ATEEZ’s first participation in a survival show was on “Mix Nine,” a reality competition show that aired from October 2017 to January 2018. During this show, four members of ATEEZ—Hongjoong, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho—competed against other trainees from various K-pop agencies. They were eliminated early in the competition, with Hongjoong placing 42nd, Mingi 63rd, Wooyoung 72nd, and Jongho 43rd among all male contestants.
This experience helped them gain exposure before their official debut as ATEEZ. After “Mix Nine,” they continued to prepare for their debut through other projects, including a performance video and a reality show called “KQ Fellaz American Training,” which showcased their training in Los Angeles.
In July 2018, they were officially named ATEEZ through their debut reality show “Code Name Is Ateez,” marking the beginning of their journey as a group. They eventually debuted on October 24, 2018, with their first EP, “Treasure EP.1: All to Zero.”