Group Zero Base One is aiming for double popularity by releasing new songs in both Korea and Japan.

On the 13th, Zero Base One released an album sampler and music video teaser for their first Japanese EP, ‘Present’ (PREZENT), through their official YouTube channel.

According to their agency Wake One, ‘Present’, scheduled for release on the 29th, is their first Japanese EP album prepared for Zeros (fandom name) who have shown them enthusiastic love since their Japanese debut. It contains a total of six songs, including four original Japanese new songs and Japanese versions of two songs from their Korean promotions.

In the middle of this, the album sampler features a miniature house designed with various windows, and objects related to the song appear through the windows whenever each song on the album is played, drawing attention. The music video teaser gives off an atmosphere reminiscent of a scene from a youth movie, raising expectations for the full music video that will be released soon.

In particular, this album proves Zero Base One‘s wide musical spectrum with its double title tracks. The first title track, ‘Now or Never’, is characterized by the heartbreaking message of “Even when we’re apart, I always keep my feelings for you”, which is expressed through a combination of drum and bass and rock sounds.

The second title song, ‘Only One Story’, is a song of encouragement that gives courage to everyone who sets out on an adventure, and was chosen as the latest opening song for the popular Japanese TV animation ‘Pokemon’.

Next, ‘Firework’, which features a melody that surges with the disco house genre, the first Japanese fan song, ‘HANA’, which highlights the members‘ ability to convey delicate emotions over a strong rock sound, and the domestic promotional songs, ‘Feel the POP’ and ‘Good So Bad’, were each re-recorded in Japanese versions to enrich the album.

Last March, Zero Base One achieved a ‘Half Million Seller’ within a week of their debut in Japan with their first single ‘Yura Yura –Unmei no Hana-’ (ゆらゆら -運命の花-), and was certified ‘Double Platinum’ by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for works that have sold over 500,000 copies.

In addition, the single ranked 1st on the ‘2024 Bestseller’ K-POP TOP20 of Japan’s largest record shop Tower Records, and 16th on Billboard Japan‘s annual ‘Top Single Sales’ chart, so expectations for their first Japanese EP ‘Present’ are growing even more.

Meanwhile, Zero Base One has announced a surprise comeback in Korea ahead of the release of ‘Present’, garnering hot interest from fans around the world. Zerobase One, who are returning with their 5th mini album, will pre-release the track ‘Doctor! Doctor!’ on the 20th.


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com