ATEEZ is a Korean boy band made up of eight members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho. The group has sparked growing interest across Sub-Saharan Africa, especially after fans began urging their agency, KQ Entertainment, to consider Ghana for a festival appearance.
While some media outlets have touched on this fan-driven campaign, many have overlooked what makes ATEEZ uniquely suited to a stronger presence in Africa. Since their debut in 2018, the group has consistently shown interest and engagement with African culture, fans, and industry players. Here are ten African-centric facts that highlight ATEEZ’s growing relevance on the continent.
First K-pop Boy Group to Win Hanteo’s Global Artist – Africa Award:
On February 15, 2024, ATEEZ made history by winning the Global Artist: Africa award at the 32nd Hanteo Music Awards. They became the first K-pop boy group to do so, following solo wins by BTS members V and Jin in previous years. The award recognizes acts with significant impact and presence in African regions.
Among the Most-Streamed K-pop Acts in Sub-Saharan Africa
In 2022, Spotify released a report ranking ATEEZ as the ninth most-streamed Korean pop act in Sub-Saharan Africa. Among boy groups, they placed fifth—behind BTS, Stray Kids, TXT, and ENHYPEN. That same year, they saw global success with the release of their album The World EP.1: Movement, featuring the title track “Guerilla.”
Among YFM’s Most-Played Boy Groups
In 2021, ATEEZ secured a spot in the Top 10 of YFM’s annual Pop Central Top 30 list, which recognized the most played acts of the year. This list, featuring 10 boy groups, 10 girl groups, and 10 soloists, highlighted the most popular songs across weekly polls. Driven by fan participation, ATEEZ’s consistent presence in the Top 3 of Pop Central’s Top 12 Segment showcased their growing impact.
First K-pop Group to Headline a Major African Festival
In June 2024, ATEEZ made history as the first K-pop group to headline a major festival in Africa, performing at the Mawazine Festival in Morocco. While this marked their debut at the festival, it wasn’t their first time in the country—Morocco also featured in their debut music videos for ‘Pirate King’ and ‘Treasure.’ Before ATEEZ, K-pop groups like NU’EST and MustB had performed in Kenya and South Africa, respectively, at events organized by the South Korean embassy.
Early Adopters of Afrobeats in K-pop
While the fusion of African music with K-pop became popular in 2022, ATEEZ was ahead of the curve, incorporating Afrobeats into their 2020 song “One Day At A Time.” According to Ella Okunmwendia, a curator of Afro-K-pop cultural intersections, described it as a ‘K-Afro hybrid,’ noting that the African influences don’t permeate the entire track but are introduced in distinct moments. This approach is also seen in NCT Dream’s “Hot Sauce” and “Flying Kiss.”
Public Desire to Tour Africa
While at the Courreges Fashion Show, ATEEZ member Wooyoung shared that he hopes to visit Africa again when asked about the possibility of an Africa tour. African fans of the group have been using the fan-driven touring platform TOORLY to express their desire to see the group perform in Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town.
Fashion Collaborations with African Creative
ATEEZ members Hongjoong and San share a cordial relationship with Nigerian creative executive Ugo Mozie. They have been seen wearing pieces from his fashion brand, Eleven Sixteen, which are produced in his Lagos-based factory. The designs are distinguished by their use of traditional African fabrics, bold patterns, and symbolic motifs.
Fashion Week Debut Under Sierra Leonean Creative Director IB Kamara
Member Mingi made his fashion week debut with Off-White, under the creative direction of Sierra Leonean designer IB Kamara.
San Highlights African Fan Connection as a Career Highlight
In an interview with Rolling Stone UK about their latest album, San said his favorite achievement was connecting with fans around the world, ‘from Latin America to Africa.’
ATEEZ Members Show Love for African Football Stars
The ATEEZ members are avid football fans and have repeatedly expressed their admiration for players like Lamine Yamal (of Moroccan-Guinean descent) and Achraf Hakimi (Moroccan), along with other African footballers.”
