It was July 10, 2023, and the K-pop world was about to be shaken to its core. When ZeroBaseOne stepped onto the stage for their official debut with “In Bloom,” the response was immediate and overwhelming. Their debut extended play, Youth in the Shade, shattered first-week sales records, announcing to the entire industry that these nine young men were not just another idol group — all the ZeroBaseOne members were a phenomenon. For millions of fans who had watched them struggle, grow, and pour their hearts out on Mnet’s Boys Planet, this was the moment they had been waiting for.
But if you’re new to the ZeroBaseOne members — or simply looking to learn everything there is to know about ZB1 from their origins to their current 2026 lineup — you’ve come to the right place. This guide covers every member’s full profile, their positions, their journey from survival show contestants to global K-pop icons, and the bittersweet chapter that reshaped the group in 2026. Whether you’re a longtime ZEROSE (ZB1’s official fandom) or a curious newcomer to the Hallyu wave, this is the most comprehensive ZeroBaseOne member guide you’ll find anywhere.
What Is ZeroBaseOne? A Quick Overview Before Meeting the Members
Before diving into the individual profiles of the ZeroBaseOne members, it’s worth understanding what makes this group different — and why their story resonates so deeply with fans across the globe.
How Boys Planet Created ZB1
ZeroBaseOne was formed through Boys Planet, Mnet’s 2023 global survival competition show, which pitted trainees from South Korea and across Asia against one another in a series of intense performances and public elimination rounds. The concept was simple but emotionally explosive: fans voted for their favorite trainees, and the nine who survived became ZeroBaseOne.
The group’s name carries deep symbolic meaning. “Zero” represents the starting point — the ground zero from which each member began their journey as a trainee. “One” represents unity, the destination they were always meant to reach together. In the group’s own words, their name reflects “the glorious beginning” of nine individuals becoming one.
They officially debuted on July 10, 2023, with their first mini album, Youth in the Shade, and the lead single “In Bloom” — a song that would become one of the most iconic K-pop debut tracks of its generation.
ZeroBaseOne’s Fandom, Label, and Global Reach
- Label: WAKEONE Entertainment
- Official Fandom Name: ZEROSE (제로즈)
- Official Group Color: Blue
- Official Greeting: “D1, Be the ONE! Hello, we are ZEROBASEONE!”
- Official Social Media: @ZB1_official (X/Twitter), @zb1_official (TikTok), ZEROBASEONE (YouTube)
What set ZB1 apart from many of their peers was their multinational lineup. The nine original members represented South Korea, China, and Canada — a reflection of how truly global K-pop has become in the post-BTS era. By 2024, ZB1 had achieved what is known in the K-pop industry as a Rookie Grand Slam, sweeping the top rookie awards across the major Korean music award shows — a testament to both their talent and the passionate dedication of their ZEROSE fandom.
Meet All 9 Original ZeroBaseOne Members
This is the heart of what every fan — new or seasoned — wants to know: who exactly are the ZeroBaseOne members, where did they come from, and what makes each one of them special? Here is a complete, in-depth look at all nine original members.
1. Sung Hanbin — The Leader Who Commanded the Stage
Full Name: Sung Han-bin (성한빈)
Date of Birth: June 13, 2001
Birthplace: Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea
Position: Leader, Main Dancer, Vocalist
Boys Planet Ranking: 2nd Place
Sung Hanbin is the unquestioned center of ZeroBaseOne — not because he was given the role, but because he earned it through years of grueling training and an almost magnetic stage presence. Before Boys Planet, Hanbin had already built a following through his pre-debut activities, including modeling work that showcased his striking visual appeal.
On Boys Planet, Hanbin consistently ranked near the top of every performance evaluation, but what made him stand out wasn’t just technical skill — it was his leadership instinct. He had a natural ability to hold a group together under pressure, which is exactly why WAKEONE appointed him as ZB1’s leader.
As a main dancer, Hanbin’s performances are characterized by precision, power, and an almost theatrical flair. As a vocalist, he brings emotional sincerity. As a leader, he brings stability. He is, in every sense, the backbone of ZeroBaseOne.
Fun Fact: Hanbin is multilingual and has actively worked on improving his English to connect with ZB1’s international ZEROSE fanbase.
