[Exclusive]"The goal of the best group in the universe". 9. Run for "AAA" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Group 9 (AHOF) expressed their ambition to win the 'AAA' Grand Prize. Based on its unique music color and performance competitiveness, it is determined to continue the team's growth toward the 'best in the universe'.

Nine (Steven, Seo Jung-woo, Cha Woong-ki, Jang Shu Aibo, Park Han, JL, Park Joo-won, Zeon, and Daisuke) are the first boy group of F&F Entertainment and a team formed through the SBS survival program 'Universe League'. Upon their debut, their rise was steep. The mini-first album "Who We Are" sold more than 360,000 copies in the first week of its release, making it the best performance among debut boy groups in 2025 and topping various music programs 10 days after its debut, instantly imprinting its presence as a "rookie."

In addition, as Nine is a multinational group, it is expanding its global fan base in Japan, China, and the Philippines. In particular, the fan concert held in the Philippines, the hometown of member JL, was sold out, and proved its local popularity by taking the stage as a headliner of the countdown show of the local broadcaster.

Nine won the 'AAA Best New Artist' at the '10th Anniversary Asian Artist Awards 2025 and 'AAA 2025' held at Kaohsiung National Stadium on December 6 last year. Those who said at the time that they would "go higher" used this as a starting point and expressed their intention to move toward the "AAA Grand Prize." Expectations are high on whether the nine who won the "Best New Artist" in half a year after their debut will go beyond taking a leap forward and grow into a target singer.

-How did you feel about being on the stage for the first time at 'AAA 2025'.

▶Park Joo-won: I couldn't believe I was standing on the stage that I always saw only on TV and cell phone screens, and I couldn't believe I was with the seniors on the same stage. I had a dreamy day all day.

▶Steven: Just being on stage has been a really good experience. It was so fun to watch the performances of the seniors and juniors, and there was a lot to learn. It's an award ceremony, but I think I had a great time like a concert.

▶Cha Woong-ki: It was even more special and good to be able to perform 'ACON 2025' because it was the 10th anniversary of 'AAA' attending for the first time.

-How do you feel about winning the award? How did you feel when you won the "AAA Best New Artist".

▶Park Joo-won: Of course, I thought our name wouldn't come out, but I remember being surprised as soon as the nine were called. That's how amazing it was, and everything was like a lie.

▶Seo Jung-woo: I couldn't speak well because I was nervous at the time, but I wanted to thank the fans for coming to the big awards ceremony. Thank you for coming this far, and I really wanted to thank everyone who helped me get on the big stage. When I saw our name among 50,000 people in other countries, I was amazed, glad, and grateful.

-I also wonder what you talked about with the members after the awards ceremony.

▶Cha Woong-ki: There are many performances to be done together in the future, so let's be together as a whole for the next 'AAA'." I was sad that all the members couldn't be with me. Still, I prepared the local language on the stage of "ACON" and used it because I wanted to lighten the atmosphere, and that was the point.

▶Zuan: I was disappointed that I missed the award ceremony in my hometown of Taiwan, but I was grateful that the members did a great job on the stage. I'll grow up a lot and show you good performances.

-Who was the first person you wanted to tell you about the award?

▶ Han-han: I think almost all members are the same, but I think they are parents. I think I contacted my parents because it was an honor to receive an award at a big award ceremony. My parents sent me a message congratulating me.

▶Seo Jung-woo: I was done, so my mom watched the broadcast and texted me 'Congratulations', so I think it ended with 'Thank you'.

▶ Daisuke: I contacted my parents. Above all, I wanted to say thank you to Poha (fandom name). And I think we were able to win the award because of all the staff who helped us. I wanted to thank them, too.

-Of course, the performance of "ACON" was really pretty. Is there anything you paid more attention to in terms of performance.

▶Stephen: At the main ceremony, I tried to show the cool and colorful image of the nine, but at "ACON", I think I tried to communicate with the fans and enjoy it by showing my natural self.

▶Seo Jung-woo: The stage was 360 degrees, so I think I made a lot of eye contact with a lot of fans and tried to perform.

-What stimulation did you get from watching other artists' performances on the spot?

▶Cha Woong-ki: I thought 'cool' while watching ATEEZ's performance. I have a crush on you. I hope we can show a performance that will fascinate us.

▶JL: Saw the stage of the Filipino group SB19. I've only seen it on TV, but you're really good. I always wanted to see you when I was in the Philippines, but it was an honor to see you closely through 'ACON'.

▶Steven: I've met a lot of idol seniors on various stages, but it's my first time seeing the actors, so it's fascinating and new. What was especially interesting was IU and Park Bo-gum.

