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One of the most unique, compelling, and honest voices in K-Pop - WOODZ is a visionary in the truest sense of the word. Behind the excitingly inventive, complex, and colorful art of WOODZ, is the luminous human Cho SeungYoun - an artist whose fans are not only proud of him but also gush about their own identity as MOODZ. Such is the wholesome power and impact of WOODZ, and in this article, we're exploring the layers of his brilliant duality.
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A Prism Of Splendor: WOODZ's Evolution & Personal Duality
A young boy who dreamed of music while looking up to his father who raised him with old pop, found his own unique musical direction, and is now one of the most revolutionary, original, and revered artists of our generation: WOODZ is the star of this week’s “Bias Duality” feature. Transforming art into movements of change and influencing fans all over the world, WOODZ is not just an all-rounder but a complete and conscious artist - one that this world not only wants but also desperately needs.
Deep inside, WOODZ, or rather, Cho SeungYoun, is a “complicated but simple” person (in his own words) who is driven by the pure and unchanging desire to express himself. Perhaps, it is this unwavering aspiration that has brought him this far and continues to push him to outdo himself, but it is also what keeps him in touch with his inner child, thus imbuing his music with unrelenting honesty. WOODZ is the blueprint of what the future of the music industry should look like and we cannot help but marvel at his brilliance.
As a young kid growing up with influences like The Beatles, Queen, Lee SeungChul, and more, SeungYoun knew from a very young age that his heart lies with music. However, he was also a soccer prodigy and given that he had more scope with soccer at the time, he pursued it with passion, going as far as convincing his parents to let him attend school in Brazil. However, even while he was doing well with the sport, he kept on longing for music. So, he quit soccer, lived in the Phillippines for a while to study English, came back to Korea, auditioned for entertainment companies and finally, debuted with UNIQ as the main rapper and sub-vocalist of the group. From his Chinese promotions, SeungYoun also picked up Chinese, which makes him a polyglot, adding another feather to his adorned cap.
Still, SeungYoun craved for more. So, in 2015, he co-founded an independent musical group called M.O.L.A (Make Our Lives Awesome). The group originally had 3 members, WOODZ, JAMIE, and NATHAN, but SEVENTEEN’s Vernon, PENTAGON’s Kino, and guitarist HoHo also joined later on. WOODZ shared recently that the M.O.L.A crew continue to keep in touch, share music and cheer each other on to this day.
SeungYoun, who was already familiar with music production from his time with UNIQ, eventually found more scope to expand his horizons. After a brief but impactful stint on “Show Me the Money 5”, he debuted solo as Luizy - the name that he went by in Brazil and soon after, in 2018, started promoting as WOODZ to mark a significant sonic rebranding. WOODZ, who was largely known as an all-rounder, now came to be known for his distinct and inimitable musical style as he shifted to a genre-bending alternative musical aesthetic that simply could not be boxed in by labels.
With this reinvention came increased creative liberty as WOODZ turned his attention towards making his own music, building his reputation as a self-produced idol. News about this brand new genius spread far and wide, gaining WOODZ innumerable credits as a songwriter/producer for not only his own music but also artists such as Super Junior-D&E, ONF, SURAN, and more. With his popularity on the rise, WOODZ participated in “Produce X 101” and shot to global fame despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the show. Viewers were introduced to someone truly one of a kind, not just in terms of his excellent musicality but also his endearing personality!
Now, anyone who has known WOODZ for any amount of time, knows that he is one of the most free-spirited yet cautious, imaginative yet rational, cheerful, friendly, and kind, albeit mischievous, playful, and chaotic idols ever. He is articulate, well-mannered, and has his own encyclopedia of random knowledge, earning him compliments wherever he goes. He is often called “everyone’s friend”, even and especially when it comes to MOODZ, but he also enjoys his own company more than anything else, like when he’s traveling alone. One time, he even became friends with a stranger sitting next to him on a park bench!
WOODZ is unabashedly affectionate and expressive of his adoration for his loved ones, never shies away from a good old “I love you”, be it with his mother or his friends, is full of bright energy that lights up any room he walks into, and has an incomparable sense of humor. He is an attentive listener and a sincere friend, but he is shyer than he appears and seldom opens up about his own feelings.
Another interesting fact about WOODZ is that he is extremely competitive and considers that quality a driving force in his career. As a matter of fact, WOODZ has had this spark of fearless determination and confidence in him from a very young age and it has helped him set goals and achieve them one by one without ever looking back. However, WOODZ doesn’t make music to compete. His purpose is to spread happiness and joy with his art and if that’s not noble, we don’t know what is!
The WOODZ we know today, trusts himself and his artistic instinct more than anything else and this conviction is reflected in his music. However, this was not always the case. VICTON’s Han SeungWoo once mentioned that Cho SeungYoun is like the kid next door - innocent, adventurous and doe-eyed but WOODZ is the one who haunts him with his thoughts. This remark takes up deeper significance when we think about the struggles that WOODZ has had to overcome to be reborn and return to his former purity.
