Inventive Director + Images / Lauren Nakao Winn
Video Director / Kary Hyunjeong Rho
Videographer + Editor / Kwangmin Lee
Stylist / Morgan Bienvenue
Prod. Help / EJ
Picture Help / Jovita Tedja
Story / Christine Terrisse
Shot at DWNTWN Studio.
The very first thing you discover when assembly Wonho in particular person is the distinction between his sizable physique and delicate demeanor. It’s a distinction that involves sharp reduction as he dances. Bulging muscle tissue whip into sinuous, sensual mode in exact choreography usually executed by idols with slighter silhouettes.
On “Syndrome,” the 32-year previous Okay-pop soloist’s first full-length album, he takes full benefit of intercourse attraction in an Usher-channelling flip as a person whose bank card and backseat are prepared for seduction. Within the video for “If You Wanna,” he beckons to a possible mate: “You wanna parlay?/That’s in my place. We be f*ckin’ all day.”
It’s a blatant attain for an iconic western sound, one which Wonho, born Lee Ho-seok proves greater than able to mastering. What makes “Syndrome,” a reputation Wonho says is impressed by the “totally different sorts of signs we will really feel in love,” a terrific album is partly because of his work with an array of producers serving to him to crack a pop code of a late ‘90s to mid 2000s-era swag-boy soundscape.
From curvy vocal runs on R&B tracks like “DND” and the disco-club candy spot his vary hits on “On Prime of the World” to the nippiness grooves of “Scissors” on this newest effort, Wonho harnessed the abilities of producers like Johnny Simpson and east coast rapper/producer Kinetics each of whom labored on “If You Wanna.”
However slightly than stifling his capability, working with new creators on the ten-track “Syndrome” underscores the singer who’s now over 4 years into his solo profession’s capability as a songwriter, arranger, and artistic director. Proficient on piano, he’s been writing and composing since his days as a trainee and later, as a member of the group Monsta X.
Nevertheless, when pressed to elaborate on how the lyrics of the album relate to his actual life, he doesn’t select probably the most provocatively penned monitor —not surprising in Okay-pop the place idols usually preserve their personal lives personal—however as a substitute, chooses the heartbreaking ballad “On the Time” the uncommon monitor together with Korean lyrics.
Wonho, who grew up in Gunpo, a metropolis south of Seoul, met up with us at a hip resort alongside the Sundown Strip in Hollywood. His hair, dyed shock crimson for the “If You Wanna” video has light to a faint pink harking back to Abby Saja from Okay-pop Demon Hunters, a likeness that has not gone unnoticed. And he’s been having enjoyable with it; the day earlier than, he met up along with his “twin” at Billboard’s workplace.
Later in New York, for our photoshoot, he places away a slice of Joe’s pizza on his lunch break and will get excited when gifted a field of Pocky sticks for Pepero Day, a contemporary Korean custom. It’s a welcome deal with for somebody whose self-discipline extends from his physique to his artistry and who has discovered an ideal steadiness on his newest challenge between substance and decadence.
tank: Diesel, pants: Start of Royal Baby
Congratulations on lastly assembly your “twin.” Your Okay-pop Demon Hunters covers have been among the finest, and also you got here early on the development. It appeared you had plenty of enjoyable with it. Did you watch the movie and really feel impressed instantly? Did you see your self in it?
I heard concerning the film from individuals round me —individuals at my firm, and followers. I noticed their feedback, so I watched it. And after I was making ready the duvet, I had a sense it might go viral, and I anticipated it to go effectively.
Properly, it did. Congratulations. And in addition Congratulations on “‘Syndrome.” How does it really feel to have it out on the earth?
I’m very glad it’s lastly out, and I’m actually glad I can join with my followers by way of this album.
‘Syndrome’ is your first full-length album. Why is now the correct time for an even bigger challenge?
In fact, that is one thing I’ve all the time needed to do: launch a full album. There are all the time totally different obstacles I face, however given the time I had, this was the most effective time to launch it.
What was the period of time you needed to work on it?
It was undoubtedly an album I labored on for a very long time. I really feel like even after I was within the army,
I had concepts and I used to be engaged on it [the album]. There are issues I had in thoughts even earlier than my army service. After making some clear selections, I had individuals on my group —my producing group and firm workers —who helped me go within the course I used to be picturing.
Did you will have extra enter, inventive direction-wise, on this album than earlier releases, or was it about the identical?
It was undoubtedly one thing totally different creatively, as a result of with all my previous releases, I used to be the one making all of the songs and all the things associated to the album. However for this album, a brand new problem I needed was to work with many alternative individuals and producers. This one had extra inventive enter [from other people].
You’ve talked about being impressed by ‘90s boy bands like N’Sync, however what struck me when listening to “Syndrome” was how effectively you captured a mid-2000s R&B sound. On “If You Wanna,” as an example, I hear plenty of Confessions-era Usher, particularly in your vocal method. Do you are feeling at residence with R&B vocally?
Thanks a lot. It’s such a giant honor, being in comparison with these names. And I really feel like this type—I get somewhat bit extra comfy with it—however I’m not tremendous assured, like these large stars, not simply but. I’m working onerous to actually seize that. And I really feel like these vocals are those I’ve all the time been dreaming up.
