When K-pop group ZEROBASEONE debuted in the summer of 2023, anticipation grew over how far they could go. Yet their survival show origins on “Boys Planet” imposed a ticking clock: Would they exceed their temporary contract? Would the hype extend beyond just a few releases?
More than two years later, ZB1 continues to exceed expectations and surpass limits. Like many of their fast-rising contemporaries, ZEROBASEONE’s trail has demanded endurance. But life moves at a ceaseless rhythm for K-pop artists, and Hao, Hanbin, Matthew, Ricky, Taerae, Gunwook, Jiwoong, Gyuvin and Yujin have learned not just to keep up but to thrive amid the whirlwind.
All those gains and growing pains have culminated in their first full-length album, Never Say Never. “The more time we’ve spent together, the better we’ve gotten to know each other, and that’s made our teamwork truly solid,” Gunwook tells GRAMMY.com. “When preparing this [project], we worked toward the same goal while respecting each other’s opinions and leaning on one another.” Actually releasing Never Say Never required significant conviction that didn’t always come easily. “In order to [embody and express] the true superstar energy, you always have to have such a level of confidence and energy following up to that standard,” Hao chimes in.
Unveiled in early September, Never Say Never broadens ZEROBASEONE’s aural cosmos. In an era dominated by “TikTokfied” songs, B-sides like “Star Eyes” radiate for over four minutes; the alluring “Lovesick Game” is the group’s most sensual composition to date. Main single “Iconik” is all about infectious energy and playful groove, boasting irresistible vocals over a funk-inspired instrumental that’s guaranteed to catch your ear.
Hao explains how “Iconik” celebrates the fulfillment of dreams and the power of shared success. “I think that really builds up to the expression that we are defying gravity and we are going to achieve everything that we have hoped for,” he says. “No matter what happens outside, because we are together as one.”
That vision has come to reality: Never Say Never sold 1.5 million copies in its first week, earning ZEROBASEONE their sixth consecutive million-seller and landing multiple Billboard chart entries. “Iconik” has already surpassed 50 million views on YouTube as of press time and secured wins across all the weekly South Korean music shows. Yet the group knows that the true measure of their impact resides in the resonance their music has had on others.”Achievements and records are indeed important, but what we hope for even more is to be remembered as artists who make a positive influence,” Hanbin says. “We want to contribute to showcasing K-pop’s appeal and power to the world.”It’s still unclear how far this journey will go, yet one thing is certain: ZEROBASEONE cemented their place as a leading group in K-pop. More successes are sure to follow, with the group’s second tour kicking off in early October and a Japanese special EP on the way, but before that, it’s worth reviewing every step that has led them to the here and now.
From Rookie Dreams To Victories
After releasing their second EP, Melting Point, ZEROBASEONE claimed every Rookie Of The Year accolade during South Korea’s awards season. They became only the fifth boy group in K-pop history to score this, and the accomplishment redefined their status from promising newcomers to a rising powerhouse in the industry.
“We were very surprised, but we’re so grateful,” Matthew says, smiling. “We all had this sense of, oh man, we gotta do better, and that we always have to make sure the next album is even better. We had that feeling of living up to the expectations. And I hope we did that.”
The group’s nine members showcased their starpower at the 2023 MAMA Awards in Tokyo, earning the admiration of the Japanese public and foreshadowing ZB1’s popularity in country. Both nights offered standout moments: Hao’s rendition of the “Boys Planet” theme “난 빛나 (Here I Am)”; Yujin teaming up with members of TXT, BOYNEXTDOOR, and RIIZE for a special performance with Yoshiki; and a medley that began with Hanbin’s solo of “In Bloom,” before the group joined him for “Take My Hand” and “Crush.”
In January 2024, Hao released his first original soundtrack song, “I Wanna Know,” for the South Korean dating show “Exchange 3.” The song went on to win the OST Popularity Award at the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards, making him the first foreign artist to receive this distinction. In March, just in time for cherry blossom season, the group made their official Japanese debut with “Yura Yura (Unmei no Hana),” an effervescent pop single that distilled the spirit of spring. “The sky dyеd in cherry blossom / This moment laughing with you,” the chorus bursts with exhilaration. “My heart pounding loudly / Yura, Yura, Baby, Baby / Yura, Yura, Baby, Baby.”
“Yura Yura” set the record for the highest-selling debut by a non-Japanese artist, perhaps due to ZB1’s dedication to serving its Japanese audience. The group studied Japanese with the goal of mastering the language, Yujin notes.”We made a lot of effort before going into the recording process, making sure we were interpreting Japanese correctly on top of expressing our musical color as ZEROBASEONE,” says Yujin. “We really [tried] to create and convey a new message to our Japanese fans.”
Strengthening Their Harmony And Letting Their Artistry Bloom
Having wrapped up their first promotional cycle in Japan, ZEROBASEONE pressed on with their third mini-album, You Had Me At HELLO, while appearing at major events such as KCON JAPAN and the Busan One Asia Festival. Taerae also recorded “More Than Enough” for the popular K-drama “Queen of Tears”; the song won the Best OST Award at the 2024 Korea Drama Awards.
