"We really prepared the album with the same determination as when we debuted. We think it's a good point that can firmly imprint us on the public and our fans."
The group ZEROBASEONE shed some of their transfer-era freshness and armed themselves with a deeper maturity and refined minimalism. Their sixth mini-album Ascend-, released today (18), is an album that weightily captures their unceasing leap as they open a new chapter as a five-member unit.
ZEROBASEONE recently held an interview at a café in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and talked about the new album.
ZEROBASEONE's title track this time, "Top 5 (TOP 5)," is a contemporary R&B genre that modernly reinterprets 2000s dance pop. The members cited 'the aesthetics of subtraction' rather than flamboyance as the core of this title track. Park Geon-wook said, "When I first saw the demo title 'TOP 5,' I thought it was an autobiographical song about the ambitions of five people, but it was about falling for your five charms," and explained, "For the performance, rather than dressing it up flamboyantly, we wanted to strip it down and convey sophistication within that."
Kim Ji-woong also added, "Even when I do interior design, I think 'the beauty of empty space,' where there is open space rather than fullness, looks sophisticated, and I approached this Ascend- album with exactly that mindset." To express the 2000s sensibility with the color of the fifth generation, Sung Hanbin said, "I researched the concept by looking up videos of seniors who made music history like Michael Jackson," sharing the behind-the-scenes.
What is ZEROBASEONE's youth? Sung Hanbin replied, "First of all, our challenge seems to be showing a slightly different, more mature side than before. I think constantly taking on new challenges is what tells our youth. The album title Ascend has a hyphen (-) attached at the end, and it feels like the continuity of ZEROBASEONE continually showing new sides from now on; showing the process of becoming more mature like that is our kind of youth."
Park Geon-wook said, "When the nine of us were active as ZEROBASEONE, we conveyed the process of going from 0 to 1 through music, but from now on, as five people, instead of the process of going from 0 to 1, think of it as us unfolding the story of ZEROBASEONE having truly arrived at 1 from now on."
As they stand before the public in a new formation, the members' resolve was also special. Park Geon-wook said, "It really felt like returning to trainee days. In the past as a trainee I used to stare at choreography evaluation videos on the metropolitan bus for an hour and a half, and during schedule moves I found myself watching the 'TOP 5' choreography video like that," adding, "I was so immersed that I felt ecstatic for the first time in a while."
Seok Matthew also said, "Because it's a new start and everyone's eyes will be evaluating us, we were extremely determined," and expressed confidence, "We all discussed and chose every track on this album ourselves. Even after recording, if there was something lacking, we were so passionate that we would request re-recording ourselves."
The members' bonds have also grown stronger. Park Geon-wook said, "When we accomplish something big, many words of encouragement are posted in the group chat. Those small things remind you that we're moving toward the same goal," and Kim Ji-woong showed affection, "Just by looking at the members' eyes you can tell these feelings. After KCON, I got choked up looking at the members' eyes. When you look at their eyes you can tell they all feel the same. I think our current group is at a point where just by looking at each other's eyes you can empathize without saying anything."
Sung Hanbin went on to say, "We talk a lot normally. Because of that, our relationship has become closer," and Kim Tae-rae added, "After many tours and overseas activities, I wondered when we grew and when I found this composure, but with our hearts wide open the five of us came together with one will and had fun performing."
The album also fully contains the musically matured abilities of the members. In particular, Park Geon-wook included his first self-composed song Customize since debut. Park Geon-wook expressed affection, saying, "I wanted to dress the members in clothes like a perfectly tailored suit," and added, "I worried I made it without thinking about difficulty and that it might be hard to sing, but the members delivered it in the studio exactly as I imagined, so I'm very grateful."
ZEROBASEONE, who have written a historic record of six consecutive million-sellers since their debut and surpassed cumulative sales of 9 million copies. When asked about the goal for this promotion, Park Geon-wook said, "Because I'm hosting M Countdown, it would feel good to receive a trophy on M Countdown. We once won an award when Han-bin hyung was an MC, and I want to feel what Han-bin hyung felt then," he said.
Sung Hanbin said, "I hope our song ranks high on the music charts. I hope our song is played in many places. Above all, the thing I wish for most is to be able to promote without getting sick and to stay healthy."
[Photo] WakeOne
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