The giant rookie boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1, ALD1), sprinting toward the top of global K-pop, is being celebrated for their debut across the country.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE (Rio, Junseo, Arno, Geonwoo, Sangwon, Xinlong, Ansin, Sanghyun), who officially debuted on Jan. 12 with the mini album EUPHORIA, ran outdoor advertisements at major landmarks nationwide, coloring streets across the country with ALPHA DRIVE ONE.
Noted as the "first K-pop debut group of 2026," ALPHA DRIVE ONE posted bold messages on outdoor ads on major streets in Seoul alongside photos, writing what they want to be in K-pop in 2026. Leader Rio said "eye-catching," Junseo said "icon of sprinting," Arno said "symbol," Geonwoo said "syndrome," Sangwon said "standard," Xinlong said "official," Ansin said "ignition," and Sanghyun said "path," revealing ambitious goals befitting rookies.
The members' bold messages quickly became a hot topic among K-pop fans, and messages congratulating ALPHA DRIVE ONE's debut spread on social media and online communities. In particular, the phrase "2026 ALD1 Let's Go" lit up Namsan Seoul Tower, Seoul's representative landmark, symbolically announcing ALPHA DRIVE ONE's full-scale departure. In addition to outdoor ads on major Seoul streets, various forms of advertising were carried out nationwide in places such as Jeju Island, Busan and Bundang, rapidly spreading the excitement over ALPHA DRIVE ONE's debut.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE's debut title track "FREAK ALARM" achieved unusual results for a rookie, entering Melon TOP100 at No. 31 shortly after release and ranking No. 1 on Melon HOT100 (100-day), Melon HOT100 (30-day), Melon newly released chart (1-week) and Bugs real-time chart.
Along with this, they achieved dazzling results on overseas charts, reaching No. 1 on Rakuten Music real-time and No. 1 on Japan iTunes K-pop top songs chart. The mini album EUPHORIA also dominated global charts, reaching No. 7 on the worldwide iTunes album chart, emerging as a K-pop prospect upon debut.
The mini album EUPHORIA captures the moment of euphoria when the journeys of the eight members, each pursuing their dreams in their own way, are completed as one team. After a long preparation, they expressed the feelings of a beginning and overwhelming euphoria (EUPHORIA) through ALPHA DRIVE ONE's unique energy and narrative. The debut title track "FREAK ALARM" left a strong impression by likening ALPHA DRIVE ONE's awakened presence, finally united as one, to a "first alarm."
Meanwhile, ALPHA DRIVE ONE plans to begin active communication with global K-pop fans through various activities, starting with Mnet's "M Countdown" music show on Jan. 15.
OSEN=reporter Jang Wooyoung