Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer

Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer is the fourth extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band Ateez. It was released on January 6, 2020, with "Answer" serving as the lead single. The physical album comes in two versions: A and Z.[2] Musically, it is a hip hop and EDM album.

Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer
Digital cover[1]
EP by
Ateez
ReleasedJanuary 6, 2020 (2020-01-06)
Recorded2019
Genre
Length15:29
LanguageKorean
LabelKQ Entertainment
Ateez chronology
Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map
(2019)		 Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer
(2020)		 Treasure EP.Map to Answer
(2020)
Singles from Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer
  1. "Answer"
    Released: January 6, 2020

Commercially, the album debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart, becoming Ateez's second number-one album in South Korea. Ateez promoted the album with a series of live performances on the Golden Disc Awards and various South Korean music shows. The band also announced The Fellowship: Map The Treasure World Tour in support of the album series.

Release and promotion

On December 24, 2019, Ateez teased their comeback in 2020, through a poster teaser containing the words: "Look around you. Did you find your TREASURE? Through the phrase, Can you see the changes?"[3] On December 26, KQ Entertainment announced the release of Ateez's fourth extended play Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer along with the release date.[4] It serves as a follow-up to their successful "Treasure" album series which began with their debut in 2018.[5][6] A comeback schedule was released the same day containing dates for the sequential release of teasers for the album.[7] The full album tracklist was released on December 27.[8] The album consists of five tracks including the lead single, "Answer".[9] The same day, a group photo teaser for the album was released.[10] From December 28 to December 31, solo teaser photos for the band members were released, in sets of two.[11][12] On January 2, the group released a performance poster teaser.[13] On January 3, a performance preview video of the lead single, "Answer" was released.[14] The album was released on January 6 in CD and digital formats.[15] An accompanying music video for the lead single, "Answer" was released in conjunction with the release of the album.[16] The video references to the group's past releases "Say My Name", "Wave", "Illusion", "Hala Hala" and "Pirate King" and depicts the band looking back on their journey, along with a brand new spoiler for an upcoming song, which was revealed three years later as "Sector 1" from their 2022 EP The World EP.1: Movement.[17][16][18] The group maintained their "dynamic performance style" while showcasing "powerful choreography".[18][5]

On January 4, Ateez performed "Answer" for the first time at the 34th Golden Disc Awards.[18] The group promoted the album through a series of live performances on various music shows, starting with Mnet's M! Countdown on January 9.[19] They also performed the songs from their album on KBS's Music Bank,[20] MBC's Show! Music Core,[21] and SBS's Inkigayo.[22] Ateez further announced The Fellowship: Map The Treasure World Tour in support of the album series.[23]

Composition

The album's lead single, "Answer" is a hip hop, trap and EDM song in style of dark Latin pop. The song features "high-notes", "soaring hooks", vocal harmonies, "melodic verses" and heavy raps.[5][18] It derives from piano and panpiped instrumentation which invokes a blend of Celtic folk and Eurobeat musical styles.[24] The end of the "Answer" music video features the intro of their 2022 song "Sector 1".[17] "Star 1117" is an R&B ballad song with slow piano notes, falsetto inflections and smooth melodies.[5][24] Featuring an "easy-to-sing-along-to" chorus, the song is dedicated to the group's fans.[24][5] "Horizon" is a "bombastic" hip hop and EDM song.[25] It was composed and written by HongJoong and was inspired by "Pirate King".[5][26] "Precious" is a hip hop song that serves extension to the song "Precious (Overture)" from their first studio album Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action (2019).[25][26] "Outro: Long Journey", spanning for 90-seconds, features string instrumentation which has been compared to Coldplay's "Sunrise" from the album Everyday Life (2019).[24]

