Wonho

South Korean singer (born 1993) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lee Ho-seok (Korean: 이호석, born March 1, 1993), known by his stage name Wonho (Korean: 원호), is a South Korean singer under Highline Entertainment.[2][3] He is a former member of South Korean boy group Monsta X under Starship Entertainment.[4] In 2020, he made his solo debut with the EP Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me, alongside its lead single "Open Mind",[5] which charted both on the Gaon Chart and Billboard charts.

Born
Lee Ho-seok

(1993-03-01) March 1, 1993 (age 33)
Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
InstrumentVocals
Quick facts Born, Occupations ...
Wonho
Wonho in 2021
Born
Lee Ho-seok

(1993-03-01) March 1, 1993 (age 33)
Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2015–present
Labels
Formerly ofMonsta X
Korean name
Hangul
이호석
RRI Hoseok
MRI Hosŏk
Stage name
Hangul
원호
RRWonho
MRWŏnho
Close

In 2021, he signed with Intertwine Records, a partnership between Eshy Gazit and BMG, for his activities in the United States. He also made his Japanese debut with the single "On the Way", which charted on the Oricon Singles Chart. After his South Korea's mandatory military service discharge in 2024, he released "What Would You Do". In 2025, he released his first studio album Syndrome, supported by the singles "Better Than Me", "Good Liar", and "If You Wanna", under Intertwine Records.

Career

Early life and debut

Prior to his official debut, Wonho became part of a project group called Nu Boyz, alongside his labelmates #Gun, Shownu, and Joohoney, formed under Starship Entertainment in August 2014. The quartet uploaded multiple tracks to the label's channel on YouTube, including performing at the opening show of the Starship X concert on December 5, 2014.[6]

In late December, Starship Entertainment and Mnet launched a survival competition program called No.Mercy.[7] On its final episode, Wonho was selected, alongside the other six contestants, including the Nu Boyz's members Shownu and Joohoney, as a member of the label's new boy group Monsta X.[8]

2015–2019: Monsta X

Wonho in 2017

Wonho debuted in Monsta X, a hip-hop boy group, upon the release of their first extended play Trespass, on May 14, 2015.[8][9] Wonho was a vocalist in the group and beginning in 2017 regularly participated in writing, composing and arranging songs for the group.[10][11]

Since 2018, Wonho has featured in several photoshoots for magazines, as well as partnering with some brands and promoting campaigns by various fashion magazines. He has appeared alongside his groupmates on several occasions, including Nylon, alongside Shownu in January 2018 and GQ in August,[12][13] in both Ceci Korea in June 2018 and MAPS, with Minhyuk in December,[14][15] lastly, Grazia, with Hyungwon in March 2019.[16] He also participated in the collaboration project, with Elle and Tom Ford, alongside Shownu, in promotion of Tom Ford's latest perfume line in August 2019.[17] He also made solo appearances, such as a feature in Dazed in November 2019.[18]

Wonho has been recognized as the Korean celebrity who focuses on fitness and physical training, while in several interviews surrounding his photoshoots, he has talked about healthy habits, and emphasized the importance of exercising.[19] In October 2018, he partnered with Under Armour, as part of the collaboration with Dazed, to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.[20] He again promoted healthy lifestyle, as part of a photoshoot for Elle's "Body Challenge" campaign, in May 2019.[21]

On October 31, Starship Entertainment announced Wonho's departure from Monsta X following allegations of him not paying back money he owed to a friend,[22] after rumors about the illegal use of marijuana when he was younger surfaced on social media.[23][24][25]

2020: Solo debut with Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me and first solo concert

On March 14, Starship Entertainment released an official statement announcing that the investigation made by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's narcotics investigation team had been concluded; Wonho had been cleared of all allegations and the rumors were false.[26]

Wonho signed with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship Entertainment, as a solo artist on April 10.[3] The agency announced that he would be promoting as a solo artist and producer going forward.[27] On May 6, Maverick revealed through a Twitter post that they had signed a management agreement with Wonho for his international activities.[28]

On August 9, Wonho announced the release of his first solo EP Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me.[5][29][30] On August 14, he then released the pre-release English-language single "Losing You", along with its music video.[31] "Losing You" gained praise for showing Wonho's all-around musicality, including his vocals, participation in the songwriting, composing, and producing of the song.[25][32] The album was released on September 4 with the title track "Open Mind", accompanied by a music video.[28] Wonho had his debut showcase the same day, hosted through V Live.[33][34]

