ATEEZ’s first Korean song is “Pirate King,” which was released as part of their debut EP, Treasure EP.1: All to Zero, on October 24, 2018. This song is a trap-style track with a catchy hook that resembles a sailor’s song, and it serves as a signal for ATEEZ’s journey into the music world, symbolizing their ambition to explore a larger world. The EP also includes another title song called “Treasure,” which is an oriental-style trap song that highlights the group’s unique sound by blending rap and vocals with ethnic melodies.
The debut EP was quite successful, reaching number seven on the Gaon Album Chart and selling over 57,000 copies in South Korea during its initial release. The production of the EP was led by talented musicians, including Eden, Buddy, and Leez, who helped create a high-quality sound that showcased ATEEZ’s musical style. Additionally, ATEEZ members Hongjoong and Mingi participated in writing the lyrics, which enhanced the authenticity of the songs by conveying the message they wanted to share.
“Pirate King” has been performed live by ATEEZ numerous times, with its first concert performance taking place in Los Angeles in March 2019. The song remains a significant part of ATEEZ’s discography, marking the beginning of their successful career in K-pop.