By Isabel Miller
WONHO has always known how to catch the eye. Four years with MONSTA X, and now a soloist of six years, his journey to the KPOPWORLD Festival stage has been defined by his ability to adapt.
Born Lee Hoseok in Gunpo, 1993, WONHO is a South Korean singer and K-pop idol whose career can be divided into two chapters. The first began in high school, where he developed an interest in music that spurred his decision to move to Seoul for idol training under Starship Entertainment. Alongside labelmates #Gun, Shownu, and Joohoney, he uploaded and performed several tracks as a part of the project group Nu Boyz throughout 2014. At the end of the year, the quartet became contestants on the joint Starship and Mnet survival competition program No.Mercy. A seven member line-up, including WONHO, was selected during the show’s finale. This is the origin of 3rd generation powerhouse MONSTA X.
MONSTA X debuted on May 14, 2015 with the mini album Trespass.
WONHO contributed to the group as a main vocalist, and from 2017 onwards also regularly participated in writing, composing and arranging songs for the group. From 2018 onwards, his visuals became another primary talking point; WONHO was praised for his focus on fitness and his physique, and he appeared in numerous fashion magazines including Nylon, GQ, ELLE and Dazed during this period. By the time of his departure from MONSTA X in 2019, the group had released two studio albums and seven mini albums, becoming a pillar of the era with popular songs like “Hero” and “Shoot Out.”
WONHO refused to let rumours hold him back. He signed with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship Entertainment, as a soloist in April 2020, as well as partnering with the American record label Maverick. In August, he debuted with the pre-release English-language single “Losing You.” Not only did the song garner praise for WONHO’s vocals and musicality as a producer, it indicated a desire to go global and break into the West. All five songs on his second EP, Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us, debuted on U.S. organisation Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart upon its release in February 2021 – an achievement that showcases his international appeal.
Since then, WONHO has toured Asia, North America, Latin America and Europe amongst a series of singles and mini albums, interrupted only by his military service period. That consistency has made WONHO a well-known, stand-out soloist. He has built a large following for his artistry, which is led by real experience and emotional honesty. While his physique may be what captures attention first, fans stay for his soft, velvet vocals and impeccable control.
On stage, WONHO defies assumptions. The strong contrast between his powerful, charismatic stage presence and his smooth studio vocals creates a dynamic atmosphere as he moves through his solo discography; early tracks rely on heavier dance, EDM and pop influences, but recent releases lean into R&B and a careful stripping back. His tour across the U.S. this summer showcased his mastery of that balance, as WONHO walks the line between genres. Moreover, it emphasised his fan-first approach. The bond between WONHO and WENEE comes across regardless of elevations in production or set-up, led by a sense of loyalty formed in his early days and his willingness to share a piece of himself with the audience through the personal stories in his music. KPOPWORLD invites you to become a part of it this October.
Three songs best demonstrate WONHO’s artistry, honey vocals, and where his emotions come into play.
“Losing You,” his debut, is a display of WONHO’s ability to capture and harness emotion. This touching ballad is his first English-language song and calls out to listeners worldwide.
“Open Mind” showcases the upbeat, dance-pop genre characterising several of his releases, coupled with a sleek, coy tone.
“Better Than Me” represents a restrained, stripped back version of WONHO, introducing a new contemporary R&B sound that forms his current era.
Fresh off the back of his North American concert tour, WONHO lands a place on the KPOPWORLD Festival line-up as an established soloist ready to raise the energy and serenade the crowd in equal parts.