2025.11.05

L'OFFICIEL MALAYSIA

Cover Story: ZEROBASEONE's Sung Han Bin and Park Gun Wook on seizing the moment

https://www.lofficielmalaysia.com/issues/cover-story-zerobaseone-s-sung-han-bin-and-park-gun-wook-on-seizing-the-moment

From rookie awards to world tours, ZEROBASEONE is proving that their moment is not coming, it is already here. Sung Han Bin and Park Gun Wook tell us how it is done.

ON PARK GUN WOOK—Cardigan, top and sneakers COACH Jeans Stylist’s own ON SUNG HAN BIN—Outerwear, shirt, tie, Tabby bag and sneakers COACH Jeans Stylist’s own

It goes without saying that the new generation of K-pop is rewriting the rulebook of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, and ZEROBASEONE is right at the forefront of that revolution. That energy translated seamlessly from concept to camera when two of the group’s standout members, Sung Han Bin and Park Gun Wook, stepped onto the set. Every frame they delivered was charged with quiet intensity. You could feel the aura, every gesture, every look, every smize, communicating volumes without a single word spoken. Shot after shot, they embodied exactly what the creative team envisioned: pure perfection.

Sung Han Bin, the group’s poised and graceful leader, moves with the ease of someone born for the spotlight. There is a natural rhythm to him, fluid, grounded, and quietly magnetic. You can’t help but wonder how he does it. Is it the discipline honed through years of training? Or the confidence that has been in him all along? Whatever it is, Sung Han Bin credits his calm command to staying rooted in what matters most. “There is always something new,” he reflects, “but if you lose the core, everything starts to feel different.” It is a lesson that has stayed with him since his debut. “I try to stay grounded and keep my energy true. The best advice I’ve ever received was simply, ‘Enjoy the moment.’ It really is the greatest wisdom.”

ON PARK GUN WOOK—Outerwear, brooches and sneakers COACH Tank top, bracelet and trousers Stylist’s own ON SUNG HAN BIN—Outerwear, T-shirt, crown and sneakers COACH Trousers Loewe

Standing tall (quite literally) next to Sung Han Bin in the opening group shot is Park Gun Wook, a powerhouse of energy wrapped in disarming charm. His boyish grin, paired with a confidence that fills the room before he even speaks, makes him impossible to overlook. With his towering frame and sculpted features, every look seems custom-made for him, no adjustments, no clippings, just pure presence. Nevertheless, beneath that striking exterior lies a performer determined to prove he is far more than just a handsome face.

“Lately, I’ve been working hard on improving my vocals and overall skills. I believe it is not about reaching ‘completion’ but embracing the process,” he shares. “I hope ZEROSE can watch and recognise that growth with me. I’ll keep showing results along the way, so I ask for their continued support and trust.”

Their chemistry is unmistakable, palpable even in fleeting movements. Though my time with them barely stretched past a day, it was clear how naturally they moved together, on and off set. Between takes, they laughed easily with the crew; in front of the camera, they instinctively fell into poses that complemented one another perfectly, as if choreographed by intuition.

Top TOMMY HILFIGER Hat COACH

“We already got close during the surgical program before debut, but living and working together for the past two years has deepened the bond,” Sung Han Bin says. “I’ve learned what each member needs, and how to support them naturally. That understanding has strengthened our synergy and made us feel more like family; it’s truly been a process of growing closer on a deeper level.” Park Gun Wook echoes the sentiment. “.Our backgrounds were different, so it took time. But now, as one team, we have learned to respect and adjust to each other naturally. Practices go smoothly, and on stage, it feels like we can read each other’s minds through an unspoken connection.”

Like any of their peers, ZEROBASEONE has spent the past few years in relentless motion, as if racing against time itself. But the grind has paid off. 2025 is shaping up to be their breakout year on the global stage. With their first full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER , climbing the U.S. charts, international sales soaring, and milestones racking up across regions, ZEROBASEONE has officially transcended the “rising K-pop group” label. They are now playing in the big leagues.

Of course, that kind of pace demands constant energy, inspiration, and an unshakable sense of purpose. For Park Gun Wook, perspective was the key shift. “My mindset changed,” he admits. I realised that if I focus on making the people who already love me happier, naturally, more people will want to join our community. Thinking that way has helped everything fall into place, both mentally and professionally. My fans keep me grounded; they’re the reason I keep moving forward.

Sung Han Bin, meanwhile, finds motivation in authenticity. “My goal is to share different sides of Sung Han Bin with the fans who support me, and that goal itself keeps me driven,” he says. “The love and anticipation from them, combined with my own passion, has become my greatest source of strength.”

Outerwear, sweater and trousers LOEWE Sneakers COACH

Up next on the 2025 ZEROBASEONE WORLD TOUR ‘HERE&NOW’ are stops in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong, regions where cultural heritage and modern energy collide beautifully. Both Sung Han Bin and Park Gun Wook can’t wait to experience it firsthand. Park Gun Wook, ever the tourist at heart, is already planning photo ops with iconic landmarks like Singapore’s Merlion. Sung Han Bin, on the other hand, prefers to let local fans take the lead. “I really want to ask our local ZEROSE for recommendations, especially foods we must try, must-see places, or special local spots,” he says with a smile. “I plan to ask them directly when we visit.”