2. Kim Jiwoong — The Veteran Trainee Who Never Gave Up
Full Name: Kim Ji-woong (김지웅)
Position: Main Vocalist
Nationality: South Korean
Kim Jiwoong’s story is one of the most emotionally compelling among all the ZeroBaseOne members. He is one of the older members of ZB1 and came into Boys Planet with years of trainee experience already behind him — years of near-misses, disappointments, and the kind of quiet perseverance that makes eventual success feel truly earned.
As ZB1’s main vocalist, Jiwoong carries much of the group’s emotional weight in ballads and slower-paced tracks. His vocal tone is rich, warm, and distinctively mature — the kind of voice that makes even a simple line feel meaningful. Fans frequently cite his live performances as some of the most emotionally affecting in the group’s discography.
Off-stage, Kim Jiwoong is known for being thoughtful and deeply loyal to his members. He is often described by both fellow members and fans as the emotional anchor of the group — the one everyone turns to when things get difficult.
3. Zhang Hao — The Chinese Virtuoso with Classical Roots
Full Name: Zhang Hao (张昊)
Date of Birth: July 25, 2000
Birthplace: Nanping, Fujian, China
Position: Main Vocalist, Visual
Label (Pre-ZB1): Yuehua Entertainment (later rebranded as YH Entertainment)
(Note: Zhang Hao concluded his activities with ZeroBaseOne in March 2026 following contract expiration.)
Zhang Hao is, by any measure, one of the most extraordinarily talented members ZeroBaseOne has ever had. Born in Fujian Province, China, Hao trained under Yuehua Entertainment before competing on Boys Planet, where his vocal performances left both the judges and the global audience completely stunned.
What makes Zhang Hao uniquely remarkable is the depth of his musical education. He studied musicology at Fujian Normal University, graduating in 2024, and is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist — proficient in violin, cello, viola, and piano. In a K-pop landscape full of immensely talented performers, Zhang Hao’s classical foundations give him a musicality that is genuinely rare.
He is also fluent in three languages: Chinese, Korean, and English — making him a bridge not just between ZB1’s Korean and Chinese fanbases, but to the wider global audience.
His departure from ZB1 in March 2026 was one of the most emotional moments in the group’s history, and he remains one of the most beloved figures in the ZeroBaseOne legacy.
4. Seok Matthew — ZB1’s Canadian-Korean Bridge to the West
Full Name: Seok Matthew (석매튜)
Nationality: Canadian-Korean
Position: Vocalist, Rapper
Previous Agency: MNH Entertainment
If ZeroBaseOne has a member who represents the increasingly global nature of K-pop, it is Seok Matthew. Born to Korean parents in Canada, Matthew grew up as a cultural bridge between the Western and Korean worlds — and that dual identity is one of his greatest assets as a performer and public figure.
Matthew’s English fluency has made him one of ZB1’s most natural connectors with international fans. His social media presence, his interviews, and his interactions with non-Korean ZEROSE members all carry an ease and warmth that breaks down the language barrier that can sometimes exist between K-pop groups and their global fanbase.
As a vocalist and rapper, Matthew brings versatility and a certain understated confidence to ZB1’s sound. He may not always be the most visually prominent member in a performance, but his contribution to the group’s overall texture is undeniable.
He is one of the five members who extended their contracts with WAKEONE in 2025 and continues to be an active part of ZeroBaseOne in 2026.
5. Kim Taerae — The Stable Vocalist with Quiet Intensity
Full Name: Kim Tae-rae (김태래)
Position: Main Vocalist
Nationality: South Korean
Among all the ZeroBaseOne members, Kim Taerae is perhaps the one whose talent reveals itself most gradually — and most devastatingly. He is not the flashiest performer on stage, but when he opens his mouth to sing, everything else falls away.
Taerae’s vocal instrument is one of the most technically refined in ZB1’s lineup. He possesses an exceptional ability to convey raw emotion through subtle vocal choices — a slight breath before a high note, a controlled vibrato, a perfectly weighted pause. In a group of outstanding vocalists, these qualities make him quietly indispensable.
Off-stage, Taerae is often described as soft-spoken and introspective — the kind of person who observes more than he speaks, and whose words carry weight precisely because they are chosen carefully. His interactions with fans are consistently gentle and genuine, which has earned him a deeply devoted personal following within the ZEROSE community.
6. Ricky — The Energetic Wildcard
Full Name: Ricky (리키)
Position: Vocalist, Dancer
(Note: Ricky concluded his activities with ZeroBaseOne in March 2026 following contract expiration.)
