BOYS II PLANET Finale Reveals ALPHA DRIVE ONE Debut with 8 Members

BOYS II PLANET has finally ended with eight winners.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE faces harsh criticism from netizens.
The new group name sparks online debates instantly.

The epicenter of the K-pop world has finally settled after the whirlwind finale of Mnet's survival phenomenon, "BOYS II PLANET". The show, which began with a massive pool of 160 aspiring idols from across the globe, has officially concluded its mission to select the next generation of stars. After months of intense competition, grueling missions, and a global fan-voting frenzy that captivated audiences, the journey reached its climax in a live broadcast event that determined the futures of the final 16 contestants. The air was thick with anticipation as the moment arrived to unveil not just the eight young men who would earn their debut spots, but also the identity of the new boy group they would form, marking the birth of a fresh chapter in the K-pop landscape.

The results are in, and the collective efforts of fans worldwide have crystalized into a new eight-member boy group. After a suspenseful ranking announcement by MC Kim Jae Joong, the final lineup was revealed, comprising a mix of talented individuals who captured the hearts of viewers. Furthermore, the group was christened with their official moniker, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, with the abbreviated form ALD1 also being introduced. This name is set to become synonymous with their musical identity as they embark on their professional journey, with social media accounts already launched to connect with their burgeoning fanbase from day one.

BOYS II PLANET Unveils 8 Debut Members and Official Group Name

The highly anticipated live finale of "BOYS II PLANET" aired on September 25, marking the end of a long and emotional road for the contestants and their supporters. The two-part event was a spectacle of performances and tense announcements, culminating in the revelation of the eight successful trainees. The members who will debut as part of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, in order of their final ranking, are:

• Lee Sang Won
• Zhou An Xin
• He Xin Long
• Kim Geon Woo
• Zhang Jia Hao
• Lee Leo
• Chung Sang Hyeon
• Kim Jun Seo

This diverse lineup promises a blend of skills that will define ALPHA DRIVE ONE's future sound and performance style. While fans of these specific contestants are celebrating a hard-fought victory, the announcement of the group's name quickly became a major point of discussion that extended beyond the debut lineup itself.

Group Name ALPHA DRIVE ONE Sparks Immediate Criticism

While the debut of the eight members is a cause for celebration, the chosen group name, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, has unsurprisingly become a lightning rod for opinions, particularly among Korean netizens. The reaction online has been overwhelmingly critical, with many expressing confusion and disappointment over the name's length, awkward phrasing, and what they perceive as a confusing combination of words.

A recurring theme in the criticism is the immediate comparison to the group name from the first season, ZEROBASEONE (ZB1). Interestingly, while ZB1's name was also met with mixed reactions initially, many netizens are now looking back on it more fondly, claiming that "ALPHA DRIVE ONE" is a step down.

The online community was quick to voice their thoughts, with comments ranging from pure bafflement to humorous comparisons.

"Do you really have to put 'Alpha' in there….?"
"They just can't let go of that 'Alpha' thing."
"A name that's even worse than ZB1's came out…"
"Wow, it's so lame. lol."
"Oh my god, it's so lame haha."
"What? ADHD?"
"It's long, so long."
"There's a supermarket in Australia called Aldi, it sounds like that."
"I thought it couldn't get lamer than ZB1."
"ZB1's name seems pretty now."

Meanwhile, a handful of comments tried to find a silver lining.

"It's better than ZB1 lol."
"But what does it mean? The sound isn't bad." .

Despite the heated debate surrounding their name, the focus ultimately remains on the talent and potential of the eight newly minted idols: 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 conversation about ALPHA DRIVE ONE will undoubtedly continue, but all eyes are now on what truly matters, the music and performances they will soon deliver as they officially step into the K-pop spotlight.

Source: MNET's BOYS II PLANET, Instagram/ald1.official, Allkpop, Soompi, theqoo