So, I was doing my media pull for the day for my job and I came across this Japanese article about ATEEZ's CEO, I think this may be the first CEO from a K-Pop company I am actually down for and can get behind. Here are some quotes and notes as to why: QUOTE (1) "There are many musicians in the West and Japan who have been active for over 20 years, but there were very few such artists in Korea. So I wanted to create an artist who would be loved for a long time, have a long run, communicate with fans through music, and be close to them with sincerity." THOUGHT (1) I find it unusual for K-pop companies today to focus on long-term success, especially in an industry that often goes after quick hits. KQ CEO's dedication to creating artists with lasting careers and real connections with fans is different. Most companies want fast success, but he is committed to building artists who can last for years. This approach shows he cares more about the artist’s growth and bond with their fans. QUOTE (2) "I also wanted to send them to America for training, but it was quite difficult for the company. The executives were at a loss. So I remember making the decision to "If the company doesn't have the money, I'll give them some pocket money, so let's send ATEEZ to America as planned." THOUGHT (2) Most fans were aware of this, but it’s rare for a company to take such an approach. It takes an incredible amount of trust and belief in people to give them money upfront to pursue a vision that’s so uncertain. That kind of commitment is not only admirable but highly unusual for someone with a "CEO" title. This move made me even more interested in the story because when a leader is willing to do that for their team, they’re already redefining what it means to be a CEO. QUOTE (3) "At the same time, I strongly told them that money should not be their goal when working hard to succeed as an artist. If you only aim for money, you will lose the motivation to grow when you earn it, and you will only get stuck on the path of spending money. I don't want that to happen. I also told them that money is never the goal when running a company, and I shared that idea first." THOUGHT (3) This is so damn important and is the reason why I began to write this post here on TOKTOQ today. It’s a reminder that true success comes from continuous improvement and dedication to one's craft, not just financial gain. (I feel like the industry's MAJORITY forgets that, which is ONE of the main reasons why this specific industry is not taken seriously business-wise in certain areas as a long-standing integration into the greater industry if you see what I'm saying.) This philosophy challenges the conventional mindset that often prioritizes profit, making it a powerful statement about long-term vision, integrity, and sustainability in both art and business. There has to be a path to profitability and not instant success, then you'll have a long-lasting company, and artists will be able to live off of their work well into their years creating. This specific principle and way of thinking is why I got into art business and becoming a cultural strategist for my career, so that inspired me today. I feel like it would shake the industry a bit if KQ's CEO said these sentiments on Billboard or went even deeper into these ideas, but of course, we have to see if that's possible, don't we? (IYKYK) Anyways, this article reassured me a lot. I am always interested in reading KQ CEO's words. Good looks. LINK TO ARTICLE: https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/contents/18/00934/00003/ #KQ #ATEEZ #에이티즈  PS: I wonder if he knows ATINYs be calling him their Dad.