AHOF. Photo: Courtesy of F&F Entertainment
AHOF, the nine-member K-pop boy band formed through the Korean reality show Universe League, has made their official debut with the mini album Who We Are. The multinational group featuring Jeongwoo, Woongki, Han, and Juwon from South Korea, Steven from Australia, Shuaibo from China, JL from the Philippines, Chihen from Taiwan, and Daisuke from Japan, has been months in the making. Now, they are finally unveiling Who We Are to introduce the world to the sound, performance style, and emotions driving their creative identity.
The Power of Nine
So, what’s behind the moniker AHOF? While it means “nine” in Korean, the name speaks more to the strength and unity of the group’s nine members than just the number itself. AHOF—which stands for All-Time Hall of Famer—was coined by the band’s agency, F&F Entertainment, as a way of manifesting their place in K-pop’s hall of fame. To the members, it’s everything. Woongki says the name gives them the “power and strength to run without exhaustion” as they pursue their K-pop dreams, while Juwon adds that it’s only meaningful when all nine members are together. “There’s no meaning if we are not nine.”
Unraveling the Album’s Narrative
The synergy is palpable in Who We Are, which tells a story of self-discovery, anxiety, and hope. This six-track record takes you on an emotional ride, from their pre-debut jitters to the exhilaration of finally sharing their music with the world. With songs like “The Little Star,” “The Universe,” “Rendezvous,” “Incompleted,” “Cosmic Underdog,” and “AHOF,” the rookie group sets the tone for the future music, with Steven saying, “It’s a start of showcasing the color of the band, and are a true labor of love from us.”
A Sound of Emotions
The title track, “Rendezvous,” which racked up over five million views on YouTube in just a day, is a poignant reflection of their journey so far. It’s got a dreamy vibe and captures that moment when flaws and faith collide. Moving from tender moments to intense releases, it captures the group’s anxieties about connection, change and fan acceptance. This is most apparent in lines like, “Will you still be the same as you were that day? Have you changed too much? Are you loving someone else and forgetting me?” revealing a deeper fear of drifting apart. Woongki admits to pouring his heart into the lyrics and says he drew from his own experiences. “It’s a song that shows our team’s energy and direction, which pretty much sums up why the track is a big deal,” according to Steven. The members also mention that the album unfolds like a story. “If you listen to the songs in sequence, you’ll get clarity on the narrative: the anxiety, uncertainty, and emotions each of us went through. It’s like a story that pieces all of that together.”
Moments of Vulnerability
For JL, the song “The Little Star” resonates deeply. “‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ was one of my vocal practice songs while I was a trainee,” he recalls, which explains his strong emotional connection to the track. “When I heard the demo, I cried a lot.” The music’s vulnerability is a key element in the album, Woongki emphasizes. Throughout the playlist, “you’ll feel our emotions, which makes Who We Are all the more special and meaningful,” he adds.
The Music-Making Process
Who We Are is an eclectic mix of perspectives, with each member contributing to its sound. El Capitan, the renowned Korean singer-songwriter and record producer, has been central to its production. The recording sessions were the most challenging part of the process, as the members fine-tuned their songs until they got them just right. “We modified and re-recorded several times for perfection,” Steven reveals. For non-Korean members Shuaibo and Daisuke, the language barrier made things a bit more difficult. “All the songs were in Korean, and I had to record with perfect pronunciation,” the latter shares.
The Message Behind Who We Are
The album is a promise to fans that AHOF will stay honest and always give it their best. Han breaks it down as a drama in six episodes, a short but impactful glimpse into all the vibes and feels the group hopes will stay with listeners. As Chihen puts it, “Please remember our songs.” The album’s themes of hope and perseverance urge fans to chase their dreams and never let go—a message that speaks to AHOF’s own journey, one that has only just begun with Who We Are.
Leave a Reply