Alpha Drive One (ALPHA DRIVE ONE), the first debut group of 2026, opens a new path for K-pop with the label of being 2026's first debut group.
Alpha Drive One (Rio, Junseo, Arno, Geonwoo, Sangwon, Xinlong, Anshin, Sanghyun) held a showcase for the release of their first mini album 'EUPHORIA' at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Alpha Drive One performed the pre-release track 'FORRMULA' and the title track 'FREAK ALARM' at the event.
Formed through Mnet's 'Boys II Planet,' the '2026 global K-pop super rookie boy group' Alpha Drive One stands for ▲ALPHA (the goal toward the top) ▲DRIVE (passion and momentum) ▲ONE (one team), and carries a fierce ambition to deliver 'K-pop catharsis' on stage.
Recalling the first time he heard the group name, Geonwoo said, "The meaning was so good. I thought it was such a cool team and agreed with the members. Since it has such a great meaning, I thought we should become a great team and reach the top," Junseo said, "It was decided to mean that we are a team running toward the top, but I think we need to run even harder. The eight of us will work energetically so we can shine more."
Their determination and ambitions were also extraordinary. Mentioned ambitions included 'the icon of K-pop sprint' (Junseo), 'the symbol of K-pop' (Arno), 'K-pop's center of attention' (Rio), 'the ignition of K-pop' (Anshin), 'the standard of K-pop' (Sungwon), 'K-pop's new formula' (Xinlong), 'K-pop's new path' (Sanghyun), and 'the syndrome of K-pop' (Geonwoo). Rio said, "I'm excited to start the year with such cool friends debuting together. We prepared every day to show our best, so please look forward to and support us."
There are especially members who are making a heartfelt second debut. Rio said, "Since it's a new beginning, I prepared with earnest feelings. With new brothers, happiness is eight times greater and fun is eight times greater. It was a debut I wanted, so it's precious." Junseo said, "It's meaningful to challenge my dream once again. My previous activities helped a lot and gave me the driving force to really work hard. I'm experiencing many new things as Alpha Drive One, and it's precious to be able to do them with such great members," and Xinlong said, "I gained a lot through this precious time. I will show great performances with the members."
After performing as a performing artist at the '2025 MAMA AWARDS' and up to the '2025 Melon Music Awards' even before their debut, Alpha Drive One has proven high-quality performances on big stages and is receiving global market expectations. About this stage experience, Rio said, "It was an honor to stand on a big stage before debuting. We think our team is a group that performs well, a 'killing performance group,' so we want to show more things on stage. It was a valuable experience."
With activities coinciding with K-pop representative groups such as BTS and EXO, Junseo said, "It's an honor to be active at the same time as the seniors I respect. As a K-pop fan myself, I'm happy to be able to be active while watching great songs by the seniors. I will work so people can say we are cool juniors."
They cannot avoid comparisons with others who have similar debut narratives like Wanna One and ZEROBASEONE. Sangwon said, "I respect Wanna One and ZEROBASEONE so much. What we always think is that we should grow into a group that constantly becomes great with our own color so we do not become a burden to the great path the seniors paved. We will make sure to show that." Xinlong said, "I think Alpha Drive One's charm appears when members with diverse personalities come together. We will continue to act with the attitude of rookies and do our best."
Alpha Drive One's first mini album 'EUPHORIA' captures the moment when the journey of eight members, each heading toward their dreams in their own way, is completed into one team. After long preparations, it will convey the emotions of the beginning and the overwhelming euphoria with Alpha Drive One's unique energy and narrative.
The title track 'FREAK ALARM' grabs the ear from the start with an intense beat as Alpha Drive One, finally awakened as one, declares their existence to the world, heightening curiosity about the full song. The addictive melody, like the gears of a clock meshing and flowing with an alarm, further raises expectations for the performance Alpha Drive One will present with this debut title track.
The mini album includes the title track 'FREAK ALARM', the pre-release track 'FORMULA', the song 'Raw Flame' which shares the name with the debut trailer, 'Chains', which depicts a narrative of members becoming tightly linked like chains under the subtle mood of moonlight, 'Never Been 2 Heaven', a dance-pop song combining a thick bassline over a melodical progression, and 'Cinnamon Shake', which vividly conveys a sense of joy and festivity with the image of a warm cinnamon shake in a cup appearing against a winterlike backdrop.
On Alpha Drive One's direction, Rio explained, "Like our team name, we hold a heart aiming for the top, and even if we are not perfect, the romantic energy of passion and momentum is the direction we pursue. Romantic, energetic and core are the words that best describe us."
Having performed on major award stages such as the '2025 MAMA AWARDS' and 'MMA 2025' even before debut, Alpha Drive One has finally debuted. Sangwon said, "Our goal is to make people fall for us. Through this album, I want to be called a monster rookie," and Anshin said, "Performing on award ceremony stages felt like a dream, and I want to receive a rookie award at those stages this year as well. If we could receive that award once after debut and share it with fans, it would be an honor."
Meanwhile, Alpha Drive One's debut album 'EUPHORIA' will be released on various music sites at 6 p.m. that day.
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