ATEEZ(에이티즈) - 'WONDERLAND' Dance Practice
Added 2023-12-12 08:05:40 +0000 UTCINTRO - 0:00
REACTION - 2:03
ANALYSIS - 5:22
OUTRO - 32:18
Comments
That's so insightful! I can't wait until my schedule opens up to where I can tackle a show like that!!!
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-13 09:36:10 +0000 UTCI wish I saw this before recording! So I just finished up recording the Kingdom version of Wonderland ( I went with the TV camera moving version so I really got to see the full aesthetic of what they were going for!!) But that performance sounds WILDDDD!!
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-13 09:34:36 +0000 UTCThere were a few challenges on the show that involved groups performing songs from the other artists, and even a week where they mix up members between groups for collaboration stages. A huge expectation in competing on this show was to elevate your content to make it more “epic” utilizing resources to remix/mashup/revamp tracks and add in new gimmicks that are too extensive to list here. The ATEEZ pieces that I think are relevant to talk about for your watch through are as follows: they performed a cut down version (about a minute and a half, and very different) of Wave for their introduction stage, then performed Wonderland Symphony #9, which, as another commenter added, greatly changed how they perform that song to this day. They also created Kingdom stage for Answer, called Answer: Ode to Joy, and their finale challenge involved revealing a new, unheard track and stage for the show, which was The Real. The Kingdom version of The Real is actually more of a first draft to the music video and stage they later came out with. Hope this helps you look out for these pieces and I’m hoping you get to visit the show as a whole! And forgive me if I am missing some context as I mostly followed the original show for TBZ (another group I hope you get to, as the ones who literally set the bar for Kingdom by winning the first season) and so had to consult ATEEZ’s wiki for specifics here 😅 I also discovered that in terms of behind videos, for each of the groups their behind-the-scenes seemed to be entirely done in house at the prerogative of the company, so it appears as though some groups showed more of a final run-through in these videos while others mainly focused on documenting the process of creating the stage or getting member interviews. After watching some of Ateez behind content I realized that they did not seem to have a full run through (they even sometimes intentionally obscured parts of the choreo in these videos) in this content. A real bummer if you ask me, but you do still get to see them coming up with ideas, problem solving, and practicing some really key elements!
Shelby Moore
2023-12-13 08:14:13 +0000 UTCTo save you some effort this is the best fullcam I could find of Wonderland Symphony #9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsDh4HQY7FQ . It is a recorded fancam from the audience at their Atlanta concert but the clarity is really good and it is mostly centered (slightly to the left of center). The challenge for this performance was basically to remix one their songs using the theme of "The World." Ateez chose to remix Wonderland with Dvorak's Symphony #9 'From the New World.' Which is the song the classic Jaws theme is sampled from, adding to the whole pirate thing as well. They did keep a lot of the original choreo but used the dancers WAY better and the second half had a lot more rest points for Ateez. They do not have a dance practice for this version, but they do have a behind of them prepping for the performance, which includes learning of the choreo. Fun fact: In this performance clip Jongho's mic actually quits on him right before an epic high note, but you can still hear him throughout the arena... Fans reported that they were shocked that the mic was out because they could hear him so well.
elvenmagick
2023-12-13 07:45:34 +0000 UTCGotcha! Thank you so much!
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-12 22:46:12 +0000 UTCI'm not 100% of the rules etc since I didn't watch the actual show lol, SWF and its spin offs have been the only series where I've been to tolerate MNET's editing style lol. But Ateez did have behind the scenes/making of video that might provide some context
sioxey
2023-12-12 22:29:33 +0000 UTChaha! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the recommendation... I may jump the gun and watch that one just to see the changes... I'll also make sure to find a full cam or "fixed cam" version as well! Can you provide some context of other things that are happening during the challenge they do this routine with? That way I can refine my feedback to factor that in?
