ZEROBASEONE (제로베이스원), often shortened to ZB1, is one of the most successful "fourth-generation" K-pop boy groups to emerge from a survival show. Formed through Mnet's Boys Planet and debuting under WAKEONE in 2023, the nine-member group rewrote rookie records almost from the moment they arrived — and gave their fandom, ZEROSE, plenty to celebrate.
Who Is ZEROBASEONE and Why They Matter
ZEROBASEONE (Korean: 제로베이스원), commonly abbreviated as ZB1, is a South Korean boy band managed by WAKEONE. The group debuted with nine members: Kim Jiwoong, Zhang Hao, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, Park Gunwook, and Han Yujin.
The name itself carries the group's central message. "ZERO" represents a blank starting point, while "BASE" and "ONE" express the idea of nine individuals beginning from zero and growing together as one. From their very first release, ZEROBASEONE positioned themselves not as a typical rookie act but as a group capable of competing with established names — a promise they backed up with strong sales and rapid global recognition.
What makes ZEROBASEONE matter is the combination of survival-show momentum, a polished WAKEONE production machine, and a genuinely versatile lineup spanning vocals, rap, dance, and performance. They became a benchmark for what a project group can achieve when fan demand is enormous from day one.
Debut and Origins: Boys Planet
ZEROBASEONE was formed through Boys Planet, the 2023 global survival competition broadcast by Mnet. The show brought together contestants from a "K Group" and a "G Group" of international trainees, with the final lineup determined largely by viewer voting. The nine highest-ranked contestants were assembled into ZEROBASEONE.
The group officially debuted on July 10, 2023 with their first mini-album. As is common for groups formed from these competitions, ZEROBASEONE was launched as a time-limited project group — a structure that gives such acts an intense, well-defined promotional run while fan interest is at its peak.
Because the members were already familiar to audiences through Boys Planet, ZEROBASEONE enjoyed an unusually strong head start. The fanbase built during the show converted directly into pre-orders and chart support, allowing the group to debut at a scale most rookies never reach.
The Members and Their Roles
ZEROBASEONE's nine members each bring a distinct identity to the group. Aside from the leader, the group has not emphasized rigid official positions, so the following reflect the members' widely recognized strengths and fan-recognized roles:
- Sung Hanbin — the leader and a strong all-rounder, known for his dance, performance, and stage leadership. He was a top finisher on Boys Planet, placing second in the finale.
- Kim Jiwoong — the oldest member, recognized as a visual with notable acting and modeling experience prior to the group.
- Zhang Hao — a Chinese member celebrated for his powerful vocals; he placed first in the Boys Planet finale and served as the group's center.
- Seok Matthew — a Canadian-Korean member noted for vocals, charisma, and his bright, fluent-English on-camera presence.
- Kim Taerae — a vocalist with a clear, emotive tone.
- Ricky — a member known for his vocals and refined stage image.
- Kim Gyuvin — recognized for his energetic charm and performance contributions.
- Park Gunwook — a performer often highlighted for dance and stage power.
- Han Yujin — the maknae (youngest member), who became one of the show's most prominent young talents.
This blend of ages, nationalities, and skill sets — from seasoned older members to a standout maknae — is a big part of ZEROBASEONE's broad appeal.
Discography and Signature Title Tracks
ZEROBASEONE built their catalog primarily through a series of mini-albums (EPs), a release strategy that kept momentum high across their project run. Their debut mini-album arrived in July 2023 and immediately established them as a major sales force among rookie groups.
The group's title tracks generally lean into a confident, performance-driven sound, pairing punchy choruses with the kind of synchronized choreography that thrives in both music shows and short-form video. Over subsequent comebacks, ZEROBASEONE expanded their sonic range — moving between energetic, anthemic singles and brighter, more melodic concepts — while maintaining the strong vocal and dance balance that defines them.
For listeners new to the group, the smartest entry point is their lead singles: each title track is designed as a showcase of the full nine-member lineup, making them an ideal introduction to ZEROBASEONE's identity and sound.
Achievements and Records
ZEROBASEONE's most striking accomplishment has been their commercial scale for a rookie act. Their releases have been recognized among the strongest-selling debuts and early comebacks by a K-pop group, with their mini-albums topping South Korea's major album charts and posting high first-week sales figures that rival far more established artists.
The group has also been a consistent presence on domestic music-show countdowns, earning trophies for their title tracks, and has received recognition at major Korean award ceremonies — including honors and nominations recognizing them as one of the leading new acts of their generation.
In line with the facts policy, ZEROBASEONE is best described as a group that achieved multiple chart-topping mini-albums and several music-show wins in a remarkably short span, cementing their status as a flagship fourth-generation boy group. Their consistent ability to debut at the top of album rankings is the achievement fans and industry observers cite most often.
Musical Style, Global Impact, and the ZEROSE Fandom
Stylistically, ZEROBASEONE sits comfortably in modern, mainstream K-pop: tightly produced pop tracks with strong hooks, layered vocals, and high-intensity choreography. Their concepts tend to balance youthful brightness with sharper, more mature performance pieces, giving the group flexibility across comebacks.
Globally, ZEROBASEONE benefited from Boys Planet's international voting format, which built a worldwide audience before debut. That early reach translated into strong streaming numbers, active social-media engagement, and demand for the group across Asia and beyond.
Their fandom is officially named ZEROSE. The name reflects the bond between the group and its supporters, and ZEROSE has been central to ZEROBASEONE's strong sales and chart performance — a textbook example of how a dedicated, mobilized fanbase can power a project group to the very top of the K-pop landscape.
❓ FAQ
When did ZEROBASEONE debut and under which agency?
ZEROBASEONE officially debuted on July 10, 2023 under WAKEONE. The group was formed through Mnet's 2023 global survival show Boys Planet, with the final nine-member lineup decided largely by viewer voting.
Who are the members of ZEROBASEONE?
ZEROBASEONE debuted with nine members: Kim Jiwoong, Zhang Hao, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, Park Gunwook, and Han Yujin. Sung Hanbin serves as the leader, and Han Yujin is the maknae (youngest member).
What does the name ZEROBASEONE mean?
The name expresses the group's concept of starting from "ZERO" — a blank beginning — and growing together. "BASE" and "ONE" convey the idea of nine individual members uniting as a single team. The group is commonly abbreviated as ZB1, and its Korean name is 제로베이스원.
What is the ZEROBASEONE fandom called?
The official fandom of ZEROBASEONE is named ZEROSE. The fandom has been a driving force behind the group's strong album sales and chart success since their debut.
How successful is ZEROBASEONE compared to other rookie groups?
ZEROBASEONE is regarded as one of the most commercially successful fourth-generation K-pop boy groups. Their mini-albums have topped major South Korean album charts and posted standout first-week sales, and they have earned multiple music-show wins and recognition as a leading new act of their generation.