In an unexpected twist that’s sending ripples through the K-pop and manga communities alike, rising boy group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) has teamed up with renowned Japanese horror manga artist Junji Ito for their latest musical endeavor.

The group’s upcoming pre-release single, “Doctor! Doctor!”, set to drop on January 20, 2025, at 6 PM KST, features a digital cover that’s as haunting as it is intriguing.

Ito, famous for his spine-chilling works like “Tomie” and “Uzumaki”, has lent his distinctive artistic style to create a cover that perfectly encapsulates the song’s theme of lovesickness. The illustration depicts a young man seemingly afflicted by an intense case of romantic longing, with a mysterious female doctor lurking in the background.

This collaboration marks a unique crossover between K-pop’s vibrant energy and the eerie, unsettling world of horror manga.”Doctor! Doctor!” is described as a catchy, easy-listening R&B ballad that promises to showcase ZEROBASEONE’s soothing vocals.

One fan on Reddit says “i feel like it’s worth specifying that the illustration is done by junji ito, a legendary horror artist. this is huge.” (ultsiyeon)

The track serves as a tantalizing preview of the group’s forthcoming fifth mini-album, scheduled for release on February 24, 2025. This strategic pre-release is building anticipation among fans, affectionately known as ZEROEs, who are eager to see what new heights their favorite nonet will reach.ZEROBASEONE, who debuted in July 2023 after being formed through the reality show “Boys Planet”, has been on a meteoric rise in the K-pop industry.

The nine-member group, consisting of Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook, and Han Yu-jin, has already achieved the rare “Rookie Grand Slam” by sweeping rookie awards at major Korean music ceremonies.

As ZEROBASEONE continues to push boundaries and explore new creative territories, this collaboration with Junji Ito for “Doctor! Doctor!” showcases their willingness to experiment and surprise their audience. With their blend of talent, innovation, and now a touch of horror manga flair, ZB1 is proving they’re not just another face in the crowd, but a force to be reckoned with in the ever-evolving world of K-pop.

“Doctor! Doctor!” by ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) is classified as an R&B ballad, incorporating several musical elements characteristic of the genre.

From our experience, R&B ballads typically feature:

  1. Melodic focus: The song is described as having an “addicting melody that is easy to listen to”, which is a hallmark of R&B ballads.
  2. Vocal emphasis: R&B often showcases “natural” singing with runs and more freedom in the rhythm. ZB1’s members’ vocals are highlighted as a key component of the song.
  3. Harmonic complexity: R&B tends to use more jazz chords, seventh chords, and other upper extensions like 9ths compared to typical pop songs While specific chord progressions aren’t mentioned for “Doctor! Doctor!”, this is a common feature of R&B ballads.
  4. Rhythm: R&B is generally more syncopated than pop, with greater rhythmic freedom. The song likely incorporates these elements to fit the R&B genre.
  5. Instrumentation: R&B often features a blend of electronic and acoustic instruments, creating a rich, layered sound
  6. Lyrical content: R&B songs, especially ballads, often focus on themes of love and relationships. While the specific lyrics aren’t provided, the song’s title suggests a romantic or emotional theme.
  7. Tempo: As a ballad, “Doctor! Doctor!” is likely to have a slower tempo compared to up-tempo R&B tracks.
  8. Rap element: The song includes a rapped verse in its center, which is a common feature in modern R&B music.

These elements combine to create an R&B ballad that is described as “more R&B-informed than expected”, suggesting that ZB1 has fully embraced the genre’s characteristics in this release. Definitely an exciting time for ZEROBASEONE.

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