ZEROBASEONE recently offered fans a peek into their daily lives on MBC‘s ‘Omniscient Interfering View.’ While the episode showcased the members’ individual styles within their dorm rooms, the details revealed about their living arrangements have ignited a debate among fans online.
During the broadcast on April 26th, the group’s managers disclosed the somewhat unconventional dorm setup: the nine members are currently split into four different living spaces. The breakdown revealed that Jiwoong shares a dorm with a manager, Taerae, Gunwook, and Yujin share another with a different manager, Matthew and Ricky reside with a manager, while Hanbin, Hao, and Gyuvin live together without managerial supervision.
According to the managers, this arrangement was determined through a “ladder game,” a seemingly random process that resulted in Jiwoong, the eldest member at 27, sharing a dorm one-on-one with a manager. They further explained that Hanbin naturally takes on a leadership role in their dorm, negating the perceived need for a manager’s presence there.
While netizens acknowledged that it’s not uncommon for rookie idols to live with their managers, especially in their early careers for logistical and safety reasons, the specific details of ZEROBASEONE’s situation have left many fans feeling uneasy.
Concerns have been raised on several fronts. Some fans questioned the logic of managers rooming with members instead of sharing their own separate accommodations. The arrangement involving Jiwoong has particularly drawn criticism, with many arguing that a 27-year-old idol shouldn’t require such close, constant supervision. This has led to discussions about the members’ autonomy and the level of control exerted over their daily lives.
zerobaseone’s dorm setup is divided into 4!
dorm 1: jiwoong with another manager
dorm 2: taerae, gunwook, yujin with a manager
dorm 3: matthew and ricky with a manager
dorm 4: hanbin, hao, gyuvinone of the managers said the setup was decided through the ladder game, and one… pic.twitter.com/s4ciQ1h0ge
— ♫ (@taeraesque) April 25, 2025
A segment of the fandom also expressed heightened concern regarding Ricky’s living situation, recalling a past controversy involving one of the group’s managers. This pre-existing unease has amplified their discomfort with the current setup.
However, not all reactions have been negative. Some fans have defended the dorm arrangements, emphasizing that living with managers is a long-standing practice within the K-Pop industry. They argue that this ensures the members adhere to their demanding schedules, maintains their safety, and facilitates overall group management, especially during their busy debut period.
The ‘Omniscient Interfering View’ episode, intended to offer a candid look into ZEROBASEONE’s lives, has inadvertently opened a Pandora’s Box of fan opinions. What are your thoughts on the group’s living arrangements? Let us know in comment section below.
