The birth of the next global K-pop icons has arrived with the debut of ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1)! The second boy group to emerge from Mnet’s global project BOYS II PLANET. After an intense 11-week debut journey that captivated millions, the show has come to a close with a live finale on Sept. 25. Eight rising stars were selected to form the group through fan votes spanning 223 countries and regions.
From 160 Trainees to One Team
The final lineup who will debut as members of ALPHA DRIVE ONE are Lee Sang Won, Zhou An Xin, He Xin Long, Kim Geon Woo, Zhang Jia Hao, Lee Leo, Chung Sang Hyeon and Kim Jun Seo. The members were determined by an astonishing 26.6 million votes from fans across 223 countries and regions, making ALPHA DRIVE ONE the most fan-voted group in Mnet history before their debut.
The group’s formation began with 154 boys from Planet K and C, following the withdrawal of six trainees. They came together through BOYS II PLANET, a global K-pop debut project created to discover the ultimate Alpha boy group. The name ALPHA DRIVE ONE represents the eight members who rose from those 160 participants to become one unified team. It symbolizes their passion and drive to be number one, which the show describes as the catharsis of the K-pop drive.
BOYS II PLANET Becomes a Global Phenomenon
Since its premiere, BOYS II PLANET drew worldwide attention. The program streamed live across 251 countries and regions, topping major platforms across Asia week after week. It ranked No.1 in the K-pop category on Japan’s ABEMA. It also led the variety chart on iQIYI International. The show expanded its reach to North America, South America and Europe, cementing its place as a truly global stage.
On social media, momentum was just as powerful. The show’s official YouTube, Instagram and TikTok channels accumulated nearly 900 million views, while the total number of followers across these platforms exceeded 2.2 million. Performance stages also went viral, with the theme song “HOLA SOLAR” nearing 7.6 million views and the “Whiplash” team stage hit almost 6 million views.
The program’s unique fan-driven voting system gave Star Creators the power to shape the debut lineup directly. That participation eventually turned ALPHA DRIVE ONE into an instant global trend, dominating hashtags across X and Weibo. Within just five hours of the lineup reveal, the group’s official accounts surpassed 500,000 followers, proving the unstoppable anticipation surrounding their debut.
What’s Next for ALPHA DRIVE ONE
ALPHA DRIVE ONE will kick off their official activities in the coming months, bringing high energy and passion to fans worldwide. With millions cheering them on, they are ready to make a powerful mark as K-pop’s newest global sensation and the next generation of superstars.
Congratulations to the eight members of ALPHA DRIVE ONE! Stay tuned as they step into their next chapter.
Are you ready for ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s high-energy debut? Did your pick make it into the final lineup and which performance moment made you a fan for life? Let us know on Instagram and X/Twitter!
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Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of Mnet
