The K-pop world is set to welcome a new powerhouse boy group: ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1). Formed through Mnet’s reality survival show Boys II Planet, the eight-member multinational group is scheduled to debut in early 2026.
They will follow in the footsteps of fellow WakeOne’s boy group ZEROBASEONE. ZB1, a project group, has achieved immense success within 2 years of activity. Their contract will expire in January, and if the members’ agencies agree, they will sign a contract extension.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1) Formation
ALPHA DRIVE ONE was created through Boys II Planet, the sequel to the successful Girls Planet 999 and Boys Planet series. The show aired from July to September, culminating in a live finale on September 25, where global fans voted to select the final eight members.
Managed by WAKEONE, a subsidiary of CJ ENM, under the label Genie Music, the group benefits from experienced management that has guided successful project groups in the past, such as ZEROBASEONE and Kep1er.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE Members
ALPHA DRIVE ONE consists of members from South Korea, China, and Australia:
- Sangwon (Center, Korean) – Known for his stage presence and vocal skills.
- Anxin (Chinese) – Brings experience from prior training programs.
- Xinlong (Chinese) – Former member of BOY STORY.
- Geonwoo (Korean) – Independent trainee with strong performance abilities.
- Arno (Chinese, Zhang Jiahao) – Uses his childhood nickname “Arno” as his official stage name.
- Leo (Korean-Australian) – Adds international appeal and versatility.
- Sanghyeon (Maknae, Korean) – The youngest member, notable for his sharp dance skills.
- Junseo (Korean) – Former member of WEI with stage experience and live performance skills.
Several members bring ample experience and have been training for years.
Contract Period
As reported by Dispatch, ALPHA DRIVE ONE is signed under a “5+1” contract period, which is longer than many typical K-pop project groups. The group is set to promote for five years following their official album release. Beyond this period, a “special activity” year requires them to release an additional single and hold concerts that effectively extend the contract to six years.
This arrangement allows members to engage in individual projects while maintaining group activities. It is significantly longer than previous project groups: for example, Wanna One promoted for only 1.5 years, while ZEROBASEONE had a 2.5-year promotional period.
The six-year term shows CJ ENM’s commitment to establishing a stable, long-term career path for the members. However, some fans criticize the demanding length of the contract.
Debut Preparations and Pre-Debut Impact
On October 12, 2025, ALPHA DRIVE ONE released their first official group and individual profile images through social media. The coordinated look of black jackets and denim pants highlighted both the members’ individual personalities and their cohesion as a group.
Following the profile release, the members officially revealed their stage names, marking an important milestone in their journey toward debut. Zhang Jiahao adopted the stage name Arno, and other members confirmed their official names.
Fan Response
Interest in ALPHA DRIVE ONE has been tremendous. By October 13, 2025, their official social media accounts had surpassed 1.14 million followers, and early fan club registrations continued to grow rapidly. Fans are particularly excited about the group’s strong teamwork and the potential synergy of the eight-member lineup.
Meaning and Concept
The group name carries a strong message: ALPHA represents the goal of reaching the top, DRIVE signifies passion and motivation, and ONE reflects unity between the members and their fans. Their slogan, “ONE DESTINY, DRIVE TO THE TOP”, highlights their shared goals and determination.
