Protest Trucks Request ZeroBaseOne Kim Ji Woong's Withdrawal from CJ ENM

In early 2026, the situation surrounding Kim Ji-woong and the calls for his withdrawal from ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) reached a critical turning point as the group transitioned into a new era.

The protest trucks, which originally appeared in February 2024 following an alleged “swearing controversy” during a fan video call, saw a resurgence in activity as fans debated his inclusion in the group’s permanent future.

The 2024 Controversy and Its 2026 Echoes

The core of the withdrawal requests stems from an incident on February 2, 2024, where Kim Ji-woong was accused of muttering a curse word at the end of a video fan-sign event.

Despite WakeOne and the Korea Forensic Science Service (KFSS) clearing him of these charges- stating that the audio frequencies suggested the voice may have been an external recording- a segment of the fandom remained unconvinced.

As ZEROBASEONE approached its original “disbandment” date in early 2026, the debate intensified.

When it was announced in February 2026 that the group would reorganize into a five-member permanent unit (consisting of Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, and Park Gun-wook), protest trucks were once again spotted near the CJ ENM and WakeOne headquarters.

These trucks demanded his exclusion from the new lineup, citing “damage to the group’s image” and a perceived “lack of sincerity” in his initial response to the 2024 allegations.

Reorganization and Official Response

Despite the pressure from protest trucks and online petitions, WakeOne and the respective agencies of the remaining members doubled down on their support for the five-member reorganization.

Deep Trust: WakeOne’s official statement in February 2026 emphasized that the decision to continue with Kim Ji-woong was based on “deep trust” and extensive discussions between the members and their agencies.

ZeroBaseOne Kim Ji Woong via Instagram

Continued Activities: As of April 2026, Kim Ji-woong has remained an active and central part of the group. He recently reactivated his personal Instagram and participated in a special solo performance at KCON Japan 2026, further signaling that the agency has no intention of proceeding with his withdrawal.

Fandom Divide: The “Ji-woong, Leave” movement remains a loud but localized minority within the fandom. Many international fans and a large portion of the Korean fanbase have shifted toward supporting the “ZB5” era, viewing the 2024 incident as a resolved “non-issue” or a result of malicious editing.

While the protest trucks represent a persistent and visible form of dissent, the successful launch of the group’s new season and the recruitment for his official 2026 Solo Membership suggest that the withdrawal requests have not influenced the group’s structural path.

Kim Ji-woong continues to move forward, recently expressing his gratitude for the “love that allows [him] to live a proud life.”