The finale of Mnet’s Boys II Planet 2 brought tears, cheers, and unforgettable moments — but one story stood out above all: the emotional friendship between Lee Sang-won (22) and Leo Lee (23). The two trainees, once part of BIGHIT MUSIC’s canceled Trainee A project, finally fulfilled their long-awaited dream of debuting together, moving fans worldwide.
On the live broadcast aired September 25, the final debut lineup of eight members for the new boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1) was officially announced. The group includes Lee Sang-won, Zhou An Xin, He Xinlong, Kim Gunwoo, Zhang Jia Hao, Leo Lee, Chung Sang-hyeon, and Kim Jun-seo.
From Disappointment to Victory: Their Shared Past
Lee Sang-won and Leo Lee’s journey has been marked by perseverance and resilience.
Both were once revealed as part of Trainee A, a pre-debut team under BIGHIT MUSIC. However, the project was unexpectedly canceled, shattering their hopes of debuting together at the time.
During the first episode of Boys II Planet, Lee Sang-won reflected on this painful period:
“After the Trainee A debut was canceled, various circumstances led me to leave BIGHIT MUSIC. I was so exhausted that I even considered quitting my idol career.”
It was Leo Lee’s unwavering support that reignited his determination.
Leo shared:
“I called Sang-won and said, ‘I’m going to join Boys II Planet. Let’s debut together.’”
Lee Sang-won responded:
“When I heard that, I realized my friend still wanted to debut with me. Because I regretted not being able to do it together in the past, I challenged myself this time as if it were my last chance.”
The Emotional Finale
The finale was filled with suspense as rankings were revealed in reverse order.
- Leo Lee secured sixth place, confirming his debut spot before Lee Sang-won.
- When Lee Sang-won was announced as the first-place winner, the two shared an emotional moment on stage.
Leo Lee, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude to his fans, parents, and especially Lee Sang-won:
“Now only you are left. Honestly, I was the one who suggested we join, but it was because Sang-won agreed to debut together that I was able to do this. If it weren’t for Sang-won, I wouldn’t be here. I’m truly happy that we can finally achieve the dream we couldn’t fulfill before.”
Their heartfelt words brought many viewers to tears, symbolizing a friendship built on trust, perseverance, and shared dreams.
ALD1: A Promising Start
With Lee Sang-won and Leo Lee now part of ALD1, anticipation for the group’s debut activities is soaring.
Fans are eager to see how their bond and leadership will shape the group’s journey in the competitive K-pop landscape.
The debut lineup includes:
- Lee Sang-won (Leader)
- Zhou An Xin
- He Xinlong
- Kim Gunwoo
- Zhang Jia Hao
- Leo Lee
- Chung Sang-hyeon
- Kim Jun-seo
Fan Reactions on Social Media
Global fans have been celebrating the duo’s debut online with hashtags like #SangWonLeoDebut and #ALD1 trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Some fan comments include:
- “They kept their promise! Sang-won and Leo are finally debuting together.”
- “Their journey from Trainee A to ALD1 is truly inspiring.”
- “This is why I love K-pop — real friendships and real dreams coming true.”
Final Thoughts
The debut of Lee Sang-won and Leo Lee in ALD1 is more than just another K-pop success story — it’s a testament to loyalty and perseverance.
Their journey from a canceled debut to topping global charts shows that dreams deferred are not dreams denied.
As ALD1 prepares for their official debut promotions, fans eagerly await the music and performances that will define the next chapter of their inspiring story.
