ZEROBASEONE Releases Japanese ‘NOW OR NEVER’ Sound Source and MV

ZEROBASEONE is taking over the Japanese market ahead of their February comeback in Korea.

ZEROBASEONE (Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Jang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, Ricky, Kim Kyubin, Park Gunwook, Han Yujin) simultaneously released the sound source and music video for ‘NOW OR NEVER’, one of the double title tracks of their first Japanese EP ‘PREZENT’, at midnight today (the 15th).

‘NOW OR NEVER’ is a song that combines drum and bass with rock sounds, and stands out for the harmony of an emotional piano and energetic guitar melody. The lyrics contain a touching message, “Even though we’re apart, I still have feelings for you, and I finally came back to you.”

In the music video that was released along with the song, the members have transformed into college students. The sight of the members enjoying college life captures attention with a different charm from that on stage. The many things to see, from under the night sky with fireworks to ZEROBASEONE performing a group dance in baseball uniforms, are definitely the points of interest.

‘PREZENT’ is an album like a gift prepared by ZEROBASEONE to repay the love of Zeros (fandom name) in relation to topping the local charts immediately after their debut in Japan. It contains a total of 6 songs, including 4 original Japanese songs and Japanese versions of 2 songs from their Korean promotions, and showcases ZEROBASEONE‘s wide musical spectrum across various genres.

ZEROBASEONE debuted in March of last year with their first Japanese single ‘YuraYura -運命の花- (YuraYura -Unmei no Hana-)’, becoming a ‘Half Million Seller’ within a week of their release. They also received the ‘Double Platinum’ certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan, which is given to works that have achieved cumulative shipments of over 500,000 copies. This single has brought about a ‘ZB1 fever’ in Japan, reaching No. 1 on the ‘2024 Bestseller’ K-POP TOP20 of Japan’s largest record shop Tower Records and No. 16 on Billboard Japan‘s annual ‘Top Single Sales’ chart.

Furthermore, ZEROBASEONE will make a full-fledged comeback in Korea with the release of their first Japanese EP ‘PREZENT’ on the 29th. They will make a comeback next month with their fifth mini-album, and ahead of that, they will pre-release the track ‘Doctor! Doctor!’ on the 20th.

Jeong Hee-yeon, Donga.com reporter shine2562@donga.com