From Survival Shows to Solo Stages: Three K-Pop Idols Test Their Own Names

Three K-POP singers who rose to prominence through survival shows are releasing solo albums on consecutive days this week. Each faces a different test of whether the recognition earned through group activities can translate into success as a solo artist

Sung Han-bin releases his first solo EP, "DEAD:ALIVE," at 6 p.m. KST on Oct. 12, three years after debuting with ZEROBASEONE through Mnet's 2023 competition show "Boys Planet." The eight-track EP features the lead single "UNDEAD." Sung also contributed lyrics to a song dedicated to his fans.

ZEROBASEONE has already established a strong sales record. Its first six Korean albums each sold more than a million copies, and its cumulative album sales surpassed 10 million in May, according to Hanteo Chart figures. The group has built on the attention it received during the survival show to develop a substantial fanbase.

That following gives Sung a strong starting point, but support for a group does not automatically extend to every member's solo work. His debut will test whether listeners who know him through ZEROBASEONE will seek out his music as an individual artist.

His first solo EP moves away from the bright, youthful image associated with much of ZEROBASEONE's work, emphasizing a heavier sound and more intense performances. The change gives him an opportunity to build on his strengths while showing listeners a different side of his musical identity.

Park Woo-jin releases his second EP, "SOLSTICE," on Oct. 13, marking his first solo comeback since Wanna One reunited earlier this year. He made his solo debut with the EP "oWn" in 2023 and followed it with the single "Cool & Hot" last year.

His earlier solo releases, however, had a limited impact. The recognition he gained as a rapper and performer in Wanna One and AB6IX has not translated into comparable success as a solo artist. This comeback offers another opportunity to attract listeners beyond his existing fanbase.

Wanna One's reunion could give him a boost. The group returned with the reality show "Wanna One Go: Back to Base" earlier this year and performed together at "KCON LA 2026" in August. Those appearances reintroduced Park to Wanna One's fanbase after years of separate activities.

The renewed attention creates an opening for Park to promote his own music. Whether fans who welcomed Wanna One's return will also support his new release could be a key factor to this comeback, particularly after the quieter reception to his previous solo work.

"SOLSTICE" is led by the tech-house track "STAMINA." Park contributed lyrics to three of the EP's four tracks and co-composed one of them. The album also places greater emphasis on his vocals, showcasing a different side of his artistry alongside the rap and performance skills for which he is already known.

Lee Han-gyul follows on Oct. 14 with his first solo EP, "NOISE," nine years after his debut. He began his career with IM in 2017 and later performed with X1, the group formed through Mnet's "Produce X 101," as well as BAE173 and POLARIX. He signed with Orca Music in August ahead of the release.

Lee's group career has been marked by repeated fresh starts and setbacks. X1 achieved strong debut album sales but disbanded just over four months after its launch, cutting short a promising start. Across several teams, Lee has struggled to turn those opportunities into sustained success.

Those setbacks do not, by themselves, define his ability as a performer. His solo debut gives him a chance to show how years of experience across different teams and competitions have shaped his singing and stage presence.

The lead single, "BUNZI," is a Latin pop track built around a prominent bass line and an upbeat rhythm. It brings together Lee's vocals and dancing as he begins establishing himself as a solo artist.

The three releases carry different expectations. Sung is seeking to extend his group's success into a solo career, while Park has a chance to use the reunion's momentum to improve on his previous solo results. For Lee, the debut offers an opportunity to build a more stable career after repeated setbacks in group activities.

Their names and survival-show histories will help draw attention to the new music. The longer-term test is whether listeners keep returning after the immediate interest in a debut or reunion has passed.