Zelo
South Korean rapper (born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Choi Jun-hong (Korean: 최준홍; born October 15, 1996), known professionally as Zelo, is a South Korean rapper and dancer best known as the former member of the South Korean boy group B.A.P. He made his recording debut with the single "Never Give Up" under B.A.P's sub-unit Bang&Zelo in November 2011. He departed TS Entertainment in December 2018.
Zelo | |
|---|---|
Zelo at Daejeon Love Blue Concert, September 2017 | |
| Born | Choi Jun-hong October 15, 1996 Mokpo, South Korea |
| Occupations |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels |
|
| Formerly of |
|
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 최준홍 |
| Hanja | 崔準烘 |
| RR | Choe Junhong |
| MR | Ch'oe Chunhong |
| Stage name | |
| Hangul | 젤로 |
| RR | Jelro |
| MR | Chello |
Early life
Zelo was born on October 15, 1996, in Mokpo, South Korea.[1][unreliable source?][2] He has one older brother.[3] He aspired to be a soccer player when he was young, but then changed his dreams to becoming a singer as he chanced upon music and grew interested in it.[4] He started practising beatboxing and dancing at home.[4] In 5th grade, Zelo was introduced by an acquaintance who recognized his talent to Joy Dance - Plug In Music Academy located in Gwangju, which is a well-known music academy. He auditioned for several recording companies but did not succeed generally because he was too young. He was finally accepted as a trainee at TS Entertainment.[3] He graduated from School of Performing Arts Seoul in 2015.[5]
Career
Career beginnings and B.A.P
Zelo first collaborated with Bang Yong-guk in the sub-unit Bang&Zelo. The pair released "Never Give Up" on December 2, 2011.[6] Zelo was revealed as a member of idol sextet B.A.P on January 17, 2012, where he served as the rapper.[7][8] The group debuted nine days later with its single album Warrior.[9] In November 2014, the group filed a lawsuit against its agency. The members sought to nullify its contract with the company citing "unfair conditions and profit distribution".[10] In August of the following year, the two parties ultimately settled and B.A.P resumed its activities under TS Entertainment.[11] Following the expiration of his contract with TS Entertainment on December 2, 2018, Zelo decided not to renew with the company. He officially departed from the group on December 24, after finishing the European leg of B.A.P's 2018 tour.[12] The remaining four members left the agency in February 2019, leading the dissolution of B.A.P.[13]
Soloist career
Zelo signed an exclusive contract with A Entertainment on January 11, 2019.[14] He held a fan meeting in Japan two months later and began working on a solo record under the company.[15] He released his debut mini-album Distance and its lead single "Questions" on June 21.[16] On August 21, Zelo sent A Entertainment a contract termination letter citing unpaid wages, but the agency did not agree to the termination. In a lawsuit, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff and certified the contract annulment one year later.[14]
Zelo released the collaborative single "Shower" with rappers Lil Oppa and Jvde on January 5, 2020.[17] He released his second mini-album Day2Day and its lead single "She and Malibu" on April 18.[18]
In August 2022, Zelo signed with Uzurocks.[19]
He enlisted for his mandatory military service on December 12, 2023, and was discharged on June 11, 2025.[20]
In 2026, Zelo back with new company Vlacksquad.
Artistry and influences
Zelo was the second rapper of the group.[21] Zelo cites will.i.am and Kanye West as his role models.[22] He also named 50 Cent and other rappers as his musical influences.[23][unreliable source?]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [24] | |||
| Distance |
|
27 |
|
| Day2Day |
|
— | N/a |
| Scarecrow |
|
— | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [26] | |||
| "Never Give Up" (Bang&Zelo featuring Heritage) |
2011 | 65 | Non-album single |
| "Howler" | 2018 | — | B.A.P Concert Special Solo 'The Recollection' |
| "Questions" (알고싶어; Algosipeo) | 2019 | — | Distance |
| "Shower" (샤워; Syawo) (with Lil Oppa and Jvde) |
2020 | — | Non-album single |
| "She and Malibu" (그녀와는 말리부; Geunyeowaneun Mallibu) | — | Day2Day | |
| "Mi Amor" (미아모르; Mi Amoreu) | — | Scarecrow | |
| "Fault" (티 내줘; Ti Naejwo) | — | ||
| "Why Am I So Lonely" | — | ||
| "Blame" (featuring Jvde Milez) |
— | Non-album singles | |
| "On a Roll" | 2021 | — | |
| "Back on the Road" | — | ||
| "Deadline" | 2022 | — | |
| "Smile" | — | ||
| "Possessed" | 2023 | — | |
| "Sunrise" | — | Enough | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||
As featured artist
| style="width:16em;"|Title | Year | Release |
|---|---|---|
| "R(x)play" (V-Hawk featuring Zelo) |
2015 | Non-album single |
| "Shadow" (Jung Dae-hyun featuring Zelo) |
2017 | Dae Hyun X Jong Up Project Album 'Party Baby' |
| "Stay with Me" (Youngjae featuring Zelo) |
2018 | B.A.P Concert Special Solo 'The Recollection' |
| "Annoying" (짜증이 나; Jjajeungi Na) (Jongup featuring Zelo) | ||
| "You, Me and Us" (너와 나 우리; Neowa Na Uri) (Lee Ye-jun featuring Zelo of B.A.P) |
2019 | Municon Vol.2 |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Release | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Vintage" | 2013 | Song Ji-eun | Hope Torture |