Welcome to the 48th article of Kpopmap's weekly series exploring the amazing duality of K-Pop idols, actors, models, and more! Every week, we shine the spotlight on one artist who embodies the very essence of duality and has mastered the flair of harnessing their multifaceted talent to create the most brilliant, versatile art we have ever seen. As effortless as they make their craft look, there's a universe of talent that brings their hard work to fruition, and we must show appreciation where it's due.

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This week's "Bias Duality" article is dedicated to the human embodiment of a sunflower, the warrior prince of K-Pop, WonHo. With 23,107 votes, making for 65%  of the total votes cast by Kpopmap readers on the poll in our previous "Bias Duality" article, WonHo was chosen by an overwhelming majority of fans to appear on this series!

To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next "Bias Duality" article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time!

 

 

Now onto our bias!

 

Lee HoSeok To WonHo: A Trip We'll Never Forget

 

Driven by an insatiable urge to express himself, Lee HoSeok was born to stand on the world's stage and claim his rightful throne as the best of the best. From Nu Boyz to "No Mercy", MONSTA X to going solo, WonHo has fearlessly continued to march forward regardless of adversities, powered by ambition and a deep desire to do what feels right to him, which is music. Through it all, WonHo's dedication to his craft has remained undeterred, and never once has he paused to second guess his choices.

 

The conviction he has in himself as an artist, and the faith he has in his message only get stronger and stronger with time. It isn't surprising, therefore, that WonHo is already one of the most highly lauded and respected soloists in the Korean music industry, all with just under 2 years of activity. In a sense, WonHo's immensely influential success as a soloist speaks volumes of his indomitable spirit in the face of the quick indifference and mindless judgment of the system and the enormous support he has received from WENEE all over the world. This journey has definitely not been easy, by any means, but it has surely been worth it.

 

As a soloist, WonHo creates with freedom and authenticity, presents his own vision, and expresses his own colours. With seven years of experience as a singer-songwriter, composer, and producer, he has credits on innumerable songs and most importantly, knows exactly how to make music that strikes a chord but also makes us groove. WonHo's music is an earnest exploration of the essence of his being, openly expressed without reservations.

 

The sonic novelty and innovation he brings to the table with each release, the genres he reinvents, and the concepts he builds in his artistic universe, are simply awe-inspiring. Ranging from compelling ballads to alluring alt-rock, refreshing summer bops to warm winter melodies, the duality of WonHo's discography has all possible bases covered and he is only getting started.

 

When it comes to his personality, WonHo is the very definition of duality. It is virtually unbelievable that the same man who can make us swoon with a single look is also the one making us squeal with his natural aegyo. WonHo is focused, intense and resplendent in his passion on stage. Off of it, he is playful, soft, and oh so adorable.

 

When WonHo is performing, he is dedicating his art to his fans with the utmost sincerity and when he is successful in his endeavor, he doesn’t hesitate to show how happy it makes him. His gorgeous eye smile can melt us into puddles, especially when he’s visibly proud of himself.

 

WonHo can be the most protective and fierce individual when it comes to his loved ones and there’s nothing he won’t do to bring them happiness. At the same time, he loves being cared for, adored, and understood. This is also one of the reasons why WonHo and WENEE are a match made in heaven.

 

While WonHo is the (broad) shoulder WENEE can lean on, WENEE is a safe space for WonHo where he can unapologetically be himself. This is why WonHo's YouTube channel "ohhoho" is filled with lovely, must-watch content, showing fans his real side. His innocence and wholesome personality radiating with positivity, love, and light make people gravitate towards him naturally. Perhaps, that is why he gets along so well with little children and pets.

 

What's more is that WonHo knows exactly what he's doing at all times and is fully aware of the effect he has on his audience, which makes his duality even more appealing. If that's not telling of the comfortability WonHo has with WENEE, we don't know what is!

 

The incredible milestones, awards, and accolades WonHo has achieved in his illustrious career so far signal his luminous future ahead. However, like the role model he is, WonHo continues to be grounded, humble and grateful at every step. He is honourable and graceful before the world, excited and giddy before WENEE, and it is this duality that makes us fall in love with him more and more every day.

 

Voicing His (He)art: WonHo's Vocal & Compositional Duality

 

One of WonHo's biggest strengths as a musician is his versatility. His discography is pleasantly diverse yet aligned to his signature sound, which is a rare feat in and of itself. Coming in at a close second is his exceptional technical skill. WonHo's vocal control is trained to such perfection that he can perfectly modulate it to emote even the most nuanced sentiments with ease. The effortlessness in his voice when he is belting the highest notes, engaging the depth of his baritone, or even rapping his heart out, is truly a thing of beauty.

What makes a WonHo song stand out is the addictive aftertaste it leaves behind, making one crave for more and this special quality is owed to his vocal duality. The subtle distinctions he can make in the way he delivers his lyrics, imbuing them with meaning beyond just words, is what makes him such a genius. WonHo doesn't just sing, he weaves magic and dreams with his melody and we cannot help but feel enchanted.

Two songs that perfectly illustrate WonHo's vocal and compositional duality also happen to be his very first song as a soloist, 'Losing You', co-written and co-composed by WonHo, and his latest release 'Crazy', also co-written, co-composed, and co-arranged by WonHo. 'Losing You' is an all-English track dedicated to the poignance of love and letting go. Dedicated to WENEE, who stuck by him during tough times and waited for him to return stronger than ever, 'Losing You' represents fragile vulnerability and inner strength at the same time. It lays bare the deepest recesses of WonHo's mind through a cathartic confession that certainly takes courage to confront. The rawness of the song and its palpable emotion draws heavily from the composition and WonHo's lyrics. What makes the piece even more impressive is the sheer effort WonHo put into the English version so as to reach his international fans alongside a Korean version, for his WENEE at home. The piano-driven melody is heart-rending but the spotlight shines on WonHo's flawless vocals.

