Sung Han-bin of ZEROBASEONE is set to unveil a fresh persona as a solo artist.
On Monday afternoon, a showcase was held at Layers Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to celebrate Seong Han-bin’s solo debut and the release of his first extended play (EP), DEAD:ALIVE. During the event, Han-bin shared his thoughts on going solo after four years in the industry, discussed the album’s production process, and expressed his determination for his upcoming activities.
Taking the stage, Han-bin expressed his gratitude, saying that it’s an honor to present his solo work. He’s committed to delivering everything he has prepared for this momentous occasion. He added that his ZEROBASEONE bandmates, who are like family, have been incredibly supportive. They even offered feedback on the demo tracks. Han-bin also mentioned that their eldest, Ji-woong, even sent a coffee truck to the music video shoot. He’s truly touched by their warm encouragement.
Han-bin’s debut EP, DEAD:ALIVE, drops on music platforms at 6:00 p.m. (KST) on Monday. The album chronicles his journey of pushing boundaries, confronting fears, and overcoming adversity. He encapsulates his transformation with the concept of Beautiful Destruction.
Having debuted with ZEROBASEONE in 2023, Han-bin is now stepping out solo after about three years. Reflecting on this transition, he shared that after the group activities, he felt it was time for a change. He wanted his first solo album to showcase his best self. Debuting solo in his fourth year as an artist came with its challenges, but he approached it as an opportunity for growth rather than seeking comfort.
Han-bin continued that going solo required him to explore new directions, which led to deeper introspection. It was challenging, but he drew inspiration from his past experiences and studied videos of his seniors to find his path. He emphasized that during this process, the unwavering support of his fans became his pillar of strength. Han-bin added that he aimed to show diverse facets of himself through his solo work. Fans can look forward to content revealing sides of him they haven’t seen before.
The title track “UNDEAD” conveys a powerful message of resilience in the face of adversity. Han-bin revealed that the title track was a significant challenge. He wanted to show a new side of himself. His husky voice usually suits mellower songs, but “UNDEAD” is intense and required him to push the boundaries. It was the first time he felt like fleeing the recording studio, but that struggle ultimately fostered his growth.
The EP boasts eight tracks, including “Killin’ Me,” “Insidious,” “3AM,” “Bloody Gravity,” “Other Side,” “Flash,” and “Steal the Thunder.” Addressing the generous track list for a mini-album, Han-bin explained that he was ambitious. When it came time to select songs, he couldn’t bear to cut any. He had so much he wanted to convey in his debut album, which led to the expanded tracklist. Fortunately, the company was supportive of this decision.
Han-bin kicks off his promotional activities for “UNDEAD” with this media showcase, marking the beginning of his solo journey.