The group AHOF appears poised to shed the label of a temporary group.
On the 25th, agency F&F Entertainment said AHOF (Steven, Seo Jeong-woo, Cha Woong-gi, Zhang Shuai Bo, Park Han, JL, Park Joo-won, Zeeon, Daisuke) is positively considering extending their group activity contract to seven years.
Discussions about AHOF's contract renewal go beyond a simple extension of activities. It signals an unprecedented "full-group long run" in the history of K-pop survival groups. The industry is paying closer attention because it suggests the group could overcome the limitations of groups formed through survival shows.
Typically, groups formed through survival programs are made up of trainees from different agencies. As a result, when fixed contracts expire, each member is structurally required to return to their original agency. In reality, many survival groups have disbanded after short activities or seen some members leave due to differing interests among agencies.
Recently, Kep1er created the first example of an activity extension, and ZEROBASEONE decided to continue activities as a five-member unit. But AHOF would be the first to attempt converting all members to a long-term seven-year contract.
Behind these discussions are the achievements AHOF has proven. AHOF debuted last year and posted remarkable numbers for a rookie. Mini album 1 WHO WE ARE (Who We Are) sold more than 360,000 copies in its first week alone, and the group earned three music show wins within 10 days of debut.
Mini album 2 The Passage also sold nearly 390,000 copies in its first week, breaking their own record, and they swept trophies at various year-end awards. The team's growth has become a key factor supporting these contract discussions.
Riding a rising trajectory, AHOF is a card the agency cannot afford to lose. F&F Entertainment, which manages AHOF, appears to have chosen a strategy of maximizing AHOF's brand power—already backed by a solid fandom—through contract extension rather than taking the risk of building new intellectual property.
This approach aims to strengthen the group's stability by significantly lengthening the activity period of an already proven team, and further solidify its position in the global K-pop market. Ultimately, the seven-year contract discussions would be a win-win for both the artists and corporations.
Fans' reactions have also been heated. For fans who have always had to watch activities with predetermined endpoints, news of AHOF's contract renewal brings great expectations. With the possibility of a seven-year contract being discussed, the existing fandom is further rallying and new fans are joining. Online, positive reactions predominate, such as "I've never seen a survival group discuss becoming a seven-year regular group," "the longer activity period brings a real sense of stability," and "the extension news should help them gain more fans." AHOF is also believed to have a strong will to maintain the team, given that all members and their respective agencies are in discussions together.
If negotiations go smoothly, their move could become a turning point that extends the lifespan of K-pop survival IP. Eyes are on whether AHOF can become a milestone presenting new possibilities for survival groups. [Photo] F&F Entertainment
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