Honestly, if you followed K-pop at all between 2021 and 2023, you knew Lee Sangwon. He was one of the faces of Trainee A, that legendary pre-debut group under BigHit Music that felt like a guaranteed success until it just... wasn't. When the project was scrapped in December 2022, the internet went into a bit of a meltdown. People thought he might be done with the idol life for good. He was spotted working at a café, living a normal life, and for a while, it seemed like the "Sangwon era" had ended before it even officially started.
Then Boys II Planet happened.
Seeing him walk onto that Mnet stage in July 2025 was a total "it's really him" moment for thousands of fans. But his journey on the show wasn't just a simple victory lap. It was messy, emotional, and filled with some of the highest stakes we've seen in a survival show recently. If you're wondering how he went from a barista back to the P01 spot and eventually into the group ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1), here is the full breakdown.
The Trainee A Ghost and the Grid Entertainment Rebirth
Before we talk about the show, we have to talk about why everyone was so obsessed with him. Sangwon wasn't just any trainee. He had been in the system for six years. That is an eternity in K-pop. He spent the bulk of that at BigHit, training alongside guys who are now in groups like TWS. When Trainee A fell apart, he basically hit a wall. He admitted on the first episode of Boys II Planet that he was exhausted. He wanted to quit.
The only reason he came back? Lee Leo.
The bond between these two is probably the most "real" friendship I've seen in a produced survival show. Leo, his best friend from the BigHit days, was the one who called him up and said, "Let’s do this one more time." They both signed with GRID Entertainment and entered the show as a duo. It was a huge risk. If they failed here, there was no "next time."
Quick Profile: The Stats You Need
- Birth Name: Lee Sang-won
- Birthday: May 8, 2003 (He's 22 now, which is "old" in trainee years but clearly didn't matter)
- MBTI: INFP (The classic "quiet but powerful" energy)
- Final Rank: P01 (1st Place)
- Current Group: ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1)
Lee Sangwon Boys Planet Performances: Beyond the Shoe Incident
Sangwon’s first appearance on the show was legendary for a very weird reason. During their "All-Star" evaluation, he and Leo performed ENHYPEN’s No Doubt. It was a killer stage—until his shoe flew off. He actually shouted "Ouch!" mid-performance. It was so human and so unlike the "perfect" idol image he had in Trainee A.
The judges loved it. Not the mistake, but the fact that he kept going and laughed it off. He earned an All-Star rank immediately.
But the show wasn't all smiles. Mnet, being Mnet, tried to pivot the narrative. While fans wanted "Leowon" (Leo and Sangwon), the editors started pushing "Wonxin"—the pairing of Sangwon and Zhou Anxin. They were the P01 and P02 of the season, and their chemistry in the Whiplash mission was undeniable. Sangwon became a sort of emotional anchor for the younger trainees. He wasn't the loud, flashy center; he was the guy who stayed up late helping everyone with their footwork because he’d already been doing it for six years.
The Controversy Hurdles
It wasn't all smooth sailing. Mid-season, some nasty rumors cropped up on X (formerly Twitter) about Sangwon’s past "toxic" relationships. It was the typical survival show smear campaign. Thankfully, GRID Entertainment didn't play around. They threatened legal action almost immediately, and the accounts deleted their posts. It was a stark reminder of how much pressure he was under—one fake post could have ruined a six-year dream.
Why He Actually Won (The P01 Secret)
You might wonder why Sangwon stayed at the top when there were flashier dancers or higher-pitched vocalists. It’s because he has what the industry calls "Star Factor," but for him, it’s really just maturity. He knows how to work a camera without looking like he's trying too hard.
In the final broadcast on September 25, 2025, when he was announced as the 1st place winner, he didn't even look shocked. He looked relieved. He had finally kept the promise he made to Leo back when they were just kids in the old BigHit building.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE and the 2026 Debut
Fast forward to right now. Sangwon officially debuted with ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1) on January 12, 2026. The group is managed by WakeOne, and they are already being called "monster rookies." Their debut EP, EUPHORIA, is everywhere.
The title track "Freak Alarm" is a heavy hip-hop track that really plays into Sangwon’s strengths. He’s no longer just a trainee with potential; he’s a center. He recently performed at the 2025 MAMA Awards and MMA before the official debut, which gave the group a massive head start. Watching him on stage now, you can tell the "part-time café worker" version of him is gone. He looks like he belongs under the lights.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're just now getting into Sangwon or ALD1, here is how to stay updated without getting lost in the noise:
- Watch the "No Doubt" Evaluation: It’s the best way to see his raw talent and how he handles pressure (and flying shoes).
- Check out his Trainee A vlogs: If you want to see the "origin story," some of those old YouTube videos are still archived by fans. They show just how much he's improved vocally.
- Follow ALD1 Official: Since they are a project group, their contract has a clock. Every comeback matters.
- Ignore the "Solo vs Duo" drama: There was a lot of fighting between Sangwon-only fans and Leo-only fans during the show. In reality, they are roommates and best friends. Supporting one usually means supporting the other.
Sangwon’s story is basically a lesson in not giving up when the world tells you you're "done." He could have stayed a barista. He could have stayed a "former" trainee. Instead, he’s the #1 guy in one of the biggest groups of 2026.
Next Steps for You: You can head over to the official ALD1 YouTube channel to watch the "Freak Alarm" music video, or check out Sangwon's individual "Focus Cam" from the Boys II Planet finale to see exactly why he earned that P01 spot.