South Korean boy band Ateez has made a sizzling return with their 12th EP, "Golden Hour: Part. 3," unveiling a fresh, mature vibe just in time for summer. The album, released on June 13, 2025, at 1 p.m. KST, features the lead single "Lemon Drop," a groovy, R&B-infused hip-hop track that offers a sweet and direct confession of romantic interest. This release marks a notable shift from the group’s signature intense sound to a looser, breezier style, perfectly capturing the warmth and energy of the season.
At a press conference held on June 12 in Mapo District, western Seoul, Ateez members expressed their excitement about this new chapter. Leader Hongjoong described the EP as full of the feeling of a fresh new summer, saying, "'Lemon Drop' is a summer song with a story of sweet, fresh confession. I’ve heard that this year’s summer will be really hot, and this track might be the way to cool things down." The eight-member group, which debuted in 2019, has steadily built a global fanbase known as ATINY, and this release is their first in seven months following their 11th EP, "Golden Hour: Part. 2," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in November 2024.
"Golden Hour: Part. 3" is the third installment in their "Golden Hour" series, which KQ Entertainment describes as capturing the moments when the band shines the brightest. The EP includes five tracks: "Lemon Drop," "Masterpiece," "Now this house ain't a home," "Castle," and "Bridge: The Edge of Reality." Members Hongjoong and Mingi contributed to the lyrics of the lead track and three B-sides, adding a personal touch to the album’s storytelling.
The music video for "Lemon Drop" complements the song’s sultry and confident tone, featuring the members at a car wash garage dressed in crisp white outfits. The visuals radiate a bold, sensual energy as the members embody a more grown-up image, oozing charisma and charm. Scenes like Hongjoong’s rap part while sweating inside a car and the members driving together evoke a carefree summer vibe, reflecting the fiery spirit of youth. Yunho shared his favorite scene, saying, "The music video itself is so fresh and sexy, but I personally like Hongjoong’s rap part while he’s sweating inside a car. It was the last filming [for that day], so we left him and went home." Jongho added a lighter note, mentioning his enjoyment in taking photos of the members during filming, joking about the long waits.
Musically, "Lemon Drop" stands out with its groovy funk elements and flirtatious lyrics. The hook, "Ain’t nobody, yeah / You know you’re the hottie, yeah," lands like a playful whisper, while verses like "You caught my attention, eyes locked onto you / You're the kind of muse that I admire" feel tailor-made for ATINY. This track, while a departure from the intense sounds Ateez is known for, is more of a diversification than a complete change in style. Hongjoong explained, "Whenever we start a new series, we research about what genre of music could cover the message we want to deliver," emphasizing that their focus is on conveying messages effectively through music rather than changing their style outright.
Wooyoung described "Lemon Drop" as "addictive," praising its captivating hook and choreography. Mingi highlighted the summer vibe in many of the B-sides as well, encouraging fans to explore the entire album. Seonghwa and Hongjoong expressed confidence in the quality of all the tracks, with Mingi revealing that his favorite lyrics come from "Castle," one of the B-sides.
Ateez recently wrapped up their "Towards the Light: Will to Power" world tour with final shows in Seoul on March 22 and 23, 2025. That tour, which began in January 2024, took them across Japan, North America, and Europe, solidifying their international presence. Now, they are gearing up for their next global adventure with the "In Your Fantasy" world tour, kicking off with two concerts at Inspire Arena in Incheon on July 5 and 6, 2025. This tour will span 16 cities across Korea, the United States, Mexico, and Japan, running through October. Yunho teased that the upcoming tour will feature performances fans have repeatedly requested and new concepts the group has never attempted before. San added, "We’re a team that tries new challenges, and we tried to do so again for this concert tour." The group is pouring everything into preparing fresh elements in production and set lists, aiming to create memorable experiences rather than just focusing on chart success.
Reflecting on their career, now in its seventh year—a critical milestone in the K-pop industry often linked to contract renewals—the members shared their thoughts about the future. Hongjoong said, "The eight of us have been thinking a lot about what more we can show together. We’ll do our best to share good news with you in the near future." He also briefly touched on contract renewal plans, stating, "We’re thinking a lot about how best to show ATEEZ for a long time. We’ll try to return with a good response soon." Yeosang echoed a sentiment of gratitude and focus on well-being, saying, "Rather than feeling pressured by chart performance, I just hope we can create new fond memories with ATINY and continue to walk our path in our own way." San highlighted the importance of positive influence and personal growth, remarking, "Positive influence is really important, but I want to prioritize effort into being a good person over just being a celebrity." Wooyoung emphasized the group's sense of responsibility toward their fans, noting, "Although we showcase the same performance multiple times, there are always people who are watching us for the first or final time, and we always feel a strong sense of responsibility regarding that." Seonghwa concluded, "We’ll work hard to make our goals a reality."
With "Golden Hour: Part. 3," Ateez not only delivers a refreshing summer soundtrack but also signals a confident, evolving identity. Their journey reflects a band unafraid to explore new sounds and themes while staying true to the connection with their fans. As the summer heats up, Ateez invites listeners to join them in this vibrant, intoxicating new chapter, promising many more albums and memories ahead.