Wonho held his first solo concert on September 27. Due to restrictions from COVID-19, the concert was held online through the streaming platform LiveXLive.[35] During his concert, Wonho announced his first comeback, with a new EP, which was originally intended to be released by the end of 2020, although without a set date. He pre-released a song from the upcoming EP "Flash" through his concert.[36][37]

2021: Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us, second concert and Blue Letter

Wonho's second part of his first EP Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us was released on February 26.[38] All five songs from the EP debuted on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, occupying twenty percent of the entire World Songs chart for that week.[39]

He held an online concert WeNeedLove, through LiveXLive on March 28.[40][41] During the concert, Wonho announced his intention for his next comeback in summer of 2021.[42]

In May, Wonho released a music video for the song "Ain't About You" from his second part of his first EP, in collaboration with Kiiara.[43]

On June 15, his American manager, Eshy Gazit announced the launch of a new label venture Intertwine, in partnership with BMG, with Monsta X and Wonho as the first two artists involved in the partnership.[1]

On July 19, Wonho joined NCSoft's global K-pop entertainment platform Universe.[44]

In July, it was announced that Wonho would release his debut Japanese single album on October 27, with the lead single "On the Way". On August 4, he pre-released the Japanese version of the song "Lose".[45]

Wonho released his second EP Blue Letter on September 14, with the title track "Blue".[46]

On December 1, Wonho released the Japanese digital single "White Miracle".[47]

2022: Facade, first musical and first solo tour

Wonho made his comeback with his first single album Obsession on February 16, with the title track "Eye On You".[48][49]

In May, Wonho became the exclusive model of a dual-formulation and diet dual-functional complex product Cent Double.[50]

Wonho released his third EP Facade on June 13, with the title track "Crazy".[51][52]

From June 3 to July 24, Wonho is set to appear in his first musical with Equal, a work that reflects on today's chaotic times due to pandemics and conspiracy theories, set in the 17th century Europe, where witches and heresy hunts were rampant. It is a two-person play that captures the metaphor of the COVID-19 era with the desperate desires and twisted fates of Nikola and Theo, two friends driven by the fear of death and extreme loneliness. Wonho will perform as Theo, a bright and cheerful country doctor who struggles to save his friend Nikola, who is dying from an incurable disease.[53]

On July 6, Highline released the poster and schedule for Wonho's first European tour Facade, through his official SNS. According to the schedule released with the poster, he will be in Munich and Oberhausen, Germany on August 28 and 31, respectively, Madrid, Spain on September 2, and London, England on September 4.[54]

On August 19, Wonho released the promotional single "Don't hesitate" through Universe Music for the mobile application Universe.[55]

In September, Wonho announced the release of his second single album Bittersweet on October 14, with the title track "Don't Regret".[56][57]

On November 23, Wonho announced a final concert Everyday Christmas before his mandatory military service.[58] It was held in two separate time slots while live-streamed globally on the BigC platform on December 3.[59]

On December 5, he enlisted for his mandatory military service as a public service worker.[60][61] Wonho was officially discharged on September 4, 2024.[62]

2024–present: Syndrome

Wonho performing in 2025

On November 22, he released the English single "What Would You Do".[63] In December, Wonho participated in the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour.[64]

In June 2025, he pre-released a first single "Better Than Me", a song inspired by early 2000s Pop groups like M2M and NSYNC,[65] in anticipation of his first studio album Syndrome, which was released on October 31.[66][67] In support of the album, he embarked on the 2025 Stay Awake World Tour, which took place in Latin America and Europe during July and September, respectively.[68] Following the plans of a North American leg in November and December, it was eventually cancelled due to "operational issues" and "administrative delays" by the tour's promoter.[69] On October 3, Wonho pre-released a second single "Good Liar".[70] "If You Wanna" was released as the album's third single and the title track alongside the release of Syndrome.[71]

In January 2026, it was announced that two new dates will be added to the Stay Awake World Tour, which will be in Saitama and Seoul in February and March, respectively.[72][73]

Discography

Studio album

More information Title, Details ...
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[74]
Syndrome 19
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Extended plays

More information Title, Details ...
List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions and sales
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[74]
JPN
[76]
UK
Down.

