The members of K-pop boy band ALPHA DRIVE ONE perform during a media showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
After months of global competition, the top eight finalists from Mnet’s audition show “Boys II Planet” officially stepped into the K-pop industry Monday as ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1), releasing its debut mini-album, “EUPHORIA.”
ALD1, consisting of members Junseo, Arno, Leo, Geonwoo, Sangwon, Xinlong, Anxin and Sanghyeon, marked the occasion with a media showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul’s Yongsan District ahead of the album’s 6 p.m. release.
“I’m happy and deeply moved to be able to debut,” Sangwon said. “This moment feels incredibly precious and I want to show many good sides of ourselves going forward. Right now truly feels like a moment of euphoria, just like our album title.”
The group name combines “Alpha,” symbolizing the pursuit of the best, “Drive,” meaning passion and momentum, and “One,” representing unity as a team. Geonwoo said the group shared a clear sense of purpose from the start.
“We all thought the name had a strong meaning,” he said. “We want to become a team that lives up to it and continues moving toward the top.”
Eight members of K-pop boy band ALPHA DRIVE ONE attend a media showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Arno, second from left, was unable to perform due to a fracture. Yonhap
During the event, Arno appeared on stage using crutches after suffering a fracture. His agency, WAKEONE, announced in December that he would participate flexibly in promotions, excluding performances, based on his condition. He did not take part in the group’s debut performance.
“I’m very happy that we can finally share songs we practiced hundreds, even thousands of times,” Arno said. “I worked really hard, so it’s disappointing not to be able to perform, and I feel sorry toward the members and fans. I’ll recover quickly and return as a complete eight-member group.”
Leo, the group’s leader, added that Arno’s absence was keenly felt.
“The empty space feels big,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that a precious member couldn’t join us for our debut, but we’ll take good care of him so we can show all eight of us together soon.”
K-pop boy band ALPHA DRIVE ONE performs during a media showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
According to the members, “EUPHORIA” captures “the joy and exhilaration of eight individuals completing their journey toward a shared dream as one team.” The six-track album includes the prereleased track “Formula,” the lead single “Freak Alarm,” as well as “Raw Flame,” “Chains,” “Never Been 2 Heaven” and “Cinnamon Shake.”
“This album tells the story of us becoming one team after chasing our dreams in our own ways,” Leo said. “It’s meant to offer empathy and encouragement to anyone pushing forward through their own intense struggles.”
While “Formula” reflects the process of coming together as a group, “Freak Alarm” likens ALD1’s emergence to a first alarm signaling its awakening.
Xinlong said the debut process itself underscored that transition.
“Every moment, from recording to filming the music video, is still very vivid,” he said. “As we discussed feedback and tried to show better sides of ourselves, I really felt that we had finally become one team.”
K-pop boy band ALPHA DRIVE ONE performs during a media showcase marking the group’s official debut at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
ALD1 follows in the lineage of boy groups formed through global fan voting from Mnet’s “Boys Planet” franchise, including ZEROBASEONE, whose contract is set to expire in March. While ZEROBASEONE’s original two-and-a-half-year contract was later extended by two months, ALD1 is scheduled to promote for five years following its official debut.
Sangwon cited earlier project groups as benchmarks rather than pressure.
“We deeply respect our seniors like Wanna One and ZEROBASEONE,” he said. “We want to grow while developing our own color so we don’t become a burden on the path they paved.”
Xinlong emphasized the group’s collective identity.
“Our charm comes from the different personalities coming together,” he said. “We’ll always promote with a rookie mindset and give our best. I hope we can one day be recognized, like our seniors, for delivering truly memorable performances.”
K-pop boy band ALPHA DRIVE ONE performs during the group’s debut media showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