Reception

Chris Gillett from South China Morning Post gave the album a positive review, writing: "Ateez sound at home with their synth-led hard hitters, but it’s when they break out of this formula, where they really strike gold."[24] Hong Dam-young from The Korea Herald wrote, "The group has succeeded in carving out its own sonic niche, staying away from the more typical boy-next-door image and leaning toward a more aggressive and swaggering hip-hop style."[5] Reviewing for IZM, Park Soo-jin wrote: "When looking at the title 'Answer' as the center, it is interesting to note that the creation of the members who gave different accents, even with the same lyrics (because they gave different directions), is interesting and distinctive."[27]

The album debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart giving Ateez, their second consecutive number one album in South Korea.[28] Additionally, it topped the Gaon Monthly Chart for the month of January, selling 128,273 copies.[29] It also debuted at number five on the Billboard World Albums Chart.[30]

Track listing
Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Answer"Eden, Ollounder, Leez, Hongjoong, MingiEden, Ollounder, Leez, Buddy3:39
2."Horizon" (지평선; Jipyeongseon)Eden, Leez, Hongjoong, MingiEden, Hongjoong, Leez, Buddy3:11
3."Star 1117"Eden, Leez, Hongjoong, MingiEden, Ollounder, Leez, Buddy3:42
4."Precious"Eden, Ollounder, Leez, Hongjoong, MingiEden, Ollounder, Leez3:23
5."Outro: Long Journey"Eden, Ollounder, Leez, BuddyEden, Ollounder, Leez, Buddy, 어나일1:34
Total length:15:29

Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[31] 144
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[32] 181
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[33] 31
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[34] 19
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[35] 17
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[36] 1
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[37] 18
US World Albums (Billboard)[38] 5
Year-end charts
Chart (2020) Position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[39] 47

Accolades
Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Work Result Ref.
2020 Gaon Chart Music Awards Album of the Year – 1st Quarter Treasure Epilogue: Action To Answer Nominated [40]
Year-end lists
Critic/Publication List Work Rank Ref.
Dazed The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020 "Answer" 8 [41]
MTV The Best K-pop B-sides of 2020 "Horizon" 12 [42]
Paper The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020 "Answer" 13 [43]
Time Best K-pop Songs of 2020 N/A [44]
South China Morning Post The 15 best K-pop albums of 2020 Treasure Epilogue: Action To Answer 13 [45]

