5th Gen Idol Unexpectedly Changes Stage Name And Triggers Heated Reactions
Newly debuted ALPHA DRIVE ONE member Zhang Jia Hao has surprised fans by announcing he will now promote under the stage name Arno. The abrupt change that no one saw coming has sparked heated reactions from Korean netizens.
The decision comes ahead of the boy group’s official debut under WAKEONE, making it one of the rare cases where a survival show finalist adopts a completely new stage name.
In Korea, reactions have been largely critical, with netizens questioning the move.
There’s a reason why survival show trainees keep their real names when they debut. I’ll pretend I didn’t see it, so post it again. WakeOne, you’re good at that stuff anyway.
— Fan via X
서바출신들 이름 안바꾸고 나오는거 다 이유있는거라고요 못본척 할테니까 다시올려 웨이크원 너네 그런거 잘하잖아 https://t.co/IqJaKG2hAV
— ㅎ (@ameowingcat) October 12, 2025
Stop that and change it to Zhang Jia Hao. Survival show boy group members shouldn’t use stage names. Hurry up.
— Fan via X
그러지말고 장지아하오로 바꿔
서바이벌 남돌은 예명쓰면안되는거야
빨리 https://t.co/wgwQHCY7Fm— 🍙 (@sumornoe) October 12, 2025
Huh? Aren’t survival show groups supposed to use their real names? Can’t he just promote as Zhang Jia Hao? It’s not like the names are even the same…
— Fan via X
네? 서바 그룹은 본명으로 활동하는 거 아니었어요? 장지아하오로 활동하면 안됨? 이름이 걉치는 것도 아니고.. https://t.co/bbjSluxvMd
— 오즈 (@minam_yuhu) October 12, 2025
Despite the backlash, international fans have been quick to defend the change, explaining that Arno is not a random choice but the English name Jia Hao has used while studying abroad and on social media.
Please respect his English name! He’s been using this name since he was a trainee and Arno was used as his Weibo and Instagram id. Arno or Jiahao, no matter which one he choose, we love him for him, not for his name!
— 兔子精仙王 (@Mereditheology) October 12, 2025
arno – the english name jiahao used when he studied abroad https://t.co/fcCKBRB3Ox pic.twitter.com/2fFtm8gvns
— ¨̮ (@xingsbeiker) October 12, 2025
Others argue the new name is not only personal but also makes him more recognizable in an industry where unique branding is crucial. Some fans also point out that adopting Arno as a stage name sets him apart from other idols who may share similar names and makes it easier for global audiences to remember him.
i think it’s a good idea jiahao’s gonna use arno bc its unique, easy to remember and since there are already other idols sharing the same name its better to use a stage name to stand out/avoid confusion, even better its not just a random one but his eng name so it works perfectly
— ⋆𖦹⋆ (@jiahaofy) October 12, 2025
people should recognize how smart jiahao in using arno as his stage name, because that name is so unique that he is the only one that uses that in the industry 🤷♀️ he knows how to make himself iconic and get your attention bcz wdym he can make his own spotlight
— jai 🌹 (@everyjaihao) October 12, 2025
Whether the controversy will settle down or continue as ALPHA DRIVE ONE gears up for its debut remains to be seen, but Arno’s choice is already sparking conversations.
