ZEROBASEONE has officially made their debut!

On July 10 KST, shortly before the release of their debut mini album 'YOUTH IN THE SHADE,' ZEROBASEONE (Sung Han Bin, Kim Ji Woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae Rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, Park Gun Wook, and Han Yu Jin) held a media showcase for local press at Seoul's Yes24 Live Hall. The group, which is comprised of the winning trainees from Mnet's survival program 'Boys Planet,' were selected by fans – referred to as 'Star Creators' – from 184 countries around the world, and presales of their debut album have well surpassed the 1 million mark, quickly setting a new record for the K-Pop debut album with the highest number of pre-orders in history.

The showcase started off with MC Park Kyung Lim having the members not only introduce themselves but also share how it feels to finally be able to make their debut. "I'm really nervous now that the debut that I'd only ever dreamed of is now right in front of my nose," Kim Gyu Vin said. "I'll be sure to show an upgraded level of growth with how sincerely I prepared for this."

"It's an honor to be able to introduce myself this way [as a ZEROBASEONE member]," Kim Ji Woong replied. "Every day spent preparing for this debut was so precious to me, and while I'm a flower that's still blooming, I'll do my very best to bloom into a giant flower."

"I'm really nervous, but we've really worked hard preparing our performances, so I'd be really grateful if people enjoyed watching them," Seok Matthew commented.

"It's finally hitting me that I'm finally debuting," Han Yu Jin added. "I'll make sure to show an awesome side to our lovely ZEROSE [ZEROBASEONE's official fandom]."

Zhang Hao, the group's center, also commented, "I'm nervous to be revealing our debut song, but it's an honor. We'll be sure to wrap up our first-ever activities both healthily and happily. Please continue to look over the growth of ZEROBASEONE."

"As our title song ['In Bloom'] suggests, [this debut] has become a moment where the dreams of nine members have bloomed," leader Sung Han Bin replied. "Please look forward to our future activities."

Kim Tae Rae expressed, "I was able to debut in ZEROBASEONE thanks to a lot of love and interest. I'll become an artist that can express a love that matches [the intensity of] that interest."

"I'm happy that the things I'd dreamed of and worked hard toward for a long time have come true," Ricky added. "Thank you to those who have waited for us, and I'll try my best to show you all a new Ricky under ZEROBASEONE."

"The debut that used to only be a dream for me has finally come. All nine members have worked hard for today especially, so please give us lots of love and interest in the future," Park Gun Wook remarked.

The phrase "5th generation idols" is one that has been attached to the project group far before the final lineup was announced, and during the event, Sung Han Bin commented on the concept, saying, "It's being said that we're opening the door of the 5th generation, and that's something that even we're surprised by when we hear it. [...] We plan to show our growth based on the foundation laid by the activities of many sunbaes in the past and the personality and charm of ZEROBASEONE."

During the reporter Q&A segment of the event, the group was asked about how it feels to be making their debut on the same day as veteran idol act EXO's comeback, undoubtedly meaning they would be going head-to-head on charts and music shows. However, instead of leaning into an implication of rivalry, member Kim Gyu Vin was quick to express his excitement to be promoting alongside them.

"It's an honor to be able to be debuting on the same day as a sunbae group that I've respected since I was a trainee. I think it'd be really great if we could see them at the same music shows," he remarked. "I want to be able to leave an impressive impression on our sunbaes, where they're thinking, 'Wow, there are new idols like this.' I want to leave an impression with the vigor of a rookie."

The MC then asked him what he would do as soon as he met EXO in person, to which he cutely replied, "I'd want to ask them for an autograph!"

Toward the end of the showcase, a popular topic was what to expect during the group's 'YOUTH IN THE SHADE' promotions, including what goals each member has for the group in the next coming months.

"First and foremost, we're working toward getting a #1 on a music show," Kim Gyu Vin revealed. "If we're able to get #1, we'll repay ZEROSE in our encore stage."

Ricky also added, "I want us to receive a Rookie of the Year award. It's an award you're only able to receive one time [in your career], and I think it'd be really great for the ZEROBASEONE members and ZEROSE to be able to have that kind of glorious moment together."

"While we're creating a style that only ZEROBASEONE can show you, we'll be able to become our own brand and our own genre too," Zhang Hao commented, referring to how he sees the group's future. "We also want to rewrite K-pop's history of K-POP while setting new 'the very first to' types of records."

When asked for an example of what kind of 'very first' record they would like to set, Kim Gyu Vin responded, "Personally, the first record I want us to achieve is the K-pop group that was able to enter the charts in the shortest amount of time. I'd like to see our title track and the album B-sides all reach the top of the charts."

Meanwhile, ZEROBASEONE's debut mini album 'YOUTH IN THE SHADE' is officially out now and contains six tracks in total – "Back to ZEROBASE," title song "In Bloom," promotional B-side "New Kidz on the Block," "And I," "Our Season," and "Always," a solo song performed by Zhang Hao. The group performed the songs for fans for the first time on an Mnet debut special aired shortly after the album's release. Check out the performances below!

Photo Credit: WAKEONE