ZE:A Disbandment Rumor
Debuted in 2010, the group consisting of Kevin, Kwanghee, Siwan, Lee Hoo, Taeheon, Heechul, Minwoo, Hyungsik, and Dongjun did not feel that they were almost at the end of their contract which fell in December 2016. Along with this news, there were some rumors regarding the group from Star Empire Entertainment. ZE:A stated that the members will leave the agency before the news of disbandment.
On October 20th, 2016, Star Empire Entertainment spoke up and gave their response to these rumors. They stated, “The time of ZE:A’s contract with us has not ended yet. It’s not true that they will turn into free agents (free management). Right now we are also discussing the issue with the members.”
In addition, Star Empire Entertainment also gave other labels a warning not to ‘influence’ the artists for the remainder of their contract. “We will take legal action against other agencies that approach our artists for the remainder of the contract period,” they stated, as quoted from Allkpop.
ZE:A hasn’t had a comeback in the K-Pop industry for a long time after the last one with their comeback song titled “Breathe” a few years ago. ZE:A members are currently busy with their activities ranging from unit projects, dramas to variety shows.
Members’ Solo Activities
Due to ZE:A’s unknown hiatus period, each member decided to leave their agency since their contracts have expired and they decided not to renew their contracts. Although the members have now joined different agencies, there’s still no official statement whether they are still together as a group with ZE:A or not.
However, the members stated that they will be returning soon as a group if there’s a chance but now they are doing solo activities and some of them are enlisted in the military.
Let’s find out how the members are doing these days in the section below!
Kevin
One of ZE:A’s members, Kevin, went to Australia to pursue a solo career and become a host for SBS’ PopAsia and had his own program called SBS PopAsia Live with Kevin Kim. Through this radio show, we can easily get more updated information from the K-Pop world without worrying the language since the host will translate the topics while airing.
This is a moment where he used to be an idol and performed on the stage and became a DJ for a radio show. The premiere of Kevin Kim’s airing took place on March 29th, 2017, on Monday and would run till Friday at 6 PM Australian time. If you are an international fan but want to see Kevin Kim’s DJ-ing on the radio show, check out sbspopasia official channel on YouTube and watch his recent radio show!
Beside K-Pop, in his interview with KultScene Kevin Kim also shared that his radio show will be playing other songs, such as V-Pop, C-Pop, and there will be a section about him to share his thoughts with the fans and give more information, mainly about Asian pop stars, fans, and many more.
When the interviewer asking about his career as a member of ZE:A and how he got into a solo career now, Kevin Kim answered that he’s thankful to have a chance to become an idol and have so many fans. He said that after the group went on a hiatus, he wanted to take a rest and restart with something new and challenging in his life so he decided to start a new career as a DJ and radio host.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE6rpXrhYgc
On August 14th, 2018, Kevin Kim made his solo debut by releasing the single titled “New Rack.” The singer’s comeback gained attention from ZE:A’s fans as the song has a genre of pop, dance, R&B and electronic music that has a different vibe from his previous boy group.
What do you think about Kevin Kim’s latest single “New Rack?”
Kwanghee
Kwanghee is one of the members who have a lot of activities after joining Bonboo Entertainment on February 7th, 2017, and establishing his new career as a solo artist. After he joined the new agency, Kwanghee enlisted in the military on March 13th, 2017, and was discharged on December 7th, 2018. During ZE:A’s unknown hiatus period, Kwanghee mostly appeared as the MC of variety shows such as KBS 2TV’s Vitamin, KBS World TV’s Beauty Bible Ep. 1-15 and Beauty Bible 2015 F/W Ep. 1-14, EBSCulture’s The best cooking secrets Season 2015B Ep. 1-131 and The best cooking secrets Season 2015C Ep. 1-109.
During this time, Kwanghee gained so much attention from the public, especially from his fans that waited for his appearance in television shows. It is considered as his golden era, the time when he became a cast member of Infinity Challenge that was aired on MBC. Kwanghee teamed up with BIGBANG’s G-Dragon and Taeyang to perform a song titled “Mapsosa.” They made this song together and named their team Hwangtaeji; Hwang is the surname of Kwanghee, Tae is the short name of Taeyang and Ji is an English pronunciation from G-Dragon.
Kwanghee made a huge impact as one of the best MCs and funny idols at the same time when he appeared on variety shows. He showed a different personality from being an idol to a gagman. Kwanghee didn’t release any solo promotion as a singer during this time but he mostly appeared as a cast member of a television program, panelist, or MC.
