Rising K-pop boy group AHOF (Steven, Seo Jungwoo, Cha Woonggi, Zhang Shuaibo, Park Han, JL, Park Juwon, Dzeon, Daisuke) returned with a new identity — that of free-spirited, rough youth. 

On November 4, the group held a showcase at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul to celebrate the release of their second mini album, The Passage, and its title track “Pinocchio Hates Lies.” Member Dzeon, who is currently on hiatus for health reasons, was absent, and AHOF will promote this album as an eight-member unit. 

Introducing the album, AHOF explained, 

“Our first album represented ‘incomplete youth.’ This time, The Passage tells the story of growing pains — the moments between boyhood and adulthood that make us stronger.” 

Member Seo Jungwoo added, 

“Each song feels like an entry in a diary, filled with our emotions and experiences. It’s a very personal record for us.” 

Title track “Pinocchio Hates Lies” draws inspiration from the classic fairy tale Pinocchio. Park Han shared that the song captures the conflict between truth and deception in youth, while Park Juwon described the point choreography as “symbolically expressing Pinocchio’s nose.” 

The Passage follows their debut mini album “WHO WE ARE” released in July, continuing AHOF’s narrative of youth and identity. The five-track album opens with “AHOF, The Beginning of a Shining Number (Intro),” followed by the fast-paced “Run at 1.5x Speed,” the heartfelt title track “Pinocchio Hates Lies,” the fan-dedicated song “So I Won’t Lose You Again,” and the reflective closer “Sleeping Diary (Outro).” 

Beyond its coming-of-age theme, The Passage highlights the group’s increased musical involvement. Steven participated in writing the intro track, while Steven, Cha Woonggi, and Park Han co-wrote the fan song “So I Won’t Lose You Again,” expressing their gratitude to FOHA (the official fandom). 

With The Passage, AHOF continues to build their story — imperfect but honest, lost yet maturing, and ready to face the world as nine shining stars.

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