Zerobaseone Returns as Five-Member Group with New Album

M. Monday following a reorganization into a five-member lineup. The group formed through Mnet's audition show "Boys Planet" and debuted in July 2023. It previously released six consecutive million-selling albums as a nine-member project group before four members departed in January 2026.

The remaining members are Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae and Park Gun-wook. They decided to continue performing as Zerobaseone after the original project period ended. Sung Han-bin, the group's leader, said the downsizing required adjustments to stage performances.

He noted that the group researched ways to showcase its dance lines effectively as a smaller act. "Since I lead performances as the frontman, I definitely noticed a huge difference after the personnel change," Sung Han-bin said during a media interview in Seoul on Friday.

The EP contains seven tracks led by "Top 5," a dance-pop and contemporary R&B song that reinterprets early 2000s styles. The album title's hyphen represents the group's intent to continue progressing. Park Gun-wook said the new format allows greater focus on individual members.

He explained that previous songs emphasized group identity, while the current concept highlights each member's strengths. Seok Matthew recalled developing a Michael Jackson-style performance for the lead track after hearing its beat. B-side tracks incorporate Y2K and techno elements to balance the album's mature sound.

The group adopted a minimalist visual approach for the music video and album photos, reducing makeup and emphasizing natural movements. Sung Han-bin said the members agreed to present their most fitting side at this stage. He added that the group understands fans' feelings after the two-month wait since the previous concert.