▶ Han-han: I really enjoyed watching the drama 'I was fooled', so it was good to meet you in person.

-Was there any fun behind-the-scenes stories. Did you meet or talk with the artist you wanted to see.

▶CRAVITY: I'm close to CRAVITY, and I saw them respond to the song while performing. I think I was touched.

▶Steven: There were two of you. I'm close with CRAVITY Allen. We're friends. It was amazing to see my friend MC in a cool way. He cheered me on a lot while I was the MC. I also communicated with SB19 senior, and he was kind to me, so I felt like I was talking to a friend of 10 years.

-In his acceptance speech, he said, "I will go higher," but when you think of the nine, how high are you.

▶Cha Woong-ki: I hope I can be in that position to receive the grand prize in 'AAA'. I'll do my best.

▶Jang Shuai Bo: My personal goal is to attend 'AAA' again as a whole. The goal as a nine is to become the best group in the universe.

▶Zuan: My goal is to meet all the pohas around the world. In particular, I wish we could go to each of our members' hometowns and have a solo concert. It's good to receive an award, but I want to be an artist who can be proud of my fans wherever I go.

-I've been busy since my debut. What the past year has been like.

▶Park Joo-won: Looking back on last year, I think it was full of grateful things. There were many things I experienced for the first time, such as forming a team, debuting, and meeting fans for the first time. Above all, I was even more grateful that it was a year when I realized that we could receive such great love. I think I will be able to go higher using this as a foothold, and I am looking forward to 2026.

▶JL: I think it was possible because of the fans, not because of us. I want to show you better and perfect sides in the future than I've shown you so far. I'll do my best.

▶Seo Jung-woo: I checked it a few times and even though I wore a hat and a mask, they said, "Isn't it nine?" So I said 'thank you' and quickly walked away. Even at convenience stores or hamburger stores, when our song comes out, my friends and mom often send me a video. It was a strange feeling.

▶Steven: I only listened to our songs on stage or in the practice room, and hearing them outside made me feel like a fan.

▶JL: I think it's amazing that my friends send me a lot of videos and pictures of me wherever I go in the Philippines.

-What do you think is the difference between 90 of many fifth-generation boy groups.

▶Cha Woong-ki: I think the parts that I'm really proud of are the perfection of the album and the songs with 90,000 colors. Our song has our own color and message that we want to convey.

▶Park Joo-won: I think he's really expressive. Our strength is that we express the emotions and images we want to convey to our fans and audiences well.

-Since they are all personnel, it will be difficult to coordinate differences with each other. How do we strengthen our teamwork.

▶Cha Woong-ki: When making a decision by gathering opinions, proceed with an anonymous vote so that there are no complaints from each other.

▶Park Joo-won: It was already good when I was preparing for my second album, but it got better while preparing for the awards ceremony. It feels like we're getting closer and closer to each other while we're together, so I think we'll get along better when we prepare for the next album.

-What kind of year do you think 2026 will be.

▶Diceke: It's already February, and I think we'll get off to a good start as we'll have fan con in Japan as well as Korea. I want to meet many pohas, make a comeback often, and show good music.

▶I want to spend Park Joo-won busier than last year. I hope this year will be a year where I can repay the things I received from my subordinates.

▶JL: Not only do I work hard, but I also want to spend it happier and healthier.

-Lastly, say something to the fans.

▶ Daisuke: I want to meet more poha in 2026. I hope people who are not POHA now become POHA. I want to be with many pohas this year as well.

▶Park Joo-won: It includes beings who can cheer up to live these days. When I think of Poha, I only feel grateful. I want to do better to you, so I will work hard in 2026, show you a lot of good things, and become a proud artist.

▶Stephen: I've always received a lot of strength from Poha and the fans. I will work hard to return as much as I received. I'll try to show you various sides of me.

▶JL: Thank you so much for giving us so much strength and love. Thank you for always being there for me, and I will repay you with more perfect performances in the future. I hope we can always be together.

▶ Seo Jung-woo: The power that Poha sends is really great. When I think of cheering when I'm having a hard time, I get energy. I hope this year will be a year to repay you with songs that give you as much strength as you received.

▶Jang Shuai Bo: Thanks to Poha, the nine were able to receive great love in 2025. I want to get along well with Poha in 2026, and meet him often.

▶ Han-han: Thank you for your constant support. We will also try to repay you according to your love. Be careful not to catch a cold and eat a lot of delicious food during the Lunar New Year holiday.

▶Cha Woong-ki: Thank you for always sending love. I hope Poha also recharges during the holidays, and loves the nine hotly. We'll be back soon, too.

▶Jean: As I always say, health is more important than anything else. I hope you stay healthy and well for a long time.

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*This content was translated by AI.