K-pop group ATBO is set to 'ascend' and cool down the summer sky.

The seven-member ensemble ATBO (Oh Jun-seok, Ryu Jun-min, Bae Hyun-jun, Seok Rak-won, Jeong Seung-hwan, Kim Yeon-kyu and Won Bin) held a media showcase on the afternoon of the 18th at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, celebrating the release of their mini 3rd album 'The Beginning: Ascend.'

Returning after a 7-month hiatus, ATBO shared their anticipation and excitement for this comeback. "We've been active, but this is our first comeback in half a year, and we're looking forward to it. We're nervous but excited. We're ready to 'ascend' even higher, in line with the album's title," the band stated.

'The Beginning: Ascend' is a reflection of the seven boys' preparation to fly higher and farther. The album features a total of six tracks, including the title track 'Next to Me,' 'BOUNCE,' 'Just Dance,' 'Please Love,' 'Good Thing,' and 'Just for Us.'

ATBO explained, "This album embodies our determination to move to greater heights based on our growth so far. We've encapsulated the preparations for our 'ascension' in six tracks spanning diverse genres."

The title track 'Next to Me' is an old-school new jack swing genre song that captures ATBO's commitment to ascend. The funky brass and guitar sounds provide a refreshing sensation, while the comfortable yet powerful vocals and the lyrics filled with freedom reflect ATBO's confidence to ascend higher.

The members introduced, "You can feel our diverse charms, from rap, melody, hooks, to dance breaks. We've embedded the theme of 'ascension' in the lyrics, signifying our determination to unfold our dreams in a new world."

A notable transformation is that ATBO, which previously showcased intense and fierce performances, has turned into a 'refreshing and energetic' version of themselves. Kim Yeon-gyu commented, "Although our previous title songs were great, our fans wanted to see a brighter ATBO. They probably wanted to see us enjoying ourselves on stage and giving free-spirited performances, so we focused on that."

Bae Hyun-jun added, "I want to express it as freedom. Through the songs and performances, you'll feel the liberating sensation of hanging out with friends."

The members unanimously agreed that they are satisfied with the change. Oh Joon-seok said, "In a way, it's like revealing our usual selves," hoping that "the fans would appreciate it."

Ryu Joon-min shared, "We've always talked about wanting to try brighter songs. We liked upbeat, high-tension songs even during practice. Just as we were thinking we could better utilize our advantages and expressions, we received this song like a gift. It's likely to become a good memory for both our fans and us," he said with a smile.

Oh Joon-seok and Bae Hyun-jun participated in making the rap parts. They confessed, "There was a lot of weight on the rap-making, so we thought 'this is ascension,' but at the same time, we were nervous because we wanted to do well. When we finally pulled it off, we realized that this was not just any ascension, but 'our ascension.' We're really excited to show this to our fans."

In performance, the choreography team BEATFREAK, known for their work with top-tier artists like Zico and ATEEZ, participated, perfecting ATBO's unique freestyle swagger. ATBO stated that the 'unpredictable step' dance is a highlight and encouraged fans to participate in the challenge, as it's an easy dance to follow.

The Y2K vibes stand out in the music video, directed by Im Han-sol, known for his stylish productions. Ryu Jun-min hinted, "This is the first time we've filmed a music video with a story line. It features us having a liberating good time at a karaoke." Kim Yeon-gyu shared, "This time, we didn't have any studio shooting. Everything was filmed outdoors. The most memorable scene was the one at the Han River. It perfectly matched the atmosphere of the song, so I hope viewers will pay attention to the scenery."

Lastly, when asked about their goal for the 'Soar' concept, Oh Jun-seok responded, "What's our descriptor? It's 'Godly Performance.' We aim to solidify this descriptor through our activities. We'll do our best not to disappoint those who have given us this title. We want to create an unforgettable summer with a cool performance that suits the hot weather. Please look forward to ATBO's 'Soar.'"

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