[Exclusive] Ateez to return in November

Boy group could land second-week release following chart-topping ‘Golden Hour: Part. 5’

Ateez performs in the music video for “Bad,” the lead track from its 14th EP, “Golden Hour: Part. 5.” (KQ Entertainment)

Ateez is preparing to return with new music in November, about four and a half months after the release of its hit “Bad,” an industry source told The Korea Herald on Wednesday.

“Ateez’s comeback is currently scheduled for the second week of November,” the source said on condition of anonymity. “Nov. 9 is currently being used as the comeback date for broadcast scheduling, rather than as the official release date, and the schedule could still change.”

Based on the group’s recent release pattern, Nov. 13, the Friday of that week, appears to be a likely candidate for the actual release date. Ateez has released all five installments of its “Golden Hour” series on Fridays, timing that allows a full week of sales and streaming to count toward the US Billboard charts.

The source did not provide further details about the format of the upcoming release.

The return could see Ateez continue its “Golden Hour” series, which has spanned five releases over the past two years, typically as EPs containing five to six tracks.

A sixth installment would also fit the cadence of the series. “Golden Hour: Part. 4” and “Golden Hour: Part. 5” arrived about four and a half months apart, roughly the same interval as the group’s planned November return.

Asked on Wednesday about the November return, the group’s agency KQ Entertainment said it would share more details later that day.

Ateez last released “Golden Hour: Part. 5,” led by “Bad,” in June. The EP debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming the group’s third chart-topping album.

The music video for “Bad” featured Hollywood actor Chase Infiniti, known for her role in “One Battle After Another.”

Ateez (KQ Entertainment)

jaaykim@heraldcorp.com