Billboard 200 Shocker: Which 5th Gen Idol Group Just Hit the Highest Debut Ranking?

ZEROBASEONE has officially entered the Billboard 200 at No. 28.

According to the U.S. Billboard chart released on April 14 (local time), ZEROBASEONE’s 5th mini album BLUE PARADISE, released physically in the U.S. on April 4, debuted at No. 28 on the Billboard 200 for the chart dated April 19. This marks the group’s first time entering the main album chart.

Notably, this is the highest Billboard 200 ranking achieved by any 5th-generation K-pop group so far. The album also performed strongly on other Billboard sub-charts: it ranked No. 1 on World Albums, No. 2 on Top Current Album Sales, No. 3 on Top Album Sales, and reached No. 16 on the Artist 100.

BLUE PARADISE carries the message that even “blue” (sorrowful) moments are part of life—and that striving through them is itself brilliant and beautiful. Released in Korea this past February, the album surpassed 1 million in sales according to Hanteo Chart, achieving million-seller status.

Following this achievement, there’s growing speculation that CJ ENM—the parent company of ZEROBASEONE’s agency WAKEONE—may begin expanding its music-based IP ecosystem, MCS (Music Creative eco-System), globally.

ZEROBASEONE was formed in 2023 through Mnet’s survival show Boys Planet, and their name symbolizes “a brilliant beginning of nine members born from zero to one.” Their debut album YOUTH IN THE SHADE sold 1.24 million copies on its first day, making it the first K-pop debut album to reach million-seller status in first-week sales.

The group has since released mini albums like MELTING POINT and You had me at HELLO, continuing their upward trajectory. They've also built a strong international fanbase through global tours, particularly across Asia. Their fandom name is ZEROSE (ZE_ROSE).

However, as a project group, ZEROBASEONE initially signed a 2-year and 6-month contract. Based on that timeline, the group is expected to conclude their activities in January of next year.

At the showcase for their 5th mini album back in February, member Sung Han-bin addressed the group’s future, saying, “We’ve had many discussions among ourselves. What matters most is showing our fans, the ZEROSE, better versions of ourselves and delivering great albums. We’re constantly talking so we can head in the best direction possible.”

Meanwhile, ZEROBASEONE is set to hold a fan concert titled BLUE MANSION for three days from April 18 to 20 at KSPO DOME in Seoul’s Olympic Park.

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