Anyone can have an eye fixed for trend, however it’s extraordinarily particular to have a coronary heart for it, too. HONGJOONG has each—one within the literal sense. Adorned in crystals that kind an eye fixed motif throughout his chest (courtesy of Balmain) that shimmers all through the studio, he confidently struts in entrance of the digicam. He was purported to put on the piece at Balmain’s males’s trend present earlier within the 12 months, however it was rescheduled to September. HONGJOONG, nonetheless, is elated to lastly put on the outfit.
It’s the day earlier than ATEEZ’s monumental and wet present at Citi Discipline in Queens, NY—one of many stops on their “[TOWARDS THE LIGHT : WILL TO POWER]” world tour. And regardless of a busy schedule, HONGJOONG arrives at StyleCaster’s midtown Manhattan studio with a large grin and boundless power. He meticulously curates each resolution of the shoot. He even introduced his personal equipment—a wide-brimmed hat to emulate his idols—and he executes every pose with precision. He’s genuinely aware of his environment, thanking the employees any likelihood he will get and ensuring they get their proverbial flowers for his or her onerous work.
“It provides me a lot inspiration to put on garments and outfits I’m not aware of. My opinion on trend is altering. My favourite issues are altering too.”
HONGJOONG is a inventive power. His songwriting credit stretch all through the Okay-pop group’s entire discography, and he develops touching methods to unite his members (like designing a hoop for every band member to commemorate their Coachella debut). His optimistic angle speaks to how aware and current he’s in each side of ATEEZ’s success—from the nitty-gritty of music manufacturing to the out-of-this-world pirate and cowboy ideas they convey to life in movies and onstage.
How would you describe your trend evolution?
Once I was a trainee, I appreciated too many issues. As a result of in these days, I believed I needed to present every part to everybody. I at all times wore so many equipment and solely colourful garments. After we debuted, I acknowledged what issues match me and what issues regarded good for me onstage and backstage. I’m studying all of it as a result of I can see so many pictures of what I’m sporting from my followers.
My ideas about trend naturally developed over time. As of late, I work out what I put on in actual time. Once I put on Balmain’s garments, I additionally strive to determine how the outfit suits with my very own vibe.
You’ve made your individual customized garments, and I believe that’s the best truth ever.
Thanks! I’m a bit of shy to speak about my DIY garments as a result of I’m not knowledgeable designer. However I’ve the boldness to at all times make my very own issues.
Do you’ve gotten a favourite piece you made?
In Phoenix, I dyed certainly one of my garments after I noticed a David Bowie mural. I used to be impressed and wished to attract on my Jacquemus coloured jacket. It’s certainly one of my favourite items. I’ve posted it on Instagram, however I’ve by no means worn it in entrance of individuals. Sometime I’d wish to, as a result of it’s very colourful. It’s good for the summer season and matches the Olympic ring colours.
How has touring modified the way in which you model your self?
Touring has helped me in an excellent method. There are a lot of alternatives to see new outfits and garments, as a result of once we are in Korea, we have now actually busy schedules. One in all my hobbies is to go to some shops and see one thing new. I’m interested by what supplies they use, what colours they use, and what’s trending. Once we’re touring, we have now time to go searching.
Many manufacturers promote their garments solely in America or solely in Korea, so it’s superb to see completely different outfits throughout the globe. It provides me a lot inspiration to put on garments and outfits I’m not aware of. My opinion on trend is altering. My favourite issues are altering too. For this tour particularly, I’ve worn completely different sorts of hats, like looking caps and fedoras.
Do you’ve gotten a favourite metropolis that impressed you?
In Arlington, Texas, they’re actually well-known for cowboy hats. Once we went to Fort Price, I obtained one and I wore it onstage. Everybody liked to see that. That’s certainly one of my favourite cities as a result of it’s at all times altering my thoughts about trend.
We’ve tried just a few cowboy issues earlier than in our songs and music movies, however once I noticed folks sporting it within the authentic place the place it’s from, it was so cool. Once I go to these cities within the USA, all of them have completely different cultures.
You took some Instagram pictures with the cowboy hat and referenced a meme that ATINY made viral throughout sendoff.
So many individuals wish to see our interactions with followers. I loved it a lot as a result of once I’m onstage, I simply sing and dance. However once I’m off the stage, I like to work together with our followers—ATINY—as a result of we’re all simply folks. It’s so vital that we do this once we launch new songs and we present actually good trend. It’s extra vital that we get good communication with our followers, as a result of once we launch new songs, I would like them to know it higher.
