What Is the Key Point of ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s Comeback?
ALPHA DRIVE ONE, the eight-member debut group announced through the BOYS II PLANET finale, has returned with its second mini album, ‘UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST.’ The album’s release date is confirmed as August 24, 2026. Domestic music listings identify it as an EP mini album released by WAKEONE and distributed by Genie Music and STONE MUSIC.
The album’s title track is ‘BORN DIRE.’ Reports said that ALPHA DRIVE ONE held a showcase for its second mini album at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the same day and performed the title track. The album is confirmed to contain seven tracks.
The key issue in this comeback is to distinguish between the album’s release and each member’s participation status.
Why Did the Stage Situation Change?
Three separate member-related issues were mentioned in coverage of this comeback. Gunwoo Kim’s case was not a health issue; it involved a temporary suspension of activities following controversy over inappropriate remarks and behavior at a content-shooting site. According to reports, Gunwoo Kim decided not to participate in activities currently being prepared or in the fan concert and to take time for self-reflection. ALPHA DRIVE ONE was reported to be scheduled to promote as a seven-member group.
Arno’s participation in performance-related schedules was limited because of an ankle injury. Reports citing a WAKEONE announcement said that Arno sprained his ankle while dancing during an external content shoot and did not participate in the performance at the August 24, 2026 showcase.
Sanghyeon faced an issue involving surgery to remove a vocal-cord polyp. According to reports, Sanghyeon was scheduled to undergo surgery on August 5, 2026, and it was announced that he would be absent from official schedules from August 5 through August 22. At the August 24 showcase, he reportedly said directly that he was recovering after surgery.
Points to Distinguish by Member
| Member | Confirmed issue | Confirmed activity-related details |
|---|---|---|
| Gunwoo Kim | Temporary suspension of activities after controversy over inappropriate remarks and behavior | Reported as a self-reflection decision, not a health issue; the group was scheduled to promote as seven members |
| Arno | Ankle injury during filming | Participation in performance-related schedules limited; reported absence from the showcase performance |
| Sanghyeon | Vocal-cord polyp removal surgery | Announcement of absence from official schedules from August 5–22; mentioned that he was recovering at the showcase |
This distinction matters because the reasons are different. Describing Gunwoo Kim’s case as related to an injury or surgery could obscure the facts. In Arno and Sanghyeon’s cases, meanwhile, the issues involve health and medical matters, so it is safest not to make definitive statements about their long-term outlook or future scope of activities.
Album and Group Background
ALPHA DRIVE ONE is an eight-member debut group announced through the BOYS II PLANET finale on September 25, 2025. The reported final members were Lee Sangwon, Zhou Anxin, He Xinlong, Gunwoo Kim, Zhang Jiahao, Lee Rio, Jung Sanghyeon, and Kim Junseo.
‘UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST’ is ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s second mini album. In the coverage reviewed here, attention focused on the title track ‘BORN DIRE,’ the showcase stage, and the issues limiting individual members’ participation. However, no basis was presented for making definitive claims about the album’s performance or the impact on the group’s future activities beyond what was confirmed.
Sources Checked
- Soompi, report on the BOYS II PLANET final debut lineup and ALPHA DRIVE ONE members, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://www.soompi.com/article/1786833wpp/watch-live-boys-ii-planet-announces-members-of-new-boy-group-in-finale-episode
- Apple Music, ‘UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST’ album information, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://music.apple.com/us/album/unbreakable-%E5%B0%91%E5%B9%B4beast/6793641364
- Bugs, ‘UNBREAKABLE : 少年BEAST’ album information, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://music.bugs.co.kr/album/4148385?wl_ref=M_contents_01_04
- Newspim, report on the August 24, 2026 showcase and ‘BORN DIRE’ performance, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://www.newspim.com/news/view/20260824000912
- Sports Kyunghyang, report on Arno and Sanghyeon’s showcase participation, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202608241419003
- YTN, report on Gunwoo Kim’s temporary suspension from activities, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0117_202604090959261362
- Maeil Business Star Today, report on Sanghyeon’s vocal-cord polyp surgery and absence from schedules, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://m.mk.co.kr/amp/12116721
- News1, report on Sanghyeon’s showcase remarks, checked at 2026-08-27T07:56:53.851Z: https://www.news1.kr/amp/entert/music/6267536