Rising boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE (also known as ALD1) has officially entered the growing and competitive K-pop landscape. Despite being rookies, the band is more than ready to leave their mark on the music scene.
Comprised of eight members—LEO, SANGWON, ANXIN, XINLONG, GEONWOO, ARNO, SANGHYEON and JUNSEO—the group fuses diverse backgrounds and distinct artistry into a singular, powerful formula. Formed through the hit reality program BOYS II PLANET, the octet kicked off 2026 with their debut EP, EUPHORIA, officially launching their journey to live up to their bold slogan: “Drive to the TOP.”
We sat down with the members of ALPHA DRIVE ONE to dish on their debut, the preparation process behind their EP and what lies ahead for the band.
Sweety High: First of all, congratulations on your awaited debut! Please introduce yourselves and share something the readers might find interesting about you, or perhaps a TMI.
LEO: Hi, I’m LEO from ALPHA DRIVE ONE! I’m really glad to be doing an interview as a member of ALPHA DRIVE ONE in 2026.
JUNSEO: Hi, I’m JUNSEO from ALPHA DRIVE ONE! Thank you so much for the congratulations. As I’m answering this question, I’m looking at a clear blue sky with an iced Americano in hand. Thanks to ALLYZ, I’ve been having such happy days lately.
ARNO: Hi, I’m ARNO from ALPHA DRIVE ONE. I’ve been working out and taking better care of myself. I wasn’t able to be on stage this time, but I’ve been learning a lot and growing in my own way. I’m really looking forward to showing our fans how much I’ve grown!
GEONWOO: Hi, I’m GEONWOO from ALPHA DRIVE ONE. A small TMI about me is that I’ve been paying extra attention to taking care of my hair these days.
SANGWON: First of all, thank you so much for celebrating our debut! Recently, I’ve gotten into the habit of listening to relaxing music when I have a break. It helps me stay calm and balanced even during busy schedules. These days, I find myself thinking about music, our performances and ALLYZ the most. Even our music show wins feel like gifts from our fans, ALLYZ, so all of us are trying to give back that love by doing everything with sincerity.
XINLONG: Hi, I’m XINLONG from ALPHA DRIVE ONE! Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can show various sides of myself on stage, not just through performance and styling, but in new ways as well.
ANXIN: Hi, I’m ANXIN from ALPHA DRIVE ONE. We honestly never imagined we’d win first place on music shows four times, so it felt even more exciting and meaningful. Above all, I’m incredibly grateful to ALLYZ for cheering us on.
SANGHYEON: Thank you so much for the congratulations. I’m SANGHYEON, the lovable “maknae (youngest member)” of ALPHA DRIVE ONE! These days, I’ve been communicating a lot with fans through social media. I’ve always loved talking, so I’m really enjoying it.
(Photo credit: WAKEONE Entertainment)
SH: Since we have just started the new year, what is one personal bucket list item or activity you would like to do or accomplish in 2026?
LEO: I want to capture everyone’s attention with unforgettable songs and performances. And my biggest wish for 2026 is to meet ALLYZ as often as possible!
JUNSEO: I want to work hard and hopefully win “Rookie of the Year.” It’s a big goal for all of us as ALPHA DRIVE ONE, and I truly hope we can achieve it.
ARNO: My top priority is recovering fully so I can come back stronger than ever and become more perfect than before!
ANXIN: In 2026, I really hope we can meet ALLYZ from all around the world!
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SH: Tell us how the first few months of being a member of the group have been. How does it feel to finally call yourselves idols and members of ALPHA DRIVE ONE?
GEONWOO: At first, introducing myself as “GEONWOO from ALPHA DRIVE ONE” felt a bit unfamiliar. But now, I feel incredibly happy and proud to say it.
SANGWON: To be honest, everything felt new and unfamiliar at first. There were so many new experiences, and we started receiving more attention than before. I think I still need time to fully adjust, but I’m grateful for every moment and it all feels like an honor.
XINLONG: As we spend more time together, we’ve grown really close and now feel like a family. Both on and off stage, our teamwork and chemistry have deepened a lot. It’s truly an honor to be part of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, and I’ll keep working hard to let more people know our name.
SH: If you could introduce ALPHA DRIVE ONE in three words, how would you do it?
LEO: Energy, Power, Top
SANGWON: Raw, Special, Romance
ANXIN: Passion, Sprint, Breakthrough
SANGHYEON: Sprint, Path, Top
(Photo credit: WAKEONE Entertainment)
SH: You went from individuals competing for a spot on BOYS II PLANET to finally working together. How has that journey felt, and how have your first impressions of each other changed over time?
JUNSEO: Once we officially became a team, we were able to have deeper conversations, which helped us get close quickly. Most of the members are just like how I first thought, but now that we’re closer, everything is so much better.
ARNO: As we got to know each other better, we’ve become more understanding and considerate of one another. And honestly, everyone is way funnier than I expected at first!
GEONWOO: During the show, I was focused on pushing myself and not giving up. Now, being part of ALPHA DRIVE ONE with such amazing members, it feels incredibly reassuring.
XINLONG: I believe it was destiny for us to come together as a team. I truly hope all eight of us can shine even brighter in the future. We’ve grown so much closer, and our chemistry has become stronger than ever over time.
