Who We Are (AHOF EP)

Who We Are
EP by
AHOF
ReleasedJuly 1, 2025 (2025-07-01)
Recorded2025
Length17:19
LanguageKorean
LabelF&F Entertainment
Singles from Who We Are
  1. "Rendezvous"
    Released: July 1, 2025

Who We Are is the debut extended play by South Korean boy band AHOF, released on July 1, 2025, by F&F Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment. The EP features six tracks that follow a progression from individual uncertainty and unshared emotions to collective growth and cohesion. Its lead single, "Rendezvous," features a pop rock-style arrangement with guitar and drum-driven, dreamlike production. All tracks were produced under the direction of El Capitxn, a former mentor on Universe League, the survival show that formed the group.

Background and release

Following the conclusion of Universe League, which led to the formation of AHOF as the debut group, F&F Entertainment announced on February 5, 2025 that the group was preparing to release their first extended play.[1] While initial reports indicated a debut in the first half of 2025, the agency later confirmed a July 2025 release date.[1][2] Then on June 17, the agency unveiled the title of the EP, Who We Are, along with a promotional schedule that included concept photos, track previews, and music video teasers. Pre-orders also opened on the same day, with physical copies released in multiple formats, including a photobook version, ten types of jewel case versions, and a QR version. Each format featured distinct packaging featuring distinct artwork and inclusions such as photocards and other collectibles.[3]

On June 23, a short music video for the EP's intro track, "The Little Star," was released through the group's official social media platforms. In the video, the members are portrayed as nine stars shining separately before coming together and facing the same direction, symbolizing their unification as a group. The track serves as a preview of the EP's opening concept and references the nursery rhyme "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."[4] In the final days leading up to the album's release, two teasers for the title track were unveiled on June 30, offering brief previews of the song's sound and visual concept through AHOF's official channels.[5][6] The EP was officially released on July 1, in both digital and physical formats, under F&F Entertainment via Kakao Entertainment.[7] It features a total of six tracks, including the title track "Rendezvous," which was promoted as a pop rock song highlighting guitar and drum instrumentation with a dreamlike arrangement.[8][9]

Composition

Who We Are consists of six tracks that explore themes of uncertainty and personal growth, following a narrative in which individuals confront their unresolved emotions and gradually move toward unity.[9][10] The EP was produced under the direction of El Capitxn, who previously served as a mentor on Universe League.[9][11] The entire album is positioned as a prologue to AHOF's musical identity, with all six tracks arranged to form a continuous thematic arc.[a][4]

The EP opens with "The Little Star," a track that pays homage to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and features a vintage-textured piano accompaniment. It has been described as evoking the image of a "trembling boy who has fallen on stage,"[b] depicting debut as a moment marked by "falling, fear, and quiet hope" rather than one of pure excitement.[c] The third track and lead single, "Rendezvous," adopts a pop-rock arrangement, featuring layered guitar and drum instrumentation. Its dreamlike production supports lyrics that reflect on anxiety, nostalgia, and emotional longing tied to the pursuit of a dream,[8][12] with member Cha Woong-ki credited as one of the lyricists.[11] The EP continues with "The Universe" and "Cosmic Underdog", two tracks that draw on the group's experience in the Universe League. The former is a bright, upbeat track that uses primary colors to symbolize unity through difference, while the latter is synth-based and conveys themes of competition and sincerity. Both songs address the challenges of growth and self-doubt. "Incompleted" follows with a mid-tempo R&B and acoustic style, using lyrics that reflect on how connection can foster a sense of completeness. The final track, "AHOF," is a spoken-word piece in which the members articulate messages of hope and introspection, reinforcing the album's overarching themes.[7]

Promotion

The music video for the title track "Rendezvous" premiered on July 1, alongside the EP.[13] On the same day, AHOF held their debut showcase at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul. During the event, the group performed tracks from Who We Are, including "Rendezvous," for the public and press. The showcase was also streamed live through AHOF's official YouTube channel.[6] Then, from July 2 to 6, a pop-up store was held at the Atrium A of Times Square Mall in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, as part of debut promotions. The space featured official merchandise, themed photo zones, and a lucky draw event for fans. The members were expected to appear on opening day, though the exact time and details of the visit were not announced in advance.[14]

