[Photo&] ZEROBASEONE’s comeback with a ‘reorganized five-member lineup’… A face-off with ANDOUBLE, the four-member group that left—expect synergy

Reorganized five-member lineup ‘ZEROBASEONE,’ releases the uplifting ‘ASCEND-’ as it takes off after the crisis

“We carried the same fierce drive as when we debuted.” After ZEROBASEONE (ZEROBASEONE) was fully reorganized from its original nine-member lineup into a five-member team, the group fires off a signal of its new leap. ZEROBASEONE begins in earnest by releasing its mini album ASCEND- (Ascend-) simultaneously worldwide at 6 p.m. on the 18th. This is the group’s first step before the public as a five-member lineup: Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook. The members said, “In line with the change in team composition, we prepared the album with a fresh mindset,” adding, “As this is the result we’re presenting for the first time as five, we poured in incredible passion and intensity.” The move is seen as a strong determination to turn the group’s crisis into an opportunity.

A preview of friendly competition—anticipating K-pop synergy with ‘ANDOUBLE’

This comeback draws heightened attention in the music industry, aligning with the debut timing of ANDOUBLE, the group newly formed by four members who left the team: Jang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin. ANDOUBLE has already announced plans to debut with mini album vol. 1, ‘Sequence 01: Couriosity’ on the 26th. Regarding the overlap in the activity periods of the two groups, member Park Gunwook said, “We’re still in touch and cheering each other on—there’s a close bond.” Leader Sung Hanbin also vowed to pursue mature friendly competition, saying, “Just the fact that both teams are mentioned together in the K-pop market will create a positive synergy.”

Unbreakable solidarity toward fandom ‘ZEROSE’—soaring with the title track ‘TOP5’

The new album ASCEND- is an album that captures the members’ ambitions to soar to even higher ground without stopping, no matter what obstacles come their way. The title track TOP5 (TOP 5) is a dance-pop genre that reinterprets the sensibility of the 2000s through today’s modern trends, maximizing sophistication and the beauty of space. Member Seok Matthew said, “With the mindset that we’ll be evaluated with a cool, discerning eye by the public, we actively reflected the members’ opinions in the process of creating the choreography and selecting the tracks,” expressing confidence in the album’s quality. The decisive driving force behind ZEROBASEONE’s steadfast decision to maintain the team is their strong solidarity with fandom ZEROSE. They said, “We want to remain forever proud artists for the fans who waited for us for a long time,” proving their unwavering resolve to carry out activities as a five-member team.