Jaehwa Bernardo

(From left) AHOF members JL, Daisuke, Chih En, Steven, Shuaibo, Woongki, Han, Juwon and Jeongwoo perform during the first night of the K-pop group's two-night Manila stop for its "The First Spark" concert tour at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on July 25, 2026. Photos courtesy of F&F Entertainment and Applewood

Article (news)

Filipino K-pop star JL fulfills dream with AHOF's MOA Arena concert

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785052390876AHOF_MNL_DAY 1_2 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="(From left) JL, Daisuke, Chih En, Steven, Shuaibo, Woongki, Han, Juwon and Jeongwoo of AHOF during the first night of its two-night Manila stop of its &#x27;The First Spark&#x27; concert tour at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, July 25, 2026. Photos courtesy of F&amp;F Entertainment and Applewood"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">(From left) JL, Daisuke, Chih En, Steven, Shuaibo, Woongki, Han, Juwon and Jeongwoo of AHOF during the first night of its two-night Manila stop of its &#x27;The First Spark&#x27; concert tour at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, July 25, 2026. <em>Photos courtesy of F&amp;F Entertainment and Applewood</em></span></span></span></div><p>For Filipino K-pop star JL Gaspar, performing at the Mall of Asia Arena marked a full-circle moment.</p><p>The 15,000-seat venue has long been one of the Philippines&#x27; premier concert arenas, hosting some of the world&#x27;s biggest acts, including top K-pop artists. Before taking the stage there himself, however, one of JL&#x27;s most memorable experiences with the venue was from outside its doors.</p><p>He recalled waiting outside during a K-pop concert while his friends watched the show inside, presumably because he was unable to get a ticket. That experience sparked a simple dream: to one day watch a concert at the iconic venue. Instead, he returned as one of the night&#x27;s headliners.</p><p>“It was my dream to come here, not to perform, to be honest, just to watch [a] concert. My first concert — it was other sunbaenim (senior K-pop artist) concert, but I was outside,” JL, a member of the boy band AHOF, recounted Saturday, the first of the group&#x27;s two-night Manila stop for their “The First Spark” tour.</p><p>“My friends, like everyone, watched the concert while I waited with my other friend just playing outside, because I had to wait for my other friends. That’s why I didn’t even know how this arena looks like until yesterday,” said the 22-year-old idol during his final message towards the end of the concert.</p><p>JL, of course, acknowledged that the moment would not have been possible without AHOF’s fans, fondly called FOHA. “You always thank us [by saying] we gave you a lot of comfort, happiness. But you don’t realize how much you help us make our dreams come true as well,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2081049256421691679&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-07-26T08%3A35%3A52.338855%3A8fc2b4bf-c0c6-40f3-8a1b-ad84d22048fb%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=868f34b811840667b133e6dab90d61bb134a562a&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:946px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="2081049256421691679"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>“Batang kalye lang po ako, [ngayon] nakakatayo po ako dito sa stage, guys,” he said, even lightly bouncing to emphasize him being on the stage. “Para po akong nananaginip.”</p><p>Another moment that made JL emotional during the concert — one he said he would “never forget” — was seeing his entire family in the audience.</p><p>“You know I can hold my tears, but seeing my family — my family!?” he said, drawing laughter after mimicking the familiar Filipino habit of repeating words in a high-pitched voice, before continuing: “Seeing my family come here and everyone for the first time in my life, I really don&#x27;t know how to feel.”</p><p>JL also expressed gratitude for the family he found in AHOF, whose nine members came together after winning the survival show &quot;Universe League&quot; in 2025, as well as in the group&#x27;s fans.</p><p>“And I never thought that we will be persons who&#x27;d give a lot of comfort to people like you,” he said, gesturing toward the crowd. “I’m really, really happy that we&#x27;ve made a family together. And I hope that we&#x27;re together no matter what happens.”</p><p>But in true JL fashion, as one of AHOF’s more playful members, he quickly diffused the emotional atmosphere with his humor, ending his message with: “One, two, three, go! Kanya-kanya na guys!”.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FUN, PLENTY OF ‘KILIG’</strong></div><p>Of course, all the emotional — or, as JL put it, “senti” — moments were reserved for the end of the concert. Before that, AHOF delivered a fun, high-energy show packed with fan service and plenty of kilig — one Filipino fans have become increasingly familiar with after the group performed in the country several times following their debut in July 2025.</p><p>Some highlights include a moment when pairs of members were shown together on the arena&#x27;s big screens and challenged to flash their brightest smiles. JL shared the spotlight with the group&#x27;s leader, Steven, with whom he is frequently &quot;shipped&quot; by fans. The moment sparked loud “SteJay” chants from the crowd and drew laughter from both the pair and the other members.</p><p>The crowd also surprised Juwon with a birthday greeting, as he had celebrated his birthday on July 24.</p><p>“Actually I’m a very introverted person, that&#x27;s why I really love when people greet me but I don&#x27;t really feel comfortable when people greet me publicly. But of course, thank you very much everyone,” he admitted. </p><p>His confession, however, only encouraged both his fellow members and fans to tease him by greeting him again later in the show.