Adapting to seasonal changes is something WOODZ has perfected. Born Cho Seungyoun in Seoul, he finds joy in representing the philosophy behind his stage name: “deep roots, light branches.” His journey has been anything but straightforward—traveling globally, confronting harsh realities, making tough choices, and, most importantly, persisting through challenges that ultimately led him to K-pop.
By the time he speaks with Clash, he has experienced roughly 50 auditions, nearly 12 years in the industry, and three debuts, clearly indicating he has found his rhythm. The Seoul artist recently came back from an 18-month break for military service, during which his song ‘DROWNING’ captured the hearts of the Korean audience. His return was celebrated with numerous wins on music shows for the 2023 release, an extraordinary achievement for an older track. This phenomenon has prompted him to contemplate his future direction. “In the last three months, I’ve had a surge of thoughts because ‘DROWNING’ performed exceptionally well,” he shares with Clash. “During my time back, I’ve been incredibly busy…but I’ve also been very happy.”
Reflection is vital for WOODZ. He expresses his views eloquently, infusing each thought with a unique interpretation—a direct manifestation of his creativity. His enthusiasm during our conversation is charming, and it quickly becomes apparent that music is at the center of his life. Yet, even after a decade, he remains an eager learner in his craft, recognizing both his progress and the journey ahead. “When I first debuted as UNIQ, I felt like a chick in an egg. Then with X1, I became a chick, and now, through various experiences, I feel like I’ve transformed into a hawk or an eagle.” He recounts the three significant phases that have shaped his idol career with admirable honesty and admits that initially, his desire to pursue music wasn't entirely grounded in practicality.
“At the time I was chasing auditions, I thought I just liked music,” he reflects. From an outsider’s perspective, it was easier said than done, he later realized. “After going through songwriting and creating my own music, I understood that initially, jealousy fueled my motivation because I felt like ‘I can do that. I can be there. I can seize these opportunities and excel’—in a positive way.”
With every changing season, WOODZ not only welcomes a new phase of artistry, but also adopts a more mature approach to life, especially starting his career at just 18. “Right now, challenging myself is my main motivation—and also responsibility,” he explains. While it’s easy to get caught up in everything, he remains humble, keeping an eye not just on himself but also on those around him, including his fans, staff, and production team.
As he grows as an individual, he takes pride in pushing the boundaries of his musicianship. The world of WOODZ is rich and varied; he describes it as functioning like a hard drive. Although the singer WOODZ and the person Cho Seungyoun share many similarities, it’s their differing perspectives on life that set them apart.
“When I think of Cho Seungyoun, I tend to channel all my pressure onto WOODZ,” he explains, analyzing the connection between the two identities. To him, Cho Seungyoun represents how he perceives and navigates the world, while WOODZ serves as the medium through which he expresses those insights. This differentiation allows him to lead a carefree life as an individual, but when it comes time to focus on music, he dives in wholeheartedly.
WOODZ can’t escape music—or perhaps, music can’t escape him. Even during his break, distancing himself from the studio for an extended period proved challenging, leading to feelings of frustration. Part of that drive came from a sense of defiance. “While serving, I tried to maintain my artistic connection because I feel that if you’re forbidden from doing something, it only makes you want it more.”
Despite this, he embraced these emotions in his comeback single ‘Smashing Concrete,’ with lyrics that embody this very sentiment. This release was soon followed by ‘I’ll Never Love Again,’ and together, these tracks vividly reflect the inner conflict he faced during his absence.
Fortunately, he spent his enlistment in a military band, where he acquired several valuable skills. He explains that the significant difference was performing alongside others during that time. “The atmosphere I perform in now is quite different,” he shares, admitting that adjusting to solo performances has been a challenge.
When performing in a group, harmony is essential; a single error can disrupt the entire group. As a solo artist, WOODZ becomes more attuned to the technical elements of his performances. “I’ve toured with my band before, so I must consider how my voice sounds in their in-ear monitors and other aspects—I need to hear my voice.”
During his service,
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WOODZ has truly excelled at embracing seasonal changes. The Seoul native, known as Cho Seungyoun, has discovered satisfaction in representing the