First stepping into the spotlight in 2011 with BANG&ZELO before rising to global prominence a year later as the youngest member and fast-paced rapper of B.A.P, South Korean artist Choi Jun-hong—better known as ZELO—has steadily carved out a distinct identity as an independent soloist. Blending sharp choreography, smooth R&B vocals, and dynamic rap, his solo discography reflects a continuous drive to experiment beyond conventional boundaries. That creative evolution takes center stage on his latest releases, from the introspective, R&B-infused ELA to the high-energy, Brazilian funk-inspired single BANANA.
This weekend, ZELO brings that new sonic direction to European audiences as he kicks off his UNBOUND TOUR 2026 in Nantes, France. Performing two concerts and hosting fan meet-ups at the Art to Play festival on November 14 and 15, the French stop marks the opening chapter of a six-city European run that will also take him to Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and Cologne. Ahead of hitting the stage in Nantes, we caught up with ZELO to discuss his transition to full creative control, the raw honesty behind ELA, and what breaking free from expectations means to him today.
Transitioning from being the youngest member and fast-paced main rapper of a legendary group like B.A.P to building a fully independent solo discography requires immense artistic self-discovery. How would you describe the shift from performing within a collective dynamic to taking total control of your narrative, sound, and visual identity as Zelo today?
When promoting with B.A.P, it was important to find the role that only I could fulfill within the team and create a single result together with the members. That experience had a huge influence on shaping who I am today. On the other hand, now that I have become a solo artist, every single choice—from musical direction to lyrics, sound, and visuals—must carry my own thoughts and responsibility. At first, having to decide everything on my own was difficult, but at the same time, it became an opportunity to get to know myself more deeply. Now, beyond simply releasing new music, I want to build things so that when people hear the name ZELO, they can envision one distinct musical world.
Your recent project ‘ELA’ explores complex, wavering emotional states, unfiltered thoughts, and personal boundaries. Compared to your earlier solo releases like ‘Distance’ (2019), in what ways does this recent work showcase your personal growth as a songwriter, and what parts of your true self are you laying bare in this new chapter?
If my early solo work ‘Distance’ was a process of searching for my own music in a new environment, I think ‘ELA’ is a project that captures a more mature and honest version of myself. As time has passed, the way I express emotions has also changed. Whereas in the past I focused on expressing emotions in a “cool” way, now I try to accept even somewhat imperfect or complex feelings just as they are and put sincerity into my music. ‘ELA’ also contains the emotions and confusion felt within relationships, as well as the desire to protect my own boundaries. Rather than a polished, neatly wrapped image, I wanted to show myself just as I am right now.
Naming this European leg the ‘UNBOUND Tour’ feels like a powerful statement of freedom and independence. What does the word ‘UNBOUND’ represent to you personally at this stage of your journey, and how does this overarching theme shape the narrative and stage design of your live performances?
To me, ‘UNBOUND’ means breaking past the limits I had set for myself. As you work as an artist, I think there are moments when you end up trapping yourself inside the image people expect of you or your past persona. However, rather than staying confined to past success or a single genre, I want to keep evolving and trying new possibilities. This tour also started from that very thought. I want to show a freer side of myself in both music and performance, and I hope that—at least while watching the show—the audience can also break free from their own frameworks and daily routines to feel that sense of freedom.
Looking back at your journey—from your iconic ‘LTE Rapping’ debut days to experimenting with diverse genres like R&B, hip-hop, and Latin-infused beats today—what has been the most surprising discovery about yourself as an artist, and where do you envision your path leading next?
The most unexpected discovery was realizing that I enjoy—and am capable of expressing—a much wider variety of music than I had thought. In my early debut days, fast rap and intense performances were the images that defined me, but over time, through R&B and melody-driven music, I discovered another side of myself. Every time I try a new genre, I also realize there are still many sides of me I haven’t shown yet. Going forward, rather than locking myself into a specific genre, I want to keep enjoying and creating music that I genuinely love and can express well. Ultimately, I want to become an artist who, no matter what genre of song I sing, gives listeners the feeling, “This is ZELO’s music.”
Elisa Cutullè
Photo: (c) Zelo