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785052528299AHOF_MNL_DAY 1_1 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>There was also JL playfully complaining about getting confused over whether to speak in Korean, English or Filipino. The members, on the other hand, also had fans screaming with their attempts at flirty Filipino lines, with Jeongwoo saying, “Mahal, kita tayo mamaya” and Han boldly asking, “Pakasal tayo?”</p><p>Fans also surprised the group with paper planes containing messages to each of the members.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SIGNATURE SOUND</strong></div><p>All the banter and fan interactions were only one part of the night. AHOF also reminded the crowd why they had earned such a devoted following through their music.</p><p>In just a year, the group has established a signature sound through its trio of lead singles “Rendezvous,” “Pinocchio” and “Run To You”: emotive tracks infused with touches of rock and a cathartic, uplifting spirit that allows the members’ vocals to shine.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/11/13/after-strong-debut-k-pop-group-ahof-returns-with-music-focused-on-sincerity-0800"><strong>READ: After strong debut, AHOF returns with music focused on sincerity</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-2&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2081010182084235312&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-07-26T08%3A35%3A52.338855%3A8fc2b4bf-c0c6-40f3-8a1b-ad84d22048fb%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=868f34b811840667b133e6dab90d61bb134a562a&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:921px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="2081010182084235312"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>“Run To You,” in particular, made its tour debut, as Manila was the first stop after the nine-member group — which also includes Woongki, Shuaibo, Chih En and Daisuke — released its third extended play (EP) of the same name on July 8.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2026/7/8/k-pop-group-ahof-makes-comeback-with-run-to-you-ep-music-video-1859"><strong>READ: AHOF makes comeback with &#x27;Run To You&#x27; EP, music video<br/></strong></a></div><p>Bright, upbeat pop tracks like “Cosmic Underdog” and “The Universe” brought out the members’ “cute” charms, while songs such as “Incompleted,” “The Little Star” and “The Sleeping Diary” put greater emphasis on their vocals. Meanwhile, new track “Sugar High” proved that AHOF could just as convincingly pull off a hard-hitting, edgier boy group sound.</p><p>The group also treated fans to a series of K-pop covers, with JL, Woongki, Shuaibo and Chih En taking on<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2026/4/26/-cooler-more-confident-ive-reunites-with-precious-pinoy-fans-1554"><strong> IVE’s “BANG BANG,”</strong></a> before Steven, Jeongwoo, Han, Juwon and Daisuke delivered their rendition of BTS’ “I NEED U.” The nine members then reunited to cap off the set with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2026/7/5/-exhorizon-in-manila-exo-delivers-hits-fan-favorites-1417"><strong>EXO’s “Love Me Right.”</strong></a></p><p>During the encore, the group had one more surprise in store: a performance of “Just Say Yes,” another track from the “Run To You” EP that, according to JL, had not originally been part of the setlist.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785052497460AHOF_MNL_DAY 1_5 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘SPARKLING’ FANS</strong></div><p>Like JL, the rest of AHOF expressed their gratitude to their Filipino fans for their unwavering support and energy they showed throughout the two-and-a-half-hour concert presented by Applewood Philippines.</p><p>“While doing the performances, I stopped myself from crying, like, two to three times. Seeing each and every FOHA here, filling up every seat, you guys were sparkling,” Jeongwoo said through an interpreter. “That’s why I was very touched. And today really serves as a really precious memory for me as an idol so I don’t want to forget this day ever.” </p><p>As the group’s leader, Steven also took a moment to express his gratitude to his members. “No matter what happens, I just want [us to] be together, all nine, and never be separated. And no matter what success or hard times or good times we go through, I want to be with the members the whole time,” he said.</p><p>Woongki said he considers the group’s fan concert at the Araneta Coliseum last August one of the most important memories of his life, which is why he was grateful “for making new memories in the Philippines today.”</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/8/31/tears-and-cheers-as-ahof-finds-second-home-in-ph-1900"><strong>READ: Tears and cheers as AHOF finds ‘second home’ in PH<br/></strong></a></div><p>For his part, Han “never thought I’d become a person who could receive this much love.”</p><p>“So to all of the FOHA who continuously give us love, we&#x27;re really thankful and I really love you,” said Han, adding: “I actually wanna stay and perform here forever.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SETLIST</strong></div><p>Ignition</p><p>We Ready</p><p>Cosmic Underdog</p><p>Run at 1.5x Speed</p><p>The Universe</p><p>Incompleted</p><p>Never Lose You</p><p>The Little Star</p><p>BANG BANG (IVE cover) - Woongki, Shuaibo, Chih En, JL</p><p>I NEED U (BTS cover) - Steven, Jeongwoo, Han, Juwon, Daisuke</p><p>Love Me Right (EXO cover)</p><p>Pinocchio</p><p>Mamma Mia (Who Are Are)</p><p>Sugar High</p><p>The Sleeping Diary</p><p>Butterfly</p><p>Everything is Love</p><p>Run To You</p><p>Rendezvous</p><p>Just Say Yes</p><p>Our Story</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dXaLKcmjjaw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>For Filipino K-pop star JL Gaspar, performing at the Mall of Asia Arena with his group AHOF marked a full-circle moment.</p>

For Filipino K-pop star JL Gaspar, performing at the Mall of Asia Arena with his group AHOF marked a full-circle moment.