The group AHOF has shattered the records for rookie boy groups in 2025.
AHOF (Steven, Seo Jeong-woo, Cha Woong-ki, Zhang Shuai-bo, Park Han, JL, Park Joo-won, Zeon, Daisuke) released their first mini-album 'WHO WE ARE' on July 1, and within the first week (sales period July 1-7), it recorded total sales of 360,985 copies according to the album sales tracking site Hanteo Chart.
Previously, the album surpassed 259,000 copies on the second day and 325,000 copies on the fourth day, already achieving the best performance among rookie boy groups debuting this year. Ultimately, it recorded over 360,000 copies sold, achieving the remarkable feat of being the 5th highest initial sales for boy group albums in history.
AHOF's significant achievements do not stop there. The title track 'Rendezvous' reached number one on the Bugs real-time chart immediately after its release. Following that, all tracks from the album climbed to the top ranks of the Bugs real-time chart, garnering attention.
The music video also surpassed 26.85 million views in less than a week since its release, marking the highest view count among boy groups debuting in 2025. This demonstrates that AHOF is proving their popularity across all fronts, from music and albums to music videos.
The rapid growth of the group is attributed to a clear differentiation strategy. AHOF has targeted global fans by emphasizing 'sincerity.' The members have infused their genuine emotions into the music, lyrics, and performances, centered around a concept that depicts the inner struggles of boys caught between anxiety and hope. This authenticity resonates naturally with listeners, evoking deep empathy.
The musical direction also played a role. The title track is composed of melodies that evoke the 'feelings of that time' that K-pop fans have longed for. The strategy of choosing a resolute sound that has been hard to find in the K-pop market for a while as their debut song has quenched fans' thirst and driven positive responses.
From the moment of their formation, AHOF has possessed the strengths of a survival show group, including a global fandom, firepower, and talent. With the intense interest and buzz following their debut, they have quickly claimed the title of the best rookie of 2025 within just one week. As AHOF begins its ascent towards the K-pop Hall of Fame, there is much anticipation for the records they will continue to write.
AHOF is a group formed through SBS's 'Universe League.' The team name 'AHOF' is an abbreviation for 'All time Hall Of Famer' and symbolizes the unfinished number '9.' The name embodies the ambitious aspirations of nine boys dreaming of becoming global stars and signifies a team with greater potential and growth aiming to reach the 'K-pop Hall of Fame.'
In the future, AHOF will continue their active promotions with their debut song 'Rendezvous.'
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