Promotional activities continued with their first televised performance on Mnet’s M Countdown on July 3, followed by appearances on KBS2’s Music Bank and SBS’s Inkigayo. AHOF also participated in performance-focused content such as Studio Choom's Original and Relay Dance series, which highlighted the group’s choreography for "Rendezvous".[15] They also appeared on Gag Concert, where they performed the title track and participated in a comedy skit segment.[15][16]

In August, AHOF is scheduled to hold their first fan events in Japan, with mini live performances and talk sessions in Osaka on August 2 and Tokyo on August 9. Attendance will be determined by lottery among purchasers of the Who We Are QR version through WAYK Shop, the group's designated sales platform in Japan.[17]

Track listing

Who We Are track listing[7][11]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."The Little Star" (소년, 무대 위로 넘어지다 (Intro); [lit. "The Boy Falls Onto the Stage"])
3:11
2."The Universe" (파랑 학교, 초록 잔디, 빨간 운동화; [lit. Blue School, Green Grass, Red Sneakers])
  • Kelsi[a]
  • Kwon Si-ha
  • Bodega cat[a]
3:15
3."Rendezvous" (그곳에서 다시 만나기로 해; [lit. Let's Meet There Again])
3:40
4."Incompleted" (미완성은 아닐거야; [lit. "It Won't Be Unfinished"])
2:51
5."Cosmic Underdog" (우주 최고의 꼴찌; [lit. "The Universe's Greatest Last Place"])
3:13
6."AHOF" (아홉, 우리가 빛나는 숫자 (Outro); [lit. "Nine, the Number We Shine As"])
  • Kelsi[a]
  • Kwon Si-ha
1:09
Total length:17:19

Notes

  • ^[a] Credited as a member of Vendors.
  • ^[b] Credited as a member of Wavecloud.

Commercial performance

Who We Are sold 369,850 copies in its first week, from July 1 to 7, making it the best-selling debut release by a K-pop boy group in 2025. It also ranked fifth overall in first-week sales among all boy group debuts in South Korea.[d] The music video for "Rendezvous" surpassed 26.85 million views within its first week, currently the highest for any boy group debuting in 2025.[18]

Charts

Chart performance for Who We Are
Chart (2025) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)[19] 3

Release history

Country Date Format Label
South Korea July 1, 2025
  • F&F Entertainment
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming

