A Rookie Record Worth Talking About
So here's the thing about K-pop rookie groups β the first year is everything. It sets the tone, builds the fanbase, and if you're lucky, it gets you on stage at one of the industry's most prestigious award shows. For nine-member boy group AHOF (μν), that first year has been nothing short of extraordinary.
On June 20th, AHOF β whose name is also written as "μν," the Korean word for "nine," a nod to their nine-member lineup β attended the 35th Seoul Music Awards (μμΈκ°μλμ), held at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. And they didn't just attend. They walked away with the Best New Artist award, a trophy that, by its very nature, can only be won once in a career. That makes it one of the most meaningful wins any artist can claim.
What's really interesting is the scale of what this group has achieved in such a short time. With this latest win, AHOF now holds a total of 13 award show trophies β all before even hitting their one-year debut anniversary. That's a record that demands attention.
Who Is AHOF?
For global listeners who might not be familiar yet, AHOF is a nine-member boy group under F&F Entertainment, a label connected to the Korean fashion and lifestyle conglomerate F&F. The group's members are Steven (μ€ν°λΈ), Seo Jeong-woo (μμ μ°), Cha Woong-gi (μ°¨μ κΈ°), Zhang Shuaibo (μ₯μμμ΄λ³΄), Park Han (λ°ν), JL (μ μ΄μ), Park Ju-won (λ°μ£Όμ), Zhien (μ¦μΈ), and Daisuke (λ€μ΄μ€μΌ) β a multinational lineup that reflects the increasingly global nature of K-pop idol groups today.
Their official fan club goes by the name FOHA (ν¬ν), and judging by the group's acceptance speech, the bond between AHOF and their fans is already deeply felt.
The Night Itself: Red Carpet to Trophy
The Seoul Music Awards, or "Seoul Gayo Daesang" as it's known in Korean, is one of the major annual music award ceremonies in South Korea, typically drawing the biggest names in K-pop and Korean pop music more broadly. The 35th edition was no exception β the evening featured performances and appearances from artists like ATEEZ, Le Sserafim, ZEROBASEONE, Boynextdoor, and many more.
AHOF arrived on the red carpet in coordinated clean black suits, immediately drawing the attention of press and fans gathered at the venue. But the real moment came during the ceremony itself, when the group was called up as the recipients of the Best New Artist award.
Through their agency F&F Entertainment, the group shared their feelings after the win:
"We came thinking that just being able to show the stages we worked so hard to prepare would already be an honor β so receiving an award on top of that makes us incredibly happy. We want to thank everyone who gave us this meaningful trophy. And to FOHA, who always cheers us on: we sincerely want to say thank you. It's because of you that we were able to receive another meaningful award like this."
A Performance That Matched the Moment
Beyond the award itself, AHOF also delivered a standout performance at the ceremony β and this is where things get really fun to talk about, because they clearly came prepared to make an impression.
The group opened their set with a dark fairy tale-themed intro, perfectly suited for a late summer night. Think atmospheric, theatrical, slightly eerie β the kind of stage that grabs you before a single note of the main song plays.
From there, they transitioned into "Pinocchio Hates Lies" (νΌλ Έν€μ€λ κ±°μ§λ§μ μ«μ΄ν΄), a track that showcased a bright, youthful charm β what Korean fans often describe as a refreshing "boy-next-door" quality. Then, in what was essentially a 180-degree pivot, they performed their recently pre-released single "Sugar High," a track that leaned into a noticeably more mature, intense energy. The contrast between the two performances in a single set was a deliberate flex of their range as performers, and by all accounts, it landed.
What Comes Next: July Comeback Confirmed
If you were wondering whether AHOF plans to ride this momentum β the answer is a firm yes. The group also used the occasion to announce an upcoming comeback, and they were specific about it.
Their third mini-album is set to drop on July 8th, marking a return to the music scene after approximately eight months. In the lead-up to the release, the group has been actively promoting through music show appearances, special busking events, and on-the-ground street promotions β the kind of hands-on hustle that tends to build genuine grassroots buzz.
As they put it in their statement: "We plan to return with a new album on July 8th, using this award as our driving force. We're working hard on preparations, so we hope you'll look forward to what kind of music and performances AHOF will come back with."
13 Trophies and Counting
To put the 13-trophy milestone in perspective: most rookie groups spend their first year simply trying to get noticed. Breaking into the award show circuit β let alone accumulating a double-digit trophy count β within that same window is genuinely rare. It signals not just commercial traction, but the kind of consistent fan engagement and critical recognition that tends to sustain long careers in K-pop.
For a group still technically in their rookie phase, AHOF has already demonstrated the kind of staying power that makes industry insiders take notice. The Seoul Music Awards Best New Artist win is, in many ways, the exclamation point on a debut year that clearly exceeded expectations.
With a new album just weeks away and 13 trophies already in the cabinet, it looks like AHOF is just getting started.
This article is based on reports from Khan Sports, Osen, Enter.
