Few K-pop groups have exploded onto the scene as quickly as ZEROBASEONE. Often shortened to ZB1, the group went from survival-show trainees to million-selling idols almost overnight after being formed through Mnet’s hit competition series Boys Planet. Their debut immediately attracted international attention, fueled by a passionate global fanbase and strong pre-debut popularity built during the show.
The group officially debuted in July 2023 under WakeOne Entertainment with the mini-album Youth in the Shade. According to Korea.net and Korea JoongAng Daily, the album sold more than 1.24 million copies on its first day alone, setting a major rookie record in K-pop.
What made ZEROBASEONE stand out so quickly was not just commercial success, but also the chemistry between the members. Each trainee arrived from a different background, nationality, and training experience, creating a lineup that felt both internationally diverse and performance-focused. Here’s a closer look at who ZEROBASEONE are, how they were formed, and why they became one of K-pop’s biggest fifth-generation groups so quickly.
How ZEROBASEONE Was Formed
ZEROBASEONE was created through Boys Planet, a 2023 reality competition series produced by Mnet. The show featured 98 trainees from different agencies and countries competing for nine spots in a temporary K-pop project group. According to official show details and Teen Vogue’s coverage of the finale, the final lineup was determined entirely through fan voting during the live broadcast.
The name “ZEROBASEONE” represents the idea of beginning from zero and moving toward one unified destination. Fans are officially called ZE_ROSE, a name that evolved from the “Star Creators” audience who voted throughout Boys Planet.
Unlike many rookie groups that spend years slowly building recognition, ZEROBASEONE debuted with enormous anticipation already attached to them because viewers had followed their trainee journeys for months. That emotional investment became one of the biggest reasons behind the group’s explosive launch.
According to KProfiles and official Japanese promotional materials, the original lineup consisted of nine members: Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, and Han Yu-jin.
Sung Han-bin
Hanbin quickly became one of the most recognizable contestants on Boys Planet because of his leadership skills and polished performances. Before joining the show, he trained extensively in dance and performance, which helped position him as one of the group’s strongest all-around idols.
Kim Ji-woong
Jiwoong entered Boys Planet with prior entertainment experience, including acting and previous idol activities. His maturity and calm personality made him stand out among viewers throughout the competition.
Zhang Hao
Zhang Hao became especially significant historically because he was the first Chinese trainee ever to place first in an Mnet survival show. His musical background and violin training added another dimension to the group’s performance image.
Seok Matthew
Matthew, who grew up in Canada, became popular for his energetic personality and approachable image. His bilingual communication skills also helped the group connect with international audiences.
Kim Tae-rae
Known for strong vocals, Taerae developed a reputation as one of the group’s most reliable singers during Boys Planet. His performances consistently ranked highly among viewers focused on vocal ability.
Ricky
Ricky gained attention immediately because of his luxury-inspired visual image and confident personality. Teen Vogue later highlighted his growing influence in fashion and beauty culture, particularly his makeup style and public image.
Kim Gyu-vin
Gyuvin became popular for his bright personality and strong chemistry with the rest of the members. Fans frequently praised his variety-show energy and stage charisma.
Park Gun-wook
Gunwook stood out for his powerful stage presence and performance intensity during Boys Planet. Despite his young age, he was often recognized for his confidence and professionalism.
Han Yu-jin
As the youngest member, Yujin quickly attracted a large fanbase because of his dance ability and youthful charm. Many viewers saw him as one of the breakout stars of the survival show.
Their Debut Broke Major Records
ZEROBASEONE officially debuted on July 10, 2023, with the EP Youth in the Shade and the title track “In Bloom.” The response was immediate.
According to Korea.net and Korea Herald, the album sold over 1.24 million copies on its first day, making ZEROBASEONE the first K-pop group to achieve a million-selling debut album on day one.
Later reports from Times of India stated that the debut release eventually surpassed two million copies in sales.
The success established ZEROBASEONE as one of the strongest rookie debuts of the fifth K-pop generation. Their rapid growth also reflected how survival shows had evolved into major fan-building platforms before official debut even happened.
Teen Vogue additionally reported that the group surpassed one million Instagram followers within days of debut, highlighting how globally anticipated the lineup already was.
Several factors contributed to ZEROBASEONE’s unusually rapid rise. First, Boys Planet created strong emotional investment in the members before the group officially existed. Fans had already spent months watching trainees compete, struggle, and improve together. That meant the final lineup debuted with an established fandom immediately.
Second, the group balanced multiple strengths at once. ZEROBASEONE combined strong vocals, dance-heavy performances, visuals, multilingual communication skills, and international representation. This helped them appeal to both Korean and overseas audiences.
Third, the members themselves developed strong chemistry very quickly. Multiple interviews, including Teen Vogue’s group profile, highlighted how much the members focused on teamwork and group identity despite coming from different agencies and backgrounds.
Their music also fit neatly into the brighter, youth-oriented style currently popular among fifth-generation K-pop boy groups. Songs like “In Bloom” emphasized emotional melodies and polished visuals rather than darker concepts traditionally associated with earlier generations.
The Group’s Contract Situation Explained
One major topic surrounding ZEROBASEONE is the temporary nature of the group itself.
Like previous survival-show groups such as Wanna One and IZ*ONE, ZEROBASEONE was originally formed under a limited contract. Multiple entertainment reports stated that the group’s original contract was scheduled to end in January 2026.
However, later reporting from Soompi and Pinkvilla indicated that extensions and negotiations involving member agencies became part of ongoing discussions about the group’s future.
That uncertainty has become a major emotional topic within the fandom because many fans want the lineup to continue beyond the original project timeline.
ZEROBASEONE’s Place in Fifth-Generation K-pop
Today, ZEROBASEONE is widely considered one of the defining acts of fifth-generation K-pop. Their sales numbers, streaming performance, and award wins placed them among the most commercially successful rookie groups of their era almost immediately.
According to official profiles and entertainment coverage, the group achieved a “Rookie Grand Slam” by sweeping major Rookie of the Year awards across several Korean award ceremonies.
Their success also demonstrated how survival-show groups remain incredibly powerful within the K-pop industry despite concerns about temporary contracts and short promotion periods.
More importantly, ZEROBASEONE’s rise showed how global K-pop fandom has become. Members from different countries, multilingual communication, and international fan engagement all played major roles in helping the group expand quickly beyond South Korea.
Even with questions surrounding the group’s long-term future, ZEROBASEONE has already secured a major place within modern K-pop’s newest generation.