Wonho (singer)
Lee Ho-seok (Hangul: 이호석, born March 1, 1993), better known by his stage name Wonho (Hangul: 원호), is a South Korean singer under Highline Entertainment.[1] He is a former member of South Korean boy band Monsta X, which debuted under Starship Entertainment in 2015 through Mnet's survival show, No.Mercy.[2]
Wonho | |
---|---|
![]() Wonho performing at AFMF on May 19, 2019 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Lee Ho-seok |
Born | Sanbon-dong, Gunpo, South Korea | March 1, 1993
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 2015–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts |
|
Website | wonho-official |
Korean name | |
Hangul | |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Yi Ho-seok |
McCune–Reischauer | Yi Hosŏk |
Career
Early life and debut
Wonho was born on March 1, 1993 in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo, South Korea].
Prior to his official debut, Wonho was part of a project group called Nu Boyz (along with #Gun, Shownu and Joohoney) formed under Starship Entertainment in August 2014. The quartet uploaded multiple tracks to their company's YouTube channel and performed at the opening show of the Starship X concert in December 5, 2014.[3]
In late December, Starship Entertainment and Mnet launched a competition program called No.Mercy[4] and Wonho was selected along with six other participants (including Shownu & Joohoney, former members of Nu Boyz) as a member of Starship Entertainment]'s new boy group Monsta X on the final episode of the show.[5]
2015–2019: Monsta X
![](../I/m/Wonho_at_a_fanmeet_in_May_2016.jpg)
Wonho debuted in Monsta X, a hip-hop boy group, with the release of their first extended play, Trespass, on May 14, 2015.[5][6] Wonho was a vocalist in Monsta X until late 2019, and, beginning in 2017, regularly participated in writing, composing and arranging songs for the group.[7][8]
On October 31, 2019, Starship Entertainment announced Wonho's departure from Monsta X following allegations surrounding him,[9] after rumors about the illegal use of marijuana when he was younger surfaced on social media.[10][11][12]
The narcotics investigation team of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched an inquiry into the allegations, and on March 14, 2020, Starship Entertainment released an official statement announcing that the investigation had been concluded; Wonho had been cleared of all allegations and the rumors were false.[13]
2020–present: Solo debut, Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me
Wonho signed with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship Entertainment, as a solo artist on April 10.[14] The agency announced that he would be promoting as a solo artist and producer going forward.[15] On May 6, Maverick Entertainment revealed through a Twitter post that they had signed a management agreement with Wonho for his international activities.[16][17]
On August 9, Wonho announced the release of his first solo album, Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me, which is scheduled to be released on September 4, 2020.[18][19][20] On August 14, Wonho released the pre-release, English-language single "Losing You", along with its music video.[21] "Losing You" gained praise for showing Wonho's all-around musicality, including his vocals, participation in the songwriting, composing, and producing of the song.[12][22]
Modeling
Since 2018, Wonho has featured in several photoshoots for magazines, as well as partnering with brands and promoting campaigns by various fashion magazines. In January 2018, Wonho did a photoshoot along with Monsta X’s Shownu as part of a Nylon Campaign called "Dreams come true". His outfit featured comfortable streetwear from various designer brands.[23]
In June, Wonho was part of the Ceci Korea photoshoot themed "Black and White: Male beauty". In this issue, he modeled with band-mate Minhyuk, where they aimed to blend their masculine side with the warm wardrobe.[24] In August, Wonho was once again featured alongside Shownu, in a summer pictorial by GQ magazine that aimed to showcase masculine physique.[25]
In October, he participated on the collaboration photoshoot of Dazed, a fashion magazine, and Under Armour, a sports clothing brand. This collaboration aimed to promote the an active and healthy lifestyle.[26]
In December, he was featured on the cover of Maps magazine, alongside Minhyuk. The concept of the issue was "nostalgia" and featured a contemporary style and photography.[27]
In March 2019, Wonho was featured alongside band-mate Hyungwon in Grazia magazine, with a photoshoot focused on elegant and sophisticated formal wear.[28]
