“They don’t have a choice…”
Koreaboo
3 hours ago
ZEROBASEONE has officially reached the end of an era, and the members’ reactions to it are breaking fans’ hearts.
The group, originally formed through Boys Planet as a temporary project team, was set to disband in January 2026. Although their contracts were extended by two months in late 2025, fans were still bracing for change. Now, that change has arrived — but not in the way many expected.
WAKEONE Announces Four Members To Leave ZEROBASEONE
Instead of fully disbanding, ZEROBASEONE will reorganize into a five-member group under WAKEONE. Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Kim Taerae, Seok Matthew, and Park Gunwook will continue. Meanwhile, Zhang Hao, Kim Gyuvin, Ricky, and Han Yujin have terminated their contracts and will be moving on.
YH Entertainment’s Latest Move Sparks Worry About ZEROBASEONE’s Ricky, Zhang Hao, Gyuvin And Yujin
On February 19, the group held their final concert with the current nine-member lineup in Japan. The emotional weight of the situation was obvious.
| @wing___jiwoong/X (formerly known as Twitter)
Kim Jiwoong was seen breaking down in tears on stage, visibly sobbing as the members addressed the crowd.
어흑ㄱ 울지마세요😭 #김지웅 pic.twitter.com/Y08WV8UIuL
— 찌 (@wosxnz) February 19, 2026
260219 #ZEROBASEONE #ZB1 #제로베이스원#김지웅 #KIMJIWOONG #キムジウン pic.twitter.com/V69srqcK8g
— 𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑔 (@wing___jiwoong) February 19, 2026
His reaction quickly spread online, with many fans expressing heartbreak over the sudden split.
jiwoong trying his best to stop himself from crying even more…I can’t do this pic.twitter.com/1g9vCi2LFE
— nori✩ (@jiwoongiez) February 19, 2026
you know, it’s not the separation that hurts the most. what hurts more is knowing it could have been different. knowing that if they had the choice, they would choose to stay together as nine. they would choose zb1. they truly love each other. they’re brothers. they’re a family.
— ⋆˚࿔ evangelia (@euphrosez) February 19, 2026
honestly seeing the remaining zb1 members crying is extra painful like why do they have to take their family from them 💔
— cait ʚଓ (@zhbinist) February 19, 2026
Zhang Hao, who is set to leave, openly stated that this concert marked his final performance as a ZEROBASEONE member.
“but you know right.. today is my last concert in japan as zerobaseone.”
yea i cant do this pic.twitter.com/7uNPpoLCPR
— ☘️ (@haobinsplanet) February 19, 2026
While the group will technically continue, it’s clear this chapter has closed. Not all members appeared at peace with the decision, but the future has seemingly already been set by their respective companies.