The group Ahof (AHOF) returned as "rough youth."
Ahof (Steven, Seo Jeong-woo, Cha Ung-gi, Jang Shuai Bo, Park Han, J.L., Park Joo-won, Zeon, Daisuke) held a showcase at 2 p.m. on the 4th at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin District, Seoul, to commemorate the release of their second mini album The Passage and premiered the new song Pinocchio hates lies for the first time.
On that day, Ahof said, "We first greeted you in this place four months ago, and we've returned quickly with a new album. At the debut showcase I was so nervous I didn't know how time passed, but this time I'm looking forward to showing the album and the stage during promotions," and added, "Through this album we will show a cooler, more grown Ahof than before."
The members continued, "(Ahead of the comeback) we felt anxious that we had to show a more grown side than the last album. In that sense our confidence dipped and we worried about not being perfect, but every time that happened the members cheered each other on, so we were able to overcome it and prepare."
The Passage, which is being released at 6 p.m. today (the 4th), is the new record Ahof is releasing about four months after the debut album Who We Are, released last July, and it contains the narrative of "rough youth" growing stronger as they endure growing pains on the border between boy and man.
In particular, this album is motivated by the fairy tale Pinocchio, and the members project themselves onto the Pinocchio who becomes human to portray the growth from boy to man. Through The Passage, Ahof reaches a turning point in finding their true selves beyond a simple record of growing up.
Just as youth's growing pains are not always beautiful and are accompanied by suffering, pain and frustration, The Passage reveals the composite emotional line of Ahof's "rough youth" facing many moments of confusion. It shows everything from the excitement of running forward with a smile to the honesty of confessing sincere feelings amid anxiety, the vow not to lose again, and the stories that will continue like a diary taken out and used again.
Asked about the keyword "rough youth," Ahof said, "When you think of youth you might imagine only beauty and a heartwarming feeling, but in fact youth includes many difficult and painful times. Rough youth means accepting that unstable youth and finding one's true self," and added, "From the debut album to now it feels like our story of Ahof taking one step of growth we want to continue."
The album's title track Pinocchio hates lies is a band-sound song inspired by the fairy tale Pinocchio. It expresses the desire to be honest only with you amid whim and anxiety with Ahof's own sensibility. The Ahof boys project themselves onto Pinocchio's journey to becoming human to depict the growth from boy to man.
In addition, through Ahof, the shining number's beginning (Intro), Run at 1.5x speed, I won't lose you again, and Sleeping diary (Outro) they express the complex emotions of youth. About the album tracks the members said, "The first track is a rearrangement of the outro from the last album, Ahof, we are the shining number. It's a song in which you can feel Ahof's determination toward a shining beginning. We participated in writing the lyrics ourselves and tried to express sincere feelings," and introduced, "I won't lose you again is a fan song. Steven, Ung-gi hyung and I participated in writing the lyrics. It's a song containing love for Foha and a vow to stay together until the end."
Ahof began The Passage promotions as an eight-member group due to Zeon suspending activities. Agency F&F Entertainment previously said about Zeon's suspension of activities in September, "Recently Zeon stopped all activities and was advised by medical staff that absolute rest and sufficient recovery are necessary. We decided he should focus on recovery for the time being," and added, "The artist himself showed willingness to continue activities to keep his promise to fans, but above all we judged his health to be the top priority."
Seo Jeong-woo said about Zeon's suspension of activities, "Unfortunately he won't be able to join this promotion, but he is fully devoting himself to recovery to return in good condition. We received many messages of support and praise, which gave us great strength to prepare. We really worked hard to fill the vacant spot."
Finally, Ahof set an all-kill of No. 1 on music shows and rookie awards as goals for this promotion. Steven said, "Our goal is an all-kill of No. 1 on music shows. At debut we were grateful to win first place three times, and this time we want to be No. 1 on every music show. Through this promotion we want to show how much Ahof has grown on stage and the change."
Cha Ung-gi said, "Now that it's the end of the year there are many award shows and opportunities to perform on big stages. Bringing home many trophies including rookie awards seems to be Ahof's goal," and added, "After debut we were fortunate to receive several awards under the name Ahof, and thinking of the effort we put in makes me want to set this as a goal. I want to be the top rookie of 2025, a rookie people want to remember."
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