Choi Jun-hong debuted as Zelo — the youngest member of B.A.P — while still a teenager, establishing himself as one of the more technically precise rappers to emerge from the first wave of post-2010 K-pop boy groups. Now in his late twenties, he has stepped into a new chapter marked by a sharper individual identity and a formal solo footing under the label Black Squad (also rendered as VLACKSQUAD).
From group maknae to solo artist
As the maknae of B.A.P, Zelo occupied a distinct position within a group that leaned harder on hip-hop influence than most of its contemporaries. His rap delivery, developed from an unusually early age, was central to the group's sonic character. He remains affiliated with B.A.P as well as with the collective BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON (stylized in Korean as 방), indicating that his ties to former collaborators have not been severed even as he pursues independent work.
A new chapter
In early 2026, Zelo announced a formal return to activity by signing with the music label Black Squad. The label publicized his recruitment alongside a new set of profile images that reflected a notably different presentation from his group-era image — heavily tattooed and physically transformed through consistent training and hiking. The announcement framed the signing as the opening of a second chapter, with his versatility across rap and music production cited as the basis for expectations around forthcoming releases.
