AHOF
The group AHOF (아홉) is riding a wave of success and making a strong mark on the K-pop scene.
Composed of STEVEN, JEONGWOO, WOONGKI, SHUAIBO, HAN, JL, JUWON, CHIHEN, and DAISUKE, AHOF is building solid momentum toward a second consecutive hit.
Their song “파랑 학교, 초록 잔디, 빨간 운동화” (Blue School, Green Grass, Red Sneakers) climbed to number 3 on the K-Pop Radar weekly fandom chart released on August 1. This chart highlights artists with the most significant fandom growth over a one-week period.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is that the track was released a month ago, demonstrating the power of word of mouth and the strength of AHOF’s fanbase.
The music video for the song has undoubtedly played a key role in its success. On July 29, AHOF released a new video for “파랑 학교, 초록 잔디, 빨간 운동화,” following the earlier releases of “Rendezvous (그곳에서 만나기로 해)” and “소년, 무대 위로 넘어지다 (Intro).” While “Rendezvous” conveyed a dreamy and melancholic vibe, “파랑 학교, 초록 잔디, 빨간 운동화” highlights a bright and innocent charm, capturing the essence of refreshing youth. These subtle variations around the theme of freshness (청량) have captivated fans worldwide.
Since their debut, AHOF’s members have been breaking records. Their first album sold 360,985 copies, ranking 5th among the best-selling debut albums by boy bands. Their music has also topped local platforms like Melon and Bugs, as well as global charts on Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music.
Now, even their non-title tracks are achieving huge popularity, rivaling the main singles. AHOF is shattering the stereotype that “B-sides” go unnoticed.
Their rapidly growing fandom is also drawing attention. Upon joining the fan platform blip, AHOF immediately ranked #1 in fan participation rate, surpassing well-established artists, signaling a rapidly expanding international community.
The group has launched its international activities with a promotional tour in Japan starting August 1:
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Osaka until August 3
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Tokyo from August 8 to 10
Next, AHOF will head to the Philippines for its first international fan concert, titled “AHOF 1ST PHILIPPINE FANCON RENDEZVOUS IN MANILA,” taking place on August 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila.
AHOF continues to solidify its identity as a must-watch rookie group, both in Korea and on the global stage.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS AHOF
