Follow us on Twitter | Instagram
It’s not the best week for Zerobaseone fans, who’ll be heartbroken to know that the group is not going to be the same fruity group of nine K-pop stars. WakeOne’s latest announcement confirms what many ZEROs had been nervously anticipating… ZEROBASEONE will continue, but only as a five-member group.
The official notice, posted by WakeOne, states that “Based on strong trust, members SUNG HAN BIN, KIM JI WOONG, SEOK MATTHEW, KIM TAE RAE, and PARK GUN WOOK have decided to embark on a new season together as ZEROBASEONE.” Meanwhile, members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, and Han Yu Jin will be moving forward toward “new beginnings” as their project period concludes.
For fans who have been with them since they were competing on Boys Planet, this moment hits especially hard. The survival show introduced the world to nine trainees from diverse backgrounds who slowly built camaraderie, rivalry, and ultimately a tight bond that carried over into their debut as ZEROBASEONE. Watching them grow from hopeful contestants into one of the most beloved fifth-generation K-pop acts made the nine-member dynamic feel irreplaceable.
Each member brought something unique to the table. Sung Han Bin, the ever-reliable leader, has been the group’s emotional anchor from the start, known for his sharp dance skills and calm presence. Kim Ji Woong added a mature charm and strong performance aura, while Seok Matthew’s cheerful personality and expressive stage presence made him an instant fan favorite. Kim Tae Rae’s powerful vocals became a defining element of the group’s sound, and Park Gun Wook’s explosive charisma and versatility consistently elevated performances.
The departing members also leave behind a strong legacy. Zhang Hao’s historic Boys Planet win and musical brilliance, Ricky’s stylish confidence, Kim Gyu Vin’s bright energy, and Han Yu Jin’s youthful charm helped shape ZEROBASEONE into the vibrant group fans fell in love with. Their chemistry as nine was central to the group’s identity, which makes this transition bittersweet.
Fan reactions to the announcement have been intense, emotional, and deeply divided. Many ZEROBASEONE fans took to social media to express heartbreak over the group no longer continuing as nine, with several calling it “the end of an era” for the Boys Planet lineup they had grown attached to. While some fans said they were grateful that at least five members would continue promoting as ZEROBASEONE, others were visibly angry and disappointed about the split, questioning why all nine couldn’t stay together.
Long-time shippers also mourned the potential end of their favorite dynamics, with many saying they would especially miss the beloved “HaoBin” (Zhang Hao and Sung Han Bin) duo that had captured hearts since Boys Planet. Despite the mixed reactions, most fans ultimately echoed one sentiment: they will continue supporting ZEROBASEONE and all nine members, no matter where their new paths lead.
WakeOne emphasized that the decision followed “sincere and in-depth discussions” between the members and their respective agencies, with all parties reaching mutual understanding. The company also reassured fans that it will support the five continuing members so their activities can be “carried out in a stable manner.”
Importantly, fans will still get one more chance to see all nine together. As confirmed in the announcement, the ‘2026 ZEROBASEONE WORLD TOUR [HERE & NOW] ENCORE’ concert will feature all nine members performing together on stage, a final celebration of the lineup that started it all.
Change is never easy in K-pop, especially for a group formed through a survival show where fans are deeply invested in every member. ZEROBASEONE may be stepping into a new era as five, but the memories, music, and legacy built by all nine will remain a defining part of their story.
Read Next: His Man Season 4 Re-shoot Drama Explained (Short Audio Version Below)