Fact Check: Are ZB1 disbanding?

Are ZB1 Disbanding? An In-Depth Examination

Introduction

The claim that the K-pop group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) may be disbanding has sparked considerable discussion among fans and media outlets. This speculation is fueled by various comments from group members and reports regarding the group's contractual obligations. As ZB1 debuted in July 2023 and is initially set for a limited activity period, the question of their future has become a topic of interest.

What We Know

1. Debut and Initial Contract: ZEROBASEONE debuted on July 10, 2023, with their EP "Youth in the Shade," which achieved significant commercial success, selling over two million copies 1. According to reports, the group's initial contract stipulates that they would be active for two and a half years following their debut, which would place the end of this period around early 2026 3.

2. Recent Comments: Yujin, a member of ZB1, made comments that have been interpreted by fans as potentially indicating uncertainty about the group's future. However, the specifics of these comments were not detailed in the sources, leading to varied interpretations among fans 2.

3. Contract Renewal Speculation: There are ongoing discussions about whether the members will renew their contracts once they expire. Some sources suggest that the group was created as a temporary project, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding their future 58.

4. Suspension of Activities: In August 2023, two members, Seok Matthew and Kim Tae Rae, suspended their activities for unspecified reasons, which has led to further speculation about the group's stability and future 4.

5. Fan Reactions and Petitions: Fans have expressed their concerns and emotions regarding the potential disbandment, with some even launching petitions to keep the group together beyond their initial contract period 10.

Analysis

The sources available present a mixed picture regarding the future of ZEROBASEONE.

• Source Reliability:

  • Wikipedia 1 is generally a reliable starting point for basic information but should be supplemented with more authoritative sources for detailed claims.
  • Koreaboo 2 and KpopStarz 4 are popular K-pop news outlets, but they may have biases towards sensationalism, especially when reporting on fan reactions and emotional narratives.
  • Sportskeeda 36 provides insights into contract details but lacks direct quotes from official sources, which raises questions about the accuracy of their claims.
  • J-14 58 offers context about the group's temporary nature but does not provide substantial evidence for claims about contract renewals.

• Methodology and Evidence: The claims regarding contract terms and the group's temporary status are based on industry norms for K-pop groups, which often have defined activity periods. However, without direct statements from the management agency WakeOne or the members themselves, these claims remain speculative.

• Conflicts of Interest: Media outlets reporting on fan reactions may have a vested interest in creating narratives that drive engagement, which could lead to exaggerated interpretations of comments made by group members.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful

To better understand the situation regarding ZEROBASEONE's potential disbandment, the following information would be beneficial:

• Official statements from WakeOne regarding the group's future and contract renewal plans.
• Clarification from the members themselves about their intentions and feelings regarding the group's longevity.
• Insights from industry experts on typical practices surrounding K-pop group contracts and disbandment.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The speculation surrounding ZEROBASEONE's potential disbandment remains unverified due to a lack of concrete evidence. Key factors contributing to this verdict include the ambiguous comments from group members, the temporary nature of their initial contract, and the suspension of activities by two members, which has fueled uncertainty among fans. However, without official statements from the management or the members themselves, the claims about disbandment are largely based on interpretation and speculation.

It is important to recognize that while there are indications of uncertainty regarding the group's future, the absence of definitive information means that the situation is fluid and subject to change. The available evidence does not conclusively support the claim of disbandment, nor does it entirely dismiss it.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and remain aware of the limitations in the available evidence, as the dynamics of K-pop groups can shift rapidly based on various factors, including management decisions and member sentiments.

Sources

1. Zerobaseone. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerobaseone
2. Koreaboo. (2023). ZEROBASEONE Yujin's Comment About The Group's Future Has Fans Emotional. Retrieved from https://www.koreaboo.com/news/zerobaseone-yujin-future-disbandment-fans-emotional/
3. Sportskeeda. (2023). "CAN WE AT LEAST ENJOY THE COMEBACK FIRST"- Fans react to WakeOne's rumored contract review plans. Retrieved from https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/k-pop/news-can-we-at-least-enjoy-the-comeback-first-fans-react-wakeone-s-rumored-contract-review-plans-zerobaseone
4. KpopStarz. (2023). ZEROBASEONE Seok Matthew, Kim Tae Rae Suspend Activities. Retrieved from https://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/313935/20230803/zerobaseone-seok-matthew-kim-tae-rae-suspend-activities.htm
5. J-14. (2025). Will ZEROBASEONE Renew Their Contracts? Retrieved from https://www.j-14.com/posts/will-zerobaseone-renew-their-contracts-what-they-ve-said/
6. Sportskeeda. (2025). "Did they spoil contract extension?"—ZEROBASEONE fans emotional. Retrieved from https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/k-pop/news-did-spoil-contract-extension-zerobaseone-fans-emotional-we-ll-together-till-end-lyric-blue-amidst-ongoing-renewal-rumors
7. KpopStarz. (2024). Who Is ZEROBASEONE? Retrieved from https://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/312257/20230424/who-zerobaseone-zb1-debut-date-disbandment-members-profile-positions-more.htm
8. J-14. (2024). Who Is ZEROBASEONE? Meet the Temporary K-Pop Group. Retrieved from https://www.j-14.com/posts/who-is-zerobaseone-meet-the-temporary-k-pop-group/
9. Koreaboo. (2023). WAKEONE Posts Long-Awaited ZEROBASEONE's Ricky Update. Retrieved from https://www.koreaboo.com/news/wakeone-finally-posting-zerobaseone-ricky-fans-not-happy-caption/
10. Change.org. (2025). LET'S KEEP & SAVE ZEROBASEONE FROM DISBANDING. Retrieved from https://www.change.org/p/let-s-keep-save-zero-base-one-from-disbanding