Ricky was ZeroBaseOne’s spark plug — the member whose energy could transform the atmosphere of an entire stage or fansign event in an instant. His performances were characterized by an almost reckless enthusiasm that was utterly contagious, and his ability to maintain that energy across long concert sets was genuinely impressive.
On Boys Planet, Ricky stood out not just for his dancing but for his personality — an electric mix of humor, warmth, and competitive fire that made him impossible to ignore. He developed an intensely devoted fanbase who appreciated both his talent and his unfiltered authenticity.
7. Kim Gyuvin — The Sunshine Member
Full Name: Kim Gyu-vin (김규빈)
Position: Vocalist, Dancer
(Note: Kim Gyuvin concluded his activities with ZeroBaseOne in March 2026 following contract expiration.)
If you needed one word to describe Kim Gyuvin’s role within ZeroBaseOne, it would be sunshine. Gyuvin was the group’s mood-maker — the member whose laughter was loudest, whose smile was most immediate, and whose genuine delight in performing radiated from every stage he stepped onto.
But Gyuvin was never just the funny one. His dancing was precise and powerful, and his ability to contribute meaningfully to ZB1’s performance quality while simultaneously keeping the group’s energy light and joyful was a rare and valuable gift.
8. Han Yujin — The Youngest with an Old-Soul Talent
Full Name: Han Yu-jin (한유진)
Position: Vocalist, Maknae (Youngest Member)
(Note: Han Yujin concluded his activities with ZeroBaseOne in March 2026 following contract expiration.)
Han Yujin held the role of maknae — the youngest member — in ZeroBaseOne, but anyone who assumed that meant he was the least capable quickly learned otherwise. Yujin displayed a maturity in his performances and his emotional intelligence that belied his age, earning him the admiration of both his older members and the wider K-pop community.
He was known for his ability to connect with fans on a deeply personal level — something that, for many younger K-pop idols, takes years to develop. Yujin appeared to be born with it. His departure in 2026 was particularly emotional for the fandom, who had watched him grow from a nervous contestant on Boys Planet into a fully formed K-pop star.
9. Park Gunwook — The All-Rounder Who Surprises Every Time
Full Name: Park Gun-wook (박건욱)
Position: Main Dancer, Vocalist
Nationality: South Korean
Park Gunwook is ZeroBaseOne’s ultimate all-rounder, and perhaps the member most capable of genuine surprise. Just when you think you understand what Gunwook brings to the group, he reveals another dimension — a vocal run you didn’t expect, a dance moment that stops the room, a freestyle section that shows his improvisational instincts are as sharp as his technical foundations.
As ZB1’s Main Dancer, Gunwook carries much of the group’s choreographic identity. His movement quality is exceptional: clean lines, powerful execution, and an expressive quality that makes his dancing feel like storytelling rather than just technique. He is one of the five members who extended his contract with WAKEONE in 2025 and remains a cornerstone of ZB1’s identity going into 2026.
ZeroBaseOne Members — Roles and Positions Explained
For fans new to K-pop, the position system can be confusing. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each title means, followed by ZB1’s official position chart.
Understanding K-Pop Position Titles
- Leader: Manages group dynamics, represents the group in official settings, and often serves as the main spokesperson.
- Main Vocalist: The member with the highest vocal skill; handles the most technically demanding parts.
- Lead Vocalist: Second-tier vocalists who take prominent parts but slightly below the Main Vocalist.
- Main Dancer: The member with the highest dance skill; often leads choreography learning and sets the standard for the group.
- Visual: The member designated as the group’s face — typically considered the most conventionally striking in appearance.
- Maknae: The youngest member, a role with significant cultural weight in Korean idol culture.
ZB1 Official Position Breakdown
| Member | Primary Position(s) | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Sung Hanbin | Leader, Main Dancer, Vocalist | South Korean |
| Kim Jiwoong | Main Vocalist | South Korean |
| Zhang Hao | Main Vocalist, Visual | Chinese |
| Seok Matthew | Vocalist, Rapper | Canadian-Korean |
| Kim Taerae | Main Vocalist | South Korean |
| Ricky | Vocalist, Dancer | Chinese |
| Kim Gyuvin | Vocalist, Dancer | South Korean |
| Han Yujin | Vocalist, Maknae | South Korean |
| Park Gunwook | Main Dancer, Vocalist | South Korean |
ZeroBaseOne’s Journey — From Debut to Global Recognition
The Debut That Shook the K-Pop Industry
When Youth in the Shade dropped on July 10, 2023, the scale of the fan response surprised even industry insiders. The album debuted at number one on the South Korean Circle Album Chart and immediately entered the conversation as one of the best-selling K-pop debut albums of recent years.
