Cover Story | Zhang Hao: Follow One's Heart
original cover story in chinese
Cover Outfit A
white low-collared shirt, white twist-knot blazer, white wide-leg pants
are from GAURAV GUPTA Haute Couture
Gucci Link to Love series necklace
Gucci Link to Love series geometry double loop ring
are from GUCCI
Cover Outfit B
wool coat, ribbed silk long-sleeved shirt
striped print black silk tie
are from GUCCI
Cover Outfit C
light blue embroidered shirt, bright yellow silhouette woolen jacket
are from GEORGES HOBEIKA Haute Couture
“This is our first tour, and (we) prepared a lot of songs. This is also the first time that (we/I) can meet fans from each region, so (I) look forward to it a lot.”
In order to achieve his aforementioned anticipation, Zhang Hao has done ample preparations since a long time ago. In order to better digest the style of the new album, every time before he goes on stage, (he) must repeat many different kinds pf practices both physically and mentally, in order for each result to have its own trace. He knows that, he must tread through each and every step, in order to arrive underneath the most extravagant spotlight.
white low-collared shirt, white twist-knot blazer, white wide-leg pants
are from GAURAV GUPTA Haute Couture
Gucci Link to Love series necklace
Gucci Link to Love series geometry double loop ring
are from GUCCI
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“The concept that (I) put the most heart into was the concept (for this comeback), actually it was quite complicated. Our concept this time is “a movie”, and in (the movie) there are seven different concepts, and each song has a carefully crafted ending, and the stage performance and singing are all very different, (so) this time I paid attention to these aspects.”
The album for this comeback is called <Cinema Paradise>, especially there is a song within called <Good so Bad>, (and) Zhang Hao has to do a running type of movement during the intro. No matter if it’s one small movement in one song of one album, during the recording, (he has) pondered thoroughly about many different types of emotions, in order to, in front of the camera, hand over his answer that is mixed with his complete understanding of its expression: “in the beginning, when I did (the movement) it was a bit awkward, later on slowly I fell into the mood and emotions, so it was quite interesting.”
white low-collared shirt, white twist-knot blazer
are from GAURAV GUPTA Haute Couture
Gucci Link to Love series necklace GUCCI
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Maybe it’s only a small part that lasts for a few seconds, but during the preparation process of the entire album, his favorite fragment, maybe appearing a bit under the radar, yet buried akin to an easter egg, hides the undercurrent of a small defiance that he has not shown before – he’s curious and anticipating when that moment is released, wants to know when fans see this part, what kinds of reactions they would have– can they immediately catch his preferential affinity, and chuckle to themselves, or accidentally miss it, with the necessity to retrace the scene.
“Within this tour, my debut album’s solo song and stage was added, and this is a stage that fans have waited for over a year for, so I also choreographed the dance personally, designed the stage personally, and prepared for a long time, wanting to show everyone. (I can) finally show everyone, so I’m very touched.”
wool coat, ribbed silk long-sleeved shirt
striped print black silk tie are from GUCCI
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From being a trainee, to attending the survivor show, to officially debuting, three four years have passed, and it should be that ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao feels completely familiar with the stage, but (in actuality), until this day, every time before he steps on stage, he continues to hold an uncertain heart — he ardently wants to convey his passionate love and efforts to all of his anticipating audience, without any loss. In order to fulfill this type of anticipation to one hundred percent, he has to give his efforts many many times over, to make sure absolutely nothing gets lost during this process.
“Actually no matter how many times (I) go on stage, (I) still would get nervous, and my mind may go blank, so (I) have to practice until the point of even if my mind becomes blank, my body and mouth are still moving. (I) have to practice to this extent to be able to go on stage.” Before the screen is unveiled, ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao has to calm his throat so that his voice doesn’t break, to watch out that his body doesn’t sweat too much and affect his outward appearance— in conclusion, he has to present the most perfect version of himself for each and every performance.
“This stage, I want to leave behind it the “me” of today – I must do my absolute best, and show everyone.”