That summer, shortly before their second KCON LA, the group performed at the GRAMMY Museum. Gyuvin recalls a greater confidence and more mature stage presence. “Every stage has its own weight and pressure,” Gyuvin reflects. “Even though we are performing the same songs, based on the atmosphere of each event, the expressions and what we really want to showcase to the audience can change drastically.”
The sophomore year of a rookie group is often pivotal to establishing their musical direction. And for ZEROBASEONE, this was evident early on, with a sound crafted by lilting melodies and versatility. In fact, when asked which season — a recurring motif in their concept — best represents them, they all immediately answer “spring,” because of the verdant, renewing energy it evokes.But their artistry fully blossomed with Cinema Paradise, their fourth mini-album, and lead single “Good So Bad.” Composed by celebrated K-pop songwriter Kenzie, the melodic and dreamy track details a love worth rewriting any sad ending. Collaborating with Kenzie on “Good So Bad” also reflected ZB1’s commitment to artistic development”Our songs are not easy to sing, and we’ve been continuously building our ability in terms of expressing our music and recording as well,” Gunwook says, adding that Kenzie positively pushed the group’s limits. “We were actually [guided] by her trust in us, and we were able to really pull it beyond what we thought we could do.”
The group considers this experience as an invaluable, formative chapter, and kept the door open to future collaborations with her. “Working with Kenzie was an honor for us,” Matthew says. “We all have our different styles of singing, but she was able to [bring them together] so there was no cut in the flow. When you listen to the music, it sounds very, very smooth. I think we all appreciated that, and made the sound quality a lot better.”
Rising Higher And Reaching New Frontiers
Cinema Paradise triggered ZEROBASEONE’s first tour, TIMELESS WORLD. Spanning nearly four months and seven countries across Asia, the endeavor is described by Ricky as “the most defining milestone” in their career thus far.
The tour tightened their unity and gave them a better understanding of the emotions they can transmit on stage. “We all have our individual energies, and I feel like [these]…really become a great inspiration and stimulus as well,” Jiwoong says. “I really want to cherish every moment that we go through together in our work.”
Following the tour’s conclusion in December 2024, ZEROBASEONE entered the awards season as established artists rather than rookies. They proved successful in this avenue as well, grabbing multiple trophies at the biggest ceremonies and even taking home their first Daesang (or Grand Prize), one of the highest honors in the K-pop industry, at the inaugural Korea Grand Music Awards.
In January 2025, ZEROBASEONE returned to the Japanese market with their first extended play, PREZENT, helmed by “Now or Never” and “Only One Story,” which became the opening theme for “Pokémon Horizons: The Series.” Almost immediately, their fifth Korean mini-album, Blue Paradise, was announced alongside the mellow “Doctor! Doctor!” a pre-release featuring an illustration by legendary manga artist Junji Ito.
Kenzie once again composed the lead single “Blue” — a gorgeous pop blend of cascading arrangements and the group’s vocals, now more powerful than ever. The record took home the Best Album at the Seoul Music Awards and made notable inroads in the United States.
“It was our first time debuting on the Billboard charts, which became a launching pad for our next leap as global artists,” Taerae says. “The album’s refreshing yet emotional sound let us showcase our musical spectrum and story of growth, while proving that ZEROBASEONE has more potential to make an impact on the world stage.”
Carving Out A Legacy
While every beginning is uncertain, ZEROBASEONE’S story confirms that without courage and openness to change, true growth cannot occur. Through each release, this idea has matured, revealing the perseverance that has propelled them forward.
“For me, simply deciding to be on ‘Boys Planet’ was both the biggest challenge and the most valuable learning experience,” Ricky says. “By never giving up until the end, I was able to grow into who I am today. That experience connects perfectly with the message of ‘Now or Never,’ which is ‘Nothing is impossible if you don’t give up.'”
For this reason, rather than lingering on what didn’t happen or on regrets, they focus on all they have realized, taking stock of every stride. ZEROBASEONE has been associated with numerous firsts, Taerae says. “We’re grateful that many of these milestones are tied to our group name. With a generational shift in the industry, we were able to mark the start of the fifth generation. We believe we are holding our ground amid all the changes, progressing steadily as a group in both our career and accomplishments.”Up next is another international endeavor with their new tour, [HERE&NOW], which will be inaugurated with a three-night run at the KSPO Dome. The group intends to savor each moment on stage, and will let time unfold whatever lies ahead. “[Our first] tour was the greatest challenge for me,” Jiwoong shares. “Through that process, I learned that hard work always pays off. I’m excited to take the stage again, drawing on those same emotions but showing an even stronger version of myself.”
In a video filmed by Gyuvin amid Japan’s landscapes, he and Hanbin share a reflective voiceover about their trajectory since “Boys Planet,” and the pockets of joy they’ve collected. Gyuvin, especially, ponders how quickly their time as a group has passed, yet how fully they’ve lived it, concluding that it “was the idol life I dreamed of,” and “the most beautiful page in our lives.” Hanbin, on the other hand, reads an excerpt from Oh Phyeong-Seon’s book I Will Plant a Spring Flower in Your Life, saying how moments or words we wish to hold close can be recorded and, like the work of a stonemason, stand the test of time. For ZEROBASEONE, this embodies the gifts of resilience and the bonds between the members and those who have stood by their side — connections that, in the end, will define the essence of their legacy.
Latest News & Exclusive Videos
Source link
About the Author
