‘Rendezvous’ With AHOF As They Chat About Team Chemistry, Their Stunning Debut, & More | Exclusive Interview

AHOF‘s journey in the K-Pop industry has just begun, making their historic debut on July 1st. They are a 9-member boy group, formed through the SBS survival competition program, “Universe League.” They are made up of members Steven, Seo JeongWoo, Cha WoongKi, Zhang ShuaiBo, Park Han, JL, JuWon, Chih En, and Daisuke. They are a multinational group, representing various countries from across the globe and aim to become renowned worldwide. And while they might be rookies, they show incredible promise to become one of the rising leaders of their generation.

They have made their debut with their very first mini album, “WHO WE ARE”, comprised of six tracks, including the title track, ‘Rendezvous’. This album captures the members’ most honest feelings, from fear and anxiety to their overflowing gratitude and excitement. It embodies their feelings from their time on the survival program until now, while also showing a glimpse of their potential as artists.

Kpopmap had the opportunity to interview AHOF and chat about their journey thus far. They touch upon topics such as their immediate thoughts upon making the debut lineup, how they’ve grown since that final episode, relatable lyrics from their album, and even their favorite ice cream/bingsu flavor. So we hope you read until the end and enjoy getting to know the newly debuted AHOF!

Note: This interview was conducted before AHOF made their debut.

A very warm welcome to Kpopmap, AHOF! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! Could you please introduce yourselves to our global readers? What has it been like preparing for your debut?

Hello, I’m AHOF’s Steven. Together with the members, we’ve been preparing for this moment ever since “Universe League”.
Steven
Hello, I’m AHOF’s Seo JeongWoo! First of all, we’ve been working really hard to prepare for our debut! There were more things to prepare than I thought, so things were pretty hectic! But I still felt excited and looked forward to meeting with our fans as soon as possible.
Seo JeongWoo
Hello! I’m AHOF’s Cha WoongKi. It wasn’t always easy, but we remained strong while working hard and had fun preparing together.
Cha WoongKi
Hello, I’m AHOF’s Zhang ShuaiBo! I really worked hard in order to meet all of the fans. So please look forward to what we have in store!
Zhang ShuaiBo
Hello, I’m AHOF’s Park Han. We did our very best to prepare, connected together under one heart.
Park Han
Hello, I’m JL! We worked extremely hard to prepare for this album, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged us!
JL
Hello, I’m AHOF’s loveable Park JuWon. There were some difficulties because it was a style I haven’t really tried before. But looking back, it was a fun and exciting time, and I think we prepared really well!
Park JuWon
Hello, I’m Chih En. It was difficult, yet fun! Please show us a lot of love and support!
Chih En
Hello, I’m Daisuke and I’m the maknae of the group! We worked extremely hard, so please show us a lot of interest!
Daisuke

First off, congratulations on your debut! Before we talk about your album, let’s go back to the beginning of this year. Could you recall how you felt when you first heard your name being called to be a member of AHOF?

I was really surprised! It felt like I was running tirelessly through this dark, endless tunnel, but suddenly I could see a shining light.
Steven
I know this is always said, but I thought “This isn’t a dream, right?” and “Am I really debuting?” It just didn’t feel real.
Seo JeongWoo
Because it was something I’ve been hoping for for such a long time, I was incredibly happy. But at the same time, I also felt really sad knowing that I was the only one from my team in the survival show that was debuting.
Cha WoongKi
“Wow, I’m really going to debut…” It was this type of feeling!
Zhang ShuaiBo
Just like a panorama, everything I did from when I first started dancing at 15 just flashed before my eyes. And I thought, “Now, I’m really going to debut.” I was so happy.
Park Han
I can’t really remember, but I cried a lot because I was overjoyed. I just thought, “My dream has finally come true.”
JL
I was so happy that I couldn’t believe it was real! I think I kept crying because I was so overwhelmed with joy.
Park JuWon
Because I was so nervous, my mind was completely blank. I was so nervous to the point of trembling.
Chih En
“Could I actually make my debut?” I worried about this a lot, but the moment my name was called, I felt completely overjoyed.
Daisuke

Watching “Universe League” as a viewer, it was amazing to see each one of you grow and take one step closer to your dreams. In what ways do you think you’ve changed since then?

