AHOF Tops KTOPSTAR Rookie Ranking for Second Week as ‘RUN TO YOU’ Gains Momentum in Japan

The nine-member K-pop group is turning fan support into chart results, awards and new opportunities beyond Korea.

AHOF has secured first place in KTOPSTAR’s Best Male Rookie category for a second consecutive week, adding another sign that the group’s early popularity is developing into a committed international fandom.

According to global K-pop voting platform KTOPSTAR, AHOF ranked No. 1 in the category’s 115th voting round, which was conducted from September 14 to 20. HORI7ON finished second, followed by EVNNE in third place.

A fan-voted ranking alone cannot measure an artist’s complete commercial performance. In AHOF’s case, however, the result arrives alongside music-show success, Japanese chart achievements and two recent awards. Together, those accomplishments suggest that the group’s momentum extends beyond a temporary surge of rookie interest.

AHOF’s Second Win Reveals an Organized Fandom

Winning the same fan poll for two consecutive weeks requires more than casual curiosity. It indicates that fans are returning, voting consistently and coordinating their support around the group.

That distinction is particularly important for a rookie act. Many new groups attract attention at debut, but the more difficult challenge is converting that initial visibility into sustained participation.

AHOF entered the industry with an international foundation after being formed through the SBS survival program “Universe League.” Its nine-member lineup includes Steven, Jeongwoo, Woongki, Shuaibo, Han, JL, Juwon, Chih En and Daisuke.

The members’ different backgrounds helped the group attract viewers from several countries before its official debut. The latest KTOPSTAR result suggests that much of that early audience has remained active instead of disappearing once the survival program ended.

‘RUN TO YOU’ Is Delivering Results Beyond Fan Voting

AHOF released its third mini album “RUN TO YOU” in July and promoted the title track of the same name.

The comeback quickly produced one of the clearest indicators of domestic progress when AHOF earned a music-show trophy only one week after the album’s release. For a relatively new group competing in a crowded boy-group market, reaching first place that quickly showed that its fanbase could translate interest into measurable results.

The album has also demonstrated unusual longevity in Japan.

Approximately one month after its release, “RUN TO YOU” reached No. 1 on Oricon’s Daily Album Ranking and climbed to No. 5 on Billboard Japan’s Top Albums Sales chart.

The timing makes those positions especially meaningful. A high ranking immediately after release can be driven by preorders and concentrated first-week purchases. Returning to the top of a daily chart several weeks later may indicate continued demand, renewed promotional attention or an expanding local audience.

Rather than producing one intense sales period and then disappearing from view, “RUN TO YOU” continued generating interest after its initial release window.

Two Awards Added Another Layer to AHOF’s Rise

AHOF’s September achievements were not limited to charts and fan voting.

The group received both the K World Dream Global Spotlight Award and Best Fandom Award at the 2026 K World Dream Awards.

The two categories reflect different parts of AHOF’s development. The Global Spotlight Award recognizes the group’s expanding international visibility, while the fandom award highlights the strength of the supporters helping to sustain that growth.

For a rookie group, building both elements at the same time can be particularly valuable. Global attention may introduce an artist to new listeners, but an organized fandom provides the album purchases, voting participation and repeat engagement needed to maintain momentum between comebacks.

AHOF’s first tour activities have provided another opportunity to strengthen that relationship with fans. The group’s official Weverse content has continued to share performances and behind-the-scenes footage from “THE FIRST SPARK,” giving its international audience regular content beyond album promotions.

Park Han and JL Open a New Musical Route

AHOF is also beginning to expand through individual and unit opportunities.

Members Park Han and JL released “Focus On You,” an original soundtrack for the Naver Webtoon “Operation: True Love,” on September 20. It marked the pair’s first OST since debut.

The medium-tempo ballad expresses the excitement and lingering sadness of an inexperienced first love through the story of Baek Doha’s school years. Its softer sound gives Park Han and JL an opportunity to display a different vocal identity from the performance-focused music associated with AHOF’s group promotions.

OST participation can introduce idol vocalists to audiences who may not actively follow K-pop comeback cycles. It can also help individual members establish recognizable strengths without interrupting the group’s main activities.

For AHOF, the project adds another layer to a growing musical portfolio and demonstrates that the group is already exploring opportunities outside conventional album promotions.

AHOF’s Real Test Comes After the Rookie Period

The phrase “monster rookie” is used frequently in K-pop, but the title only becomes meaningful when early success leads to long-term growth.

AHOF’s second consecutive KTOPSTAR victory should therefore be viewed as one part of a larger picture. The fan poll demonstrates organization. The music-show win reflects domestic support. The Japanese rankings reveal overseas sales potential. The awards recognize visibility and fandom strength, while the OST provides the members with room to develop their individual identities.

The next challenge will be maintaining that progress through future releases and reaching listeners beyond the fandom that supported them from “Universe League.”

For now, AHOF is showing several of the qualities required to make that transition. The group is not relying on a single viral moment or one isolated chart result. Its popularity is appearing across fan voting, album sales, broadcasts, awards and additional music projects.

Two consecutive weeks at No. 1 may sound like a small milestone when considered alone. Within AHOF’s broader trajectory, it looks more like evidence that one of K-pop’s most closely watched rookie groups is beginning to build staying power.