How The Stars Aligned For AHOF’s First “Rendezvous” in Manila

Seven months after emerging as winners in the idol survival show Universe League in South Korea, nine-piece global group AHOF (All-time Hall Of Famer) is already showing great promise to become a force to be reckoned with among their 5th generation peers. Who would have imagined that a two-month-old group from a small company established only in 2022 would already be receiving accolades this early? Was it on anyone’s Bingo card to see them sell out their first fan concert outside their home country?

BEFORE SHOW TIME. Photo taken inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Lower Box section.

A Refreshing Presence in K-pop

It’s refreshing to see and hear a group who can transport me to different generations of K-pop. AHOF’s 1st EP Who We Are is reminiscent of the groups I’ve stanned through the years: Bigbang, EXO, GOT7, and NCT DREAM. The arrangements of AHOF’s songs feel like a convergence of these influences, which is why getting into AHOF felt natural—like breathing.

They don’t need anything unconventional or extravagant as a concept. They’re exactly how they market themselves: passionately and purely having fun while performing for the audience.

It’s entertaining to watch them perform because they don’t need to be hard-hitting or overly experimental with their sound. I appreciate the rawness in their movements—that each of them carries their own color and character, even in their dance steps. It doesn’t feel overly calculated; instead, they let each member shine in their own way while still blending beautifully as a group.

A Group of Versatile Talents

Beyond their music, AHOF’s talents are undeniable. They don’t conform to fixed roles within the group—they’re versatile in many ways. Everyone has stable vocals, that’s for sure.

Han stands out most in terms of vocal texture and range. He reminds me so much of EXO’s Baekhyun and Chen, which makes me excited to see how he’ll continue to grow as the group’s pillar vocalist.

JL, the Filipino member who came from P-pop group Pluus, is a true all-rounder. He’s a jack of all trades—but unlike the saying, he’s a master of them too. His voice is clean, pretty, and stable, and he knows how to shift seamlessly from his normal voice to modal and falsetto. His dance moves are sharp, with an admirable command of the stage. He can rap, he’s charismatic with every projection he delivers, and to top it off, he glows with his unreal, prince-like visuals.

Woongki, Jeongwoo, Shuaibo, and Chih En are pleasing to the ears with their smooth, honey-like voices. Daisuke and Juwon are beginning to embrace their cuteness, which shows in both their dancing and singing.

But above all, I find myself frequently stunned by Steven. He raps with a mix of boyish and cool charm, yet at the same time delivers stable, clean, and beautiful falsettos. I think Steven is an underrated vocalist—even his singing voice is absolutely beautiful.

CLOSING MENT. AHOF gives their individual messages to the Filipino fans as they conclude the show.

Why “Go Up” Was the Perfect Choice

Some might say AHOF’s success was expected given how well-loved they already were during their UL days. But things truly began to solidify after their triple crown win on Korean music shows, followed by awards and recognition from various entertainment organizations.

Which brings me to why it was so moving to witness AHOF perform “Go Up” by SB19 as their special stage at the fancon.

In terms of covering a Filipino song, AHOF might just be the best I’ve seen so far.

AHOF performed the song as if it were their own. Someone who didn’t know it was SB19’s could easily mistake them as the original artists with how perfectly they executed every part.

They clearly practiced hard, because their groove to every beat and rhythm of “Go Up” was flawless. Perhaps it resonated even deeper with them because the song’s message echoes their own journey, making it a feast for the soul to watch them perform with such pride and joy.

Steven and Juwon’s Tagalog rap parts were mind-blowing. I bet Pablo, Ken, and Josh would have been proud.

Woongki, Shuaibo, Chih En, Daisuke, and Jeongwoo clearly studied Filipino pronunciation well—and it shows. Chef’s kiss.

Han’s belting of Stell’s parts was eargasmic, a stunning flex of his vocal range.

And of course, JL did a wonderful job not only helping his team pull off this special stage but also ensuring his own performance was on point. His dedication is overflowing and deeply appreciated.

At first, I wondered why “Go Up” when SB19 has other songs that are more globally well-known. But looking closely, it’s a perfect fit for AHOF: they’re rookies whose careers are skyrocketing, much like how “Go Up” was the breakthrough for SB19 in 2019. Beyond that, the song’s lyrics are an anthem for those with unwavering dedication to their dreams, just like AHOF. And finally, it’s special to SBTown, the organizer, since SB19 was still with them when “Go Up” went viral worldwide.

SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR. Photo taken by my fellow AHOF fan. ✨

Four Key Areas for Improvement

While the overall experience was fun and fulfilling, there are four major areas for improvement for the organizers:

1. Camera work. It seemed the cameramen were not well-acquainted with each member’s parts in their performances. There were noticeable delays in switching angles, and at times the focus landed inaccurately, missing the member who should have been highlighted. For a group like AHOF, where each member contributes uniquely to the performance, it’s important that the camera work complements the stage—capturing the right moments at the right time.

2. The translator. I noticed this during the media conference last Friday that he has a habit of cutting off members mid-sentence, mostly Daisuke. I understand it’s difficult to translate when the members speak in long stretches without pausing, but basic courtesy is to let someone finish before speaking—unless you signal first or apologize for cutting in.

Also, the translations seemed lacking. Based on the members’ tone and body language, they were expressing more than what was being conveyed. As someone who has attended concerts and fancons before, I know how crucial translation is—it serves as the bridge between artist and fans. For example, at EXO’s Chen’s fan concert in November 2024, even though he was alone on stage, the show never felt empty because the translator matched his vibe and energy so well.

3. The host. I apologize if this sounds harsh, but your style reminded me of a Jollibee kiddie party host or someone calling out Bingo numbers. For future fancons, someone like Sam Oh or MYX VJ Ai Dela Cruz would be a much better fit.

4. SBTown’s CEO. With all due respect—you came across as cringey. The role of hyping up the audience or giving reminders before a show belongs to the host or a designated voice-over artist. Different roles exist for a reason, so it’s best to stick to them.

A Personal Note of Gratitude

P.S. This final part is dedicated to my family—for being supportive of my fangirling until now. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy a life of continuously admiring and appreciating my favorite artists if not for them, who let me be in a world beyond motherhood.

To my husband Aaron, who acknowledges my fascination for AHOF even though he hasn’t fully grasped it yet, thank you.

To my mother—who, despite not completely understanding why I get giddy telling her stories about AHOF’s fan concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum, still offered me her phone to take photos and videos—thank you.

And to my father, who still insists on giving me a ride home even though I’m already 31 and have a family of my own, I deeply appreciate you. Thank you.