[77]
US
World

[78]
Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me
  • Released: September 4, 2020[79]
  • Label: Highline Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio
18319
Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us
  • Released: February 26, 2021[37]
  • Label: Highline Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio
22762
Blue Letter
  • Released: September 14, 2021[84]
  • Label: Highline Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio
5
Facade
  • Released: June 13, 2022[52]
  • Label: Highline Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio
8
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Close

Single albums

More information Title, Details ...
List of single albums, with selected details, chart positions and sales
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[74]
Obsession
  • Released: February 16, 2022[49]
  • Label: Highline Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio
3
Bittersweet
  • Released: October 14, 2022[57]
  • Label: Highline Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio
11
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Singles

As lead artist

More information Title, Year ...
List of singles, showing year released, chart positions, sales and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
DL

[89]
KOR
BGM

[90]
JPN
[91]
US
World

[92]
Korean
"Losing You" 2020 N/A Undisclosed Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me
"Open Mind" 154
"Lose" 2021 165 Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us
"Blue" 306714 Blue Letter
"Eye on You" 2022 40579 Obsession
"Crazy" 17 Facade
"Don't Regret" 33 Bittersweet
Japanese
"Lose" 2021 Undisclosed Non-album single
"On the Way" 15
  • JPN: 4,114 (Phy.)[93]
On the Way
"White Miracle" Undisclosed Non-album single
English
"What Would You Do" 2024 183 Undisclosed Non-album single
"Better Than Me" 2025 Syndrome
"Good Liar"
"If You Wanna"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Close
More information Title, Year ...
List of singles as featured artist, showing year released, chart positions, sales and album name
Title Year Peak chart position Sales Album
KOR
[94]
"0 (Young)"[95]
(Jooyoung, Mad Clown and Giriboy feat. No.Mercy contestants)
2015 71 No.Mercy OST Part 3
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Promotional singles

More information Title, Year ...
List of promotional singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Don't hesitate"[A] 2022 Non-album single
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Other charted songs

More information Title, Year ...
List of other charted songs, showing year released, chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
World

[92]
"Ain't About You"
(featuring Kiiara)
2021 18 Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us
"Devil" 22
"Weneed" 23
"Flash" 25
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Music videos

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Artist Director Ref.
Korean
"Losing You" 2020 Wonho Choi Young-ji (PinkLabel Visual) [97]
"Open Mind" Kim Min-woo (Desert Beagle) [98]
"Lose" 2021 Tankboyandidle [99]
"Ain't About You" Wonho feat. Kiiara Choi Young-ji (PinkLabel Visual) [100]
"Blue" Wonho Kim Min-woo (Tankboyandidle) [101]
"Eye On You" 2022 Naive Creative Production [102]
"Crazy" Seo Dong-hyeok (Flipevil) [103]
"Don't hesitate" Novv Kim [104]
"Don't Regret" Seo Dong-hyeok (Flipevil) [105]
Japanese
"On the Way" 2021 Wonho Ink [106]
English
"What Would You Do" 2024 Wonho Bart (Flipevil) [107]
"If You Wanna" 2025 Bart (Flipevil) and Lee Jin-myung [108]
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Filmography

Television shows

More information Year, Show ...
Year Show Role Note Ref.
2014–2015 No.Mercy Contestant 5th member announced as part of Monsta X [7]
2022 Idol Challenge: Another Class Special MC Season 2 [109]
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Radio show

  • On Air Spin-off (2021; DJ)[110]

Musical

Music video appearance

Songwriting

All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless stated otherwise.[112]

