ZEROBASEONE to Return to Japan With New EP 'Kaiki LOVE' on August 19

K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE is set to return with new Japanese music this summer. The group revealed the jacket cover for its second Japanese EP, "Kaiki LOVE," on July 31 through its official social media accounts.

The image shows the five members, Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, and Park Gun-wook, seated side by side on a train. A Japanese line released with the image translates to "The day I met you, my existence found meaning," offering an early hint at the message behind the new record.

The group has been rolling out a steady stream of teasers ahead of the release. Earlier concept photos leaned into a coming-of-age summer mood, capturing the members in relaxed, natural settings.

"Kaiki LOVE" is ZEROBASEONE's first Japanese record in about 10 months. The EP features three tracks, including the title song "Existence," along with "Aphrodite" and a Japanese version of "TOP 5." The album is built around the theme "circling back to you."

The group previously released the Japanese special EP "ICONIK" as part of its local activities. With this new record, ZEROBASEONE is resuming its work in Japan, and the response from fans there will be closely watched. "Kaiki LOVE" drops August 19 at midnight KST across major streaming platforms.

Meanwhile, ZEROBASEONE member Kim Ji-woong recently announced that he will step back from some group activities as he resumes his acting career. His agency, Nest Management, said on July 28 that "there may unavoidably be changes to his participation in some of ZEROBASEONE's schedules for the time being, and we ask for your understanding that similar situations may occur in the future for the same reason."