By Shim Sun-ah
Zerobaseone, the dynamic K-pop boy group forged from Mnet’s popular audition show “Boys Planet,” made a sensational debut in July 2023. As a project group, they quickly captivated global audiences, achieving an impressive six consecutive million-selling albums.
Following the conclusion of their 2 1/2-year project in January 2026, Zerobaseone embarked on a new chapter. Five members—Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, and Park Gun-wook—resolved to continue their journey as Zerobaseone. The four other original members—Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, and Han Yu-jin—departed to debut as a new boy group.
“As the frontman leading our performances, I definitely observed a significant shift after the personnel change,” stated group leader Sung Han-bin, addressing the reorganization’s impact during a recent media interview in Seoul.
To embrace this transformation, the five-member Zerobaseone meticulously refined their choreography to optimally showcase their distinct dance lines. This dedication recently bore fruit at KCON Japan, where their compelling performance garnered a highly positive reception, instilling newfound confidence in the group.
“Monitoring our performance video, I recognized a ‘grit’ that reminded me of our early debut days,” Han-bin remarked. “I realized that unwavering grit is a core strength of our team, composed of survival show finalists.”
The shift to a five-member lineup has also provided a unique opportunity to highlight each individual’s unique presence.
“As a nine-member group, many songs and concepts prioritized the team’s overarching identity over individual members’ distinct colors,” Park Gun-wook elaborated. “Now, with our five-member concept, it’s calmer and more refined, allowing us to emphasize each member’s strengths while creating a cohesive unit.” He added that this new dynamic ensures listeners can clearly identify each member’s unique charm as their respective parts unfold.
Zerobaseone’s highly anticipated sixth EP, titled “Ascend-“, is scheduled for release on Monday at 6 p.m. KST and features seven captivating tracks. Leading the record is “Top 5,” a dance-pop and contemporary R&B track that masterfully reinterprets early 2000s sensibilities with a fresh, modern twist.
Han-bin clarified that the hyphen at the end of the album title, “Ascend-,” symbolizes the band’s unwavering commitment to “keep moving forward.”
“As soon as I heard the booming beat, I was immediately drawn in,” Seok Matthew recalled, sharing his initial impression of the lead single, “Top 5.” “When the sexy ‘Top 5’ section dropped, I instantly envisioned a Michael Jackson-style performance and developed it from there; I’m incredibly satisfied with the outcome.”
The track held a pleasant surprise for Gun-wook, who encountered an unexpected lyrical message. “I initially believed the title simply reflected our ambition to start anew as five members,” he said. However, the band revealed that the song “Top 5” is actually about “my top five favorite things of all time,” as beautifully articulated in the lyrics: “Your lips, your style, your kiss, your smile. And number one, how you make me feel.”
Zerobaseone aimed to strike a perfect balance between their signature refreshing vibe and a more mature, sophisticated contemporary R&B sound, characterized by crisp and heavy beats. Han-bin believes showcasing this fitting side is the ideal approach for the group now, a sentiment unanimously shared by all members. Gun-wook further added that this classic genre could resonate as fresh and innovative for younger generations of K-pop fans.
This compelling musical evolution is complemented by a strong visual focus on minimalism. “We emphasized the beauty of empty space when filming the music video and capturing photos for the album’s cover,” Han-bin explained. He noted that by minimizing makeup and embracing the members’ natural movements around the filming set, Zerobaseone discovered a style that perfectly aligns with their current identity.
While the title track “Top 5” embraces a classic vibe, B-side tracks like “Exotic” ingeniously incorporate trendy Y2K and techno elements, ensuring listeners can effortlessly immerse themselves in Zerobaseone’s diverse musical offerings, according to the band.
Reflecting on the emotional final concert as a nine-member band in March, Han-bin confessed, “The emotion I experienced at that concert was personally the greatest sadness I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“We understand precisely how our fans felt during these past two months of waiting,” he continued. “Now that we are making our comeback after navigating that long tunnel, we are ready to show you what passionate love truly means.”