In this moment, Zhang Hao is already fully prepared, to welcome the next, the each and every best “today”.
wool coat, ribbed silk long-sleeved shirt
striped print black silk tie are from GUCCI
During the process of preparing for this comeback, Zhang Hao celebrated his 24th birthday. Although since debut he has felt the passion of his members and fans, and every time he is able to receive surprises prepared by people around him while filming programs around the time of his birthday, but this time, a new “sense of ceremony” has been experienced from the basis of last year’s birthday celebrations: that day, Zhang Hao flew from Korea to the USA, and with the added element of time difference, he gained a “July 25th” that lasted over 40 hours. When time has been elongated by this much, the feelings follow suit in expansion, and thinking about it now, he still has a grin on his face, treasuring this unique experience of birthday celebrations.
light blue embroidered shirt, bright yellow silhouette woolen jacket
vintage print glossy tie
are from GEORGES HOBEIKA Haute Couture
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“Near the company in Korea and near the airport, I saw the support projects done by the fans, and immediately flying to the USA, I also saw the support projects at the Grammy Museum from the fans too, it was really unforgettable.”
That day at the Grammy Museum, ZEROBASEONE received an interview with the Global Spin Live program, and the staffs, business partners, and audience surrounding them sang the happy birthday song for Zhang Hao together. These moments of warmth may be fleeting moments in a timeline, but as the receiver of such, Zhang Hao has long carved them into his heart and memories.
black silhouette V-neck blazer, long sequin jacquard embroidery jacket
black extended draping accessory
are from ROBERT-ABI-NADER Haute Couture
black gloss leather boots are from GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI
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“Because these days, baggy shorts * are really popular, and I really like over-the-knee jean shorts, so a member has noticed that I liked it, so he suddenly thought abut this and bought me a pair of jean (shorts) with hearts. I was very touched that he would notice what I liked usually.” And also the fact that the member especially gave him a pair of baggy shorts – this is also a special memory of July, and these wishes are like water droplets, originally scattering in many corners of the earth, and finally coalescing on this day, allowing him to have an entire ocean filled with love. “After debuting, birthdays are spent very happily.” * *
(1) (t/n lit. six-length pants, to indicate they’re 6/10 long)
(2) (t/n word he used was “xingfu” to be exact – roughly defined as “the happiness felt from being loved)
While receiving this care and love, Zhang Hao is also generous with his giving, especially as he becomes more and more familiar with his members, as their relationship grew from opponents to teammates, some feelings of brotherhood has gradually grown from living and working with each other.
champagne colored pleated V-neck shirt, champagne colored satin embroidered blazer
champagne colored satin wide-leg pants
are from ANAMIKA KHANNA Haute Couture
grey crystal loafers Christian Louboutin
Gucci Link to Love series Tourmaline ring GUCCI
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“The relationship between the members has gotten even better. Even if there is conflict, it wouldn’t be drawn out – if there’s anger it’s just fought out, or (we) just talk, (and) in summary compared to when the group was first formed, everyone’s relationship with each other has become a lot sturdier.”
As a member of the team, Zhang Hao is the subject, but also the witness, (and) he doesn’t want to pretend that everyone’s opinions are completely on the same page all day every day, but these vivid emotions and feelings are truly demonstrated during moments where things are not perfect – with over a year since the group’s formation, he and his brothers have already enough confidence.
champagne colored pleated V-neck shirt, champagne colored satin embroidered blazer
champagne colored satin wide-leg pants
are from ANAMIKA KHANNA Haute Couture
grey crystal loafers Christian Louboutin
Gucci Link to Love series Tourmaline ring GUCCI
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“I know a lot of Sunbaenims from groups that have been active for a long time, and I asked them, ‘you have so many people, don’t you fight?’ The other would say that they would, but they’ve also realized that if they didn’t have each other, they would not know what to do with themselves, saying that it is precisely because of the existence of everyone, that he is able to be his current self. This type of realization, might still be a bit of a difference from what we are like, but I want for (our team), to have a relationship where we have become irreplaceable existences for each other.”
