Writer: Prasanna Srija (Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh, India)

Editor: Tahoora Charfare (Fahaheel, Kuwait)

Everyone needs refreshment. Like that, we music lovers need refreshment through music content. So here we have the 5th generation’s one of the biggest boy groups, ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) (제로베이스원), which consists of 9 members and was formed through the show Boys Planet, a reality show under Mnet for male trainees from different agencies where they showcase their talent as an idol through their dancing and singing abilities as they compete to win the final lineup of a K-pop group. In April 2023, the final lineup ranking of 9 members was as follows in reverse order: 9^th Han Yu-jin, 8^th Kim Ji-woong, 7^th Kim Gyu-vin, 6^th Kim Tae-rae, 5^th Park Gun-wook, 4^th Ricky, 3^rd Seok Matthew, 2^nd Sung Han-bin, and 1^st Zhang Hao.

They debuted on July 10^th, 2023, with their first mini album, YOUTH IN THE SHADE. Upon release, it was a commercial success, selling over two million units and becoming number one on the South Korean Circle Album Chart. It also became the best-selling album worldwide. “In Bloom,” the title track, charted on the Global 200 on Billboard. And it has also received awards, including the Melon Music Award as New Artist of the Year in 2023 and the Rookie Grand Slam by winning the Rookie of the Year at various other domestic award ceremonies, including the Golden Disc Award, MAMA Awards, and Seoul Music Award.

Kim Ji Woong

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Kim Ji-woong was born on 14^th December 1998. He used to be a singer in the boy group INX under the name Jinam until their disbandment in 2017. He made his acting debut in the drama ‘The Sweet Blood’ in 2021. He is well-known for his roles in “Kissable Lips” and “Roommate of Poongduck 304” in 2022. He also played supporting roles in dramas like Don’t Lie Rahee, Kissa, Convenience Store Junkies, Pro, Teen, and The Good Bad Mother. He was formerly a trainee at SM Entertainment for 6 years. Then he participated in Boys Planet and ranked 8^th in the final lineup. Then debuted as vocalist, rapper, and visual of the ZB1. He also launched his official platform called the Panic Rose in 2021, where he displays and sells his artwork.

Zhang Hao

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Zhang Hao is the Chinese member of the group, born on 25^th July 2000. He took the national college entrance exam in 2018 for arts and ranked first in his home province, Fujian. He then enrolled in Fujian Normal University and graduated in 2024. He has obtained his teaching certificate to teach music to students. He is a master at playing the violin along with the piano and cello. Hao is the first foreigner in history to get ranked 1^st in a South Korean survival show. He is the center and vocalist of the group.

Sung Han bin

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Sung Han-bin was born on 13th June 2001. He used to be a street dancer specializing in waacking and tutting; he has been training since middle school. His mother owns a café; he used to help his mother in the café. In 2018, he started his career as a backup dancer for Wanna One’s “Boomerang” at SBS Gayo Daejon and as a backup dancer for BTS’s” Dionysus” in 2019 at the MAMA Music Awards. He ranked in 2^nd place and is the leader, dancer, vocalist, and visual of the group. On September 1^st, Sung Han-bin was announced as the host of Mnet’s M Countdown. On June 6^th, 2024, he was announced as the storyteller for the show I-Land 2.

Seok Matthew

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Seok Matthew is a Korean-Canadian born on 28^th May 2002. He is popular for his performance in Boys Planet on “All I Want to Do” by Jay Park. Matthew was a trainee for a year and a half before he participated in the show. He ranked 3^rd and is a vocalist and dancer. He is nicknamed “Happy Virus” because of his positive energy. He once went viral on social media as “Moo Guy,” doing a TikTok trend using a filter to make deep and high-pitched voices.

Kim Tae RAE

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Kim Tae-rae was born on 14^th July 2002. He has a unique and distinctive voice. It’s often described as a powerful yet soft voice with a husky quality that sets him apart and makes him stand out easily. He was ranked 6^th and is the main vocalist of the group. Before coming on Boys Planet, he was a trainee for two years. The way he sings, one can easily say that he likes what he is doing. His voice is like a watermark to ZB1. Apart from this, he is a guitarist and loves playing guitar in his free time.

Ricky

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Ricky was born on 20^th May 2004. His birth name is Shen Quan Rui. His stage name, “Ricky,” was given by his mom. His birthplace is China. He lived in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., most of his life before coming to South Korea. Ricky can speak Mandarin, English, and Korean. He doesn’t like spicy food. He was ranked 4^th and is the sub-vocalist and sub-rapper. He is often praised for his “anime look” and resembles characters from manga. His role model is G-Dragon from the group BIGBANG.

Kim Gyu Vin

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Kim Gyu-vin was born on 30^th August 2004. He is the tallest member in ZB1, standing at 186cm. His role model is San from Ateez. He films content on the KODE 코드 YouTube channel, where he reveals his epic true fan moments. He went viral along with Sung Han-bin as 2BINZ with “Who Made This” by showing their delicious food. Some idols even imitate them while shooting food vlogs. He was a trainee for almost 4 years before participating in the show. He ranked as the 7^th member of the ZB1 lineup. He is the sub-vocalist, lead rapper, lead dancer, and visual.

Park Gun wook

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Park Gun-wook was born on 10th January 2005. He was very curious as a child and always explored new things. That curiosity was carried to his current self and made him take challenges without fear. And his motto is, “If you have regrets, it means you didn’t do your best,” he mentioned in an interview by “ESQUIRE Korea” on YouTube. He ranked 5^th and became the lead rapper, lead vocalist, and main dancer. He was a trainee for two years and five months. He also participated in Extreme Debut: Wild Idol, a survival show on MBC, before coming on the show Boys Planet.

Han Yu jin

^{Picture Credits: ZB1Official (Instagram)}

Han Yu-jin was born on 20th March 2007. He is the youngest (maknae) of the group. His role models are Taemin from SHINee, Kai from EXO, and Hyun-jin from Stray Kids’. He was a trainee for two years and three months before he participated in the show Boys Planet. He ranked 9^th and became a dancer, vocalist, rapper, visual, and maknae by completing the final lineup of ZB1. He became the MC on SBS Inkigayo in April 2024. He enjoys playing soccer and gaming online in his free time.

ZEROBASEONE’s fandom name is ZE_ROSE. Zerobaseone has also sung OSTs for K-dramas like Boy Next Door, “Reaching for You”; Queen of Tears, “More Than Enough” by Kim Tae-rae; and Study Group, “Back Packer” by Park Gun-wook and Seok Matthew. 

Their top-viewed MVs are “In Bloom” with over 31 million views, “Feel the POP” with 35 million views, “Crush” with 42 million views, “Blue” with over 44 million views, and “Good So Bad” with over 45 million views. This group achieved a lot in these years, but the reality is that ZEROBASEONE is not a permanent group. Their contract period is two and a half years. As per the contract, they will disband in January 2026. But fans are hoping for them to renew their contract to entertain and inspire their ZE_ROSE.

Are you also a fan of ZEROBASEONE? Do let us know in the comments.