My mindset has grown stronger and I’ve built much better chemistry with my members.
Steven
Overall, my skills have improved, and thanks to working out and dieting, I’ve lost a lot of cheek fat!! Also, now I can read Hiragana and speak a little bit of Japanese too!
Seo JeongWoo
Now that I’m no longer a trainee but an artist, I’ve truly been working hard to make sure I’m not lacking in any way!
Cha WoongKi
These days I’m diligently working out, and it seems like I’ve lost a bit of weight too!
Park Han
I don’t think much has changed! But if there’s one thing that’s different, it’s that this time we all achieved our dreams together!
JL
My passion is still the same, but every day I constantly think about how I can do well and how I can become cooler. And I always think about what I can do to repay the love from our fans!
Park JuWon

Do you have time to learn each other’s languages or culture for better team communication? Have there been any episodes where you have tried to understand each other better?

Because the company often sets up classes, we’re working hard to study each other’s languages.
Cha WoongKi
I’m currently receiving Japanese lessons. Immediately after these lessons, I try using what I learned with Daisuke.
Park Han
Talking with the international members, my English, Japanese, and Filipino have really improved! When there’s something I want to say to our fans, I usually ask one of my members for help.
Park JuWon

“WHO WE ARE” is finally ready for the world to hear. With the album title, it feels like you’re introducing your true selves. If you could describe yourselves as artists in three words, what would they be?

Powerful, sincere, and complete!
Steven
I’ll go with us, AHOF, and shine.
Seo JeongWoo
Of course it’s us, AHOF, and promise!
Cha WoongKi
Youth, boy, and dream!
Zhang ShuaiBo
I’ll go with drama, dream, and promise.
Park Han
I think it would be dream, destiny, and effort.
JL
I’ll go with emotion, confidence, and excitement, because these were the three biggest things I felt the most while preparing for this album.
Park JuWon
I’d say visuals, skills, and color.
Chih En
I think it would be dream, destiny, and effort.
Daisuke

Is there a specific lyric from the album that really stuck out to you or that you hope listeners will resonate with?

“Waiting for me who’s the one” – This expresses gratitude and confidence toward the fans who recognize and appreciate my efforts.
Steven
There’s lyrics that go, “They call me, still a little clumsy”, and there’s also the line “Even these unfamiliar steps, are they part of our journey?”, which gave me a lot of comfort! I hope everyone can listen to this song and receive encouragement when trying something new for the first time.
Seo JeongWoo
“If you ever lose your way, will you call out to me loudly” are lyrics that resonate with me the most.
Cha WoongKi
All of the lyrics in our title song are good! So listen to it well!
Zhang ShuaiBo
I’d suggest all of the lyrics from ‘The Little Star’. I think it’ll be worth it if you listen carefully.
Park Han
”Help me universe, even these unfamiliar steps“. Whenever I don’t know what I should do, I always ask the universe for help.
JL
There’s certain lyrics that go “Without you, I’m an empty shell”. This is my heart to you all, so I hope you can listen to these lyrics and sympathize with them.
Park JuWon
“Let’s meet again at the place where we first met” – and that’s because we really are meeting again!
Chih En
Because I felt a bit anxious, the lyrics “If you love someone else, won’t you forget about me” resonated with me.
Daisuke

Fears and anxieties aside, “WHO WE ARE” is also very exciting as it marks the beginning of AHOF! Were there any fun episodes during practice or in the recording studio?

When we would practice together until the early morning as a team and go to the convenience store altogether, it reminded me of the old trainee days. It felt really nice.
Steven
Whenever one of us would enter the recording booth, the other members would cheer in support – this was really cute.
Park Han
During practice we would joke around with each to improve our teamwork! We even pretended to be asleep while laying down on the floor, and I think things like this helped our teamwork a lot!
JL
ShuaiBo hyung’s Korean has improved a lot, so he would share a lot of weird jokes with the members.
Chih En

We heard that the oldest member and youngest are 9 years apart! Has there been a time when you’ve felt a generational gap, but also, in what ways have you leaned on the reliable oldest member?