In August, Wonho participated in a photoshoot with Shownu as part of a Tom Ford collaboration project with Elle, in promotion of Tom Ford's latest perfume line.[29]
In September, Wonho was featured again in Dazed magazine, with the concept of "Mystery Kingdom", with an aim at showcasing his duality on and off stage.[30]
In November, Wonho was featured in Elle's campaign “Elle Body Challenge”, project to showcase and promote a healthy lifestyle. It also featured an interview in which he talks about healthy habits and emphasizes on the importance of exercising. Lastly, this included a tutorial in which Wonho gives tips on proper form and recommended exercises.[31]
Discography
EPs
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR | CAN | JPN | UKDig. | US | ||||
Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me |
|
TBA |
As featured artist
Year | Song title | Album | Artist | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | "0 (Young)" | No.Mercy OST Part 3 | Jooyoung, Mad Clown and Giriboy | [32] |
Producing and writing credits
Year | Artist | Song | Album | Type | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Monsta X | "Steal Your Heart" | Trespass | Writing | [33] |
2017 | "Oi" | The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter | Writing Composing |
[34] | |
"5:14 (Last Page)" | Writing | [35][36] | |||
'I'll Be There' | Writing Composing Arranging |
[37][38] | |||
"From Zero" | The Code | [39] | |||
2018 | "If Only" | The Connect: Dejavu | [40][41] | ||
"Heart Attack" | Take.1 Are You There? | Writing | [42][43] | ||
"I Do Love U (널하다)" | Writing Composing Arranging |
[45][42] | |||
"Spotlight (Korean Ver.)" | Writing | [42][46] | |||
2019 | "No Reason" | Take.2 We Are Here | Writing Composing Arranging |
[47][48] | |
"Who Do U Love? (will.i.am Remix) (feat. French Montana)" | All About Luv | Writing Arranging |
[49][50] | ||
"Middle of the night" | Writing Composing |
[51] | |||
"Breathe For You" | Puppy Day (with TTG) OST | Writing | [52][53] | ||
"Mirror" | Follow: Find You | Writing Composing Arranging |
[54][55] | ||
2020 | Wonho | "Losing You" | Love Synonym Pt. 1: Right for Me | Writing Composing Arranging |
[56] |
Music videos
Year | Title | Artist | Director | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | "Losing You" | Wonho | PinkLabel Visual | [21] |
Filmography
Awards and nominations
References
- "Wonho Takes Next K-Pop Career Step By Signing With Highline Entertainment". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- "Mnet and Starship to Launch Survival Program 'No Mercy' to Debut New Hip-Hop Boy Group". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- "가요계 점령한 '스타쉽X', 올나잇 콘서트 12월 5일 개최" ['Starship X' occupied by the music industry, all night concert held on December 5, 2014]. Chosun. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- Park, Gyu-oh (November 13, 2014). "New idol group to be born through Mnet's 'No Mercy'". Kpop Herald. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- "몬스타엑스, 데뷔 화보 속 '거리의 거친 반항아' 콘셉트 화제!" [Monsta X, the debut picture of the 'wild rebel street' concept!]. The Star Chosun (in Korean). May 7, 2015. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- "Monsta X goes for street style". Kpop Herald. August 6, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- Benjamin, Jeff (March 24, 2020). "Monsta X Earn First No. 1 on World Digital Song Sales Chart With 'From Zero' produced by Wonho". Billboard.
- Glasby, Taylor. "Former Monsta X Member Wonho Is Writing a New Ending". Teen Vogue. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- France, Lisa (October 31, 2019). "Wonho leaves Monsta X". CNN. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- Rearick, Lauren (October 31, 2019). "Wonho Leaves Monsta X". Teen Vogue. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- Williams, Janice (October 31, 2019). "Monsta X's Wonho Leaves K-Pop Boy Band, Issues an Apology to Fan". Newsweek. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- Chan, Tim; Chan, Tim (August 14, 2020). "K-Pop Star Wonho on Starting Over Solo: New EP Finally 'Reflecting My Own Colors'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- "Wonho (Monsta X) opens up about his dark past and apologizes to fans". Dispatch. March 16, 2019.
- "몬스타엑스 출신 원호, 하이라인엔터테인먼트 전속계약 [공식입장]" [Wonho, ex member of Monsta X signs contract with HIGHLINE Entertainment[Official Source]]. Eye Daily. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- Benjamin, Jeff. "Former Monsta X Member Wonho Launches Solo Career". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- "Maverick official twitter post welcomes Wonho". Twitter.