That is your first time taking part in massive arenas and stadiums for a number of dates. What’s the expertise like in comparison with different excursions?
Each ATEEZ live performance that we did this 12 months is larger than the earlier years. Yearly is completely different, and each metropolis is completely different too. We began in very small halls once we first got here to the U.S. This time, we’re in stadiums and are making hit songs within the U.S. It’s one thing completely different that we have now to launch higher songs and we have now to point out higher phases to our followers.
However on the identical time, I would like ATINY to really feel like we’re not distant. If we turn into extra well-known, our authentic followers will assume that as a result of we’re taking part in stadiums, we’re so distant from them. I don’t need any of our followers to really feel like that.
I simply need them to really feel like they’re at all times close to us and that our songs relate to their life. After our concert events, we get to fulfill our followers, and I wish to make that communication and interplay vital for them.
What’s it wish to collaborate with the manufacturing crew when producing songs?
We have now a producing crew, EDENARY, and the chief of the group is Eden. He’s certainly one of my closest mates, as a result of I met him 10 years in the past in our firm and we grew up collectively. Once I take part in making songs, it’s very pure. We use the identical studio. If I’ve a key phrase and style in thoughts, they develop and provides the songs and demos again to me. They ask concerning the route, and there’s backwards and forwards about suggestions.
Once I’m within the U.S. or one other nation, we do numerous Zoom conferences to debate and make the songs. We get to enterprise and we take into consideration our subsequent albums and ideas. In order that’s what makes our music very ongoing.
“I’m grateful for our members and ATINY as a result of they’re at all times with me. When ATINY are telling us their tales, that offers me a lot motivation to make music.”
What creatively drives you as a songwriter?
Michael Jackson first impressed me to make music once I was in center college. Once I first listened to “Billie Jean,” I used to be actually curious concerning the instrumentals. It’s not simply easy synthesizer and piano sounds. I used to be like “How did he make this?” I used to be looking out on YouTube find out how to make “Billie Jean” instrumentals. I’m learning English now, however again then I didn’t know that a lot. The entire feedback on the video had been in English. I translated all of it and began to make music due to that.
Michael and David Bowie nonetheless give me numerous inspiration. However on the identical time, I’m grateful for our members and ATINY as a result of they’re at all times with me. Once I make music or write lyrics, there’s at all times inspiration from them too. When the ATEEZ members discuss privately or once they inform their very own tales, I take into consideration all of that within the songwriting course of. Even when ATINY are telling us their tales, that offers me a lot motivation to make music.
What was your favourite trend present?
My first trend present was Balmain final 12 months, and this 12 months I went to Comme des Garçons. Once I first arrived on the lodge room for Balmain’s trend present, I opened the invitation to see that it was all about flowers. I like flowers and I felt so fortunate to see that it was the theme of my first trend present. I used to be like, “Olivier [Rousteing] knew one thing!”
Once I noticed all of the outfits on the runway, there was a costume that had flowers throughout it. I used to be so impressed by it that I missed the 2 or three outfits that had been strolling after that. I liked the outfit that I wore to that trend present as properly—the one with a French-style beret.
ATEEZ members simply opened up their private Instagram pages. Have you ever loved making your individual profile?
I’m not somebody that normally makes use of social media that a lot. Once I was a trainee, I simply didn’t use it. Now that we’ve made our personal particular person accounts, once I wish to submit one thing, I simply do it. I don’t use Instagram that a lot as a result of I simply comply with the members. I actually take pleasure in importing, and I’m so joyful once I do it.
Once I submit on my feed, it’s all cool aesthetics. Nonetheless, my Instagram tales are so loopy. If I get an concept, I simply wish to do it. I take advantage of so many filters.
What’s your favourite filter?
The one the place it multiplies a photograph or video. Truthfully, that one is my favourite. However my vibe is at all times altering.
This interview has been edited for readability.
Photographer: George Chinsee
Artistic Route: Sasha Purdy (@sashapurdydesign)
Manufacturing Assistant: Lea Veloso
Hair: Nari Ju at Cheongdam Contigo (@cheongdam_contigo)
Make-up: Mi Yeon Music at Cheongdam Contigo (@cheongdam_contigo)
Styling: Chaewon Kim