On Feb. 25, ZEROBASEONE’s fifth mini-album, “BLUE PARADISE” was released. Serving as the second album in their “Paradise” series, following their album “CINEMA PARADISE” released in 2024, this album blends energetic instrumentation with introspective lyrics, catching the essence of youthful excitement and self-discovery.
Since their explosive debut with their album “YOUTH IN THE SHADE” in 2023, ZEROBASEONE has rapidly gained dedicated fans, with each release demonstrating their progressing artistry. BLUE PARADISE continues this expansion, showcasing diverse songs that push the boundaries of their usual style. This album also features unit tracks or songs that feature individual members of the group, allowing them to explore different music styles while simultaneously keeping the album cohesive.
The album’s title and main track, “BLUE” flawlessly brings together its broad themes. The song exudes nostalgic and uplifting energy with its synth layers that bring a dreamy feel and catchy melody. Composed by K-pop songwriter and record producer Kenzie, electronic music producer No2zcat, South Korean singer and composer Andrew Choi and JSONG, the track brings a lively balance between soft, pensive verses and a powerful chorus. The lyrics reflect the brief nature of youth, illustrating uncertainty and hope, a perfect representation of the group’s journey.
Another high-energy hit is “Doctor! Doctor!,” a track that was released early in Jan., 2025 and quickly made its mark on the charts. This song brings the vibrant and carefree spirit of early K-pop summer anthems with its addictive chorus and playful vocals. This contrasts sharply with “Devil Game,” a track that explores themes of temptation and inner conflict. With eerie productions and a hypnotic beat, the song’s instrumentals bring the mystique to the song. The use of haunting vocal layers and throbbing rhythms builds an unsettling tension, which adds to the depth of the album’s emotional range.
The unit tracks introduce an exciting change in “BLUE PARADISE,” showcasing different versions of the nine members. “Out of Love,” performed by Kim Ji-Woong, Zhang Hao and Kim Gyu-Vin, dips into soft R&B influences, which carry a sorrowful undertone. Meanwhile, “Step Back,” performed by members Ricky, Park Gun-Wook and Han-Yujin, emphasizes confidence with bass-heavy beats reminiscent of early 2010s hip-hop. Members Sung Han-Bin, Seok Matthew and Kim Tae-Rae come together to perform “Cruel.” This track is the most experimental of the three, featuring a punk-like melody and minimalist production, which come together to let the members’ vocals shine.
While there is a lot of variety in “BLUE PARADISE,” the album is still cohesive overall. Each track has its intentional position to it, creating a seamless listening experience from start to finish. It manages to balance the mainstream K-pop sound with artistic depth, proving ZEROBASEONE isn’t just another fleeting K-pop band, they’re here to make a lasting impact.
With over one million copies sold on the album’s debut, “BLUE PARADISE” is yet another example of ZEROBASEONE’s growing influence in the industry. Whether you’re drawn to their hard–hitting tracks or their softer, more thoughtful songs, this album offers something for every listener. If “CINEMA PARADISE” was telling a story, “BLUE PARADISE” made you feel it, and ZEROBASEONE has never sounded more confident in doing so.
