These days, ZE:A has been focused on the members’ individual activities and promotions although there is no official statement from their agency if the band will be disbanding soon or not. In this article, we’re going to provide you with the latest news about how ZE:A’s members are doing with their solo careers? Let’s not wait any longer and check out the article below!
ZE:A’s Latest Comeback
The group whose name holds the meaning “Children of Empire,” ZE:A, was known to have their latest comeback with their song, “Breathe,” which is one of the tracks of their second Korean EP titled First Homme released on June 2nd, 2014.
As reported from an online media, ZE:A released a 30-second teaser trailer on June 2nd, 2014, for their upcoming comeback with “Breathe” that attracted their fans as the group finally made another appearance with a new album and music video. The music video was released on June 6th, 2014, and for this album, the band collaborated with the famous producers Brave Brothers and Battle of the Stars which created a great dynamic and a style of music that will make you dance. The story in the “Breathe” music video shows us each member living in a different world as the background filming switches into various futuristic themes. The members look very fresh while wearing suits and changing into casual boyfriend material styles. In this album, ZE:A’s Kevin was involved in writing the lyrics of one of their songs titled “ONE.” This comeback is one of their long-awaited and most anticipated ones as they were on a 10-month hiatus while preparing this album.
ZE:A made their 1st comeback stage with “Breathe” on M! Countdown that was aired on June 5th, 2014. Their fans were cheering along throughout the performance. This turned out to be their last promotion as a whole group because, in the past, no one knew that it would be ZE:A’s latest comeback before deciding to take another hiatus.
A few hours before First Homme album was released, ZE:A’s leader, Junyoung, wrote a special message to their fans that they will work hard in this comeback with their best performance. Let’s read the message below: This afternoon, our long-awaited new album, First Homme, will be released in a few hours. I apologize for not communicating with our fans and not updating a single thing on SNS since I started to feel burdened somehow. I stopped communicating with our fans and as time passed, I needed time to get used to being in this situation. I had a lot of thoughts in myself and I started to flashback to the time when ZE:A was still a trainee until we debuted. It made me so emotional seeing how we are now and thought about the passion we had back in the days that led us until we could pursue our dreams together. I don’t want to look tired and I’m trying to comfort our members just like they are my brothers, but I’m very sorry that I can’t even take care of myself. During the times when we prepared for this album, I realized that I’m the one who was comforted by the members and I could lean on them. I never showed my weak side and pretended to be the strongest but I just realized that the members and our fans are giving me strength when I can’t hide my weakness anymore. When we spent time working on this album, it made me think that so many things were precious in my life… I will work hard for this promotions and thanks to our fans that will wait for us and our members who are really cool and reliable. I really hope that this time is a period for us to enjoy and be happy together. As we were able to feel this energy again, we promised to work hard with passion and deliver in a grateful way for people who love us too^^ We will make a cool comeback for our fans. – ZE:A’s Junyoung Do you think the letter that he wrote for his fans is hinting that the group will have an unknown period of hiatus? Although there is no official statement about ZE:A’s hiatus after this promotion with “Breathe,” the group still held their comeback stage in some music programs. Check out ZE:A’s comeback stages with “Breathe!”
Disbandment Rumor
Debuted in 2010, the group consisting of Kevin, Kwanghee, Siwan, Lee Hoo, Taeheon, Heechul, Minwoo, Hyungsik, and Dongjun did not feel that they were almost at the end of their contract which fell in December 2016. Along with this news, there were some rumors regarding the group from Star Empire Entertainment. ZE:A stated that the members will leave the agency before the news of disbandment. On October 20th, 2016, Star Empire Entertainment spoke up and gave their response to these rumors. They stated, “The time of ZE:A’s contract with us has not ended yet. It’s not true that they will turn into free agents (free management). Right now we are also discussing the issue with the members.” In addition, Star Empire Entertainment also gave other labels a warning not to ‘influence’ the artists for the remainder of their contract. “We will take legal action against other agencies that approach our artists for the remainder of the contract period,” they stated, as quoted from Allkpop. ZE:A hasn’t had a comeback in the K-Pop industry for a long time after the last one with their comeback song titled “Breathe” a few years ago. ZE:A members are currently busy with their activities ranging from unit projects, dramas to variety shows.
Members’ Solo Activities
Due to ZE:A’s unknown hiatus period, each member decided to leave their agency since their contracts have expired and they decided not to renew their contracts. Although the members have now joined different agencies, there’s still no official statement whether they are still together as a group with ZE:A or not. However, the members stated that they will be returning soon as a group if there’s a chance but now they are doing solo activities and some of them are enlisted in the military. Let’s find out how the members are doing these days in the section below!
Kevin
One of ZE:A’s members, Kevin, went to Australia to pursue a solo career and become a host for SBS’ PopAsia and had his own program called SBS PopAsia Live with Kevin Kim. Through this radio show, we can easily get more updated information from the K-Pop world without worrying the language since the host will translate the topics while airing. This is a moment where he used to be an idol and performed on the stage and became a DJ for a radio show. The premiere of Kevin Kim’s airing took place on March 29th, 2017, on Monday and would run till Friday at 6 PM Australian time. If you are an international fan but want to see Kevin Kim’s DJ-ing on the radio show, check out sbspopasia official channel on YouTube and watch his recent radio show!
Beside K-Pop, in his interview with KultScene Kevin Kim also shared that his radio show will be playing other songs, such as V-Pop, C-Pop, and there will be a section about him to share his thoughts with the fans and give more information, mainly about Asian pop stars, fans, and many more. When the interviewer asking about his career as a member of ZE:A and how he got into a solo career now, Kevin Kim answered that he’s thankful to have a chance to become an idol and have so many fans. He said that after the group went on a hiatus, he wanted to take a rest and restart with something new and challenging in his life so he decided to start a new career as a DJ and radio host.
On August 14th, 2018, Kevin Kim made his solo debut by releasing the single titled “New Rack.” The singer’s comeback gained attention from ZE:A’s fans as the song has a genre of pop, dance, R&B and electronic music that has a different vibe from his previous boy group. What do you think about Kevin Kim’s latest single “New Rack?”