And speaking of ZEROSE, the ever-devoted heartbeat of ZEROBASEONE, their presence has been nothing short of transformative. More than just a fanbase, they have become a constant source of love, strength and inspiration for the group. Sung Han Bin describes them beautifully: “the fourth leaf on a clover.” “Before debut, I used to chase happiness,” he reflects. “But meeting ZEROSE taught me about luck, the kind that feels destined. Our connection itself is a form of luck, and within it grows happiness. So I’d describe ZEROSE as that lovely extra leaf that completes my clover.”

Park Gun Wook’s metaphor, in true Park Gun Wook fashion, is a little more scientific but just as heartfelt. “ZEROSE are like nitrogen,” he says. “Nitrogen is what keeps us alive. Of course, oxygen is important too, but ZEROSE, like nitrogen, is always around us, quietly sustaining, protecting, and giving me life.”

Their HERE&NOW tour has been more than just a concert series; it is a love letter to their fans worldwide. Each stop is a reminder of why they do what they do: to spread joy, love, and a kind of happiness that transcends language and regions. But even stars need to recharge. For ZEROBASEONE, those quiet, off-stage moments are just as vital as the spotlight.

For Sung Han Bin, that downtime is all about finding joy in small, sensory pleasures. “I’m really into scents,” he says with a grin. “When I have free time, I love exploring fragrances that inspire me. These days, I also enjoy “zero” drinks or snacks with my meals, which is my little happiness. And sometimes, when I see a beautiful sky or a cute little bug, I take photos and share them with fans. Sharing small pieces of my daily life brings me joy.”

ON PARK GUN WOOK—Sweater and shirt TOMMY HILFIGER Jeans Stylist’s own ON SUNG HAN BIN—Shirt and trousers CALVIN KLEIN Tank top Stylist’s own

Park Gun Wook, on the other hand, finds his calm in sound. “Lately, I have been really into digging for new music,” he shares. “Finding a song that perfectly fits my taste gives me this quiet sense of happiness and catharsis.”

The HERE&NOW tour is, at its core, about giving ZEROSE the full ZEROBASEONE experience, unfiltered, electrifying and unforgettable. It is a sensory showcase: powerhouse vocals, razor-sharp choreography, striking visuals, and the kind of stage energy that leaves no corner of the arena untouched. And then, of course, there’s the fashion because when ZEROBASEONE performs, style is not just part of the show, it is the show.

Park Gun Wook, known for his bold stage presence, does not shy away from daring looks. “The opening outfit really stood out to me,” he recalls with a laugh. “I wore a cropped vest under a leather jacket, and it showed more of my stomach than I expected, so it definitely motivated me to stay in shape throughout the tour.” Off stage, though, he is quick to point out that Sung Han Bin might just be the group’s quiet style icon. “Sung Han Bin actually has a very stylish taste, he loves street and hip brands and knows how to mix and match them well. I have definitely wanted to borrow a few pieces from his closet before,” he admits.

ON PARK GUN WOOK—Cardigan, top and sneakers COACH Jeans Stylist’s own ON SUNG HAN BIN—Outerwear, shirt, tie, Tabby bag and sneakers COACH Jeans Stylist’s own

And he is not wrong. The moment Sung Han Bin walked into the studio that day, his looks, effortlessly polished yet laid-back, stuck with me long after. It even convinced me to pick up a pair of bootcut jeans just like his. “I think of daily outfits quite broadly,” Sung Han Bin explains. “Sometimes I’ll wear a hoodie zip-up under a jacket with denim, or go for a matching hoodie set-up. Lately, I even consider a suede jacket with jeans as part of my daily style, comfortable but expressive.”

As our conversation drew to a close, the talk naturally turned to reflection on how far they have come and what moments have defined their journey since their debut. For Sung Han Bin, three dates stand out above all. “I’d say April 20th, the day our team came together, May 1st, ZEROSE’s birthday, and July 10th, our debut day, are the most symbolic dates for us. Those moments truly mark the start of our journey together.”

For Park Gun Wook, it is an unforgettable moment of recognition. “I think the most symbolic moment was when we received the Rookie of the Year award at MAMA during our debut year,” he says. “It is an award a team can only win once, and being able to receive it at a ceremony I have admired since my trainee days felt truly special and meaningful.”

Our November 2025 "Escape" issue, featuring ZEROBASEONE's Sung Han Bin and Park Gun Wook, will be available in select major bookstores and newsstands in Malaysia, as well as online at www.magzter.com.

Cover Credits:

Photography Kim Sun Hye
Creative Direction Joan Kong
Styling & Words Syazil Abd Rahim
Makeup Kim Se Hee | Team By Bloom
Hair Seung Jin | Team By Bloom
On Set Stylist Park Jung Ah
Producer Oh Seo Yul | SY Production
Set Designer Jeon Da Eun
Film Director (video) Jung Bo Kyung