The World EP.2: Outlaw is the ninth extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band Ateez. It was released on June 16, 2023, through KQ Entertainment, RCA Records, and Legacy Recordings. It consists of six tracks, including the single "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)". The band will embark on a world tour in support of the EP, titled The Fellowship: Break the Wall. The single "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)" was certified Gold in Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) for selling over 20,000 units.
Background and themes The EP is a continuation of the theme started with The World EP.1: Movement (2022), which "marked the beginning of a secret movement to cause a fissure in this controlled society". It contains themes of oppression and "the desire to break free from it".
Member Jongho stated that the group intended for the lead single, "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)", to have "fun vibes and energetic colors", which they demonstrated by incorporating gestures into their choreography for its video, including "flaking the pepper, grinding it and biting it". He also said, "For the other tracks, (we) can take on different concepts. This mini album, itself, is a variety. Musically, it is very diverse." USA Today stated that "This World" has "operatic, haunting tones" and "Outlaw" has a "hypnotic tempo".
Critical reception + Year-end lists for The World EP.2: Outlaw Critic/Publication List Rank Paste The 20 Best K-pop Albums of 2023 15
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for The World EP.2: Outlaw Chart (2023) Peakposition Croatian International Albums (HDU) 5 Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) 1 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 1 Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) 33 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 40 South Korean Albums (Circle) 1 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 34
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for The World EP.2: Outlaw Chart (2023) Position Japanese Albums (Oricon) 5 South Korean Albums (Circle) 3
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for The World EP.2: Outlaw Chart (2023) Position Japanese Albums (Oricon) 57 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 56 South Korean Albums (Circle) 32 US World Albums (Billboard) 14
Accolades
+ Year-end listsCritic/PublicationListWorkRankBusiness InsiderThe Best K-pop Songs of 2023, Ranked"Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)"7ConsequenceThe 2023 K-Pop YearbookPlacedDazedThe 50 Best K-pop Tracks of 202316Grammy15 K-Pop Songs That Took 2023 By Storm10NMEThe 25 best K-pop songs of 202315Paris MatchTop 10 K-Pop Songs of 20231Teen VogueThe Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2023Placed
+ Music program awardsSongProgramDate"Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)"The Show (SBS MTV)June 20, 2023Show Champion (MBC M)June 21, 2023Music Bank (KBS)June 23, 2023The Show (SBS MTV)June 27, 2023Music Bank (KBS)June 30, 2023
Certifications
References