Check out some clips from Kwanghee’s solo activities below!
The Geeks (2015) – Special Chuseok
Idol Cooking King (2016)
Battle Trip (2016) – Episode 23-24
Weekly Idol (2019) – Episode 388 – now
Cool Kids (2019) – Episode 9-12
Please Take Care of My Refrigerator (2019)
Superman Returns with Naeun and Gunhoo (2019)
Hyungsik
Park Hyung-sik started his solo activities as an actor under United Artists Agency which he officially joined in April 2017. Park Hyung-sik worked hard during this solo career as he debuted as an actor playing roles in popular dramas such as High Society (2015), Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016), Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017), and Suits (2018).
Park Hyung-sik has gained his popularity as the lead actor through his appearance in K-Drama. He has the perfect image of prince charming and boyfriend material. Aside from getting complimented by his fans, Park Hyung-sik has also received plenty of attention from the general public for his great acting skills.
Beside Strong Woman Bong-soon, Park Hyung-sik is also known for his character in the historical drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016) where he played Sam Maek-jong. He also made friends and is even called the actor’s best friend with other cast members of the drama, such as Park Seo-joon, BTS’ V, and Choi Woo-sik.
Through his appearance in K-Drama, Park Hyung-sik has won several awards for his acting skills, such as the Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries, and New Star Award at the 23rd SBS Drama Awards (2015) for his acting in the drama High Society, the Popularity Award, Actor at the 1st Seoul Awards (2017) for his acting in the drama Strong Girl Bong-soon, and the Netizen Award at the 32nd KBS Drama Awards (2018).
On August 28th, 2018, United Artist Agency confirmed that Park Hyung-sik will be joining a drama musical, Elizabeth, and play the character of Der Tod (The Death). The drama musical had scheduled its premiere on November 17th, 2018, at the Blue Square Interpark Hall, Seoul. Beside Park Hyung-sik, there are also other popular cast members starring in the drama musical, such as VIXX’s Leo, JYJ’s Kim Junsu, Ok Joo-hyun, and Kim So-hyun.
After his appearance in the drama musical, Park Hyung-sik enlisted in the army on June 10th, 2019, at the Nonsan Army Recruit Training Center in South Chungcheong Province. The lead actor of the drama Strong Woman Bong-soon will be receiving basic military training for five weeks. He used to be a cast member of MBC’s Real Man and served at the Capital Defense Command which made him receive compliments for his shooting skills and he thought that his talent will be useful during his service in the military.
On July 10th, 2019, there was a piece of news about Park Hyung-sik that the idol who turned into actor is doing a great job during his basic military training. Park Hyung-sik’s agency, United Artist Agency, shared that he received a commendation at the completion ceremony and received three vacation days as a reward before continuing his military service in the military police department of the Capital Defense Command as an active-duty soldier.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByHr6HCFOC6/
Congratulations to Park Hyung-sik!
Siwan
The member of ZE:A, Im Siwan, is now more popular for his solo career as an actor. He made several appearances in K-Dramas, such as The King in Love (2017) and Strangers From Hell (2019). Beside pursuing a career as an actor, Im Siwan has also received many ambassadorships such as FinTech Financial Technology Group Inc (2014), Korea International Trade Association (2014), etc.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ERgH_Hk_-/?utm_source=ig_embed
During his career as an actor, Im Siwan has always had a good relationship with his co-workers as he is known as a thoughtful person who likes to prepare surprise events for his fellow artists on the set. On August 13th, 2019, it was reported that Im Siwan sent a snack truck to support his friend Yeo Jin-go, who is currently starring in the drama Hotel de Luna. The two of them met as cast members on the set of the drama The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) that was aired on MBC and their friendship seems to last until now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0nfmkcFqux/?utm_source=ig_embed
On another occasion, Im Siwan also sent his support and love to ZE:A member Kim Dong-jun. His friend, that he knew from a long time ago, is currently filming his drama, Chief of Staff. Major 9 as Kim Dong-jun’s new agency posted a picture of the actor in front of the food truck that had been sent by his friend, Im Siwan, while posing with a bright smile.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0pdLT4JJUv/
Im Siwan is currently filming his latest drama, Strangers from Hell, that received a lot of attention from his fans as it will have its premiere on August 31st, 2019. This drama is highly anticipated by Im Siwan’s fans since it is his 1st drama after getting discharged from the military. Strangers from Hell is a K-Drama that was adapted from a Naver webtoon and will air on OCN.
Are you excited to watch Im Siwan’s drama, Strangers from Hell?