Is there something about “Syndrome” you’re particularly happy with?
Primary, it’s my first full-length album. In order that’s one thing I’m very happy with, and it’s good to listen to that I did an excellent job. And each time I launch one thing, I look again and suppose to myself, “That is one thing I made rather well.” And I additionally take into consideration my pronunciation. This time, I labored actually onerous on it, and it got here out rather well.
shirt: Louis Vuitton, pants: 5000, sun shades (above): Light Monster
How did you select what producers to work with this time round?
There have been producers I already knew and labored with on this one, however there have been additionally producers I’ve all the time needed to work with, and I discovered a technique to join with them. And typically there was no connection to the producers, however I listened to the songs first after which received to know who made them, they usually additionally related me with different songs that suited me. So there are plenty of totally different ways in which I labored with them forwards and backwards.
The lyrics sound private. You talk about all the things from heartbreak to adoration. Is there any one of many songs specifically on this album that’s relatable to your life expertise?
The track, which I wrote the lyrics for, “On the Time,,” is one thing I felt related feelings for; I really feel it has the feelings I’ll in all probability really feel alongside my followers now, too.
What was your first reminiscence as a songwriter?
Once I was in coaching, I believed ‘’Oh, possibly I’ve a expertise for this.”
And what was your very first reminiscence of music as a toddler?
One of many first reminiscences is that I truly discovered piano after I was youthful. I studied classical music. And to this present day, I nonetheless can’t consider I used to be in a position to memorize that music and play it. I additionally bear in mind shopping for one among my first albums. It was a Crimson Sizzling Chili Peppers album someday throughout elementary college. I bear in mind taking part in that at residence loads.
How previous have been you if you began taking part in piano?
I performed from preschool age till center college. Seven, eight years.
What’s one piece of recommendation somebody gave you or somebody who has made an impression in your life that has caught with you all through the years?
I believe that’s one thing that modifications typically. At first, my motto for residing was to “simply do it.” However I really feel like now it’s modified extra to making an attempt to stay for myself and doing what I need to do as a result of after I do what I need to do, it creates the most effective outcomes for me.
And if there was one theme that has outlined each your work and life, what wouldn’t it be?
To stay like a film, like I’m residing in a film. So what meaning to me is that I need to make my story and plot as significant as attainable.
tank: Salt Murphy, shorts: Austin James Smith, footwear: New Rock
I hope it has a cheerful ending. Today, there’s plenty of chatter within the music trade about AI songwriting. As a songwriter, is that one thing that worries you?
AI isn’t tremendous associated to me, however I really feel like there are plenty of issues like AI artists popping out lately. Ultimately, AI can’t actually change people, particularly in inventive fields like this. I really feel like even when AI produces outcomes, it’s all the time as a result of it’s finding out what individuals have already made. So I really feel like it may be an excellent affect, however it gained’t fully change people.
Again in 2022, you carried out in a musical. Is that one thing you need to do once more quickly?
Not proper now. I simply need to deal with making good music and albums.
Your work has taken you all around the world. Is there a selected place that appears like a second residence to you?
L.A. (laughs)
In an interview from earlier this yr, you talked about making an attempt out nation as a style. Is that one thing you continue to need to do?
Sure. Positively. I’m nonetheless making an attempt to.
You are able to do it. Do you reward your self if you end a giant challenge?
Probably not after an album launch as a result of I’ve to maintain caring for my visuals, however I really feel like after the music video shoot, I’ll have an enormous cheat day and eat all my favorites.
Who’s the particular person or what’s the factor that evokes you to do your finest?
Positively my followers. I all the time take into consideration what they’d need to hearken to from me.
Apart out of your work as a vocalist and songwriter, you’re recognized on your dedication to bodily well being. Whenever you’re not within the gymnasium, do you will have a favourite exercise or exercise?
Currently, I’ve been very into operating outdoors. It’s one thing that’s been trending these days, however extra so than following a development, it’s as a result of I’m in a position to go to different locations typically, so I like to take a look at my environment whereas I’m operating.
jacket: Purple, necklace: Vivienne Westwood, pants: Moshe Yossel, footwear: Adieu
Final yr, you carried out at Jingle Ball for the primary time. It’s a live performance that’s type of a mainstream pop music touchstone within the U.S. How did it really feel reaching that kind of milestone throughout the U.S. market?
It was a particular expertise for me, and it had a major impression on me as a result of I used to be in a position to strive new issues and grow to be extra assured in who I’m.
What new issues did you strive?
I used to be ready simply to share a stage with plenty of different artists, and in addition watch their performances as effectively. And I really feel like I used to be in a position to carry out in entrance of people who find themselves not simply my followers, however like different mainstream artists’ followers, and see their response to my music. And I additionally cherished to see somewhat bit about how present manufacturing within the U.S. works, too.
What do you need to manifest for your self within the New Yr?
I need to meet extra followers and go to locations I haven’t been to but, to fulfill followers who’ve been ready [to see me] for a very long time. And naturally, I need to launch even higher music, carry out higher, and keep wholesome.
