ZEROBASEONE aims for fifth consecutive million-seller with 'Blue Paradise'

By KTimes

K-pop boy band ZEROBASEONE is setting its sights on another million-seller milestone with the release of its fifth mini-album, "Blue Paradise," signaling a new chapter in the group’s global success story.

The group held a media showcase on Monday at Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul to celebrate the album's launch.

As the second part of the "Paradise"-themed series, the album delivers the message that even moments of sadness are part of life, and the journey through such emotions is beautiful and radiant in itself.

In "Blue Paradise," the group explores emotions such as sadness, anxiety, obsession and growing pains through a narrative reminiscent of a mysterious game, showcasing their improving vocal and performance skills.

"It's our first album in six months. We’ve worked hard and had fun preparing it, so we hope everyone enjoys it," member Kim Gyu-vin said.

Member Kim Ji-woong added, "This is our first Korean album of the year, marking a fresh start. I’m both nervous and excited, but I’ll do my best."

Reflecting on their global experiences, member Zhang Hao said, "We’ve had many opportunities to meet fans worldwide since our last album. I’m thrilled to share our music once again through this album."

The members expressed their determination to show their growth through this album. Seok Matthew said, "I’m excited to showcase our progress," while Sung Han-bin said, "We’ve put our passion into preparing this album, hoping to demonstrate our growth both musically and performance-wise."

Member Kim Tae-rae added, "Working on this album helped us reach a new level of growth. 'Mysterious freshness' is the phrase that best captures the vibe of this album. We aimed to create a unique color by blending a mystical atmosphere with refreshing energy."

Striving to continue million-seller streak

Since their debut in 2023, ZEROBASEONE has achieved four consecutive million-selling albums, solidifying their status as a leading act of K-pop’s fifth generation of artists. Following the success of their first world tour, "Timeless World," expectations are high for this latest release.

The prereleased track, "Doctor! Doctor," dominated domestic and international music charts, while their first Japanese EP, "Present," set a personal best for first-week sales and topped both the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking and Weekly Combined Album Ranking.

Zhang Hao said, "We’re proud to hold the title of four-time million-sellers. I hope this album continues that streak."

As they approach their second anniversary in April, the members reflected on their journey. Member Han Yu-jin said, "A lot has changed over the past two years. I feel I’ve grown personally on stage, and spending this time with our fans during the transition from my teens to my 20s has been incredibly meaningful. I’m excited for the future we’ll create together."

ZEROBASEONE once again teamed up with hitmaker KENZIE, who also produced their previous title track, "Good So Bad."

The new title track, "Blue," is an alternative pop dance song featuring cool synth sounds and emotional vocals, delivering a sense of mysterious freshness. The song's lyrics explore the concept of bittersweet yet beautiful fated love, while the group’s upgraded vocal harmonies, diverse chords and chants highlight their musical growth.

"Working with KENZIE again was thrilling. She complimented our improved vocal skills, which made me feel proud. Since it was our second time collaborating, the result turned out even better," Zhang Hao said.

The album also includes the members’ first unit songs, showcasing their individual strengths and distinct charms. Member Park Gun-wook said, "Preparing the unit songs was exciting because it allowed us to show different sides of ourselves. We carefully selected songs that best highlight each member’s characteristics, and I’m confident fans will enjoy the variety."

Having recently won their first grand prize award since their debut, ZEROBASEONE remains focused on continued growth. Park Gun-wook said, "Being called the 'fifth-generation K-pop icon' is something we’re truly grateful for. Rather than resting on our laurels, we aim to keep giving our best with every album. We want to become artists who are instantly recognizable just by our name, ZEROBASEONE."

Sung Han-bin said, "All of our members have bright smiles, and our passion and energy shine through on stage. We value our connection with fans and strive to communicate honestly, which I think resonates with people. We’ll continue to show our best selves moving forward."

ZEROBASEONE's fifth mini-album "Blue Paradise" was released on major music platforms at 6 p.m., Monday.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.