The current time is just during the high pressure, last preparations before the concert tour, everyone is very busy, but because they have accumulated so much teamwork * , Zhang Hao is sure that they can find a way. “Sometimes it would be that after a full day of schedules (we) still have to practice, and the brain would just ‘fly away’, during these moments, (we) have to help each other up. Whoever’s mind has ‘flown away’, we help pull him up.” Currently still in the stage of further adapting to each other, and with rather stable understanding and trust, Zhang Hao’s hand, is hand-in-hand with theirs.
(1) (t/n the word used here is like “telepathy achieved through a lot of teamwork experience, connection)
beige blazer, beige wide-leg pants
silver button tassel waist accessory, black and silver button loafers
are from YUIMA NAKAZATO Haute Couture
Beyond just the stage, ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao in real life is also stretching his arms out wide, to absorb the minuscule feelings that have drifted from every place. As a in-demand and in-the-midst-of-comeback member of a Korean group, the tightness of his schedule may exceed many people’s imaginations in regards to work, but even though photoshoots, practices, performances, and events are stacked to the brim and unending, he has also left a sliver, to allow himself to breathe amidst extreme busyness, and it is precisely due to these respirations, that he is able to be the current version of ‘himself’.
“Typically when we are really busy, we cannot go out(side) to have fun, but the road from the airport to the hotel, I wouldn’t sleep but rather look at the street scenery. Each country, each region’s street scenery is really different, and (I) can feel the vibe and people of the local region.”
black cinched crystal suit
PEET DULLAERT Haute Couture
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While on the road of concert tours past, Zhang Hao has gathered quite a few tips to let him “slack off while being busy”. He knows that of course, sleeping for a “wink” briefly might be more comfortable, but quietly looking outside at the street scenery is another type of relaxation, he enjoys to try and store these subconscious scenes captured in front of his eyes, in his memory, (because) these are his special gatherings, in that time and that place, as Zhang Hao, as a member of ZEROBASEONE, and he doesn’t want to let them go.
“(I) also would order delivery, but mostly am curious about the convenience store, for example, the convenience store in Japan and the USA are different.” In other moments where he has more energy, Zhang Hao has also done something more thrilling and bold with his current identity, such as quietly slipping out of the hotel or work environment, to go to the local convenience store – it doesn’t sound like an earth-shattering event when said out loud, but indeed it’s something that can allow him to feel joy in that time and space with certainty, so if he wants to, he will just do it – no need to worry about the possible inconveniences and limit himself. This type of bravery may be because he is a self-proclaimed, spontaneous “P” person, or may be that there doesn’t have to be a precise reason, only for that he has a free and interesting soul.
purple silk shirt, black cinched crystal suit
black wide-leg pants, black chiffon train
are from PEET DULLAERT Haute Couture
black square toe patent leather high-heel shoes Christian Louboutin
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“Recently I’ve been caring about an (extra) bit about how to treat the people who work with me, such as every day after going home (I) would think, how well I worked with the staff at the scene, they were working really hard, helping me here and there…but I’m also not a perfectionist, knowing that with everything, it’s impossible for it to be perfect, then I’ll be okay with finding the part within that’s good.”
As (he) grows up gradually and adjusts to the entertainment world gradually, Zhang Hao finds himself accepting more and more that many things cannot completely follow the path of his own imagination, but this is not so much compromise, but rather admitting that the world indeed works in this way, and then finding his own path that he belongs in.
“The things that I am good at now, I’ve basically shown to everyone, but I hope that with every period of time, I can learn something new, saying to everyone ‘I can do this, I can do that’, and to continuously show everyone new charms.” To not use hyper-specific missions to limit himself, while also planting a large goal that is worthy of working hard towards – this is Zhang Hao’s way of planning, and in his heart, holds a bright and magnanimous future.
purple silk shirt, black cinched crystal suit
black wide-leg pants, black chiffon train
are from PEET DULLAERT Haute Couture
black square toe patent leather high-heel shoes Christian Louboutin
mood film
translation by @sunlightshb on X, do not claim as your own