[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] "I will strive to be an artist who never loses sight of my original aspirations and conveys positive energy and inspiration to many people through my performances."

Boy group ATEEZ (ATEEZ—Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yoonho, Yeosang, San, Min-ki, Woo-young, Jong-ho) member San (real name Choi San, 27) stated in a written interview with E-Daily on the 29th regarding the group’s rising popularity thanks to their performance of the new song “BAD”: “Given the immense interest you’ve shown, I also feel a sense of responsibility to deliver even better stages and performances.”
ATEEZ is setting new personal bests on domestic music charts with “BAD,” the title track from their 14th mini-album “GOLDEN HOUR: Part.5,” released on the 26th of last month. The song ranked 6th on YouTube Music’s latest weekly chart (July 17–23) and 17th on the Melon daily chart dated July 27.
San said, “I think achieving good results on the music charts means that many people are enjoying ATEEZ’s music,” adding, “I’ve always hoped that one day our music would find its way into the public’s playlists and achieve great success, so I’m even more grateful for these results. I’m happy that ATEEZ’s music seems to be reaching so many people.”

is a Brazilian funk track centered on the theme of gradually synchronizing with someone you’re instinctively drawn to. At the heart of the song’s popularity is the standout dance sequence performed by member San. Toward the end of the song, San captivated K-pop fans by executing a signature move from the center position, where he leans his body diagonally and forcefully thrusts his upper body forward. He delivered this section with precision, thanks to a performance built on his solid physique and facial expressions that stood out for their languid yet provocative gaze.
San shared his thoughts, saying, “It was truly amazing and I felt so grateful to see so many fellow artists—both seniors and juniors—as well as the general public mimicking the ‘Bad’ performance.” He continued, “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which part resonated, but it seems many people were impressed by my facial expressions and the atmosphere during that section,” adding, “The reaction that ‘I keep replaying San’s part’ is what sticks with me the most.”
San also said, “I tend to pay close attention to every single movement to convey the song’s emotions well, so I was truly grateful that people recognized those efforts.”

◇“I Approach Every Stage as If It Were My Last”
As “Bad” continues its run of popularity, dominating the algorithms of various short-form video platforms, San is receiving the most intense spotlight of his career since his debut. Online, the story of how San—who was once evaluated during his trainee days as “someone who might struggle with idol activities”—has grown into an artist with outstanding performance skills and physical prowess through hard work is also being revisited.
San reflected, “Looking back, the comments I heard back then made me stronger,” adding, “I approached my daily practice with the determination to prove myself through results and to give it my all so I wouldn’t have any regrets.” He continued, “Even now, rather than thinking I’m complete, I view every stage as a learning experience.”

ATEEZ, a group under KQ Entertainment, has successfully built a solid global fanbase since their debut in 2018, driven by their intense music and performances. They overcame the limitations typically faced by idols from small-to-medium-sized agencies and wrote a legendary story by reaching the top of the Billboard 200, the main album chart.
When asked about the secret to the group’s growth, San replied, “Rather than any special secret, I think it’s the result of the time we’ve spent consistently working toward the same goal with the members,” adding, “We tried our absolute best with every stage and every album, and we were able to get this far thanks to ‘ATINY’ (the fan club name), who believed in our sincerity and stood by us.”
This marks ATEEZ’s third No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Regarding this achievement, San shared, “No matter how many times I hear it, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 is truly gratifying and meaningful,” adding, “It means that so many people have connected with and loved ATEEZ’s music.”
Finally, San reaffirmed his determination for their upcoming activities, saying, “Even now, I take the stage with the mindset that ‘this might be my last performance.’ Thanks to that mindset, I’m able to focus more intently on every moment and give it my all without any regrets.”