WHEN rookie K-pop group AHOF touched down in Manila for its first-ever visit, the members didn’t come empty-handed. Across three days of events—a press conference, a sold-out fancon at the Araneta Coliseum, and a fan signing event—the nine-member group made sure every moment counted. From the start, it was clear they came prepared not only to perform but also to connect with Filipino fans on a deeper level.
At the press conference, when AHOF faced the Manila press, you could sense a little hint of shyness in the room. Each member took turns introducing themselves and posing for the cameras, filling the room with smiles and careful gestures. Even JL, the group’s only Filipino member, seemed reserved at first.
But as the afternoon went on, Steven, Jeongwoo, Woongki, Shuaibo, Han, JL, Juwon, Chih En, and Daisuke began to open up and revealed just how ready they were to embrace Filipino culture and meet their Filipino fans for the first time.
For JL, the visit was especially meaningful, not just as AHOF’s first time in the Philippines but as his long-awaited homecoming. As the only Filipino member of the group, JL carried both pride and responsibility—to introduce his bandmates to his culture and to make sure Filipino fans felt seen.
“It hasn’t been that long since we debuted, but the love and support we’re receiving here make us very happy. I always promised that the next time I came home, I wouldn’t be alone, I’d be with my group,” JL shared.
He recalled his journey from debuting in Korea to finally sharing the stage in his homeland, describing the overwhelming support of fans and the fulfillment of a long-held promise to return with his bandmates.
“This is a dream come true. I always say that I come home here alone. I see comments from fans hoping that next time I’ll be with the members. Now, we’re all finally here together. It wasn’t easy, especially knowing how supportive Filipinos are, but the kind of support and love we’re receiving make us very happy and more passionate about doing our activities here,” he added.
He also took it upon himself to introduce them to Filipino culture, from teaching simple phrases to sharing local foods and humor, ensuring that AHOF’s visit would feel personal and meaningful.
True enough, the members found their own ways to connect with Filipinos beyond music. Whether it was trying local dishes, joking around with memes, or practicing phrases that would make their fans smile, they arrived in the Philippines as idols who had done their homework.
“When it comes to words, he taught us ‘mahal kita’ and ‘maraming salamat po.’ For food, he made us try pancit canton, which is really delicious. He also showed us lots of memes and poses,” Jeongwoo said.
Japanese member Daisuke echoed this sentiment, sharing how he learned to adapt what JL had taught about using “po” and “opo” as signs of respect for elders.
“He taught us to use ‘po.’ He said every sentence should end with ‘po.’ Because he taught me that, I sometimes add ‘po’ even to Korean or Japanese words—like ‘konnichiwa po,’” he shared, drawing laughter from the crowd.
That preparation carried into the fancon on Aug. 30, where AHOF turned anticipation into energy. The group’s leader, Steven, shared that he had been looking forward to the fancon after hearing from friends about the energy of Filipino audiences.
“I was very excited because JL and my friends who have been to the Philippines, they said the fans are just really high energy, very warm and welcoming. So yeah, that got me really excited, and I was very much looking forward to the fancon,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment.
The fancon delivered on that promise, with AHOF blending its own songs with moments designed to delight the crowd. From a surprise performance of SB19’s “Go Up” to playful interactions with fans, the group made sure its three-day visit to Manila was worth it, not only for themselves but also for the fans who had been waiting for them to come.