There’s a bit of an age gap and I don’t think we really share any similar hobbies. But whenever I’m struggling or don’t know something, he’s always there to help so I rely on him a lot.
Daisuke

What are some goals you’d like to achieve as AHOF? Are there any goals you’d like to achieve in your first year?

I would definitely like to achieve AHOF’s first music program win, have a fanmeeting solo concert, and meet our global fans in person!
Steven
I hope we’re able to win Rookie of the Year and make it onto the music charts.
Seo JeongWoo
I really want us to receive a Rookie of the Year award!
Cha WoongKi
I hope a lot more people will come to recognize and know about us!
Zhang ShuaiBo
I’m not sure if it’s possible, but I’d like to place no. 1 on the music charts!
Park Han
Of course, I hope all that we do becomes a success, but more than anything, I think the most important thing is to promote happily and without getting hurt.
JL
My goal is to win Rookie of the Year, win first place on a music program, and grow into an impressive artist.
Park JuWon
I hope we’ll be able to win first place on a music show and receive this year’s Rookie of the Year.
Chih En
My goal is to win first place on a music program!
Daisuke

While AHOF brings the heat on stage, summer has brought the heat everywhere else. What’s your go-to ice cream or bingsu flavor to battle the summer heat?

I like mint chocolate!
Steven
I choose injeolmi bingsu! I also like patbingsu!
Seo JeongWoo
I like chocolate cookie ice cream.
Cha WoongKi
Strawberry flavor for me!
Zhang ShuaiBo
Plain yogurt flavor! I don’t really eat bingsu.
Park Han
For me it’s strawberry and vanilla flavor!
JL
I really like strawberry-flavored ice cream!
Park JuWon
I like the flavors strawberry and Oreo!
Chih En
I love strawberry flavor!
Daisuke

Many more people will be learning about the name AHOF. To those new listeners and potential new fans, what would you say is one of AHOF’s charms?

You’ll see for yourself when you watch us! So, be together with AHOF!
Cha WoongKi
Each member is truly unique and has many strengths, so please show us lots of love!
Seo JeongWoo
You’ll find out that we’re all full of charms if you start to love AHOF!
Zhang ShuaiBo
Each member in AHOF has their own distinct charm. Having such a variety of different qualities makes AHOF truly special.
Park JuWon
Because we’re a group made up of members with different nationalities, compared to other teams we’re a bit more global.
Daisuke

Finally, do you have anything you’d like to say to your fans who have been waiting for your debut?

Everyone’s love has brought us this far. AHOF will always be by your side, so let’s stay together.
Steven
Thank you so much for staying with us for such a long time and patiently waiting for us. With our cool appearances, we’ll make sure to have an energizing debut!
Seo JeongWoo
Thank you for waiting for us! Moving forward, AHOF’s nine lights will shine together with everyone!
Cha WoongKi
Everyone, we’ll meet you soon! I really miss you a lot!
Zhang ShuaiBo
Please look forward to AHOF!
Park Han
It might have taken a while, but thank you so much for waiting! We ask for your love and support, and we hope you like our songs too! See you soon!
JL
Since you’ve waited for so long, we worked hard to prepare. I’d be so grateful if you could watch over us kindly and listen to our music a lot. I hope to see you soon! I love you~~
Park JuWon
Thank you so much for waiting. I love you!
Chih En
All of our fans have waited for such a long time! AHOF has been working hard and moving forward, we hope to show you more of our growth, so please keep cheering for us!
Daisuke

AHOF are here to raise the heat this summer for the very first time as K-Pop artists. With their goals in sight, they are ready to dominate the stage and become a group everyone will remember. We are wishing the group the best success in their future endeavors.

Thank you once again to AHOF for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to seeing more from the group as they start to spread their wings. And if you haven’t already, check out the music video for their debut title track, ‘Rendezvous’, below!

Just like AHOF did in the interview, feel free to share your favorite lyrics from the interview too!