ZEROBASEONE Drops First Full Album ‘NEVER SAY NEVER’ Ahead of Contract Expiration

At Blue Square in Yongsan, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st (KST), ZEROBASEONE (Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, Han Yu-jin) stepped into the spotlight to celebrate the release of their very first full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER.

Marking their return about six months after their previous mini album BLUE PARADISE, the group unveiled a project that captures both their journey and their dreams.

The album delivers a powerful message: for those who dream of something special even in the midst of ordinary life, “impossible is nothing”—the heart of NEVER SAY NEVER. The record features 10 tracks spanning diverse genres, including the title track ICONIK.

The album’s quality is elevated by the involvement of top-tier producer KENZIE, who contributed to three songs, alongside a team of renowned domestic and international producers. Their collaboration brings new depth and color to ZEROBASEONE’s sound.



But perhaps the group’s greatest strength is the story of growth they’ve built over the past two years. As a project group formed through an audition program, ZEROBASEONE’s name itself reflects their journey from zero (0) to one (1)—a narrative their fans have witnessed every step of the way.

Supported by their passionate fandom, ZEROSE, ZEROBASEONE is aiming ever higher. Their performances of the new title track ICONIK and the B-side Lovesick Game at the showcase revealed a more mature and confident side of the group.



After the stage, the members emphasized the theme of “growth.” Main vocalist Kim Tae-rae shared, “As we look back on our two-year journey since debut, we wanted to show more than just growth—we wanted to reveal our unique color. This album is especially meaningful because it encapsulates the story of all nine members coming together as one.”

What do the members consider their most iconic moments? Leader Sung Han-bin, who has led the group to five consecutive million-selling albums and entries on the Billboard 200, reflected, “Every day since our debut has been a new experience and a treasure.”

He added, “Every day with ZEROSE is iconic. The moment we first entered the Billboard 200 was especially rewarding, but the most iconic moments are when ZEROSE sing along at our concerts and when we connect with them.” His words reflected deep gratitude for their fans.



“We want the name ZEROBASEONE to be remembered as a source of energy and meaning. We hope to continue creating stories and images as K-pop artists and to leave a lasting mark in history,” the group shared. With only about four months left in their current contract period, anticipation is mounting for what’s next.

ZEROBASEONE, formed through Mnet’s Boys Planet Season 1, debuted on July 10, 2023. Their activities are set to conclude in January 2026, drawing attention to whether the members will renew their contracts.

Their agency, WAKEONE, told Xportsnews on the 12th of last month, “Since the beginning of the year, we have been in ongoing discussions with each member’s agency about the possibility of extending the project group’s activities.” While WAKEONE hinted at the possibility of an extension, the members themselves commented, “Nothing has been decided yet.”



Leader Sung Han-bin explained, “We’re having as many conversations and meetings as possible to find the best direction. Right now, the most important thing is to show the public and our fans the album we’ve worked so hard on. We want to stay healthy and happy as a team and keep growing together.”

Park Gun-wook added, “Although the nine of us are together as a team, our bond goes beyond that—we’re truly close as people. Fans will always be able to see us laughing and having fun together.”

ZEROBASEONE’s first full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER, which weaves together the many stories and emotions from their two years of activity, is available on major music platforms from 6 p.m. KST today.

Photo Credit: Xportsnews

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Kim Bomin. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.