'Road to Kingdom' ONEUS, Ace Battles back-to-back at No. 1

Group ONEUS participated in the ace battle on Mnet's "Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE" and won first place for the second time in a row.

The first round, a full-fledged competition for the ace team, featured songs by boy groups that sold more than 1 million records in 2023. ONEUS chose a bracket where they had to compete against two teams, and performed NCT 127's "Hero (英雄; Kick It)."

ONEUS's reversal of the neo-oriental concept of the original song signaled the birth of a new hero. With Hwanwoong as the ace following the trial, ONEUS borrowed the concept of the movie "Kingsman" to create a performance that was filled with wit and formality.

The group utilized stomp sounds to accompany the explosive energy of the performance, adding pop synth sounds to the action-packed performance to give it a sophisticated sweetness. The use of various props that visualized the concept of 'Kingsman' such as secret doors and umbrellas also stood out. The energetic military sequence, including a dance break using an umbrella, was followed by spectacular acrobatic skills and high-pitched vocals."

Other groups who watched ONEUS's performance said, "The energy was definitely different," "You're a senior," and "Hwanwoong's stats are really amazing."

As a result of the first round, Hwanwoong was ranked first in the 'Ace Ranking' and was invited to compete in the 'Ace Battle' in a single-round match against the ace of the team ranked first. Hwanwoong choreographed a modern dance performance with a twist to the song "Sovereign Shadows," which he created for this stage. His immersive facial expressions and gunpowder performance, in which his white clothes turned black, brought a standing ovation. Hwanwoong won the Battle of the Aces with 24 out of 30 votes, earning him the final victory and the right to determine the cue sheet for the second round.

Meantime, "Road to Kingdom: Battle of ACE" airs every Thursday at 9:30 p.m.