The landscape of K-pop has been permanently altered with the explosive arrival of ALPHA DRIVE ONE, the highly anticipated project group formed through the Mnet survival reality program, BOYS II PLANET.
Upon the release of their first mini-album, “EUPHORIA,” on January 12, 2026, the group didn’t just enter the music scene—they dominated it.
Within a single week, ALPHA DRIVE ONE secured their place in the history books by achieving the second-highest first-week sales for a debut album in Hanteo history, signaling the rise of a new global powerhouse.
A Million-Seller Within Twenty-Four Hours
The momentum for ALPHA DRIVE ONE was evident from the very first day.
As soon as “EUPHORIA” hit the shelves and digital platforms, sales skyrocketed. By the end of the first day of release, the group had already surpassed the 1 million sales mark.
This feat is extraordinarily rare in the music industry, placing them in an elite circle of artists.
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By hitting the million-seller milestone on day one, ALPHA DRIVE ONE became only the third group in Hanteo history to achieve over a million sales in the first week of a debut, joining the prestigious ranks of ZEROBASEONE and RIIZE.
The immediate commercial success highlights the immense dedicated fanbase the members cultivated during their time on the survival show, proving that the “survival-to-superstar” pipeline remains a potent force in the industry.
Breaking Records: The Hanteo First-Week Milestone
As the first week of tracking concluded (January 12 to January 18), Hanteo Chart officially reported that “EUPHORIA” sold a staggering total of 1,441,270 copies.
This figure is monumental, officially ranking as the second-highest first-week sales for any debut album ever recorded on the Hanteo Chart.
The only group to currently hold a higher record is their predecessor from the original BOYS PLANET series, ZEROBASEONE, whose debut album YOUTH IN THE SHADE remains at the top of the leaderboard.
By coming so close to the all-time record, ALPHA DRIVE ONE has demonstrated that the appetite for high-quality, fan-driven project groups is larger than ever, setting a high bar for all future debuts in the fifth generation of K-pop.
From Survival Show to Global Icons
The success of “EUPHORIA” is a direct reflection of the global engagement with BOYS II PLANET.
Throughout the duration of the show, viewers from around the world invested emotionally in the trainees’ journeys, and that investment translated directly into purchasing power.
The album’s title, “EUPHORIA,” seems to perfectly capture the mood of the fandom, celebrating the successful transition from trainees to professional idols.
Beyond the numbers, the group has already begun making their mark on music programs.
Following their record-breaking sales, the group has been active on major shows like Music Core and M Countdown, performing alongside industry veterans and showcasing a level of stage presence and polish that belies their “rookie” status.
A New Era of Dominance
ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s record-breaking debut is more than just a statistical triumph; it is a declaration of their future potential.
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With nearly 1.5 million copies sold in seven days, they have established a foundation that most established artists strive for years to achieve.
As they move forward with their promotions, the industry is watching closely to see how this momentum will carry into their future releases and international tours.
For now, ALPHA DRIVE ONE stands tall as a historical phenomenon, proving that they are truly the “Alpha” of the new generation.
