YH Entertainment released a statement on Jan. 12 addressing the future plans of ZEROBASEONE members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, and Han Yu Jin, but the announcement left fans confused and worried about the group's future.
The agency said it is working with the four members to "thoughtfully shape their next steps" and "review and align various paths" based on mutual trust. The statement explained that while there may be a period without updates, the company is preparing so the artists can return with a more mature image.
YH Entertainment also promised to support the remaining ZEROBASEONE activities and ensure the group's encore concerts proceed smoothly, according to allkpop.
However, the vague nature of the announcement disappointed many fans who had hoped for clarity about whether ZEROBASEONE would continue as a group beyond their scheduled activities. The statement did not confirm if the four members would remain in ZEROBASEONE or return to YH Entertainment separately.
ZEROBASEONE was formed through Mnet's survival show "Boys Planet" in 2023 and was originally scheduled to disband in January 2026. The group extended its contract by two months in December, pushing activities until March 2026. Four of the nine members, Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, and Han Yu Jin, are managed by YH Entertainment, while the other five members belong to different agencies, Soompi reported.
The group recently released the pre-release single "Running to Future" from their upcoming special album "RE-FLOW." They are also preparing for encore concerts for their "HERE&NOW" world tour, with shows scheduled in Yokohama in February and Seoul in March.
Fans expressed mixed reactions to YH Entertainment's statement on social media, with many interpreting it as a sign that ZEROBASEONE will not become a permanent group. Some criticized the company for not providing clearer information about the members' futures.
The announcement has raised questions about whether the four YH Entertainment members will debut in a new group together or pursue different paths after ZEROBASEONE's activities conclude.
ZEROBASEONE has achieved significant success since its debut, releasing six consecutive million-selling albums. The group won multiple awards during the 2023-2024 season and has built a strong international fanbase called ZEROSE, as per the Korea Herald.
