Checked October 26, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. KST.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE member Geonwoo has reportedly sued WAKEONE to confirm his contractual status. StarNews links the case to his wish to return to the group after a hiatus. That reported aim should not be confused with a confirmed agreement to resume activities. Ilgan Sports report; StarNews report.
The artist is Kim Geonwoo, whose official stage name is GEONWOO. WAKEONE spells the group’s name ALPHA DRIVE ONE.
1. Why is Geonwoo suing WAKEONE?
StarNews reported on October 25 that Geonwoo’s side wanted him to return to the team but had not received the measures it sought. The outlet presented this as a reported explanation for the lawsuit; it was not a direct public statement from Geonwoo.
Ilgan Sports described the case as seeking confirmation of the effect of his exclusive contract and his status. The reports reviewed here describe a status-confirmation lawsuit, rather than a request to terminate his contract.
The complaint itself was not available in the sources reviewed for this article. That limits what can be said about the precise rights or remedies being sought. The October 25 news reports say the suit was filed recently; October 25 is the reporting date, not a verified filing date.
2. Why had he stopped group activities?
In its April 8 statement, WAKEONE acknowledged inappropriate language during a pre-debut content shoot. The agency said the remark was muttered and was not aimed at a particular person, while still calling it inappropriate. It announced a period of reflection and his absence from upcoming activities, with the group temporarily promoting as seven.
Geonwoo also apologized on the group’s official Mnet Plus page for his words and behavior and said he would reflect. That earlier apology explains the hiatus background; it is not a statement explaining the current lawsuit.
3. What has WAKEONE actually said?
WAKEONE has already responded. In its October 25 official notice, the agency said it had discussed concrete schedules and content for Geonwoo’s future activities. According to WAKEONE, differences over the direction of those activities led to legal proceedings.
The company said it would respond through the established procedures. It also said planned ALPHA DRIVE ONE activities would continue, with support for the seven members currently promoting, and that it would keep communicating about Geonwoo’s future entertainment activities.
The notice did not explain the proposed schedules in detail or announce a return date. It therefore does not establish whether the disputed plans involved group work, solo work, or another arrangement.
4. What are Korean fans saying?
One Korean-language commenter on FanPlus’s ALPHA DRIVE ONE board opposed a group return and suggested solo activities instead. The comment was posted on October 26 at 5:37 p.m. KST. This is one person’s view, not a measure of Korean fan sentiment; the commenter’s nationality and fan status have not been verified. It does not establish whether most Korean fans support or oppose the lawsuit.
5. Has Geonwoo left the group, or is he coming back?
The October 25 agency statement announces neither a permanent departure nor an agreed group return. It confirms the seven-member activity plan and continued communication about his future activities. Read WAKEONE’s notice.
The reviewed sources also do not establish a court decision, settlement, or confirmed hearing date. The unresolved question is what the legal process or further discussions will establish about his activities. A reported wish to return is not yet a return announcement.