After 70 days, 11 episodes, and more than 26 million votes worldwide, BOYS II PLANET wrapped its second season on September 25, 2025. The final eight contestants are (in order of ranking) Lee Sang-won, Zhou Anxin, He Xinlong, Kim Geon-woo, Zhang Jiahao, Lee Leo, Chung Sang-hyeon, and Kim Jun-seo. Together these young men will debut together as ALPHA DRIVE ONE.
Yes, this is going to be their group name. The name is supposed to merge three different meanings into one name: ALPHA (aiming for the best), DRIVE (passion and persistence), and ONE (a single team). Even better is that the abbreviated version of it is ALD1.
Aldi Bags, Formula One, and “Alpha Dragon”
Both Korean and international netizens have mocked the name ever since it was announced.
The abbreviation ALD1 is identical to supermarket giant Aldi, though Chosun implied that it’s actually pronounced as Aldone. The only difference is that you replace the “i” with the number one. Fans have posted pictures of their Aldi shopping bags, joking on how they bought merch ahead of time. Others compared it to Formula One, Audi, or even a new software update.
The awkwardness wasn’t lost on the show’s own hosts either. MC Kim Jaejoong kept getting the group’s name wrong as he was announcing the finale lineup. He even called them Alpha Dragon more than once, a slip some fans actually prefer. A screenshot of Vocal Master Lee Seok Hoon laughing after hearing the group’s name went viral in Korea.
While the memes are lighthearted, if even fans can’t defend a name, how will casual listeners connect with it?
Why Good Names Are Crucial in K-pop
A good name sets a group apart from the competition. It’s the first thing someone will hear or see. It helps with creating a brand identity that’s shipped off to different markets around the world. It can reveal a lot about the group’s concept. BTS is short and easy to remember. TWICE reflects the approachable image the girl group has. BLACKPINK’s name represents the group’s duality of having a bold yet feminine image. LE SSERAFIM is an anagram for “I’M FEARLESS”.
In an industry with hundreds of groups competing for attention, being memorable is essential. The wrong name can make it harder for a group to promote overseas or it can be difficult to search for online.
Unfortunately, ALPHA DRIVE ONE sounds more like a sports car company. Google searches bring up results for Alpha One Outdrives, a boat equipment company. Nothing about ALD1 reveals anything meaningful about the group’s concept or personality.
Mnet’s Obsession with “One”
Mnet has always had a weird obsession with the number one. Several of their survival groups have it: WANNA ONE, IZ*ONE, Kep1er, and ZEROBASEONE (ZB1). Kep1er and ZEROBASEONE in particular received scorn from K-pop fans, though some have been forgiving (especially towards ZB1).
I understand that the one can symbolize being the best, but it’s starting to feel forced now. There’s no creativity here. Fans want something catchy that’s easy to rally behind. ALPHA DRIVE ONE sounds like something an executive came up with at a boardroom meeting cause he was bored.
Maybe ALPHA DRIVE ONE can turn things around once they debut. Good music, strong performances, and an interesting concept can go a long way. The backlash will die down after a few days, though it is a sign that K-pop executives need to take a masterclass in branding strategies.
