Alpha Drive One

Alpha Drive One formed through the Mnet survival show Boys II Planet, which aired in late 2025. The finale on December 12, 2025, revealed eight winners: Kim Junseo, Arno, Leo, Geonwoo, Sangwon, Xinlong, Anxin, and Sanghyeon. After a brief training period documented in a reality series, they debuted on January 12, 2026, with the EP Euphoria. The EP features five tracks including the lead single “Ignition,” an upbeat synth-pop anthem with rap verses, and the melodic R&B track “Daydream.” The EP entered the top 10 of the Circle Album Chart, and its music video for “Ignition” hit 10 million views on YouTube within 24 hours, a record for a debut group from a survival show that year.

Managed by WakeOne, a subsidiary of CJ ENM, the group operates under a five-year contract. Their debut was supported by a pre-debut reality series on Mnet that followed their training and bonding. As rookies, they have already been invited to perform at KCON Japan in March 2026 and have participated in a UNICEF mental health awareness campaign. The group’s fandom, named ALPHA, organized a subway ad campaign in Seoul for the debut and raised ₩50 million for children’s education in February 2026.

Members bring diverse backgrounds: Junseo previously trained at SM Entertainment; Arno is Korean-French and speaks four languages; Leo appeared on Street Dance Battle; Geonwoo worked as a backup dancer; Xinlong and Anxin are the youngest, often called the “double maknae” duo. The group’s name symbolizes being the first and a driving force of a new generation.[edit]

The eight members of Alpha Drive One were selected through Mnet's Boys II Planet, a competition that brought together 98 trainees from various agencies and independent backgrounds. The show aired episodes from September to December 2025, with viewers voting for the final lineup. The finale on December 12, 2025, revealed the winners in a live broadcast. Kim Junseo, who had been a trainee at SM Entertainment, was voted as the group's leader by fans and fellow contestants. Arno, a Korean-French trainee, impressed with his multilingual skills and vocal ability. Leo, who had prior dance competition experience, secured a spot with sharp choreography. Geonwoo, a former backup dancer, brought stage presence. Sangwon was praised for his visuals and vocal tone. Xinlong, a Chinese-Korean trainee, and Anxin, who had only six months of training, both made the cut as the youngest members. Sanghyeon, known for his deep voice and variety show appearances, rounded out the lineup.

After the show, the members moved into a shared dormitory and underwent intensive training in vocals, dance, and language. A reality series titled ALD1: The First Drive aired on Mnet from December 2025 to January 2026, documenting their preparation for debut. The group’s debut EP, Euphoria, was produced by a team including hitmakers from RBW and SM Entertainment. The lead single “Ignition” was chosen for its energetic, synth-driven sound that highlighted the members' vocal and rap abilities.[edit]

Alpha Drive One's debut EP Euphoria establishes a sound rooted in fourth-generation K-pop: energetic synth-pop with hip-hop influences. The lead single “Ignition” features a driving beat, layered synths, and alternating rap and vocal verses, while “Daydream” slows down into a melodic R&B groove. The group emphasizes synchronized choreography, with complex formations and sharp transitions. Lyrically, the songs focus on themes of ambition, unity, and youthful excitement.

As a new group, their musical style is still evolving. They have not yet explored sub-genres like EDM or ballad-heavy tracks, but their production team’s pedigree suggests future releases may incorporate more diverse influences. The group’s vocal line, led by Arno and Sangwon, handles melodic hooks, while the rap line, led by Junseo and Geonwoo, delivers rhythmic verses. Their live performances prioritize energy and precision, typical of survival show-formed groups.[edit]

As a product of Boys II Planet, Alpha Drive One carries forward the legacy of survival show groups like Wanna One and ZEROBASEONE, reinforcing the popularity of project-based K-pop formations. Their debut records, 10 million YouTube views in 24 hours and 200,000 first-week album sales, demonstrate the power of the show's built-in fanbase. The group has already secured endorsements with Korean fashion labels NERDY and MLB Korea, and members have appeared in fashion magazines.

Beyond music, the group participated in a UNICEF mental health awareness campaign in March 2026, using their platform to promote well-being among youth. Their fandom, ALPHA, has shown organizational strength through fundraising and streaming projects. While still early in their career, the group’s rapid rise signals their potential to influence K-pop trends, particularly in the realm of fan engagement and multimedia content.[edit]

The official fandom name ALPHA was announced shortly after debut, with the fan color Metallic Silver and Electric Blue. The lightstick, ALPHA Drive Light, features a hexagonal rod with a glowing “A” logo and interchangeable colored rings, a first in K-pop lightstick design that allows fans to customize. Fan traditions include “Drive-In” events where they simultaneously stream music videos and live performances. The first major fan project raised ₩50 million for children's education in February 2026, with donations made in the members' names. Fans also organized a subway ad campaign in Seoul for the group’s debut, featuring messages of support and the group’s logo.[edit]

The group's name “Alpha Drive One” symbolizes being the first (Alpha) and driving force of a new generation, with One representing unity. Member Arno is fluent in French, Korean, English, and Japanese, often acting as translator during international promotions. Xinlong and Anxin are both the youngest members (maknaes), with Xinlong older by one year; they are called the “double maknae” duo. During Boys II Planet, Junseo was frequently voted as the most likely leader by fellow contestants. The debut EP Euphoria was produced by a team including hitmakers from RBW and SM Entertainment. The lightstick's removable ring is a first in K-pop design, allowing fan customization.[edit]