Non-Big 4 Group Wins Rookie Award Less Than 2 Months After Debut

At K-pop awards shows, many awards are given to those nominated, but a few stand out as the most desired.  Fans are familiar with Bonsangs and Daesangs, as they represent the highest prizes given out.

Additionally, for groups just starting out, Rookie awards are a massive goal, setting them apart from the other groups that have also debuted recently. Many of K-Pop’s most popular acts achieved this acknowledgement at least once when they were rookies.

BTS won Best New Artist at the 2013 MAMA Awards.

Recently, a group outside K-Pop’s “Big 4”  Companies (JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and HYBE) gained attention after scoring their first rookie award quickly!

On August 21, the 2025 K-World Dream Awards took place, with a host of idols in attendance.

| hello.live

When it came for the show’s Rookie award, the “Super Rookie Award,” four groups were named as winners — STARSHIP Entertainment‘s KiiiKiii, JYP Entertainment‘s KickFlip, SM Entertainment‘s Hearts2Hearts, and F&F Entertainment‘s AHOF. 

Outside of the recognizable companies, AHOF’s may be the one least familiar.

AHOF

AHOF were formed through the survival show Universe League, and only made their official debut on July 1, making it just over 50 days since their debut. In addition to recording high views, the group also achieved their first wins already, edging out older groups.

While any award is an achievement to be proud of for a group, even those under more established labels, it is still impressive that a group under a lesser known company has already achieved so much in such a short amount of time!

Congratulations to all the winners!