AHOP is channeling a fairytale aesthetic for their long-awaited return.

On October 21, F&F Entertainment unveiled concept photos for AHOP's second mini album The Passage through the group's official social media accounts, signaling the start of their comeback countdown.

The new release draws inspiration from the classic tale Pinocchio, reimagining the story of a wooden puppet becoming human as a metaphor for the group's own journey from youth to maturity. The imagery mirrors this theme — a rustic workshop with wooden tools, a concrete wall, and a handcrafted atmosphere reminiscent of the setting where Pinocchio was born.

The members are seen moving freely through the workspace, immersed in creation and introspection. Their serious expressions and subtle gestures hint at a more refined, mature phase in AHOP's artistic evolution.

"The concept photos visually reinterpret a fairy tale," a representative from the agency explained. "This comeback expands AHOP's narrative of youth and presents a more mature and imaginative side of the group."

In their previous release, AHOP portrayed the story of unfinished boys full of limitless potential. With The Passage, they take the next step — capturing the transformation from boyhood to adulthood.

The Passage will be released on November 4, with promotional content rolling out sequentially ahead of the album's launch.