Notes

  1. ^ Original text: 이번 앨범은, AHOF의 향후 펼쳐갈 음악적 세계관의 ‘프롤로그’이자, 시간이 지나도 변하지 않는 울림의 시작이다.[7]
  2. ^ Original text: 무대 위에서 넘어진 소년의 떨림을 담담하게 비춘다.[4]
  3. ^ Original text: 데뷔가 결코 신나기만 한 일이 아님을 가장 정직하게 드러낸 아홉(AHOF) 시작으로 넘어짐과 두려움, 조용한 희망을 노래한다.[4]
  4. ^ As of July 2025.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b Jeon, Hyo-jin (February 5, 2025). '유니버스 리그' 출신 아홉, 상반기 데뷔 [AHOF from 'Universe League' to debut in the first half of the year]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  2. ^ Park, So-jin (May 22, 2025). ‘F&F 첫 보이그룹’ 아홉(AHOF), 7월 데뷔 확정⋯‘완성형 신인’ 등장 ["F&F's first boy group" AHOF confirmed to debut in July... The arrival of a "fully-formed rookie" group] (in Korean). MBN Star. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  3. ^ Kim, Soo-jin (June 17, 2025). '7월 1일 데뷔' 아홉(AHOF), 첫 앨범명 'WHO WE ARE'..스케줄러 공개 ['July 1st Debut' AHOF, First Album Name 'WHO WE ARE'..Scheduler Revealed]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Choi, Lee-jeong (June 25, 2025). '데뷔 D-7' 아홉(AHOF) 인트로 필름, 동요 '작은별' 오마주⋯감성+몽환 ["Debut D-7" AHOF Intro Film, Homage to Children's Song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"... Sentimental + Dreamy] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025 – via Naver News.
  5. ^ Park, So-jin (June 30, 2025). 아홉(AHOF), 데뷔곡 MV 티저 공개⋯꿈을 향한 질주 [AHOF releases teaser for debut MV... A sprint toward their dream] (in Korean). MBN. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025 – via Naver News.
  6. ^ a b Lee, Ho-young (July 1, 2025). 아홉(AHOF) 서정우 "'유니버스리그' 중 느낀 감정들 담은 데뷔 앨범" [Seo Jeong-woo of AHOF: "Our debut album captures the emotions I felt during Universe League] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025 – via Naver News.
  7. ^ a b c d 앨범 정보—Who We Are [Album Information—Who We Are]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Shin, Ha-nee (July 1, 2025). "Rookie boy band AHOF takes first step toward 'hall of fame' with debut album 'Who We Are'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on July 5, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c AHOF、1stミニアルバム「WHO WE ARE」トラックリストを公開…タイトル曲は「そこでまた会おう」 [AHOF unveils tracklist for 1st mini album Who We Are ... Title track is "Let's Meet There Again"]. Kstyle (in Japanese). June 26, 2025. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025 – via Yahoo! Japan.
  10. ^ Park, Jae-hwan (June 26, 2025). 보이그룹 '아홉'(AHOF), 7월 1일 'WHO WE ARE'로 데뷔 [Boy group AHOF to debut with Who We Are on July 1] (in Korean). KBS Media. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025 – via Naver News.
  11. ^ a b c Jeon, Hyo-jin (June 26, 2025). '데뷔' 아홉(AHOF), 트랙리스트 공개…차웅기 작사 참여 [Debuting AHOF reveals tracklist... Cha Woong-ki participates in lyric writing]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025 – via Naver News.
  12. ^ Park, So-jin (June 27, 2025). '데뷔 D-4' 아홉(AHOF), 드디어 앨범 전곡 최초 베일 벗다 [Four days until debut – AHOF unveils full album tracklist for the first time] (in Korean). MBN Star. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025 – via Naver News.
  13. ^ Jeong, Ha-eun (July 1, 2025). 아홉(AHOF), 1일 정식 데뷔⋯K팝 명예의 전당 향한 첫걸음 [AHOF officially debuts on the 1st... Taking their first step toward the K-POP Hall of Fame] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Naver News.
  14. ^ Park, So-jin (July 2, 2025). 아홉(AHOF), 데뷔 동시 국내 음원 차트 1위 [AHOF tops domestic music charts upon debut] (in Korean). MBN. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025 – via Naver News.
  15. ^ a b Jeon, Hyo-jin (July 7, 2025). 아홉, 데뷔 첫 주 활동 성료…2025 男신인 최고 성적 기록중 [AHOF successfully wraps debut first week... Achieving the best results among male rookies of 2025] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 7, 2025 – via Naver News.
  16. ^ Lee, Ho-yeong (July 4, 2025). 아홉(AHOF), '개그콘서트' 뜬다…'지옥의 출근길' 엘리베이터 점령 [AHOF to appear on Gag Concert... Takes over the elevator in "Hellish Commute"] (in Korean). MBC. Archived from the original on July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 7, 2025 – via Naver News.
  17. ^ AHOF、デビュー後初となる来日イベントを8月に東京＆大阪で開催！ステージに高まる期待 [AHOF to hold their first-ever Japan event since debut this August in Tokyo and Osaka! Excitement builds for their stage appearance] (in Japanese). KStyle. July 4, 2025. Archived from the original on July 5, 2025 – via Yahoo Japan News.
  18. ^ a b Kang, Kyeong-yon (July 8, 2025). 아홉(AHOF), 역대 男그룹 데뷔 음반 초동 5위..."데뷔 앨범 초동 36만 장 달성" [AHOF ranks 5th in all-time first-week sales for a debut album by a male group... 360,000 copies soled in the first week] (in Korean). SBS. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025 – via Naver News.
  19. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 27 of 2025". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 10, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.