WONHO shares the feelings behind Syndrome and what he hopes WENEE takes away from it.
Since making his solo debut in 2020 with Love Synonym #1: Proper for Me, WONHO has continued to show why he’s thought to be some of the dynamic artists in Ok-pop. A powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and performer, he’s carved out a distinct segment completely his personal—one constructed on ardour, artistry, and authenticity. With over a decade of expertise, his maturity and style shine each on and off the stage. Whether or not followers have been with him since day one or joined alongside the way in which, WONHO stays the identical: an insanely good performer, a commanding dancer, a robust vocalist, and somebody who deeply cherishes his fandom, WENEE. His songs carry that sincerity—ethereal but grounded, emotional but empowering—and throughout mini-albums like Love Synonym #2: Proper for Us, Blue Letter, and Facade, he’s continued to evolve whereas staying true to his core. His artistry has additionally taken him throughout the globe—from Japan to Europe to the U.S.— the place he’s carried out live shows, been a featured artist at Jingle Ball in 2024, and gained the 2021 AAA Musician Award for his dedication to the craft.
Now, WONHO reaches a brand new inventive peak together with his first full-length album, Syndrome. The document captures his evolution as each an artist and storyteller, weaving dance and pop soundscapes with introspective lyricism and daring self-production. Pre-release singles “Higher Than Me” and “Good Liar” provided a glimpse into the album’s cinematic and emotional core—anchored by putting traces reminiscent of “Folks love to speak in California, child” and “There’s just one me and you’ll’t lie.” WONHO’s songwriting, composition, and association credit all through Syndrome spotlight his uncommon mixture of creativity and management, whereas his seamless inclusion of English-only tracks feels refreshingly pure, not calculated—simply one other trustworthy expression in his ever-growing discography.
In our unique interview, WONHO dives deep into the making of Syndrome—reflecting on the teachings he’s discovered, the feelings behind his music, and the expansion he’s skilled since his solo debut. He opens up concerning the inventive challenges that pushed him most, the songs that greatest seize who he’s proper now, and the way WENEE’s unwavering help continues to gasoline his ardour. From discussing how he is aware of when a music is really completed to sharing his pre-show rituals and what nonetheless excites him after greater than a decade within the business, WONHO provides a heartfelt and revealing look into the thoughts of an artist who continues to maneuver, encourage, and join—one stage, one music, and one second at a time.
HELLOKPOP: Hello WONHO, thanks a lot for taking the time to talk with us! Congratulations in your first full-length album, ‘Syndrome!’ To begin, we’d like to know — what’s one sudden factor you found or discovered about your self whereas making this album?
WONHO: Whereas getting ready for this album, I labored on all kinds of songs and tried so many new issues alongside the way in which. Collaborating with totally different producers gave me the possibility to expertise varied musical kinds and inventive processes firsthand, which was a invaluable studying expertise.
I additionally experimented with approaches I wasn’t used to and spent numerous time fascinated with methods to mix them with my very own shade palette. It was difficult at each step, nevertheless it was additionally extremely enjoyable and fulfilling.
HKP: Constructing on that, is there a music on ‘Syndrome’ that feels most such as you — a observe that actually captures who WONHO is true now?
WONHO: The music that feels most like me proper now’s “On High Of The World.” It captures a few of my brightest moments and the sense of freedom that comes with youth. I feel it’s essentially the most trustworthy reflection of the happiness and power I really feel nowadays.
HKP: Occupied with the album as an entire, what emotion hits you first while you hear ‘Syndrome,’ and what do you hope followers really feel or take away as they hear from begin to end?
WONHO: Once I consider Syndrome as an entire, the primary emotion that involves thoughts is love.
I consider love can take many various kinds relying on the individual, and I needed the album to replicate that.
As followers hear from begin to end, I hope they’ll really feel the shifting shades of emotion — the thrill, the depth, and the quiet calm that follows. I consider there will likely be moments that resonate with everybody’s personal experiences. Whereas listening, I hope they’ll merely observe these feelings and really feel their very own model of “Syndrome.”
HKP: What was the most important inventive or emotional problem you confronted whereas making ‘Syndrome,’ and was there a selected observe that pushed you essentially the most creatively?
WONHO: The most important problem this time was expressing feelings that weren’t acquainted to me by way of my very own voice and elegance.
Particularly with “Enjoyable” and “Good Liar,” which have been initially written for feminine vocals, I needed to assume deeply about methods to reinterpret these emotions and make them my very own. It was undoubtedly a problem, but in addition a really new and significant expertise.