More information Year, Artist ...
Year Artist Song Album Lyrics Music Arrangement
Credited With Credited With Credited With
2015 Monsta X "Steal Your Heart" Trespass Yes Joohoney, I.M, Rhymer No N/A No N/A
2017 "Oi" The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter Yes Joohoney, I.M, Brother Su Yes Brother Su, JJB, XEPY, Vo3e No N/A
"5:14 (Last Page)" Yes Joohoney, I.M No N/A No N/A
"넌 어때" (I'll Be There) Yes Yes JJB Yes JJB
"From Zero" The Code Yes Joohoney, I.M, Brother Su Yes Rich Jang Yes Rich Jang
2018 "If Only" The Connect: Dejavu Yes Joohoney, I.M, Rich Jang Yes Yes
"Heart Attack" Take.1 Are You There? Yes Joohoney, I.M No N/A No N/A
"I Do Love U (널하다)" Yes Joohoney, I.M, Kihyun, Minhyuk Yes An Seong-hyeon, Shin Ki-hyun Yes An Seong-hyeon, Shin Ki-hyun
"Spotlight (Korean Ver.)"[113] Yes Joohoney, I.M No N/A No N/A
2019 "No Reason" Take.2 We Are Here Yes Joohoney, I.M, Brother Su Yes Brother Su, An Seong-hyeon, Shin Ki-hyun Yes An Seong-hyeon, Shin Ki-hyun
"Mirror" Follow: Find You Yes Yes No N/A
2020 "Who Do U Love? (will.i.am remix; feat. French Montana)" All About Luv Yes French Montana, Monsta X, Torrey Jake, Conrad Noah Patrick, Henig Daniel Doron Yes French Montana, Monsta X, Torrey Jake, Conrad Noah Patrick, Henig Daniel Doron No N/A
"Middle of the Night" No N/A Yes Monsta X, Payami Ali, Mitchell John Lathrop No N/A
"Breathe For You" Monsta X's Puppy Day (Web Reality Show) OST Yes Joohoney, I.M No N/A No N/A
Wonho "Open Mind" Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me Yes Lee Seu-ran No N/A No N/A
"I Just" Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong, Post Gothic Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong, Post Gothic Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong, Post Gothic
"Lost in Paradise" Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong, Post Gothic Yes Yes
"Interlude: Runway" No N/A Yes Savage House Gang Yes Savage House Gang
"Losing You" Yes Corey Sanders, Jon Maguire, Neil Ormandy, Nick Gale Yes Corey Sanders, Jon Maguire, Neil Ormandy, Nick Gale Yes Corey Sanders, Jon Maguire, Neil Ormandy, Nick Gale
2021 "Lose" Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us Yes Brother Su, Noah Conrad, Tony Ferrari, Roland Spreckley No N/A Yes Stereo14
"Best Shot" Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong Yes Savage House Gang, An Seon-yong
"Weneed" Yes Yes Yes
"Flash" Yes 1 Hz, Vendors, Brother Su Yes 1 Hz, Vendors, Brother Su Yes 1 Hz, Vendors, Brother Su
"Outro: And" No N/A Yes Savage House Gang Yes Savage House Gang
"Intro: Seasons and Patterns" Blue Letter No N/A Yes Savage House Gang Yes Savage House Gang
"Blue" Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn, Brother Su Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"No Text No Call" Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"Come Over Tonight" Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn, Oshimaxx Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"24/7" Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"Stranger" Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"Blue" (English version) Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
2022 "Eye On You" Obsession Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn, Brother Su Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"Somebody" Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn
"Intro: 9AM" Facade No N/A Yes Enan Yes Enan
"Crazy" Yes Enan, Sun Ahn, Brother Su Yes Enan, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn
"Close" Yes Enan, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn
"White Miracle" (Korean version) Yes Enan, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn
"Outro: 9PM" No N/A Yes Enan Yes Enan
"Don't hesitate" Non-album single Yes Enan, Knave Yes Enan, Knave Yes Enan
"Don't Regret" Bittersweet Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn, Brother Su Yes Savage House Gang, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn
Wonho feat. Yunhway "On & On" Yes Savage House Gang, Yunhway, Sun Ahn Yes Savage House Gang, Yunhway, Sun Ahn Yes Enan, Sun Ahn
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Tours and concerts

Headlining tours

  • Facade European Tour (2022)[54]
  • Welcome Back, Wenee (2024)[114]
  • Stay Awake World Tour (2025–2026)[115][72]

Headlining concerts

Awards and nominations

More information Award ceremony, Year ...
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, recipient of the award and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Recipient Result Ref.
Asia Artist Awards 2021 Best Musician Award Wonho Won [117]
Male Solo Singer Popularity Award Nominated [118]
Golden Disc Awards 2021 Disc Bonsang Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me Nominated [119]
Hanteo Music Awards 2021 Artist Award – Male Solo (Top 3) Wonho Won [120]
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See also

Notes

  1. "Don't hesitate" was released as a promotional single in collaboration with Universe.[55]

References

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