The cozy comfort of a much-awaited Saturday morning was settling in when I tuned in to the Coachella Week 2 "Sahara" stage live broadcast. Having witnessed the absolute grandeur of ATEEZ's Week 1 performance at Coachella, I was mostly expecting a reiteration of the same iconic level for Week 2. However, what we got was something out of this world.

One phrase kept going round and round in my mind as I watched this ATEEZ set at Coachella week 2. This is a ritual of love. Love for music, love for performance, and very distinctly, love for each other. ATEEZ's Coachella week 2 performance was not just one of the best performances at Coachella this year, but it was a glorious invocation of the muses. Having studied literature and art for all my life, I cannot possibly think of a better way to describe the breathless brilliance of this performance.

Coachella on X

Getting the obvious out of the way, of course, ATEEZ's confidence, panache, showmanship, vocals, rap, dance, and all other technicalities were much more polished than in week 1. The boys were now more aware of the stage, and having had one go at it, they were definitely more relaxed. In Korean, this state of mind where one recognizes scope or room to expand is called "yeoyu" (여유).

Yeoyu is something you see in a seasoned warrior, and when our Captain walked onto the stage that night with his members, ATEEZ looked nothing short of warrior princes coming for the throne. Every single member stood out in their own unique way, with their versatile talents on full display. The visuals were top-tier, as always, the styling - en pointe, and the vibes - immaculate. The rap came across power-packed and smooth, the vocals were resounding yet delicate when need be, and energy was at an all-time high. These men knew what they were doing, even with the slightest gaze they held out to the audience, and the effortlessness of it all elevated the performance to a whole new level.

Coachella on X

This time, it was as if ATEEZ was putting their lives on the line and thankfully, the camera work delivered in picking up the detailed nuances of this performance. Even as I write this, I'm taken back to SeongHwa, sword in hand, screaming into the sky to call forth the last ounce of strength he needed to pour his all into his art. When SeongHwa roared, like lightning sent back to the heavens, the lump in my throat threatened to escape, only to be held back by the realization that I was looking at a spitting image of Sung JinWoo from "Solo Leveling". Now, I need that live-action to happen, and I need SeongHwa to play humanity's greatest hunter.

Embed from Getty Images

The very next thing I remember is a singular black tear running down his cheek as he stared right down at the camera. This moment has gone viral and for good reason, too, as artists flock to SeongHwa, having found their new muse.

However, it wasn't just the aesthetics of it all that left an impression. To me, as an ATINY and a Hallyu Journalist, this tear represented how far ATEEZ had come. The unstilted passion, diligence, hard work, and endless struggle they endured culminated in this one defining moment when they were on top of the world. ATEEZ, who started from nothing, created something, and won everything, were declaring to the world that they were just getting started.

The respect ATEEZ had for the Coachella stage, for the audience, and for everyone who supported them, especially ATINY, is what that tear symbolized to my eye, but like all art, this, too, is up to your interpretation.

Brace yourselves, K-Pop fans, as the upcoming month of May 2024 is set to be filled with even more exciting debuts and comebacks. Check out the April 2024 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule.

In this post, you can see the artists’ debut, comeback, K-Drama OST, and special Music all in one place!

Which comeback and debut will have you waiting in anticipation?

Let's find out who's making a comeback this May and what songs they're coming back with at a glance!

You can check the list below!

May 2024 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule

May.1

- YOUNITE

6th EP Album "ANOTHER"

May. 2

- HyunA

EP Album "Attitude"

- KINO

1st EP Album "If this is love, I want a refund"

- FANTASY BOYS

Single Album 'MAKE SUNSHINE'

May. 7

- D.O. (EXO)

3rd Mini Album "성장"

May. 8

- Kep1er

Japan 1st Full Album "Kep1going"

- &TEAM

1st Single 'Samidare'

- BAEKHO & BIGONE

Single 'LOVE OR DIE'

May. 9

- SungJae (BTOB)

May. 10

- Stray Kids

Digital Single 'Lose My Breath (Feat. Charlie Puth)

May. 24

- ZEROBASEONE

3rd Mini Album "You had me at HELLO" - Pre-release Song 'SWEAT'

To Be Announced

BTOB's Lee ChangSub

EL7Z UP

aespa

BANHANA

ZEROBASEONE

Jennie (BLACKPINK)

ASSEMBLE24 (tripleS)

Seo SooJin (Former (G)I-DLE's member)

G-Dragon (August)

Did you finish checking the May 2024 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule? If you are curious about Kpopmap's April 2024 comeback & debut schedule, you can check it out at the link below!

K-Pop culture has many facets, making it multi-layered and become much more than idols performing on stage. There's everything from fanchants to iconic dance challenges that contribute to the hype. Then there's also the special goods that fans receive with a purchased album that become special keepsakes and collectibles. Among these items are photocards which the K-Pop community has also learned how to create and produce. For photocard collectors, they look far and wide for their favorite idol's precious photocard. And if you wish to look on Korean forums, they have a special shortened slang word for it.

포카

Poca

Photocard

This stems from the word 포토카드, which takes the first letters of 포토 (photo) and 카드 (card). So the next time you're looking for photocards of your bias, try adding the word 포카 into your search and see what treasures you might find!