AND2BLE, with more experience than the average rookie boy band, hopes to make fans 'curious'

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AND2BLE, with more experience than the average rookie boy band, hopes to make fans 'curious'

Published: 26 May. 2026, 20:29

SHIN HA-NEE
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Boy band AND2BLE performs ″Curious,″ the lead track of its first EP ″Sequence 01: Curiosity,″ during its debut showcase held at Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on May 26. [DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ]

Boy band AND2BLE may have just debuted, but its lineup is hardly new to the K-pop scene.

Made up of some of the most recognizable faces from Mnet’s hit audition program “Boys Planet” (2023), the five-member group is stepping beyond its past success to start anew — this time, on its own terms.

“The first thing that came to mind when I learned that the five of us would be debuting together was that we have a really strong lineup,” said leader Zhang Hao during a press showcase for the group’s debut held in central Seoul on Tuesday. “We all have extensive stage experience, so not only we can perform better together, but we also know how precious it is to have to a chance to stand on stage.”

Member Yoo Seung-eon echoed the sentiment, stressing that the five members have spent their younger years training together under YH Entertainment.

“I felt confident, thinking with the five of us, we might be able to make history in the K-pop scene,” said Yoo. “We were together during our trainee days, so I believe we can make a strong team built on trust and comfort.”

AND2BLE, pronounced “and-double,” combines the words “and” and “double,” reflecting the idea that different sides of one’s inner self can overlap and expand into a fuller sense of identity, according to its agency YH Entertainment.

AND2BLE consists of five members: former ZeroBaseOne members Zhang, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin and Han Yu-jin, and former EVNNE member Yoo.

Boy band AND2BLE in a promotional photo for its debut EP, “Sequence 01: Curiosity” [YH ENTERTAINMENT]

The four former ZeroBaseOne members were among the nine winners of Mnet’s boy band audition program “Boys Planet” (2023), which formed the project group. Zhang finished in first place, followed by Ricky in fourth, Kim in seventh and Han in ninth.

After ZeroBaseOne’s two-year-and-nine-month contract ended, the four members returned to their original agency, YH Entertainment, while the remaining five members continued as ZeroBaseOne.

Yoo also competed on “Boys Planet,” but did not make the final lineup after finishing in 16th place. He later debuted as a member of EVNNE, a boy band made up of other “Boys Planet” contestants who fell short of the final roster. With the launch of AND2BLE, Yoo joins the four former ZeroBaseOne members to form a new quintet.

Although Yoo had been in a different group from the rest of his new bandmates, he said their teamwork remained strong because of the close bond they built as trainees.

Boy band AND2BLE in a promotional photo for its debut EP, “Sequence 01: Curiosity” [YH ENTERTAINMENT]

“Though we have been apart for a while, we were able to prepare our album in a comfortable, fun atmosphere,” he said. “I joined the team after discussions with the company, which came when I was deliberating about my future. As this is a new start, I wanted to give my best in preparing for it.”

Regardless, the five members said they all remain close with their former bandmates, they said, exchanging messages of support.

“As we had spent a long time together, we still remain close,” said Zhang. “We truly wish each other success sincerely cheering one another on.”

AND2BLE’s debut EP, “Sequence 01: Curiosity,” features five songs: the lead track “Curious” and B-sides “Aura,” “Sugar Rush,” “Bed” and “Happy &.” Zhang is credited for participating in writing lyrics for “Curious” and “Happy &,” Ricky for “Curious” and “Aura,” and Kim for “Happy &.”

The lead track, “Curious,” is an intense EDM song that blends synth pop and future house. The agency described the track as capturing the confidence of facing changes sparked by dangerous curiosity.

“We’ve explored the concept of curiosity in this album because it fits where we are now well as we take our first step,” said Kim. “There’s this instinctive curiosity and excitement one feels at the beginning of something new, and I hope the album makes you curious about AND2BLE.”

Looking ahead, AND2BLE aims to become a group that fans can be proud to support.

“As AND2BLE, our ultimate goal is to become a group that fans can proudly say they support,” said Han. “So we want to do our best at every moment and become a group that makes them proud.”

Ricky named winning rookie awards as a more immediate goal ahead.

“Looking at the near future, I want us to win a rookie award this year,” said Ricky. “Further ahead, I want us to perform various stages around the world and meet as many fans as possible from different regions. Ultimately, our biggest goal is to remain a group that represents our generation.”