ZEROBASEONE puts Ascend on Target and Walmart shelves June 26

ZEROBASEONE will release their 6th mini album 'Ascend-' as a physical music release in the United States on June 26 (local time). The core of this release is not just chart promotion, but the physical locations of purchase. Along with online pre-orders, the albums will be placed in major US retailers such as Target, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart, making it easier for local fans to purchase the album.

Sales at Target, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart

According to the release plan revealed by WakeOne, pre-orders for the '11 version' signed album, LP, and photobook versions are currently underway on the official ZEROBASEONE online store. This is being supplemented by US offline stores. This approach reduces international shipping costs and waiting times, and through store displays, even non-fans can encounter the album.

Target and Walmart are large-scale distribution networks in the US that sell household goods and music releases together. Barnes & Noble is a store that handles both books and music products, aligning with fan goods consumption. This release is closer to the concept of 'you can buy the physical album in the US' rather than just 'you can listen to it in the US.' Given that K-pop albums are sold with physical components like photobooks, photo cards, and signed albums, this signifies a significant expansion in distribution.

First Mini Album with 5-Member System

For US fans, the method to buy Korean albums often relies on official malls, global retailers, or group buys. While this method is familiar within the fandom, it is cumbersome for newly introduced fans. If they can choose an album at a nearby store, the barrier to purchase is lowered. In particular, since the LP and photobook versions are products with high demand for collection rather than just music listening, the effect of store displays can be expected.

For ZEROBASEONE, this distribution also serves as a channel to showcase the new team composition. 'Ascend-' is the first mini album released after restarting with a 5-member system. Whether fans continue to buy physical albums after the team change and whether new fans are gained in the US is a point that remains to be confirmed. Following the June 26 release, the first week's store response, stock depletion, and whether additional stock is replenished will be monitored.

7 Tracks, 19 Minutes, and Participation by Park Gunwook

'Ascend-' is a mini album consisting of 7 tracks and 19 minutes of duration, released on May 18, 2026. A feature visible in the music release information is that the sound is lower and more organized than before. 'V for Vision' and 'Changes' have a clearer R&B color, and the title track 'TOP 5' was introduced as a song that refines 2000s dance pop into a modern style. Rather than pushing the five voices all at once, this can be seen as a choice to balance the new team.

Park Gunwook's 'Customize' also stands out. This track is revealed as a song where Park Gunwook participated in songwriting, composing, and producing. Having a member directly included in the album credits is easy evidence to explain the team's new beginning to fans. In the official 'TOP 5' music video scenes, dark suit styles, close-up face shots, and restrained movements are seen first. It sets a solid impression rather than the previous bright energy.

Hanteo First Week Sales of 514,784 Copies

To gauge the US release, one must also look at the Korean album performance. Hanteo Chart reported that 'Ascend-' sold 198,045 copies on May 18 and recorded 514,784 copies in its first week (Chodong) from May 18 to 24. In the 2025 first week sales table organized by IBK Investment & Securities based on Hanteo Chart data, ZEROBASEONE's 1st full album 'Never Say Never' was 1,514,370 copies, and the 5th mini album 'Blue Paradise' was 1,252,315 copies.

The difference in numbers is clear. However, this album must be viewed in the context that it is the first result released after the member composition changed. The record that cumulative album sales based on Hanteo exceeded 10 million copies means that the foundation built by previous albums is still substantial. The US store release is the next step to see if that foundation can be carried over to overseas physical purchases.

The next point of confirmation will be after the US album release on June 26. It does not end with the albums simply being placed in stores. One must see if actual purchases continue, if certain versions sell out, or if additional stock is secured. Whether it reflects on US charts can also be confirmed after that. This US release by ZEROBASEONE is a case where the specific sales method has changed. The answer will come from US stores and charts after June 26.