The lead single “In Bloom” was a statement of intent: a sweeping, emotionally resonant track that showcased ZB1’s vocal and performance strengths while establishing a group identity that felt both fresh and fully formed. It was not the sound of a group still finding themselves — it was the sound of nine people who had been building toward this moment for years.
Key Discography Milestones
ZeroBaseOne’s discography grew rapidly after their debut, and each release demonstrated both artistic development and commercial muscle:
- Melting Point (November 6, 2023) — Their second mini album, featuring the lead single “CRUSH (가시)”, showed a darker, more intense side of ZB1’s artistry.
- You Had Me at Hello (May 13, 2024) — Their third mini album delivered the hugely popular “Feel the Pop” and the pre-release single “Sweat,” further cementing their commercial dominance.
- Japanese Debut — “YURA YURA” (March 2024) — Their entry into the Japanese market was met with immediate enthusiasm, proving their appeal transcended linguistic boundaries.
- PREZENT (January 29, 2025) — Their first Japanese-language EP, released through Ariola Japan, and featuring the tracks “NOW OR NEVER” and the Japanese version of “Only One Story.”
- Blue Paradise / Never Say Never / Iconik (2025) — A prolific year of releases that saw ZB1 continue to evolve their sound and expand their global profile.
- “Only One Story” (Korean ver.) (April 15, 2025) — Originally written for the Japanese animated series Pokémon Horizons, the Korean version of this track demonstrated ZB1’s unique ability to move fluidly between markets and styles.
Awards and Recognition
ZeroBaseOne’s awards shelf filled up remarkably quickly:
- 2024 Rookie Grand Slam — Swept all major Korean rookie awards
- 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards winner
- Golden Disc Awards — Artist recognition (2025–2026)
- Seoul Music Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) — June 2025
- The Fact Music Awards — Main Prize, September 2025
ZeroBaseOne in 2026 — What’s Changed and What’s Next
The Member Departures Explained
February 12, 2026, was a date that sent ripples through the entire ZeroBaseOne fandom. WAKEONE Entertainment officially announced that four members — Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin — would be concluding their activities with ZeroBaseOne on March 15, 2026, following the expiration of their original contracts.
All four members returned to their respective agencies. Zhang Hao and the others had originally signed under the understanding that ZB1 was a project group with a defined contract period — though WAKEONE had previously extended that period beyond the original 2.5-year plan.
For the ZEROSE fandom, the departures were bittersweet. These were members fans had grown up with through Boys Planet, had voted for passionately, and had followed through years of music, concerts, and fansigns. The group would never be quite the same nine-piece that had debuted with “In Bloom.” But the story was far from over.
The Continuing Five and What Lies Ahead
The five members who extended their contracts with WAKEONE — Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook — have committed to carrying ZeroBaseOne’s legacy forward.
Their 2026 release Re-Flow marks the beginning of this new chapter — a group that is smaller but no less determined, and if anything, more tightly unified. The five remaining members bring a complementary mix of leadership, vocal depth, international appeal, and performance excellence that gives ZeroBaseOne a genuinely strong foundation for the next phase of their career.
Why ZeroBaseOne Members Resonate So Deeply with Fans Worldwide
The Boys Planet Effect — Bonds Built Before the Debut
One of the things that makes the ZeroBaseOne fanbase so uniquely passionate is the Boys Planet origin story. Fans didn’t just discover these nine members when they debuted — they watched them compete, struggle, fail, recover, and ultimately triumph over the course of an entire survival season.
That shared journey creates a level of emotional investment in each member’s success that is qualitatively different from the investment fans feel in groups they discover post-debut. ZEROSE didn’t just choose to stan ZB1 — they built ZB1 through their votes and their support.
A Multinational Lineup Reflecting Global Hallyu
ZeroBaseOne’s diverse nationalities — Korean, Chinese, and Canadian — reflect the truly global reach of the Hallyu wave in the 2020s. Zhang Hao brought the massive Chinese K-pop fanbase into ZB1’s orbit. Matthew connected with North American and English-speaking fans in a way that felt natural and authentic. The Korean members grounded the group in the artistry and training tradition that is the bedrock of K-pop excellence.
