AlphaDriveOne Faces Controversy Ahead of Debut
AlphaDriveOne, an 8-member multinational boy group formed through Mnet's audition program 'BoFpl2' and managed by WakeOne, is set to debut in the first half of 2026.
The official profile pictures have been released, featuring:
Top row - Zhou Anxin, Lee Rio, Zhang Jiahao, Kim Junseo
Bottom row - He Xinlong, Lee Sangwon, Kim Geonwoo, Jung Sanghyun
However, even before their debut, controversies have erupted. A member who sparked debate during 'BoFpl' is included in the AlphaDriveOne lineup, causing strong backlash. Now, another issue has surfaced.
In the official profiles, the members are listed by their given names only. Zhang Jiahao, however, will be promoting under the stage name Arno, a childhood nickname, a departure from his 'BoFpl' name.
① Kim Geonwoo's Bullying Allegations
Kim Geonwoo, a controversial contestant on 'BoFpl', is accused of bullying fellow trainees. He was also revealed to be a WakeOne trainee despite claiming to be independent. This led to suspicions of favoritism when he was chosen as the center for the signal song, seen as a 'guaranteed debut' position.
Kim Geonwoo posted a handwritten apology for the bullying allegations, but it was later quietly deleted.
② Lee Sangwon's Clubbing Controversy
Lee Sangwon, who ranked first in the 'BoFpl2' finale and is slated to debut as AlphaDriveOne's center, is a former Big Hit trainee. Prior to the show, a video allegedly showing Lee Sangwon dancing at a club circulated online. Another video shared in April reportedly features someone resembling Lee Sangwon at the Hongdae DOZE club.
This video is said to have been filmed on April 14th, just weeks before 'BoFpl2' filming began. While some fans defended Sangwon, arguing that adults can go to clubs, others criticized his frequent clubbing as questionable behavior for someone aspiring to debut as an idol, calling his mindset flawed.
③ Lee Rio's Girlfriend Rumor
Mere days after AlphaDriveOne's final lineup was announced, claims surfaced that Lee Rio was spotted with his girlfriend.
However, it was confirmed that the photo was originally posted on Weibo in October 2024. The poster stated that their friend had coincidentally seen an idol and his girlfriend on a date near the HYBE building around midnight.
Although the photo was a year old, the dating rumor spread. A fan countered the rumor, claiming that Rio had already left HYBE in 2023 and joined 131 Entertainment, and that on the day the photo was allegedly taken, he had updated his social media with a picture of himself in a studio.
④ Kim Junseo's Fan Gifts
Kim Junseo, who made it into AlphaDriveOne as the final member, is facing criticism for accepting expensive gifts from fans.
One fan gifted him an iPhone 17 and a case. Recently, Kim Junseo was spotted using the gifted iPhone to take a group selfie with the other AlphaDriveOne members.
Netizens expressed disapproval, questioning whether idols still accepted 'jokong' (tribute gifts) in 2025 and criticizing the practice of soliciting gifts even before debuting.
Recognizing the issue, the agency quickly issued an official statement stating that they would no longer accept any gifts, including support items, and would only accept fan letters.
⑤ Zhou Anxin's Plastic Surgery Rumors
Past and present photos of Chinese member Zhou Anxin are being compared, sparking plastic surgery rumors.
Zhou Anxin, a former child actor, competed with Lee Sangwon for first place on 'BoFpl2' and is considered one of AlphaDriveOne's main visual members.
Among the controversies, Kim Geonwoo's bullying seems to be the most problematic, as it caused harm to others. However, it seems to have been swept under the rug after his apology.
They say people don't change easily... I'll be watching their character after their debut.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/nadiatear0
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