See also

References
  1. "Treasure Epilogue : Action to Answer – EP by Ateez". Apple Music. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  2. "YesAsia: Ateez – Treasure Epilogue : Action to Answer (A + Z Version)". YesAsia. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  3. Ye-na, Kim (December 24, 2019). "ATEEZ, 2020년 컴백 선언…강렬한 글로벌 인상" [ATEEZ announces comeback in 2020 ... Strong global impression]. TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  4. Kyung, Jimin (December 26, 2019). "에이티즈, 2020년 1월 6일 새 앨범 컴백 확정..새로운 변신 예고" [ATEEZ Confirms New Album Comeback On January 6, 2020]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  5. Hong, Dam-young (January 7, 2020). "Ateez kicks off new year with 'Answer'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  6. Oh, Bo-ram (December 26, 2019). 에이티즈, 다음 달 6일 컴백…'트레저' 잇는 신보 [Ateez, comeback on the 6th of next month… Shin Treasure connecting 'Treasure']. Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  7. Lee, Ha-na (December 27, 2019). "컴백 에이티즈, 새 앨범으로 보여줄 세계관‥다채로운 콘텐츠 예고" [Comeback Ateez, Worldview to show with new album ‥ Colorful Content Notice]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  8. Park, So-yeon (December 24, 2019). "에이티즈, 새 앨범 프로모션 맵·트랙리스트 공개…독보적 콘셉트 예고" [ATEEZ unveils new album promotion map tracklist… Unique concept notice]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  9. Jeon, Hyojin (December 27, 2019). "'컴백' 에이티즈, 호기심 자극 트랙리스트 공개…독보적 세계관 예고" ['Comeback' ATEEZ reveals curiosity-stimulating track list… Unprecedented worldview notice]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  10. Jeon, Hyojin (December 28, 2019). "'컴백' 에이티즈, 세련된 블랙 수트…단체 티저 공개" ['Comeback' ATEEZ, stylish black suit… Group teaser release]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  11. Son, Jin-a (December 29, 2019). "ATEEZ 홍중·성화, 티저 이미지 공개…오묘한 분위기" [ATEEZ Hongjung · Sunghwa, teaser image released… A subtle atmosphere]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  12. Jeon, Hyojin (December 29, 2019). "'컴백' 에이티즈, 클래식+절제 카리스마 티저 공개" ['Comeback' ATEEZ reveals classic + abstinence charisma teaser]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  13. Jeon, Hyojin (January 3, 2020). "'컴백' 에이티즈, 시크 눈빛 발사…퍼포먼스 포스터 공개" ['Comeback' ATEEZ, chic eyes launch… Performance poster released]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  14. Kang, Seo-jeong (January 3, 2020). "에이티즈, 치명적 매력 퍼포먼스 프리뷰 공개..'TREASURE' 시리즈 끝과 시작" [ATEEZ's lethal charm performance preview released .. 'TREASURE' series end and start]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  15. Bae, Ji-eun (January 3, 2020). "[공식] 에이티즈, 오늘(6일) 'TREASURE)' 완결판 에필로그 앨범 발매" [[Official] ATEEZ's Releases Epilogue Album 'TREASURE', Today (6th)]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  16. Herman, Tamar (January 6, 2020). "Ateez Kick Off the New Year With Dramatic 'Answer' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  17. Benjamin, Jeff (2022-08-09). "ATEEZ Break Down Every Song on Their First Top 10 Album 'The World EP.1: Movement'". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  18. Chakraborty, Riddhi (January 6, 2020). "ATEEZ Raise a Glass to Themselves in the New Video for 'Answer'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  19. Lee, Jihyung (January 9, 2020). "'엠카운트다운', 스트레이 키즈·에이티즈·온앤오프·AB6IX 컴백무대 '최초 공개'" ['M Countdown', Stray Kids, ATEEZ, On & Off, AB6IX Comeback Stage 'First Release']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  20. Kim, No-uel (January 10, 2020). "'뮤직뱅크' 에이티즈, 섹시 카리스마 발산한 '지평선'→'Answer'". MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  21. Hwang, Ji-young (January 11, 2020). "SF9·에이티즈·드림노트·베리베리, '음악중심' 컴백" [SF9, ATEEZ, Dream Note, and Verivery, comeback with 'Music Core']. Daily Sports (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  22. Jo, Yeon-kyung (January 10, 2020). ""역시 퍼포먼스돌"…'인기가요' 에이티즈 극과극 반전무대 '강렬'" ["Performance Stone"… 'Inkigayo' ATEEZ drama and extreme anti-war stage 'strong']. Daily Sports (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via Naver.
  23. Benjamin, Jeff (January 13, 2020). "Ateez Sell Out Multiple Arenas on World Tour, Add More Seats For Sale: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  24. Gillett, Chris (January 8, 2020). "Ateez 'Treasure Epilogue: Action To Answer' review: Packing in as much as possible". South China Morning Post. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  25. "TREASURE EPILOGUE: Action To Answer". Melon (in Korean). January 6, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  26. Benjamin, Jeff (February 6, 2020). "ATEEZ Explain 'Treasure Epilogue' Album Messages, Feelings on Growing Fanbase & Preview 2020 World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  27. "Answer- ATEEZ". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  28. "Album Chart – Week 2 of 2020" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  29. "2020 Monthly Album Chart – January". Gaon Chart. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  30. Benjamin, Jeff (January 20, 2020). "ATEEZ Earn Best U.S. Sales Week & Return to Multiple Chart Peaks With New EP". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
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  40. "10th Gaon Chart Music Awards 올해의 가수(오프라인앨범) 후보자". Gaon Chart Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  41. Dazed (2020-12-19). "The 40 best K-pop songs of 2020". Dazed. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  42. MTV News Staff. "The Best K-pop B-sides Of 2020". MTV News. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  43. "13. "Answer" by ATEEZ". PAPER. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
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