AND2BLE begins first comeback with second mini album

Five-member group AND2BLE released their second mini album, "Sequence 02: Attraction," on the 27th. Following a debut that earned 12 trophies and 730,000 first-week sales, the group aims to solidify its own identity through this new musical narrative.

Having achieved 730,000 first-week sales for their debut album, held showcase concerts in four Asian cities, and won 12 trophies at major award ceremonies, AND2BLE—a group formed by members from ZEROBASEONE and Evnne—has begun their first comeback activities. On the 27th, the group released their second mini album, "Sequence 02: Attraction," approximately five months after their first mini album, "Sequence 01: Curiosity." Building on the recognition and fandom established during their debut, the group unfolds a narrative in this album where curiosity evolves into interest and eventually leads to attraction. While continuing the narrative of their first album, they present a shifted atmosphere through the title track and performances. During a pre-release showcase, the members emphasized their growth in both vocals and performance, marking this first comeback as the next step in their ongoing story and group activities.

A second story leading from curiosity to attraction

The second mini album, "Sequence 02: Attraction," captures the emotional shift from the curiosity explored in the previous work, through interest, to attraction. While the first mini album, "Sequence 01: Curiosity," centered on curiosity as a primal human emotion, this album depicts the process of that emotion progressing into a relationship. The album continues the story started in the previous work, covering the flow of a relationship deepening with a partner. Released about five months after their debut, this new work sits as the second installment in the AND2BLE narrative.

The title track, "French Kissing," is a tropical R&B track that expresses the moment boundaries gradually disappear and one falls for another. While the previous work emphasized intensity, this song features a restrained atmosphere and relaxed movements. The composition captures the theme of "attraction" through the song's sentiment and performance. This change aligns with the members' explanation that they sought to show a different side than they did at debut. Through this new release, AND2BLE continues the emotional flow starting from the curiosity of the previous work, expressing the moment a relationship deepens through music and stage performances.

From pitch-focused to emotional delivery

During the pre-release showcase, the members explained the changes prepared for their first comeback, stating, "We worked hard to show a new side." They revealed that while they focused on pitch during their debut, they focused on delivering the atmosphere and emotion of the song this time. Rather than merely staying at the level of singing accurately, they placed more weight on conveying the song's sentiment. They also teased a more relaxed appearance in both vocals and performance. Unlike the intense impression they gave in their previous work, they focused on showcasing a restrained atmosphere and relaxed movements on this stage.

The title track captures the moment of being attracted to someone as boundaries vanish, and the members announced changes in vocals and performance to match that emotion. Kim Gyuvin mentioned his vocal abilities and performance, saying, "As you watch the stage, you will be able to move from interest to attraction." The intention is that the emotional shift set in the album will be conveyed through the stage. The growth emphasized by the members was introduced through vocal expression of the song's mood, relaxation on stage, and changes in performance. Through this first comeback, AND2BLE presented a direction to express songs in a different way than at debut and to connect the album's theme with the stage atmosphere.

Fandom and achievements gathered since debut

AND2BLE is a five-member group formed by members who participated in survival programs. ZHANG HAO, RICKY, Kim Gyuvin, and Han Yujin, who were active in the nine-member project group ZEROBASEONE formed through Mnet's 2023 survival program "BOYS PLANET," returned to their original agency, YH Entertainment, after their contracts ended. Yoo Seung-eon, from the program's derivative group Evnne, joined them to form the five-member AND2BLE. As the members possess the experience and fandom built during their previous activities, AND2BLE received significant attention from their debut album. It was reported that ZEROBASEONE was subsequently reorganized into a five-member system consisting of Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, and Park Gunwook.

AND2BLE's debut mini album exceeded 730,000 copies in first-week sales, ranking 4th among K-pop group debut albums ever. Along with their debut, they held showcase concerts in four Asian cities and have collected a total of 12 trophies at major award ceremonies. The early achievements are noted as a result of AND2BLE starting activities based on the interest of their existing fandom, allowing them to quickly consolidate their fanbase and settle into the market.

Beyond 'former ZEROBASEONE members' to the name AND2BLE

The sales, performances, and award achievements of the debut album came alongside the interest of the fandom formed through previous activities. However, it was noted that these early achievements do not signify the establishment of the team's identity. While the members started as a new team with the recognition and experience gained from ZEROBASEONE and Evnne, AND2BLE's music and performance must be built as a separate team. While the debut album confirmed the power of the fandom, this first comeback marks a stage of showing AND2BLE's own color in addition to maintaining that interest. This album encompasses the emotional narrative continuing from the previous work, the genre and atmosphere of the title track, and the changes in vocals and performance mentioned by the members.

Regarding the direction the team aims for, Kim Gyuvin said, "We want to be a group that can show an upward curve in all aspects. We hope to become a group that people are always curious about and looking forward to next." He also expressed his ambition to show vocal skills and performance on stage. Through this first comeback, AND2BLE intends to present a more mature charm and express the album's emotional lines on stage. The members also stated their goal to build AND2BLE's own music and stage, moving beyond the previous career history and debut achievements attached to the group. This schedule is to present the group's second album while continuing the story of curiosity started in the debut album.

AND2BLE began their first comeback activities with the release of their second mini album, "Sequence 02: Attraction," on the 27th. It contains a story leading from the curiosity of the previous work to interest and attraction, and promises a change through the title track "French Kissing" and relaxed performances. The members stated they would show growth in their vocals and on stage.

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