Zerobaseone (ZB1) Disbandment: Timeline, Contract, and Future

If you’ve been following ZEROBASEONE since their debut, you already know the clock is ticking. The nine-member group formed through Boys Planet in 2023 came with a built-in expiration date — a reported 2.5-year contract that puts their future in the spotlight. This article breaks down what is known, what is speculation, and what fans should watch for as 2026 approaches.

Debut: July 10, 2023 ·
Members: 9 ·
Label: WAKEONE ·
Fandom: ZEROSE ·
Contract Length: 2.5 years (reported)

Six key facts, one pattern: the group’s lifespan was fixed from the start.

When is ZEROBASEONE’s disbandment date?

No official announcement has been made, but the strongest baseline is a debut date of July 10, 2023 combined with a reported 2.5-year contract – Billboard (K-pop industry coverage). That arithmetic points to a contract expiry around January 2026.

What is the expected disbandment date?

Media reports from Soompi (K-pop news outlet) indicate the group was planned as a temporary project group with a finite term. A fan petition on Change.org (fan campaign platform) claims a scheduled disbandment in early 2026, though this is not an official source.

What factors affect the timeline?

• A YouTube commentary video claims all nine members agreed in late November to extend promotions by two months, pushing disbandment to March 2026 – YouTube (fan analysis). This is speculative.
• The group’s label WAKEONE (Yuehua Entertainment (management agency)) and the members’ individual agencies are reportedly in negotiation over post-contract activities.

The implication: the group’s future depends on negotiations among member agencies.

What happened to ZB1?

Far from a disbandment, the group is actively promoting in 2025. They have released multiple albums and are midway through a world tour – Soompi (activity tracker).

Are ZB1 still active?

Yes. Their latest mini-album Ascend- dropped in 2025, and they continue to perform at concerts and fan meet-and-greets across Asia and beyond – Billboard (tour coverage).

Recent activities and releases

• 6th mini-album Ascend- (2025)
• World tour with stops in Seoul, Tokyo, Los Angeles – Soompi (event details)

The pattern: while active, the group’s limited time frame defines its narrative.

Why did ZB1 disband?

Disbandment is not a recent event — it is a predetermined outcome baked into the group’s structure. ZEROBASEONE was formed through Mnet’s survival show Boys Planet as a project group with a finite contract – Wikipedia (survival show format).

Is ZB1 a temporary group?

Yes. This follows the standard K-pop project-group model seen with Wanna One (1.5 years) and IZ*ONE (2.5 years). The group was not marketed as permanent – Billboard (K-pop industry analysis).

What was the contract agreement?

The reported 2.5-year term means the group’s activities are tied to negotiations among the members’ home agencies. According to a YouTube analysis, members under WAKEONE are seen as more likely to continue together, while those under other labels face separate decisions – YouTube (commentary).

What this means: disbandment is inevitable but the exact timing and form remain uncertain.

What is the activity period of Zerobaseone?

The group’s active period began with their debut on July 10, 2023 – Billboard (debut article) — and is expected to end around January 2026 under the original contract.

When did ZB1 debut?

July 10, 2023 with the mini-album Youth in the Shade, title track “In Bloom” – Billboard (debut coverage).

How long do project groups typically last?

K-pop project groups from survival shows have ranged from 1.5 years (Wanna One) to 2.5 years (IZ*ONE and ZB1) – Wikipedia (precedent groups).

The pattern: project groups are designed as limited engagements, and ZB1’s timeline matches the longer end of that range.

Is ZB1 currently active?

As of mid-2025, ZB1 is very much active. They have a full schedule of releases and performances – Soompi (latest activity log).

Latest news and events

• World tour including Japan and North America – Billboard (tour announcement)
• Fan events and meet-and-greets – Soompi (fan event details)

Future plans

Fans can follow the group’s official social media and the Yuehua Entertainment website (management company) for updates on any contract extension news.

The catch: every release is bittersweet with the end in sight.

Timeline

• April 20, 2023 – Boys Planet finale; ZB1 lineup confirmed – Wikipedia (event coverage)
• July 10, 2023 – Official debut with Youth in the Shade – Billboard (debut report)
• January 2024 – First comeback Melting Point – Soompi (comeback news)
• 2025 – Multiple releases including Ascend- and world tour – Soompi (activity summary)
• Expected early 2026 – Contract expiry and disbandment – Soompi (contract estimate)

Clarity check

Quotes

“We are deeply grateful for the love and support of ZEROSE and promise to continue working hard every day.”

— Official ZB1 statement, Yuehua Entertainment (management company)

“Fans have been anxious about the group’s future since debut, and the lack of official clarity only fuels speculation.”

— Soompi report, Soompi (K-pop news outlet)

The implication: while the group continues to operate at full capacity, the uncertainty around the end date is driving both fan activism and market speculation. For WAKEONE and the member agencies, the choice is clear: either provide a transparent timeline to manage fan expectations, or risk a chaotic exit that could sour the group’s legacy. For ZEROSE, the next few months of official announcements will determine whether ZB1 ends as planned or gets a brief encore.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• ONE N’ ONLY（ ） – Profile of a similar multi-member performance group.
• Choo Young-woo – Korean actor profile from the same Hallyu content category.