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SH: Let’s talk about your debut EP EUPHORIA. How did you find the preparation process, and is there a memorable moment from that time you could share with us?
SANGWON: So much has happened, and ALLYZ were always with us every step of the way. Every single moment feels so memorable to me. Since we officially kicked off our journey with EUPHORIA, every day felt precious and meaningful.
XINLONG: Everything about preparing this album was new to me. So, I was genuinely excited and happy throughout the whole process. The most memorable moment was our debut showcase. It was the day we officially debuted, so it made me look forward to everything ahead even more.
ANXIN: The shoot for the “FORMULA” performance video stands out the most for me. It really made me realize how much detailed coordination and teamwork it takes to complete a performance video as the entire team.
SANGHYEON: I learned so much during the preparation process. One moment I’ll never forget was filming our debut trailer at the beach. We wrote our team’s name in the sand and took photos together while feeling the ocean breeze.
(Photo credit: WAKEONE Entertainment)
SH: Which track on the album do you feel is closest to your personal musical taste?
LEO: Personally, I’d choose “Cinnamon Shake”! I love upbeat, rhythmic songs, so it really fits my taste!
JUNSEO: I really love our debut title track “FREAK ALARM.” I tend to imagine performances while listening to music, so if I had to pick one another, I’d choose “FORMULA” as well. I love how it blends that powerful energy with an easy-listening vibe.
ARNO: My favorite is “Raw Flame”! I love unique styles, and this track features a distinct vocal fry that you don’t hear often in other songs, which makes it even more appealing to me.
GEONWOO: I love intense songs like “Raw Flame” with strong beats and raw energy, but I also love the refreshing and bright vibe of songs like “Cinnamon Shake.”
SANGWON: For me, it’s “Chains.” I have special memories connected to this song and its emotional topline and the overall sound really match my personal vibe and taste.
XINLONG: My favorite is our debut title track “FREAK ALARM” and among the B-sides, I really like “Cinnamon Shake.” Its refreshing vibe instantly lifts my mood. I’m also very confident in performing “FORMULA” because of its powerful sound.
ANXIN: I like “Cinnamon Shake” the most. It has a light and cheerful vibe with a bouncy rhythm, which really fits my style.
SANGHYEON: The track closest to my taste is “Raw Flame.” The strong beat and fast tempo make it feel incredibly refreshing.
SH: Are there any specific genres or styles that you think would fit ALPHA DRIVE ONE?
LEO: I feel confident in hip-hop and R&B. If we ever get the chance, I think we could really pull those styles off!
JUNSEO: I hope we can become a versatile group that suits many different genres. e. Personally, I’d love to release a warm and heartfelt fan song to share our sincere feelings with our fans.
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SH: You’ve already taken the stage at major events like the 2025 MAMA AWARDS. What does it feel like to perform on such a massive scale so early in your career?
ARNO: It was such an honor just to share the stage with many respected senior artists. We learned so much from performing on such a big global stage, and I was incredibly happy to meet so many ALLYZ there.
GEONWOO: Performing on a stage I’ve always dreamed of for so long even before our debut was a huge honor. It motivated me to work even harder so we can return to that stage.
SANGHYEON: It didn’t feel real until we stepped on stage. When I looked out at the audience, I thought, “Wow, I can’t believe I’m actually standing here.” I felt so grateful to have such a massive opportunity even before our debut, and it made me want to work even harder from now on.
SH: Share with us your short- and long-term goals as ALPHA DRIVE ONE, and leave your final message to the readers and your fans!
LEO: Our short-term goal is to successfully wrap up our EUPHORIA promotions well. In the long run, I hope we can build a legacy that truly represents ALPHA DRIVE ONE. To ALLYZ, I love you all and thank you always!
JUNSEO: I want to keep working hard and hopefully win “Rookie of the Year.” But more than that, staying healthy and continuing this journey for a long time is more important to me. I sincerely thank ALLYZ for all your love and support, and I hope both Sweety High readers and our fans stay happy and healthy.
ARNO: Our long-term goal is “Drive to the TOP.” Just like our team slogan, we will keep moving forward to reach the TOP for everyone who supports us and share our energy with people around the world!
GEONWOO: Winning “Rookie of the Year” is our first big goal. My biggest dream is to hold concerts with ALLYZ all over the world as ALPHA DRIVE ONE. I’ll do my best to make these dreams come true, so please look forward to it!
SANGWON: In the short term, I want to keep showing ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s unique color through our music and performances, and reach more people as ALPHA DRIVE ONE. In the long term, I hope we become artists who continue to break records and leave our mark with every step we take toward our goals.
XINLONG: I want to stand on even bigger stages in the future. I will approach every opportunity with sincerity and gratitude, and I hope we can continue walking alongside our fans and supporting each other for a long time.
ANXIN: This year, I really hope we can win “Rookie of the Year.” I hope we truly live out our slogan, “Drive to the TOP.”
SANGHYEON: I sincerely thank everyone who believes in and supports ALPHA DRIVE ONE. Even from far away, our fans give us so much strength, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. Someday, I hope we can meet every ALLYZ in person and show our gratitude from the stage. We’ll keep growing and improving. Thank you always, and we love you!
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