Speculation is rife among netizens that K-pop rookie group ZEROBASEONE is echoing the concept, activities, and aesthetics of senior project boy group Wanna One.

Fans Contrast Similarities Between ZEROBASEONE and Wanna One

On June 27, a flurry of activity marked an online forum as K-pop enthusiasts came together to draw parallels between two well-received boy groups, ZEROBASEONE and Wanna One.

Significantly, both bands were born out of survival programs on Mnet, with ZEROBASEONE emerging from "Boys Planet" and Wanna One from "Produce 101 Season 2." The forum quickly filled with side-by-side comparisons of the two groups.

Participants shared screenshots of Wanna One's much-watched reality show, known colloquially as "Zero Base," juxtaposing them with images of both groups taking selfies in the scenic Jeju Island.

The similarity floodgates opened wider with the comparison of numerous concept photos. These photos, from ZEROBASEONE's debut mini-album "Youth in the Shade" and Wanna One's repackaged album "1-1=0 (Nothing Without You)," bore striking resemblances in styling, fonts, and image filters.

However, not all comments took the similarities seriously. Some fans, noting that both groups originate from the same production house, suggested that the same creative teams could be behind the scenes, orchestrating their content.

Here are a few representative comments:

"Considering their names are Wanna One, X1 and ZB1, a pattern is apparent."

"Clearly, Wanna One set the bar so high, it's a target for imitation (sarcastic)."

"Wow, it's identical (sarcastic)."

"Why on earth would they mimic them?"

"Wanna One's 'Zero Base' and ZB1 share the same PD. They've had this name for Produce 3 in mind for a while. The use of it now is probably due to the rigging controversy."

"Both groups are born from Mnet survival shows and managed by the same company, so similarities are inevitable."

"For the name, it's clear they took inspiration from Wanna One's Zero Base. Even fans, including those of Wanna One, joke about it, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it plagiarism, given they share the same PD."

Formed under Mnet's survival program "Boys Planet," ZEROBASEONE, or ZB1, is a nine-member ensemble. Its members include Zhang Hao, Sung Han Bin, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Park Gun Wook, Kim Tae Rae, Kim Gyuvin, Kim Jiwoong, and Han Yu Jin.

The group's debut mini-album "YOUTH IN THE SHADE" is eagerly awaited by fans and is set to release on July 10 at 6 p.m. KST. The schedule for their promotional activities has also been announced.

Copyright © 2023 Kpop Reporter. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.