After fighting Manic Depressive Disorder, which devolved into Depression, putting WOODZ in a dark state of mind, he had to face terrifying self-doubt. He couldn’t share his troubles with his friends, and kept them bottled up inside, retreating and hiding his true self. However, it was music that save him, allowing him to process his emotions, channel them into his art like a journal, and thus cope with them in a healthy manner, purging himself of the negative thoughts that plagued him. Today, WOODZ is unafraid in his pursuit of happiness, certain about his future, and infinitely more hopeful in heart and mind. Music healed WOODZ, and now WOODZ heals us with his music. Talk about a perfect circle!
Dulcet & Divine: WOODZ's Vocal Duality
WOODZ’s ultimate goal as a musician is to be a figure of positive influence - one who makes a change in the world and creates a lasting impression. Now, as a rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, composer, dancer, and idol, WOODZ has shown us an impressive array of talents that have successfully accomplished the aforementioned ideal. As we dig deeper into each role, we discover the indefinite reflections of duality that make it happen.
WOODZ’s discography boasts a unique rainbow of colors, with something for everyone. This is only possible because of his extraordinary versatility and distinctly experimental approach to art. WOODZ once revealed that when asked what genre of music he makes, he answered by saying that he does everything. This is precisely what makes fans so curious about what’s next for WOODZ, with each comeback promising a new and unexpected side. Like a kaleidoscope, each turn of his career has brought us brand new facets of his captivating artistry, and we’re thoroughly enchanted every time. Now, that’s the power of WOODZ's musical duality, and we expect nothing less from a man whose live performances sound even better than studio versions, almost as if he were eating CDs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Before we move on to WOODZ’s ethereal vocals, it is worth noting that he debuted as a rapper and is fantastic at it, but most importantly, even in the realm of rap, WOODZ exhibits a striking duality. ‘Buck’ for instance, gives us a gritty, hard-hitting, fast-paced flow, but it is underlined by a breathy, alluring tone for the refrains, adding character to the song. It draws our attention and holds it, making us focus on the lyrics.
On the other hand, ‘Different’ features a dreamy, mellow offering of rap-singing that strikes a chord from the moment the opening beat kicks in. WOODZ’s voice resounds like an echo, ushering us into a passionate final appeal. Everything about this song is oozing with the desperation to hold on and the helplessness of letting go. A similar crooning appears in ‘Lullaby’ - a poignant R&B serenade that can only be described as hypnotic. The falsettos in this masterpiece are glorious, to say the least, and beautifully highlight WOODZ’s impeccable range.
The soft huskiness of WOODZ’s voice in ‘Lullaby’, is in stark contrast to the effortlessly velvety quality we find in a track like ‘Abyss’. Both songs are heavily charged with emotions and incorporate elements of rock, but WOODZ expertly employs a distinct vocal style for each. Not only does this impart a unique hue to the songs, letting the music speak for itself, but also perfectly illustrates his vocal duality.
WOODZ’s treatment of the alt-rock genre gets even more creative in ‘Better And Better’, with his emphatic vocals transforming the song into a grand, cinematic anthem. The clarity and power of his voice in this song are like no other and undoubtedly position WOODZ as one of the finest vocalists in the Korean entertainment industry and beyond.
This position is solidified even further with ‘I Hate You’, a song that brings a refreshing wind of pop-punk goodness to K-Pop. Tracing influences from bands like Paramore, My Chemical Romance, and Green Day, 'I Hate You' posits WOODZ’s unshakeable vocals in the forefront of the arrangement, backed by an excellent band of artists who bring the song to life. It’s a visual and aural treat in one.
Finally, we could not possibly conclude this section without due appreciation for WOODZ’s song covers. From his acoustic rendition of NewJeans’ 'Hype Boy' and the lo-fi version of IU’s ‘BBIBBI’ to his resonant voice covering Shawn Mendez’s ‘In My Blood’ and Adele’s ‘When We Were Young’ - WOODZ’s vocal duality is god tier, to say the least.
So, if you haven’t yet, this is your sign to put WOODZ’s discography on shuffle and let his gorgeous voice take over your senses. You can thank us later!
Performance To Empower: WOODZ's Stage Duality
From the lyrics to the melody of a song, the music video, and its tiniest details - every little thing is an innate expression of WOODZ’s soul. Naturally, therefore, performance too is an extension of the same. Whether it be a live audience or one across the screen, WOODZ’s charm transcends all to deliver a magical experience.
With his electric stage presence, magnetism, command over the crowd, impressive dancing skills, and especially phenomenal facial expressions, WOODZ puts us in a trance, inviting us to join him on an immersive artistic journey where we get a dazzling glimpse into his genius.
Much like his vocal duality, WOODZ’s stage duality is a marvelous work of art. No two WOODZ stages are ever the same, even if he’s performing the same song, and with each stage, he tells a story. When he dances, each move carries meaning and nuance. However, even with no choreography, WOODZ’s performances are characterized by a raw power that evokes unforgettable wonder in his audience. For instance, WOODZ’s performance of ‘I Hate You’ on “M COUNTDOWN” is just as impactful with choreography as his “Band LIVE Concert” of the same song on “it's Live”. Each has its own unique charms and stands out, leaving us spellbound.