HKP: In case you needed to describe the title observe, “원호 ‘in the event you wanna’,” in simply three phrases, what would they be? And Why?
WONHO: If I needed to describe “원호 ‘in the event you wanna’,” in three phrases, they’d be direct, thrill, and power. The music carries the message of transferring straight towards what you need with out hesitation, that’s the place “direct” comes from. And the fun that follows, together with the infectious power that makes your physique transfer naturally, is the essence of the music.
HKP: Once you’re engaged on songs that you simply additionally compose or organize, how have you learnt when a observe is completed?
WONHO: Once I’m engaged on a music that I compose or organize myself, there’s a second after I simply comprehend it’s full. I often play it loud within the apply room, and if my physique begins transferring naturally and I really feel the power rising inside me, that’s after I assume, “Okay, it’s carried out.”
HKP: “Higher Than Me” and “Good Liar” have been each English pre-releases — how does recording in English affect the way in which you inform a narrative or ship your vocals?”
WONHO: When recording in English, the way in which I categorical feelings modifications just a little. Korean permits for extra detailed, nuanced emotional traces, whereas English feels extra direct, with emotion conveyed by way of rhythm and tone. So I have a tendency to regulate my vocal tone to match the circulation of pronunciation and the environment of the music.
HKP: Is there a selected lyric from ‘Syndrome’ that feels particularly significant or private to you?
WONHO: There’s a line from “At The Time” that actually resonates with me:
“매일 걷다 보니 더 멀리 / However as of recently.”
To me, it implies that in the event you hold strolling day-after-day, earlier than you realize it, you’ve come farther than you thought. It jogs my memory that these quiet, on a regular basis moments have been valuable, and that each one these instances have constructed as much as create who I’m now.
HKP: Wanting again at your solo debut in 2020 to now, how do you assume your sound and confidence as an artist have modified?
WONHO: Once I debuted as a solo artist in 2020, I used to be within the technique of discovering my very own shade by making an attempt every little thing myself. All the pieces felt new again then, and I spent numerous time fascinated with what sort of music I needed to indicate. Wanting again, I understand that each a kind of experiences formed who I’m at the moment. My musical type has change into a lot clearer, and now I’ve the arrogance to tackle new challenges each time I would like. The feelings and messages I need to categorical additionally really feel far more outlined now.
HKP: You could have such an incredible discography of solo work. If WENEE may solely take heed to certainly one of your songs to know who you might be, which one ought to they choose?
WONHO: If I had to decide on only one music for WENEE to know who I’m as an artist, it might be “On High Of The World.” It captures the feelings and power I’ve proper now, in addition to the path I need to hold transferring towards.
It’s free, brilliant, and stuffed with energy. I feel inside that environment, you possibly can actually really feel who WONHO is at the moment.
HKP: Performing stay has all the time been certainly one of your strengths. Do you’ve gotten any pre-show rituals or habits that provide help to heart your self earlier than stepping on stage?
WONHO: I don’t have any particular rituals earlier than occurring stage, however I all the time attempt to keep in fine condition by figuring out and managing my situation constantly. Once I’ve taken care of my physique and thoughts beforehand, the main focus comes naturally the second I step on stage.
HKP: After greater than a decade within the business, what nonetheless excites you most about making music?
WONHO: Even after greater than ten years within the business, essentially the most thrilling a part of making music remains to be fascinated with my followers. Every time I’m engaged on a music, the primary thought that involves thoughts is, “Will WENEE like this?”
Simply imagining their reactions makes my coronary heart race and offers me the power to create higher music. That thought has all the time been —and nonetheless is —my largest motivation.
HKP: In case you may describe your creative journey in a single phrase proper now, what wouldn’t it be — and why?
WONHO: If I needed to describe my creative journey in a single phrase, it might be “problem.”
From the second I began as a solo artist till now, I’ve continually been making an attempt new issues.
There have been undoubtedly robust moments alongside the way in which, however I discovered a lot from each expertise, and I consider these challenges formed who I’m at the moment. I’ll hold pushing myself and taking over new challenges to indicate you even higher sides of me.
HKP: Lastly, please depart a message for WENEE studying this.
WONHO: I’ve ready this full-length album with so many various songs for WENEE, who’ve been ready for a very long time. Your love and help imply every little thing to me, and I acquire a lot energy from it. Thanks all the time in your persistence and encouragement. I’ll proceed to repay you with good music and nice performances. I like you all!
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*Particular due to Highline Leisure and WONHO for this unique interview.
Picture and Video Credit: Highline Leisure
