"This Album Feels Like a Gift to the Fans"....AHOF Returns With "RUN TO YOU"

"Youth is not only happy. We sing about youth that contains our own pain as well." - Cha Woongki

After nearly eight months, rookie boy group AHOF returned with its third mini-album RUN TO YOU. The group held a media showcase on July 8 at YES24 LIVE Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District to commemorate the album's release, introducing a comeback centered on running toward the people, dreams and moments that matter most.

The group, who debuted last year, has steadily built a coming-of-age storyline through each release. Their debut mini album "WHO WE ARE" introduced the members' youthful beginnings, while second mini album The Passage explored the uncertainties and challenges of growing up.Now, eight months later, "RUN TO YOU" marks the moment of moving forward with certainty.

Member Juwon described this album saying, "I think this album feels like a gift to the fans we couldn't see for eight months." The members also described the album as reflecting their own growth."This time, with a more direct and certain expression, we included a more mature, masculine charm." leader Steven chimed in.

With that narrative in mind, "RUN TO YOU" conveys the certainty of a heart moving straight toward one person. Rather than dwelling on complicated emotions, AHOF delivers its feelings directly.The five-track album unfolds as a single storyline. "RUN TO YOU" opens the journey, "Sugar High" captures sweet attraction, "JUST SAY YES" offers a confident answer, "You're the Reason" depicts staying beside someone without needing a reason and lastly "Our Story" closes the journey.

The title track "RUN TO YOU" combines driving band sounds with synth-pop. Co-produced by EL CAPITXN, the track conveys the determination to keep running toward someone despite complicated moments.When talking about the significance of this "you" member Han explained, "It doesn't refer to one specific person. It could be someone you love, or it could be a dream or goal..."

"If each listener thinks of the 'you' most precious to them while listening, I think they will be able to relate to the song more," The discussion then turned to the members' songwriting contributions. Cha Woongki, Park Han and Park Juwon participated in writing "Our Story," making it the album's most personal track.

"I really wanted to express the emotions I felt toward our fans and my sincerity exactly as they were. I lay down on the top bunk in our dorm, closed my eyes, and kept thinking about the memories I shared with our fans. As I did that, beautiful inspiration naturally came to me." Woongki mentioned.

Han also shared a bit saying, "Just like the title, it is the story of AHOF and FOHA, the two of us. Since there are so many things we are thankful to FOHA for, I wrote it while focusing on our hearts and thinking of FOHA." Lastly, Juwon, who also participated, received his first songwriting credit for the track. "I wrote the lyrics while opening up the feelings I had kept inside for eight months, the feelings of missing FOHA," he shared.

Beyond the music itself, the members also reflected on how AHOF has changed over the past year. Having been formed through a survival program, they explained that becoming a team was a process that continued long after their debut.

Steven pointed to teamwork as the group's biggest area of growth."Now, the more we promote, the more we understand each other's strengths, and we naturally fill in each other's weaknesses."

Preparing RUN TO YOU, however, was not without its challenges. Between overseas schedules and a packed promotional calendar, the members often found themselves balancing rehearsals with other commitments. Daisuke admitted there were moments when he worried the group would not have enough time to prepare, but said the members continued practicing whenever they could, even while traveling overseas.

"We practiced very hard, even going to practice rooms in Japan, and tried our best to show the best version of ourselves. I think that is how we overcame it." He added, "Between concerts, on the day we moved to Tokyo, we booked a practice room and practiced."

While RUN TO YOU presents a more mature musical direction, the members said their hopes for this promotion period remain simple, they want listeners to connect with the music itself."We will become AHOF, who keeps running hard with RUN TO YOU." the group concluded before officially kicking off promotions for its third mini album.

AHOF will release its third mini-album "RUN TO YOU" on July 8 at 6 p.m. KST across major streaming platforms.