On the other hand, we have the power-packed shot of seduction, 'Crazy'. With this masterpiece, WonHo brings together elements of future bass, synth-pop, techno, and good old rock with such cohesion that it is set to blow your mind from the very beginning. WonHo alternates between soulful falsettos and captivating riffs with his honey-laced voice and maintains a relaxed, smug pace as opposed to the breakbeat rhythm of the song. The effect is hypnotic, to say the least, running down our spines like an electric shock. It is almost as if he has you wrapped around his finger and for all we know, no one's complaining! After all, he's delivering what we signed up for and 'crazy' doesn't even begin to describe how we feel.

WonHo's ability to convey the duality of such concepts with ease, even more so when he is performing live, is unbeatable and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is taking Korean music to a level that has never been touched before. When WonHo sings, it's from the bottom of his heart and we can feel every bit of his emotion in ours. However, K-Pop isn't the only thing that WonHo lends his voice to. He recently made his musical theatre debut with the leading role of Theo in "Equal" and needless to say, he was thoroughly outstanding.

 

Luxury Of The Senses: WonHo's Stage Duality

 

Witnessing WonHo take over a stage is as grand a spectacle as the auroras, not only because he's a phenomenal dancer but also because his stage presence is magnetic enough for us to be speechless in wonder. The moment he appears on stage, he reigns, ready to take our breath away. WonHo has a penchant for making eye contact, whether that be with his audience or the cameras, and while it holds a special significance, it leaves us weak in the knees nonetheless.

 

WonHo once revealed in an interview with Billboard that, "the craziest thing for me is happening in every show while I have eye contact with my fans. It’s something that is hard to explain but that is giving me my purpose". The fact that WonHo derives his purpose and power from his fans, amplifies the import of his performance manifold and it shows. His gaze can be gentle and romantic like a bunny in one moment and razor-sharp in the next, like a snow leopard in his element.

 

Just like the versatility we see in WonHo's music, his performances also embody a binary unlike any other. WonHo has unrivaled synergy with his dancers, creating the most magnanimous choreography, but no two stages are ever the same for WonHo, even if he's performing the same song. Just with a slight change of facial expressions, he can flip the mood around and give new meaning to the song.

 

No one commands a stage with as much vigour and elegance as WonHo. He can switch from a cute and fresh concept to a dark and tantalizing one in no time and the transition is just as amazing to watch as the performance itself.

Two fancams that wonderfully demonstrate this stage duality are WonHo's performance of 'Eye On You' and 'Blue' at "SBS Inkigayo". The first thing you'll notice in the fancam of 'Eye On You' is the fatal charm pouring out of WonHo's eyes. Just like the title suggests, WonHo makes sure that his gaze is powerfully piercing. The choreography is lyrical, tight, and meticulous, thought out to the very last detail, and the way WonHo executes it is immaculate. The performance echoes the chase of a thriller movie and we're fully immersed, under WonHo's spell.

In 'Blue', WonHo's eyes are soft, dreamy, and naive. The choreography is still demanding but has a more relaxed vibe. WonHo expresses a childishness through the performance that fits perfectly into the theme of summer sweetness. It almost feels like he wants to run up to WENEE for a hug, especially with how well he portrays the youthful excitement of reckless abandon.

To further drive our point home about WonHo's stage duality, take a look at his "Band LIVE Concert" for "it's LIVE". Even when WonHo is not performing choreography, he can still bring a song to life with his stage presence. His facial expressions are just that impactful!

 

Cutie Meets Captain Korea: WonHo's Aesthetic Duality

 

Finally, when it comes to duality, one cannot just gloss over the glaring contrast between WonHo's various aesthetics. Not only has WonHo revolutionized stage outfits, but his own sense of style is also dynamic. From athleisure to hot idol summer, date night WonHo to cozy core HoSeok, we just can't get enough of WonHo's fashion statements. As a matter of fact, his Instagram account (@iwonhoyou) might as well be his personal runway! Regardless of the aesthetic WonHo wants to take on, he pulls it off to a T.

 

After all, who can look as dashing as WonHo even in a plain white tee? Whether it be a high-fashion pictorial, a concept photoshoot, or a mirror selfie at home, WonHo looks just as stunning each time.

When all is said and done, WonHo's mastery over his art is simply incomparable but what makes him such an influential force to be reckoned with in the world, on a scale larger than just the realm of entertainment and culture, is the way he inspires millions to love and cherish themselves and each other just like he does. He advocates for body positivity and never holds back from sharing his own fitness journey and how it has helped him achieve his goals.

 

Clearly, he's Captain Korea for a reason, and it's not just because of his abs of steel but also his golden heart. Giving back to the community has always been one of WonHo's priorities as an artist, and he continues to uphold his principles to the best of his abilities. No wonder WENEE is one of the sweetest and most wholesome fandoms in all of K-Pop!

With the incredible success of "Facade" and WonHo's long-standing position as an unrivaled soloist, not even the sky could limit the possibilities for this young genius. We cannot wait for the trip WonHo takes us on next because we bet it'll be crazy.

What is your favorite thing about WonHo's duality? Tell us in the comments section down below!

 

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