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-12 21:14:32 +0000 UTCTheir Kingdom version of Wonderland def feels a lot more like their own, and something they're proud of. It kinda has replaced the original version at this point haha
sioxey
2023-12-12 16:43:00 +0000 UTCOh boy…. I think I know what I’ll be doing after SDC6 and SDGF conclude!!!
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-12 10:34:23 +0000 UTCI will be checking it out! I also wanted to ask if you were planning on reacting to any of their KINGDOM work? I hesitate to recommend kingdom as part of this series, as I think it could be a great opportunity to go through the whole show as it’s own series since the second season contestants included Stray Kids, The Boyz, IKon, SF9, and BTOB along with ATEEZ (plus I think the content is likely to be claimed on YouTube) but they should have a behind for all of their stages, which should include a documented process of their learning and practicing for their performances, along with I believe a full dance practice for each stage! If you haven’t been informed of the Road to Kingdom or Kingdom Legendary War business I would be happy to provide more info and I might be lucky enough to see it on a poll sometime!
Shelby Moore
2023-12-12 10:32:40 +0000 UTCI already cried once today... Don't make me cry again!!! Thank you for the encouraging words! They bring me courage and I feel very loved and supported by them! I hope my Crazy form reaction helps make up for it haha!
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-12 10:15:29 +0000 UTCI’m so glad! Not that this necessarily means anything, but I was noticing fewer comments on your ATEEZ reactions and I just wanted to encourage you because I know that being critical of kpop groups can be really hard with fans- as a seventeen fan it took me a minute to set my adoration aside and listen to the points you brought up with them, but I quickly realized where it came from! I can anticipate releasing that sort of content being scary- I definitely relate to your sentiment of just wanting to go in and love it, but it takes a lot of courage to be honest when that’s not the case! I can also say that I’m definitely going to be discovering new things entirely with ATEEZ just by following your reactions, so I am excited to go on this journey with you!
Shelby Moore
2023-12-12 10:05:45 +0000 UTCYou have no idea how thankful I am of this comment. I felt sooo bad because I wanted to like this so much 😭 I will say I JUST reacted to Crazy form (it just came out haha😂😂) and it is the EXACT 180 degree difference from this and I cried a little bit)
Jessica Holyfield
2023-12-12 09:58:10 +0000 UTCI haven’t been suuuuper into ATEEZ, mostly preferring to listen to their tracks first and foremost, but I have checked out a few of their dance practices and I can definitely see what you are noticing in these earlier pieces. Wave remains my favorite of the current list I’ve seen you react to from this era, and I remember adoring the music videos and stages for songs like say my name, HALA HALA, and Wonderland when I was getting into them. However, whenever I tried to show someone their dance practices I would always feel a little bashful- they are obviously incredibly talented and dedicated, but I think it’s right to say that there were some choices made in the choreo that made especially this piece feel underwhelming. In terms of the song it’s almost impossible to NOT get hype when listening to it, especially with the key moments that they absolutely send while performing it. I never knew this was what I was seeing, but I found that I was more enthralled with how much the camera shakes in this dance practice than their actual moves. It makes sense that there’s a lot of things here that could have been elevated with some minor tweaking, and, as much as I love this song and watching them perform it, I can agree that it’s a bit of a shame. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I feel like I see it on their faces that they even find parts of it to be moreso awkward that difficult. I think a lot of fans of Ateez rightfully enjoy the free-spirited individuality utilized in their choreo, but I think that they have later work that showcases that better, and I think that, just as it is important to credit the choreographers for the role they serve in a kpop group’s success, there can also be times when idols who are being taught through choreographers are given material that isn’t complimenting their songs or positively challenging their skills as well as it could do. It is kind of relieving to feel like my “not getting it” when it comes to wonderland’s choreo in particular is not much to do with the boys themselves but clearly a complex list of factors. I went ahead for you on some of their dance practices that I haven’t seen in a while, and I do think you’ll be seeing improvement with them (and I know you have reacted to their later content and are anticipating that) I just want to say that I really appreciate your honesty in your analysis of these earlier pieces!
Shelby Moore
2023-12-12 09:36:49 +0000 UTC