Needless to say, WOODZ’s penchant for effortlessly conveying the deepest emotions of his songs, whether that be in his music videos or on stage, is a masterclass in storytelling that speaks volumes of his potential as an actor. He can go from a cute princely concept to a dark and mysterious one in no time and from a rocker to a lover boy in the blink of an eye, giving the simplest gestures an extraordinary dimension. One moment, his angelic smile will have us swooning, and in the next, his devilish allure will melt us into a puddle - all because he has mastered the art of performance.
As a matter of fact, WOODZ himself has mentioned that he would love to try acting in the future because he believes it is a great way to expand the limits of his artistic expression. As such, he is constantly on the quest to evolve as an artist and a person, taking on new challenges without a break. No wonder WOODZ has us wrapped around his finger!
To illustrate WOODZ’s stage duality, we picked four fancams that will convince you of the many incredible faces of Cho SeungYoun.
To start with, we have the iconic “M COUNTDOWN” stage of ‘Waiting’. From the way he portrays the mesmerizing push and pull of the song - smug now, submissive then, to the gentleness with which he subtly caresses his mic right in time for the guitar riff, his piercing gaze casting a spell on us and his magnificent presence keeping us fixated - this stage is enough to make you fall irrevocably in love with WOODZ.
Next up is the stage that has just as much of a chokehold on us today as it did when it was first released - ‘Love Me Harder’ on “Sketchbook”. As soon as you hear that whistle in the prelude, the energy shifts, and WOODZ swoops in to blow your mind. Striking the perfect balance between enticing charisma and playfulness, WOODZ’s performance gets even more bewitching with the choreography paired with his spontaneous improvisations. This man was born to be on the stage and it shows!
Leaning on the brighter side of WOODZ’s concept spectrum is ‘Bump Bump’ on "Inkigayo" - bringing out his reserve of natural aegyo. The rebellious schooboy concept was cute enough but his chemistry with his dancers just knocks it out of the park. What’s more is that WOODZ is thoroughly enjoying the stage, which is more than evident from his beaming smile, almost as if every moment is a celebration. His energy is contagious and you’ll find yourself grinning before you even know it! Word class would be an understatement because WOODZ is simply out of this world.
Last but not least, we have ‘Trigger’ performed by WOODZ on “M COUNTDOWN”. This stage is pure, unadulterated power. From the fiery rap verse to the “locked and loaded” intensity of it all, ‘Trigger’ will definitely awaken the spirit of rock 'n roll in you.
With that said, there's no doubt that WOODZ's upcoming comeback will be yet another masterpiece like we've never seen before. So let's hold our hearts and wait with bated breath for the tour de force that "OO-LI" is sure to be.
Kicking Rules To The Curb: WOODZ's Aesthetic Duality
One of the first things you notice about WOODZ - the way he presents himself - also happens to be a direct reflection of his worldview. Cho SeungYoun is not one for rules, conventions, or playing it safe. Whether it be something as seemingly small as nail polish or a statement like rocking genderless fashion, WOODZ pulls it off with fearless elegance. Whether he's ordering coffee in a Parisian cafe or lounging around his house, he looks unequivocally charming! All he needs to do is flip his hair back and give us a little smile, and our eyes will turn into the biggest hearts. The sheer range of looks WOODZ can pull off is unbelievable, and it makes us admire his individuality even more. It is no surprise, therefore, that WOODZ has also expressed his desire to dive into apparel design as another way to express himself.
Now, alongside WOODZ's stage/screen duality, his very aesthetic is as dynamic and versatile as his music. See him in a suit and he'll suddenly transport you into a K-Drama, but if he changes into a leather jacket and flare pants, he's the cool university senior you just cannot help but crush on. From chic and debonair to cute and puppy-like, WOODZ's aesthetic duality is no joke. It is no exaggeration to say that his otherworldly good looks are right out of a romance manhwa, and his smile is like the radiance of the sun and must be protected at all costs.
Usually, at this point, we'd give his Instagram a shoutout for the stunning display of fashion it boasts. However, to let MOODZ focus solely on his comeback, he recently deleted up to 200 photos from his Instagram. Still, we believe that the boyfriend material clicks will be back, so don't forget to join the 1.5 million fans who follow WOODZ on his Instagram (@woodz_dnwm), to be the first to know when it does! (P.S. - Even if they don't, rest assured that WOODZ will most certainly have something even more incredible in store for his MOODZ). In addition, you definitely do not want to miss his photography account (@32e___) for a little sneak peek into how WOODZ sees the world.
At the end of the day, WOODZ is to the music industry what the mitochondria is to the cell - the ultimate powerhouse. On a more serious note, the refreshing insight into the human experience that is conveyed through WOODZ's art is a necessary wind of change, steering us into a novel direction where authenticity of expression takes centre stage. What WOODZ does (with utter grace and perfection) is voice a universally resonant message through deeply personal stories, and MOODZ are hearing it loud and clear.
What is your favorite thing about WOODZ's duality? Tell us in the comments section down below!
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