Choi Jun-hong, better known as ZELO, has never been an artist to stay in one place. The South Korean rapper and dancer first made waves as the youngest member of the iconic boy group B.A.P, debuting in 2012 with their explosive single Warrior. From that moment, he quickly established himself as a dynamic performer, known for his excellent rap, dance moves, and out-of-this-world energy. Over the years, ZELO has proven that his work extends beyond the group, evolving into a solo career with great potential.

After completing his mandatory military service in 2025, ZELO returned with his latest single, “Cola Comigo”, a song that brings together Latin-pop rhythms – something he is no stranger to – with lyrics in Portuguese and English. “I wanted to write lyrics that people could easily relate to – capturing that moment when two people first feel drawn to each other,” he says. The song reflects not only his musical growth but also his desire to connect with audiences in new and unexpected ways, exploring sounds and cultures far beyond his beginnings in South Korea.

It is worth mentioning that ZELO, while a great rapper, doesn’t shy away from singing – and he does it quite well too, revealing just how versatile he is as an artist. Some of his solo songs include “Mi Amor” (미아모르; Mi Amoreu), “Scarecrow”, “Fault” (티 내줘; Ti Naejwo), “Why Am I So Lonely”, and “Blame” (featuring Jvde Milez), as well as non-album singles such as “On a Roll” (2021), “Back on the Road”, “Deadline” (2022), “Smile$”, “Possessed” (2023), and “Sunrise”, just to name a few. Personally, I truly enjoy how he moves between rapping and singing across various genres; both styles suit him perfectly.

Now signed with VLACKSQUAD, ZELO is preparing for fan concerts across Asia and new releases later this year. Ahead of these projects, we sat down with him to discuss his new single, evolution as an artist, his creative process, and the vision that continues to drive him forward.

Rather than focusing purely on hip-hop, I want to place greater emphasis on performance and artistic expression, and present music with a stronger pop sensibility.

View of the Arts: It’s been a while since you returned with new music – your fans have been waiting for this moment and have high expectations for your comeback. Could you tell us what has changed in your life and career since your last release?

ZELO: There haven’t been any major changes in my life or career just yet, but I’ve been steadily exploring and sharing the things I’ve always wanted to try. I feel both nervous and excited, and for now, I’m simply putting in the work.

VOA: Your new track Cola Comigo is a very powerful comeback song. Could you introduce the track and share what inspired it?

ZELO: I wanted to write lyrics that people could easily relate to, capturing that moment when two people first feel drawn to each other. I worked on this song, imagining it being played in places like clubs, pubs, or even on the street, where people can enjoy it without thinking too hard.

VOA: The lyrics of Cola Comigo are in Portuguese and English. Why did you choose Portuguese for this track, and what kind of charm do you think it adds?

ZELO: I’ve always loved Latin America, but since it’s practically on the other side of the world from Korea, I haven’t had many chances to visit. Brazil, in particular, is a very passionate country, and I had the chance to feel that energy during my B.A.P activities. I felt that Portuguese and English have a unique charm in their pronunciation, especially when it comes to expressing bold, uninhibited emotions, and I think that made the song feel more sensual and stylish.

VOA: Cola Comigo is said to carry themes of connection and energy. The title could be interpreted as either “Stick With Me” or “Come With Me.” Which meaning resonates more with you, and what emotions do you hope listeners feel?

ZELO: To me, it feels like “Trust me and come along for what’s ahead” – or even picturing my fans as someone I want to hold onto, like “stay with me.” I’d be happy if fans connect with either of those meanings.

VOA: You worked on the lyrics and composition with MSICK and Johnj. How did this collaboration influence your musical direction, and what did you focus on during the process?

ZELO: Since my military service, I had posted on Instagram that I wanted to try Latin pop and was looking for collaborators. By chance, I got to work with them on a genre I genuinely love, and it was a lot of fun. When I make music, I always believe melody and lyrics are the most important elements, so I focus heavily on those while shaping the overall feel of the track. Thanks to them, I didn’t feel like I was working alone; I felt like I was enjoying music with my team, which made the whole process even more enjoyable.

I still see myself as a solo artist with enormous potential yet to be unlocked. There’s still so much I want to show, and while skills are important, I believe luck also plays a big role in seizing the right opportunities.

VOA: We heard that you recently joined VLACKSQUAD. How did this collaboration begin, and what are you most excited about?

ZELO: As it turned out, the CEO used to be one of the dancers for B.A.P back in the day. When we first met, I thought it would just be a casual catch-up. At first, we weren’t fully aligned – he wanted me to focus on rap, while I wanted to sing. But I showed him the music I had been working on and the direction I envisioned, and I think that was enough to win him over.

The company was able to provide what I had been looking for, and I believe he saw my passion and potential as a solo artist coming from a group background, which led to the contract.

VOA: Could you tell us about your upcoming plans? Are there any projects or activities fans can look forward to in the near future?

ZELO: I have a fan concert on April 12, followed by fan concerts in Osaka and Taiwan in May, Tokyo in June, and I’m also planning to release my next album in July.

VOA: Your music is known for combining various sounds and identities. What kind of musical direction do you want to pursue moving forward?

ZELO: Rather than focusing purely on hip-hop, I want to place greater emphasis on performance and artistic expression, and present music with a stronger pop sensibility.

VOA: From your early days to this new release, your growth as an artist has been very impressive. After debuting in a group, going through solo activities and military service, and now returning with such a strong track, how would you describe yourself as an artist at 29? And how has your 10+ year journey shaped who you are today?

ZELO: I still see myself as a solo artist with enormous potential yet to be unlocked. There’s still so much I want to show, and while skills are important, I believe luck also plays a big role in seizing the right opportunities. Over the past 10 years, I’ve experienced so much, and my mindset has changed a great deal, but one thing is clear – I’ve become more grounded and optimistic.

Now, I’m focused on moving forward. If there are obstacles, I hope to overcome them together with my label. I want to keep growing while making music consistently with my current company for a long time. This is just the beginning of our journey together, and I’m sure there will be many things ahead. With the experience I’ve gained, I want to take care of myself and deliver results that genuinely contribute to our team’s growth.

VOA: Lastly, could you share a message for your fans who have been waiting for you for so long?

ZELO: I hope this release feels like a meaningful gift to the fans who have waited for me for so long. I’ll continue to show you better music and even more exciting sides of myself, so if you keep supporting me, I will do my best to live up to your expectations. I’ll work hard, and I love you.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of VLACKSQUAD

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}