AND2BLE's Zhang Hao on Chinese Idol Milestones and the Group's Next Goals

K-pop boy group AND2BLE is stepping further into the global spotlight, with Chinese member and leader Zhang Hao adding to a growing list of firsts for Chinese idols in the industry. In a new interview, he opened up about where the five-member team wants to go next.

Global fashion magazine Madame Figaro recently unveiled its August cover featuring AND2BLE — Zhang Hao, Yoo Seung-eon, Ricky, Kim Gyu-bin, and Han Yu-jin — through its official social media.

Built around the concept "A Boy and His Shadow," the shoot explores the light and shadow the group has faced since its formation. It looks at the polished side of an idol on stage and what sits behind it, tracing how five very different members are finding their footing as one team.

In the released covers, AND2BLE leans into black-accented styling. Each of the five members brings a different mood and expression to the frame.

The interview that accompanied the shoot centered on the group's activities and the goals ahead. Zhang Hao looked back on the process of syncing with the members during stage rehearsals.

Talking about the many rounds of practice it takes to lock in a single move, down to the smallest detail, he said, "It made me realize that the five of us are really working toward the same goal."

Zhang Hao, born in 2000, has racked up several milestones through Korean audition shows and group activities. He finished first on Mnet's Boys Planet, becoming the first foreign contestant to win a Korean idol audition program.

In AND2BLE, he serves as leader — the first foreign leader of any idol group launched by YH Entertainment (formerly Yuehua Entertainment). Within K-pop as a whole, he is the first Chinese leader of a group since f(x)'s Victoria, who debuted in 2009, and the first ever in a K-pop boy group. He also holds the record as the first non-Korean main vocalist of a group formed through an Mnet survival audition.

Ricky pointed to how actively the members trade ideas and refine the finer points of their performances. "If we keep this attitude and take it one step at a time, we'll definitely become an even more incredible team," he said.

The members also shared where they each want to grow. Yoo Seung-eon said he wants to develop into a main vocalist who can handle a wide range of genres and widen the team's musical range. Kim Gyu-bin and Han Yu-jin said they want to become artists who can bring AND2BLE's music and charm to more people.

As team goals, they named a world tour, a dome show, and a rookie of the year award. "We want to create our own precious moments on bigger stages," AND2BLE said. "Showing AND2BLE's music and performances to more people, and having more people recognize our team, is the goal we most want to reach."

AND2BLE recently wrapped a show-concert run titled "2026 AND2BLE SHOW CONCERT : Welcome to Qurious" across four Asian cities.