genuinely wish i could properly articulate my thoughts on this album. something that i've felt strongly from hearing their music for the first time is that ateez excels at conveying emotion; whatever the topic or message, you can feel that on a soul level. it's a combination of the lyrics, the mastery in composition, the way each individual channels their emotions through singing and rap (and on a visual level, they carry that with them onto the stage). there's something about this album in particular that i can't quite find the words for. in every song, in every album, they're all always giving 110%, so it's not that there's an additional power to the album that wasn't there before. it's an undercurrent of energy, and i wish i had the words for it, but i said before release that this felt like it would be something special and it really is. i think part of it is that the golden hour series is a highlight and a culmination of the journey so far, and you can hear that, you can feel it, in every single one of the tracks. as much as i know something like a fansign or call wouldn't be possible for me (and let's be honest, even if severe social anxiety wasn't an issue, my emotional ass would have me crying before i could even get a single word out), i wish i could tell each of them how much of a beautiful job they've done, individually and together. i really don't think they know, i genuinely don't think they realize just how powerful of a presence they each have. regardless of how many lines they have, regardless of how those lines are presented through rap and/or singing, each one shines distinctly because of them. they bring their unique qualities and energy to the art they create, and that's what makes it the masterpiece that it is. if i was in the right headspace, i could write a whole post about each of them, and don't even get me started on hongjoong's composition work again. this isn't to ignore or overlook eden-ary and the rest of those working alongside ateez in creating everything, because they themselves have done a beautiful job and it is important to recognize that. there's just something really special about hongjoong, about seonghwa, about wooyoung, yunho, san, yeosang, mingi, and jongho. anyone who takes the time to give them a chance can see it. i think that's why i'm so excited for each new album and song, fully immersing in everything that's released, and why i continually feel so excited to see what they're preparing next. they all have so much to give, to show the world, and i want to keep cheering them on towards the brightest future possible. ateez, i'm sorry i can't give you a detailed breakdown of my thoughts and feelings on everything, but if you see this, i hope it at least properly conveys through emotion just how proud of you i am. being an idol, being a public figure, with everything that it carries comes with a lot that, in the community you've created, has the power to do so much good and there's a lot of good that you each receive through being ateez. at the same time, there's also alot that can unfortunately take a toll and negative experiences that are sadly common with being such public figures. it's my sincere hope that, while the negative can't be avoided completely, you have far more positive in the future. that you can grow to the fullest in the security of knowing that you're always more than enough. that the love and the compassion, the empathy and the kindness you share is always returned. even in moments where insecurities or worries appear, i hope it's never so much that you can't see your priceless worth. that you always know the positive difference you make day by day. thank you, all of you, for being you as you are; a beautiful and irreplacable part of this world. 💚 -ari #ateez #에이티즈 #hongjoong #홍중 #seonghwa #성화 #yunho #윤호 #yeosang #여상 #san #산 #mingi #민기 #wooyoung #우영 #jongho #종호 #larknotes