show, KQ Entertainment introduced a ninth member to the trainee group, Lee Junyoung.[9] Together, they composed and choreographed a song, produced by the leader Hongjoong, and trained at dance studios Movement Lifestyle[10] and Millennium Dance Complex.[11] Yunho was also featured in one of Millennium's dance videos.[12] The group released their first performance video on May 18. Through this release, KQ Entertainment announced that trainee Lee Junyoung would not join the final debut team. For the finale of the YouTube series, KQ Fellaz released the song, "From", on July 3, 2018.[13]

Following the YouTube Series, KQ Entertainment announced KQ Fellaz's reality show on June 26, 2018, with the first of three teasers. The second teaser was released on July 3, in which they introduced the official name for the group: Ateez. Hence, the reality show was ultimately called Code Name is Ateez. The third teaser was uploaded on July 13, showcasing the show's opening title. The show premiered on the Korean broadcasting media Mnet on July 20.[14]

On October 2, 2018, through their official SNS, Ateez released a teaser photo announcing their debut date. Additionally, it provided of the date and location of their debut showcase: October 24 in Yes24 Livehall.[15] Following this announcement, they sequentially uploaded teaser photos from October 8 to October 23.[16][17] On October 24, 2018, Ateez released their debut EP, Treasure EP.1: All to Zero.[18] Alongside the release of the album were music videos for titles tracks, "Pirate King" and "Treasure". The album reached #7 on the Gaon Albums Chart.[19] The group held their debut showcase in the same day.[20] Their first music show performance was on October 25 on Mnet's M Countdown.[21]

On January 2, Ateez released an image through their official SNS with Morse code as the caption. They later confirmed their comeback EP, Treasure EP.2: Zero to One, on January 3 with a follow up teaser.[22] On January 15, they released Treasure EP.2: Zero to One alongside the music video for the lead single "Say My Name".[23][24] The performance video of "Hala Hala (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)" was released on February 7.[25] On January 24, they announced their first ever tour, titled The Expedition Tour, with March tour dates in Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.[26] All dates were sold out.[27][2]

On February 20, they announced more tour dates for Europe, with April shows in London, Lisbon, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Budapest, Stockholm, Warsaw, and Moscow.[28] All shows were reported to be sold out.[29][30]

On May 9, the music video for "Promise" was released.[31] On May 17, Ateez performed at KCON 2019 Japan in Chiba, Japan.[32]

On June 5, Ateez announced their first tour of Australia, titled The Expedition Tour In Australia, with shows scheduled in Melbourne on August 9 at Margaret Court Arena and Sydney on August 11 at The Big Top Sydney. The band released their third EP, Treasure EP.3: One to All on June 10.[33] The lead single from the EP, "Wave", was selected via a fan vote.[34] On the same day, the music video of "Wave" and "Illusion" were released.[35][36] On June 20, Ateez won their first music program broadcast award on M Countdown.[37] On June 25, they won their second music program broadcast award, 1st Place The Show Choice Winner on The Show.[38]

On July 6, Ateez performed at KCON 2019 NY in New York City, USA.[39] On July 8, the music video for "Aurora" was released.[40] Aurora was written, composed and produced by leader Hongjoong. On August 16, Ateez participated in and performed at KCON Rookies, which was part of KCON LA.

On August 17, Ateez performed at the KCON 2019 concert in Los Angeles. On August 19, Ateez also performed at the KCON LA After Party. On August 20, Ateez received their first music award Best Performance Award at Soribada Awards 2019.

On September 18, Ateez announced their comeback with Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action. A series of photo and video teasers were released for the album.[41] They performed at KCON Thailand on September 29.

On October 4, Ateez performed at Spotify On Stage 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia.[42] On October 6, they performed at Seoul Music Festival (SMUF).[43] On October 8, Ateez released their first full studio album, Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action.[44] The music video of the title song "Wonderland" was also released on the same day.[45] They performed at Busan One Asia Festival on October 20.[46]

On November 2, Ateez performed at Jindai Festa in Yokohama, Japan.[47] On November 10, the MV of Ateez's Japanese debut title song "Utopia" was released.[48]

On December 4, Ateez performed at Mnet Asian Music Awards 2019 in Nagoya, Japan, where they received Worldwide Fan Choice top 10 award. On the same day, Ateez released their Japanese debut album Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map.

On January 6, Ateez released their fourth EP, Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer, the final part of the Treasure series.[49] The MV for their title track "Answer" was released on the same day. The Japanese MV version of "Answer" was released on January 29.

Ateez were scheduled to begin their European tour in March 2020. Several stops including Amsterdam, Madrid and Moscow had previously been reported to be sold out since January.[50] However due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic the European dates had been cancelled.[51]