- "Maverick artist list-Wonho". maverick.com.
- "´솔로 컴백´ 원호, 오피셜 로고 기습 공개". Sports Daily (in Korean). August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Former Monsta X member Wonho announces debut mini album 'Love Synonym #1'". NME. August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "'前 몬스타엑스' 원호, 9월 4일 솔로 데뷔..커밍순 이미지 기습 공개". Naver news (in Korean). August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "원호, 신보 M/V 티저…"애절한, Losing You"". Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- Shim, Eon-kyung (August 14, 2020). ""널 위해서라면 죽을 수도"..솔로로 돌아온 원호의 진심 'Losing You' [한낮의 신곡]". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- "셔누와 원호는 불꽃 같은 드라마틱한 인생 신으로 팬들과 함께한 음악 방송 1위를 꼽았다" [Wonho and Shwonu talk about ranking first on music broadcast through this photoshoot]. Nylon Korea.
- ""블랙&화이트"…몬스타엑스 원호X민혁, 남성美 뿜뿜" [Black and White, Wonho and Minhyuk on this month's male beauty]. Sports Chosun.
- "몬스타엑스 셔누X원호, 여름 화보 속 탄탄한 몸매 자랑! '바람직한 투샷'" [Monsta X' Shownu and Wonho show their masculine physique on the GQ summer issue]. eNews.
- "몬스타엑스 셔누X원호, 여름 화보 속 탄탄한 몸매 자랑! '바람직한 투샷'" [Wonho and Shownu pose for Under Armour in their collaboration with DAZED Korea]. Official DAZED Korea.
- "MAPS Magazine - December issue". MAPS Official Store.
- "CHAPTER TWO:몬스타엑스의 원호와 형원이 그들의 2번째 챕터에 관한 이야기를 들려주었다" [CHAPTER TWO: Wonho and Hyungwon tell a story through photos]. Grazia.
- "몬스타엑스 원호의 두 얼굴" [The beauty under masculinity, Monsta X's Shownu and Wonho pose for ELLE]. Elle Korea.
- "몬스타엑스 원호 "대중의 목소리는 내가 존재하는 큰 이유" [Monsta X' Wonho for DAZED, the reason I sing]. Sport Chosun.
- "몬스타엑스 원호의 두 얼굴" [Two sides of Monsta X' Wonho on ELLE]. Elle Korea.
- Woo Sun (February 5, 2015). "'노머시', 오늘(5일) 매드클라운X주영 '0' 음원 공개" ['No Mercy' Mad Clown releases collaboration with No.Mercy contestants]. Top Star News. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- "Steal Your Heart - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "Oi - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "5:14 (Last Page) - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "514 (Last Page) - song credits". ascap.com.
- "I'll Be There - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "I'll be there - song credits". ascap.com.
- "From Zero - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "'컴백 D-4' 몬스타엑스, 주헌·아이엠·원호 자작곡 참여..트랙리스트 공개" [4 days left till comeback, tracklist is revealed and has the participation of Jooheon, I.M and Wonho]. OSEN. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- "If Only - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "몬스타엑스, 타이틀은 '슛 아웃'…주헌·아이엠·원호 자작곡 수록" [Monsta X' title song Shoot Out, album to have songs by Wonho, Jooheon and I.M.]. xportsnews.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- "Heart Attack - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "I Do Love U (널하다) - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "I Do Love You (널하다) song credits". ascap.com.
- "Spotlight (Korean version) - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "No Reason) - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "No reason - song credits". ascap.com.
- "WHO DO U LOVE? (will.i.am Remix) (feat. French Montana)) - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "Who Do U Love - song credits". ascap.com.
- "Middle of the night - song credits". bmi.com.
- "Breathe For You - song credits on MelOn official site". melon.com.
- "Breathe For You song credits". ascap.com.
- "Mirror - song credits on MelOn official site". Melon.
- "8개월만에 국내 컴백- 몬스타엑스, 타이틀곡 '팔로우' 확정" [A domestic comeback, Monsta X reveals the tracklist and title track FOLLOW]. xportsnews.com. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ""Losing You" song information". Melon. Retrieved August 14, 2020.