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 individual is the distinction between his sizable physique and delicate demeanor. It’s a distinction that involves sharp aid as he dances. Bulging muscle groups whip into sinuous, sensual mode in exact choreography usually executed by idols with slighter silhouettes.
On “Syndrome,” the 32-year outdated Okay-pop soloist’s first full-length album, he takes full benefit of intercourse attraction in an Usher-channelling flip as a person whose bank card and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 “completely different sorts of signs we are able to really feel in love,” an awesome 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 chilliness 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 moderately than stifling his means, working with new creators on the ten-track “Syndrome” underscores the singer who’s now over 4 years into his solo profession’s means as a songwriter, arranger, and inventive 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.
Nonetheless, when pressed to elaborate on how the lyrics of the album relate to his actual life, he doesn’t select essentially the most provocatively penned monitor —not surprising in Okay-pop the place idols usually preserve their non-public lives non-public—however as an alternative, 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 lodge alongside the Sundown Strip in Hollywood. His hair, dyed shock purple for the “If You Wanna” video has pale to a faint pink paying homage 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 together 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 venture between substance and decadence.
tank: Diesel, pants: Delivery of Royal Little one
Congratulations on lastly assembly your “twin.” Your Okay-pop Demon Hunters covers had been among the greatest, and also you got here early on the development. It appeared you had a number 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 getting ready the quilt, I had a sense it might go viral, and I anticipated it to go nicely.
Nicely, 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 means of this album.
‘Syndrome’ is your first full-length album. Why is now the appropriate time for an even bigger venture?
After all, that is one thing I’ve at all times needed to do: launch a full album. There are at all times completely 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 navy,
I had concepts and I used to be engaged on it [the album]. There are issues I had in thoughts even earlier than my navy service. After making some clear choices, I had individuals on my crew —my producing crew and firm employees —who helped me go within the course I used to be picturing.
Did you may have extra enter, artistic direction-wise, on this album than earlier releases, or was it about the identical?
It was undoubtedly one thing completely different creatively, as a result of with all my previous releases, I used to be the one making all of the songs and every thing associated to the album. However for this album, a brand new problem I needed was to work with many various individuals and producers. This one had extra artistic 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 nicely you captured a mid-2000s R&B sound. On “If You Wanna,” as an illustration, I hear a number of Confessions-era Usher, particularly in your vocal method. Do you are feeling at dwelling with R&B vocally?
Thanks a lot. It’s such an enormous honor, being in comparison with these names. And I really feel like this fashion—I get slightly bit extra snug with it—however I’m not tremendous assured, like these huge stars, not simply but. I’m working onerous to actually seize that. And I really feel like these vocals are those I’ve at all times been dreaming up.
Is there something about “Syndrome” you’re particularly pleased with?
Primary, it’s my first full-length album. In order that’s one thing I’m very pleased with, and it’s good to listen to that I did a great job. And each time I launch one thing, I look again and assume to myself, “That is one thing I made very well.” And I additionally take into consideration my pronunciation. This time, I labored actually onerous on it, and it got here out very well.
shirt: Louis Vuitton, pants: 5000, sun shades (above): Mild 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 at all times needed to work with, and I discovered a solution to join with them. And generally there was no connection to the producers, however I listened to the songs first after which bought to know who made them, they usually additionally related me with different songs that suited me. So there are a number of completely different ways in which I labored with them forwards and backwards.
The lyrics sound private. You talk about every thing from heartbreak to adoration. Is there any one of many songs particularly on this album that’s relatable to your life expertise?
The tune, which I wrote the lyrics for, “On the Time,,” is one thing I felt comparable feelings for; I really feel it has the feelings I’ll most likely really feel alongside my followers now, too.
What was your first reminiscence as a songwriter?
After I was in coaching, I believed ‘’Oh, perhaps I’ve a expertise for this.”
And what was your very first reminiscence of music as a toddler?
One of many first recollections is that I truly discovered piano after I was youthful. I studied classical music. And to at the present time, I nonetheless can’t imagine I used to be capable of memorize that music and play it. I additionally bear in mind shopping for considered one of my first albums. It was a Purple Scorching Chili Peppers album someday throughout elementary faculty. I bear in mind taking part in that at dwelling so much.
How outdated had been you if you began taking part in piano?
I performed from preschool age till center faculty. 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 adjustments usually. At first, my motto for dwelling was to “simply do it.” However I really feel like now it’s modified extra to attempting to reside 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 would it not be?
To reside like a film, like I’m dwelling in a film. So what which means to me is that I need to make my story and plot as significant as attainable.
tank: Salt Murphy, shorts: Austin James Smith, sneakers: New Rock
I hope it has a contented ending. Nowadays, there’s a number 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 a number of issues like AI artists popping out as of late. In the long run, AI can’t actually substitute people, particularly in artistic fields like this. I really feel like even when AI produces outcomes, it’s at all times as a result of it’s learning what individuals have already made. So I really feel like it may be a great affect, nevertheless it received’t solely substitute 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 concentrate on making good music and albums.
Your work has taken you everywhere in the world. Is there a selected place that appears like a second dwelling to you?
L.A. (laughs)
In an interview from earlier this 12 months, you talked about attempting out nation as a style. Is that one thing you continue to need to do?
Sure. Undoubtedly. I’m nonetheless attempting to.
You are able to do it. Do you reward your self if you end an enormous venture?
Not likely 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 individual or what’s the factor that conjures up you to do your greatest?
Undoubtedly my followers. I at all times take into consideration what they might need to hearken to from me.
Apart out of your work as a vocalist and songwriter, you might be identified in your dedication to bodily well being. Whenever you’re not within the health club, do you may have a favourite exercise or exercise?
Currently, I’ve been very into working exterior. 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 capable of go to different locations usually, so I like to have a look at my environment whereas I’m working.
jacket: Purple, necklace: Vivienne Westwood, pants: Moshe Yossel, sneakers: Adieu
Final 12 months, 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 form 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 capable of strive new issues and change into extra assured in who I’m.
What new issues did you strive?
I used to be ready simply to share a stage with a number of different artists, and likewise watch their performances as nicely. And I really feel like I used to be capable of 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 slightly 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.
