| The members of rookie K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) pose during a press event at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of WAKEONE Entertainment |
ZB1 debuts amid high hopes
By Dong Sun-hwa
ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), a project boy group consisting of the nine winners from the 2023 audition program, “Boys Planet,” is undeniably one of the most anticipated K-pop acts this year. It garnered 1 million followers on Instagram only six days after opening its official account and racked up more than 1 million pre-orders for its debut album, “Youth in the Shade” in just 13 days. This is the highest-ever number of pre-orders for any K-pop debut album.
ZB1 members ― Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin ― are well aware that these achievements would have been impossible without their devoted fans, who mostly have been supporting them since the launch of “Boys Planet.” Hence, during a press event marking its debut ― which took place at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul, Monday ― they promised they would repay the love they have received.
“We have been setting new records thanks to our fans,” Zhang, the group's Chinese member who ranked first on “Boys Planet,” said in Korean. “We want to continue our record-breaking journey and make history in the K-pop world. We will showcase the things that only ZB1 has and work hard to become a new brand or a genre.”
| K-pop boy group ZB1 / Courtesy of WAKEONE Entertainment |
Sung, the front man of ZB1 who secured the No. 2 spot on “Boys Planet,” elaborated, “It feels surreal to hear the news about our new records. We are so thrilled and thankful. We will not only try to learn from other senior K-pop groups, but also strive to develop something of our own.”
Canada-born member Seok Matthew added, “I hope we can always show our musical growth and become a team that always exceeds people's expectations.”
ZB1's debut album, “Youth in the Shade” illuminates the bright and dark sides of youth.
“I think our youth shines brighter if it has a shadow behind it,” Sung said. “Our mini-album features these sincere stories that only ZB1 can unfold.”
Kim Ji-woong, the oldest member of the team, revealed that the EP's lead single, “In Bloom” captures the musical identity of ZB1. “In Bloom” is an addictive breezy drum & bass song highlighting the nonet's refreshing vibe.
“Flowers do not bloom without obstacles and that's the same for us,” he explained. “'In Bloom' portrays how ZB1 members, who feel insecure about ourselves, still get on with things.”
Park added, “It also samples the main riff of 'Take On Me' (1985) by iconic band A-ha.”
Wrapping up the event, ZB1 talked about their goals and ambitions.
“I hope we can clinch the rookie of the year award ― the prize that we can only win once in our life,” Chinese member Ricky said.
Kim Gyu-vin added, “It will be so rewarding if our songs grab the top spots on music charts.”
Sung said, “I also hope we can bring positive energy and happiness to people with our music.”