This diversity was never a gimmick — it was a genuine strength.
Individual Personalities That Complete the Group
Every successful K-pop group needs a full spectrum of personalities, and ZeroBaseOne delivered it:
- The serious leader (Hanbin) who holds everything together
- The emotionally deep vocalist (Jiwoong, Taerae) who makes every performance feel real
- The intellectual musician (Zhang Hao) whose talent is almost intimidatingly vast
- The international connector (Matthew) who makes every global fan feel seen
- The versatile powerhouse (Gunwook) who keeps surprising you
- The energy bringers (Ricky, Gyuvin) who remind you that joy is part of the art
- The youngest with wisdom (Yujin) who makes you believe the future of K-pop is in good hands
Together, they weren’t nine individuals performing on the same stage. They were a single, unified force.
ZeroBaseOne Members — Fun Facts & Lesser-Known Details
- Sung Hanbin built a modeling portfolio before his idol debut and continues to be one of the most sought-after ZB1 members for brand endorsements.
- Zhang Hao can play four classical instruments (violin, cello, viola, and piano) and studied at university-level musicology while simultaneously pursuing his K-pop career.
- Seok Matthew regularly creates bilingual content that helps non-Korean-speaking fans feel included in the ZB1 community — a practice that has earned him a particularly diverse international following.
- Kim Gyuvin went viral multiple times during Boys Planet for moments of unscripted humor and heart that made him one of the show’s most beloved personalities.
- Han Yujin’s emotional maturity as the group’s maknae consistently surprised fans and fellow members alike throughout ZB1’s active period.
- As of April 2025, the members lived in four separate dorms with managers — a practical arrangement for a group of nine with demanding individual and group schedules.
- The group’s official greeting — “D1, Be the ONE! Hello, we are ZEROBASEONE!” — became one of the most recognizable opening lines in contemporary K-pop.
Frequently Asked Questions About ZeroBaseOne Members
Q: How many members does ZeroBaseOne have? ZeroBaseOne originally debuted with nine members. As of March 2026, the group continues as a five-member group — Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook — following the contract expiration and departure of four members.
Q: Who is the leader of ZeroBaseOne? Sung Hanbin is the official leader of ZeroBaseOne. He has held this position since the group’s debut in July 2023.
Q: Who are the current ZeroBaseOne members in 2026? The current active members are Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook.
Q: Which ZeroBaseOne members left the group? Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin all departed from ZeroBaseOne in March 2026, following the expiration of their original contracts. They returned to their respective agencies.
Q: What show did ZeroBaseOne come from? ZeroBaseOne was formed through Mnet’s Boys Planet (2023), a global K-pop survival competition show in which trainees competed for a place in the final group through public voting and performance evaluations.
Q: What is ZeroBaseOne’s official fandom name? ZeroBaseOne’s official fandom name is ZEROSE (제로즈).
Q: Is ZeroBaseOne a permanent group or a project group? ZeroBaseOne was originally formed as a project group with a contract period of approximately 2.5 years. In 2025, five of the nine members — Hanbin, Jiwoong, Matthew, Taerae, and Gunwook — signed contract extensions with WAKEONE Entertainment, transitioning ZB1 into a more permanent configuration.
From the electric tension of Boys Planet to the record-shattering debut of “In Bloom,” from their Rookie Grand Slam to the bittersweet restructuring of 2026, the story of ZeroBaseOne and its members is one of the most compelling narratives in contemporary K-pop.
Each of the nine original ZeroBaseOne members brought something irreplaceable to the group: Hanbin’s leadership, Jiwoong’s perseverance, Zhang Hao’s virtuosity, Matthew’s cultural dexterity, Taerae’s quiet emotional depth, Ricky’s fire, Gyuvin’s sunshine, Yujin’s wisdom-beyond-years, and Gunwook’s perpetual capacity to surprise. Together, they didn’t just become a successful K-pop group — they became a cultural moment.
The five members carrying ZB1 forward into their next chapter do so carrying the full weight of that legacy. And if their track record is any indication, they will carry it beautifully.
Whether you’ve been a ZEROSE since day one of Boys Planet or you’re only just discovering what all the noise is about — welcome. You’re in for something extraordinary.
Enjoyed this guide? Explore more K-pop group profiles, Boys Planet recaps, and Hallyu culture deep-dives right here on our blog. Don’t forget to follow ZeroBaseOne on their official channels for the latest updates from ZB1 and the ZEROSE community.
