October 25, 2026 | KWaveScope · KPOP-NEW
Long before ATEEZ’s San was performing on international stages, he wanted to earn enough to ease the financial pressure on his family. On the October 24 episode of MBC’s The Manager (Omniscient Interfering View), he shared how he used his early earnings to pay off his family’s debts. Viewers also got to see a lighter side of him as he made an enthusiastic visit to a Pokémon pop-up store.
A pop-up store stop — and a glimpse of life offstage
Fans know San for his intense stage presence, which has earned him the nickname “Duke of the North.” Offstage, though, his plans for the day were far less dramatic: he was heading to a Pokémon pop-up store. He arrived early to queue for his favourite character and even sang along to the Pokémon theme song.
The show offered an amusing contrast between the intensity of an ATEEZ performance and a singer spending his free time on something he genuinely likes. Fellow member HONGJOONG also appeared in the episode, giving viewers a glimpse of the group’s offstage lives.
It was a personal outing, not an announcement of a Pokémon endorsement or a new ATEEZ collaboration. That distinction matters: the charm of the segment came from San acting as a fan himself.
Why San wanted to help his family
Behind the lighthearted shopping trip was a more personal conversation. San spoke about his hometown of Namhae, in South Gyeongsang Province, and called his father while marking his parents’ wedding anniversary. He described a close relationship with his family, who supported his decision to pursue music.
San recalled learning about the family’s financial difficulties while he was in high school. His mother had explained that money was tight, a conversation that stayed with him as he considered his future. He said he wanted to start earning money and help shoulder the debt.
On the show, San explained that he had since paid off the debt. Fellow ATEEZ member Hongjoong said San had spent what he earned during his first one or two years of activities on his family. San described the outcome as a happy ending and said his family was doing well. He did not give a figure for the amount repaid.
Another side of the ATEEZ performer
Since debuting in 2018, ATEEZ have built a reputation for high-energy performances that demand stamina and precision. San’s appearance on The Manager gave viewers a look at the everyday interests and family relationships that rarely come through in a music-show performance.
The Pokémon outing was funny. His recollection of helping his parents was moving for a different reason. Together, the two moments made the October 24 broadcast more revealing than a straightforward backstage interview.
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Sources
MBC — official post-broadcast report, October 25 · The Korea Daily — English-language preview, October 21 · KWaveScope A–Z — SAN (ATEEZ) profile
San’s story was ultimately about two kinds of devotion: the excitement of being a fan, and the determination to look after the people who supported him first.