Any fan of ATEEZ knows that, despite the members being incredibly talented, they all seem have very humble and down-to-earth personalities (“humble and kindness” kings indeed!). Part of the reason so many fans adore them is due to how modest they are about their success, and it really shows in how they always strive to improve themselves and how they’ve never let their fame get to their heads!

Leader Hongjoong, despite being the multi-talented performer, songwriter, and producer that he is, is the perfect example of the humble mindset. He always thanks the group’s fans and their staff members for helping them succeed and seems to genuinely love and adore ATINYs, and it shows where his priorities are when it comes to ATEEZ’s success and popularity.

As an example of his real personality, an encounter a couple of years ago between an ATINY’s mom and Hongjoong at a restaurant showcased the type of kind-hearted person he is!

The fan’s mom was an employee in a pizza shop, and Hongjoong showed up to eat there one day. Once the woman recognized the ATEEZ member, the following interaction ensued, as explained by the ATINY.

Translation: “I’m an ATINY who lives in the same neighborhood as the members do (but I’ve never seen them around T-T). My mom, who works at a pizza restaurant in the neighborhood, said Hongjoong came to eat there. At first, she wasn’t sure [it was him] but she guessed so because of the red hair showing underneath his beanie and his outfit which stood out a little bit from the rest. When he took off his mask to eat pizza, she recognized him. And Hongjoong is the only ATEEZ member that my mom actually knows, haha.

Anyway, she asked him if he’s ATEEZ’s leader and he got shy but said yes. So my mom told him that her daughter is a huge fan and she ended up bringing me an autograph, too. LOL. T_T She apparently told him all about how I went to their concert and everything (low key secondhand embarrassment)…”

In order to prove that the pleasant encounter did happen, the fan also shared a picture of the signature, which included a kind message from Hongjoong!

Translation: “Thank you for always supporting us and cherishing us. Stay healthy and hwaiting!

From ATEEZ’s Hongjoong”

It’s little interactions like these, when cameras are off and no one is watching, that really give us a glimpse of what K-Pop idols are like beyond their celebrity personas. And Hongjoong just keeps proving that he’s a modest, kind, and thoughtful person despite ATEEZ’s growing fame!