‘Re-debut’ Steven-Cha Woong-ki’s tears of emotion…AHOF is just beginning(Comprehensive)[DA : On-site]

Of the nine members, nearly half, four, are’re-debuting ‘.It was a debut that was as moving as it was earnest.The members of the group AHOF expressed their emotions with tears in their eyes.

On the afternoon of the 1st, a media showcase to commemorate the release of A9’s first mini-album ‘WHO WE ARE’ was held at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.On this day, A9 performed the title song ‘Rendezvous’ and the other tracks ‘Blue School, Green Grass, Red Sneakers’ and participated in a Q&A session with the press.


AHOF is a group formed through SBS ‘Universe League’.It consists of the top 9 who won the final trophy through a fierce survival show: Steven, Seo Jung-woo, Cha Woong-ki, Zhang Shuaibo, Park Han, JL, Park Joo-won, Zhuan, and Daisuke.

On this day, Park Han said, “I had been a trainee for about 7 years before appearing on ‘Universe League’ and had never been on stage.I wanted to show my dancing and singing in front of people, not in front of a mirror.Being on stage was the most important thing.I am happy that I will be able to stand on stage in the future thanks to this great opportunity.”

Daisuke said, “I am happy and glad that my dream has become a reality.I want to play good music for the fans who have achieved the dreams of the nine members.I hope you will look forward to and love the music that the nine members will continue to write until they are inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

The team name ‘AHOF’ is an abbreviation for ‘All time Hall Of Famer’ and also a name that symbolizes the incomplete number ‘9’.It contains the meaning of a team with infinite potential and growth, along with the members ‘bold ambition to enter the’ K-Pop Hall of Fame ‘, as they dream of becoming global stars.

Seo Jung-woo explained, “I don’ t think there’s anything perfect from the beginning.The members who run toward the same dream gathered together and became one as nine.I portrayed the process of working hard and supporting each other with passion, and running toward completion as ‘Incomplete.’ Rather than thinking that ‘Incomplete’ is a lack of preparation, I think it would be good to think of it as a process of growing together.”


Nine members from six countries: Korea, Australia, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan, gathered together to achieve their dream of becoming ‘K-pop idols ‘.Among them, Steven, Cha Woong-ki, Zhang Shuai-bo, and JL are’ re-debuting ‘members.

First, Steven debuted as a member of Luminous in 2021.He said, “I’m happy that all nine of us can debut together like this.I’m so grateful for the opportunity to debut again.” He said, “I think we can show a better side of ourselves by combining the experiences we’ve each accumulated.I was so happy while performing on stage earlier,” and shed tears.

Cha Woong-ki, who previously debuted as a member of TOO, said, “Five years ago, I had my debut showcase here.There were many difficult and challenging moments between wrapping up team activities and greeting you again as a member of A9.” He continued, “I wanted to debut again and show you my dance and song thanks to the fans who loved me.” He continued, “Rather than saying I’m debuting again, I’m grateful and happy that I can debut again as A9 with the eight great members.Since I’ve got this last chance, I’ll show you a great image without regrets.”

Zhang Shuaibo, who previously worked as a solo artist, said, “I have high expectations for working as a group and I’m happy to be able to work with our members.I’m happy to be able to stand on stage as a member of the nine.”

JL, who had been promoting with a group in his native Philippines, expressed his bold aspirations, saying, “I have long dreamed of becoming a K-pop idol.I am so happy and excited to be able to achieve my dream with the team called A9.I hope that my experience in the Philippines will have a positive influence on A9.”


The debut album ‘WHO WE ARE’ depicts the journey of the team AHOF to find their color and identity before reaching perfection.El Capitan was in charge of producing all the songs.The album contains a total of six tracks, starting with the title song ‘Rendezvous’, ‘Boy, Fall Onto the Stage(Intro)’, ‘Blue School, Green Grass, Red Sneakers’, ‘It Won’ t Be Incomplete ‘,’ The Best Last in the Universe ‘, and’ Nine, Our Shining Number(Outro)’.

The title song’ Rendezvous ‘is a band track that projects complex emotions over the dreamy sound of guitar and drums.Member Cha Woong-gi participated in writing the lyrics.Cha Woong-gi said, “Actually, I begged a lot for a chance to write lyrics,” and “I was on the same team as the producer of El Capitan in the survival program.I told him,’ I want to become an artist who can sing with my message.’ I was grateful for the opportunity, saying, ‘I hope you become a great artist.’”

He said, “The title song may be a little difficult.It may sound like a simple breakup song, but it contains various emotions as well as the process of finding out who we are.I tried to write our story.I incorporated my experiences into the lyrics.” He continued, “I incorporated my worries from the time I went from being a team member to standing alone into the lyrics.Since it was a story I didn’ t want to bring up, there were some parts that were difficult to write as lyrics, but fortunately, I think it was well incorporated into the lyrics for our title song, so I’m happy.There are a lot of meaningful lyrics, so please listen carefully.” He seemed to be on the verge of tears.

Nine’s role models are BTS.Steven said, “They are the ones who challenge new music and concepts and are the people who come to mind when you think of the K-pop ‘Hall of Fame’” and that they are growing into a group like BTS.

Also, the goal of the debut album is to ‘top the charts’ and win the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award.Park Han said with a smile, “I think ‘you have to dream big’, so I want to top the music charts.If that happens, I think I’ll be so amazed that I’ll just look at my phone all day.” Zun said, “I want to win the Rookie of the Year award this year.Since the Rookie of the Year award is an award you can only receive once after debuting, I think I’ll be really happy if I can have that moment with the members.I want to be recognized as the best rookie of the year.”

AHOF’s album will be available on various music sites at 6 PM on the 1st.The debut fan showcase will be held at 8 PM that day.The fan showcase, which will be live-streamed worldwide, can be viewed on AHOF official YouTube channel.

Reporter Jeong com -yeon, Donga.com shine2562@donga

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.