AHOF

Formation through Universe League and other activities

AHOF is a nine-member K-pop group formed through SBS's reality competition show Universe League, which aired from November 22, 2024 to January 24, 2025.^[4][1] The show featured 42 contestants from South Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Australia, and the Philippines, who competed for a spot in a multinational boy group. On January 24, the final lineup was announced: seven members from the winning team, Team Rhythm, and one top-voted contestant from each of the two losing teams, based on global voting.^[1][5]

Before appearing on the program, several AHOF members had prior experience in the entertainment industry. In 2019, Steven participated in Mnet's Produce X 101 under his full name as a DS Entertainment trainee and was eliminated in 72nd place.^[6] He later debuted in 2021 as a member of Luminous,^[7] which officially disbanded on February 9, 2025.^[8] That same year, Cha Woong-ki competed in To Be World Klass,^[9] where he ranked third and debuted in April 2020 as a member of TOO, which rebranded as TO1 in March 2021.^[10][11] He departed from TO1 in June 2022.^[12] Zhang Shuaibo participated in iQIYI's Youth With You 3 in 2021 and was eliminated in the first round, ranking between 63rd and 118th place.^[13][14] In 2023, Cha Woong-ki and Zhang Shuaibo took part in Mnet's Boys Planet, where they were eliminated in episode 11, ranking 20th and 28th, respectively.^[15][16] In March 2023, JL made his debut as a member of the Philippine boy group Pluus.^[17]

2025–present: Debut with Who We Are, and The Passage

Following the group's formation on January 24, F&F Entertainment announced that AHOF members would take a short break before beginning preparations for their official debut, initially scheduled for the first half of 2025.^[18] The agency later confirmed that the group would debut on July 1 with their first EP, Who We Are, which features six tracks produced by Universe League mentor El Capitxn.^[19][20] The title track, "Rendezvous", is a pop rock song with guitar and drum instrumentation and a dreamlike arrangement.^[21][22] Lyrically, it conveys themes of anxiety, nostalgia, and emotional longing tied to the pursuit of a dream,^[22][23] with member Cha Woong-ki credited as one of the lyricists.^[20] AHOF held a showcase at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul to commemorate their debut and the EP's release.^[24]

Who We Are sold 369,850 copies in its first week, marking the highest first-week sales for a debut boy group in 2025. It also ranked fifth overall among all boy group debut-week sales in South Korea.^[25] Meanwhile, "Rendezvous" earned AHOF their first music show trophy on July 8 through SBS funE's The Show, followed by additional wins on MBC M's Show Champion on July 9 and KBS2's Music Bank on July 12, completing a "triple crown" within 10 days of their debut, marking a significant early milestone in the group's career.^[26][27] These achievements led media outlets to describe them as "monster rookies." Their debut also prompted renewed discourse on the viability of idol audition programs, suggesting that such formats may remain effective when supported by strong fan engagement.^[3][28]

Ahead of their debut album release, AHOF made their first public stage appearance as a full group at the 2025 MyK Festa on June 19.^[29][30] They performed newly arranged versions of three songs from Universe League: "Ignition", "Butterfly", and "Mamma Mia". The setlist was selected through a global fan poll asking which songs audiences most wanted to hear from AHOF.^[30] On June 25, the group was also announced as part of the lineup for the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer Festival, scheduled for July 26. Their participation was confirmed before their official debut, an inclusion considered unusual given that the event typically invites K-pop artists who already debuted.^[31]

After their debut, AHOF conducted a series of release events across Osaka and Tokyo in early August, marking their first overseas promotional tour and signaling early expansion into the Japanese market.^[32] They next appeared on their first festival appearance through MBC's Show! Music Core 2025 Ulsan Summer Festival Special, where they performed the title track "Rendezvous" from their debut EP, introducing them to a broader domestic audience.^[33][34] Later that month, the group held their first fan concert, Rendezvous in Manila, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, on August 30.^[35] It was reported that tickets sold out within 30 minutes, and the show, attended by about 10,000 fans,^[33] was covered by South Korean and Philippine media as AHOF's first large-scale overseas appearance, reflecting the group's strong support in the Philippines and increasing international attention.^[36][37]

On September 16, F&F Entertainment announced that AHOF member Chih En would be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities due to health concerns. The agency stated that the decision was made with the artist's health and well-being as the foremost priority. AHOF will continue its activities and promotions as an eight-member group.^[38]

On October 14, it was announced that the group's second EP The Passage would be released on November 4, signifying their first comeback since debut.^[39]

On December 1, F&F Entertainment announced that Chih En, who had previously suspended activities due to health issues, had recovered after a period of medical treatment and rest. The agency stated that his health had sufficiently improved for him to resume daily life and group activities. It further confirmed that, following medical advice and the artist's own decision, Chih En would return to activities beginning with the 2026 AHOF 1st Fan-Con in Seoul, "AHOFOHA: All Time Heartfelt Only FOHA", scheduled to take place from January 3 to January 4, 2026.^[40][41]

Timeline

Extended plays

Singles

Other charted songs

Music videos

Other videos

Concerts and tours

Music festivals

Awards shows

Reality shows