ATEEZ’s Hongjoong on The Secret 9th Member, The Grammys, & If He’ll Go Solo
ATEEZ’s captain Hongjoong sits down with Variety’s Tiana DeNicola to talk about life pre-debut, how ATEEZ almost had 9 members, his plans for a solo album, The Grammy Awards, and his thoughts on American fans embracing K-Pop.
00:00 Intro
01:04 Hobbies
02:03 Fan searches
02:30 Petit Coussin
03:57 Musical journey
05:09 Discovering if he’s creative
05:33 Sending demos to labels
06:19 Auditioning as a producer
07:23 180+ songwriting credits
09:20 Writing for members
10:47 Being ATEEZ’s captain
14:51 ATEEZ’s pre-debut story
16:01 The 9th ATEEZ member
18:38 Learning to dance
20:55 Solo music
24:03 Will there be a solo album?
26:02 Dream collaborators
27:07 Military service
28:40 The Grammys
31:10 K-pop’s rise in the US
Join Variety to get access to members-only perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRQHK8Ttr1j9xCEpCAlgbQ/join
Subscribe to Variety on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@variety?sub_confirmation=1
Subscribe to Variety Events on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCNYLx3nct1l7Ng9Z2h4bo4w?sub_confirmation=1
Connect:
http://www.facebook.com/variety
http://www.instagram.com/variety
http://www.twitter.com/variety
@shizunsflower
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
CAPTAIN LETSGOOOOO
@bbqmountaingirls
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Hongjoong is great as always, and I'd like to give a shoutout to the interviewer! She's knowledgeable (she even knows about Mix Nine??) and did her research well ❤
@sharareha2947
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
My talented captain❤❤
@Tyuyu_wotteoBD
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
He can design dress,he even showcased his mini fashion show, he can DJing,He writes,He composes too.
Multi talented
@pollykeown317
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Ateez and Atiny are so lucky to have Hongjoong as our Captain. He is insanely talented (at everything he tries basically), creative, artistic, intelligent, well spoken, beautiful inside and out…and I could go on and on. "ENOuGH" is such a beautiful song, I just wish it was longer so I could listen to it more. <3 Thank you for having him on.
@mairabella
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Thank you for this beautiful interview with our Captain!!!!!
@ZeynepGultekin
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
I’ve seen dozens of his interviews but I am still amazed by how well-spoken he is every time. He expresses himself incredibly well and to the point regardless of language. Such an impressive skill
@ajlngc
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
So, there was another rapper besides Junyoung. Since Hongjoong said that 3rd member came in July, but Junyoung was there in May. So, Ateez almost had another I.M situation. Daebak
@Atzspetkraken
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
I love hearing him talk about his artistic side like be it fashion, producing or rapping he is so good at all of them and yes i do think working hard is also his hidden talent because it feels like he has 30 hours in a day with how much he does 😭😭 like i love the way he thinks his perspective on things ughh i just love him so much i literally watched this video with such a big smile on my face ❤❤
@mahyamehrabi6483
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
😍😍😍😍😍
@Woosantiny_8
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
I'm so proud of captain hongjoong ❤️
@squishm98
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
I am happy Hongjoong was asked about the Grammys situation. He is brave to talk about it and give his honest opinions. Well done Hongjoong and to the host 😇
@AruzhanSultanova-x4l
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Is that our glorious, elegant, intelligent, charming, kind, thoughtful, strong, courageous, creative, brilliant, gentle, humble, generous, passionate, wise, funny, loyal, dependable, graceful, radiant, calm, confident, warm, compassionate, witty, adventurous, respectful, sincere, magnetic, bold, articulate, empathetic, inspiring, honest, patient, powerful, attentive, uplifting, classy, friendly, reliable, ambitious, intuitive, talented, supportive, grounded, determined, charismatic, extraordinary, trustworthy, noble, dignified, perceptive, innovative, refined, considerate, balanced, open-minded, composed, imaginative, mindful, optimistic, virtuous, noble-hearted, well-spoken, quick-witted, deep, philosophical, fearless, affectionate, expressive, emotionally intelligent, resourceful, delightful, fascinating, sharp, selfless, driven, assertive, authentic, vibrant, playful, observant, skillful, generous-spirited, practical, comforting, brave, wise-hearted, enthusiastic, dependable, tactful, enduring, discreet, well-mannered, composed, mature, tasteful, joyful, understanding, genuine, brilliant-minded, encouraging, well-rounded, magnetic, dynamic, radiant, radiant-spirited, soulful, radiant-hearted, insightful, creative-souled, justice-minded, reliable-hearted, tender, uplifting-minded, persevering, devoted, angelic, down-to-earth, golden-hearted, gentle-spirited, clever, courageous-hearted, courteous, harmonious, loyal-minded, beautiful-souled, easygoing, sincere-hearted, respectful-minded, comforting-voiced, confident-minded, emotionally strong, respectful-souled, imaginative-hearted, protective, noble-minded, confident-souled, wise-eyed, loving, serene, magnetic-souled, expressive-eyed, brilliant-hearted, inspiring-minded, and absolutely unforgettable Kim HONGJOONG there?
@Couphonglin
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Love this interview thank you for inviting hongjoong!❤
@Tatianagonzalezzb
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
El capi! Im so proud of this man. I’m so happy to meet Ateez and the incredible talented people that they are. Enough it’s such a wonderful song. Te amo HJ
@yosratayssir3813
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Hongjoong , ❤❤❤ always you are the best !!!! 🥹🥰💪🏻💖✨️
@Anna-kv3mn
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
The way Hongjoong is the most multitalented Artist i know and he didn't think he's talented😭
@adelaflores2027
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
The look on Hongjoong's face when asked about the Grammy submission almost confirms to me KQ/Ateez did submit for that category.
Which good for them. They don't need to bow down to pressure jist because another group wanted to make their statement.
@kristinecrews4157
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Our humble Captain! Great job. Thank you for addressing the KQ Fellaz extra member. I watched it last week and I was confused. Captain and Mingi are more than enough for A tiny.
@emnope2087
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
I love that the answer to the first question was all work related. 💀 Our Captain is nothing if not a consistent workaholic. This promo tour/MV shoot/studio time was a break to him 💀
He's a true artist in every sense of the word. He does it all, and he's such a deep thinker, it's always so interesting to listen to.
Finding Ateez was the best thing that ever happened to me. He's a huge part of that. ♥️
@djcutie87
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Thank you for having Captain Hongjoong! Good Interview. Congratulations of the Success of ATEEZ!
@marabodik
September 25, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Go our gorgeous and most talented baby squirrel, Captain Hongjoong. Fighting, everyone!!!
Comments are closed.