Rising global K-pop group AHOF capped off a breakthrough year by headlining GMA Network’s Kapuso Countdown to 2026 at SM Mall of Asia Seaside Boulevard in Manila, Philippines, on December 31, 2025. The performance marked one of the most highly anticipated sets of the country’s New Year’s festivities, drawing a record-breaking crowd and delighting fans who turned out in force to welcome 2026 alongside the group.
Organizers estimated over 250,000 people packed the seaside venue for the free public event, with millions more tuning in to the live national broadcast and online streams. AHOF took the stage in the final hours of 2025, delivering a dynamic 90-minute set that showcased their signature blend of sharp choreography, powerful vocals, and genre-spanning sound. The group opened with their high-energy track “Pinocchio Hates Lies,” setting the tone for a performance that included hits from their debut album Who We Are, sophomore mini-album The Passage, and fan-favorite numbers from their breakout run on the survival competition Universe League.
As midnight approached, AHOF led the crowd in a countdown to 2026, performing their uplifting single “Butterfly” as a sky-high fireworks display lit up Manila Bay. The moment was made even more special as fans sang along in unison, creating a scene organizers described as “unforgettable.” The group closed their set with their debut title track “Mamma Mia (Who We Are),” leaving the audience cheering for an encore.
The appearance held particular significance for both the group and local fans, as AHOF includes Filipino member JL Gaspar, who built an early following in the Philippines as part of the P-pop scene before joining the K-pop act. “Performing here in my home country on New Year’s Eve is a dream come true,” Gaspar shared in a pre-show interview. “To be able to share this moment with my bandmates and with all the fans who have supported me since the beginning means everything.”
This was not AHOF’s first visit to the Philippines. The group held a sold-out fan concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in August 2025, where they first connected with thousands of local supporters known as “FOHA.” Their return for the New Year’s countdown was met with overwhelming demand, with social media hashtags like #AHOFinManila2026 and #KapusoCountdownWithAHOF trending nationwide in the days leading up to the event.
AHOF’s rise to global prominence has been swift since their debut in late 2024. Formed through the hit reality series Universe League, the group has amassed a dedicated international fanbase, with their music earning millions of streams across major platforms and their live performances selling out venues across Asia. Following their Manila appearance, the group returned to South Korea to kick off their first domestic fan concert series at Seoul’s Olympic Hall on January 3-4, 2026.
For Philippine fans, AHOF’s New Year’s Eve set was more than just a performance it was a chance to celebrate both the start of a new year and the success of one of their own. “Having JL here with his group, performing on one of the biggest stages in the country, makes us so proud,” said one fan who traveled from Cebu to attend the event. “They put on such an amazing show, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Read also:
- “Why Am I Still a Rookie?” AHOF Woongki Opens Up About Feeling Left Behind
AHOF member Woongki has touched many hearts with his candid confession about struggling with self-doubt and the pressure of being a “late bloomer” in the fast-paced K-pop industry. During a… - ENHYPEN Fans Launch Boycott Campaign Against ‘Blood Saga’ World Tour Following Heeseung’s Departure
A growing number of ENHYPEN fans are calling for a boycott of the group’s upcoming ‘Blood Saga’ world tour after the official poster excluded former member Heeseung, who departed the group… - Choi Hyun-wook and Park Ji-hoon Share Heartwarming Reunion Photo After Years
Actors Choi Hyun-wook and Park Ji-hoon have delighted fans with a rare joint photo posted on Instagram late on March 29, marking their first public snapshot together in several years…. - TXT’s Yeonjun Named Fashion Mentor for tvN’s New Style Survival Show ‘Kill It’
TXT member Yeonjun is set to make his debut as a fixed cast member on a major television variety show, joining tvN’s upcoming fashion competition series Kill It: Style Creator… - BABYMONSTER Sets May 4 Comeback with Third Mini Album ‘CHOOM’
YG Entertainment’s rookie girl group BABYMONSTER has officially announced their third mini album CHOOM, scheduled for release on May 4 at 6 p.m. KST, marking another swift step in their rapid…
Leave a Reply