WONHO is back, and he’s more ambitious than ever. After captivating fans across the globe with his distinct blend of high-energy performance and vulnerability, the singer-songwriter is ready to solidify his legacy with his most significant release to date: his first full-length album, SYNDROME, featuring the dynamic title track “If You Wanna.”
In this exclusive interview, we dive deep into the heart of his creative craft, exploring the soul and dedication poured into this masterpiece. Get ready as WONHO breaks down the intense new sound, the emotional depth, and the long-awaited arrival of his first full-length album, SYNDROME.
As a celebrated singer, songwriter, and producer, WONHO has consistently demonstrated an incredible range of musicality and a commanding presence that few can match. His solo journey has been marked by significant milestones, including chart success with his acclaimed EPs, like Love Synonym #1: Right for Me and Love Synonym #2: Right for Us, and multiple “Best Solo Musician” awards. He also impressed fans and critics alike by expanding his resume, taking on a lead role in a stage musical, and embarking on a world tour.
I personally witnessed the sheer power of his performance when I reviewed his recent show in London—an event that was truly insane and showcased his magnetic energy on stage. We’ve also had the chance to speak once before, following the release of his digital single “Better Than Me,” which is a track now featured on his new work.
Today marks an exciting new chapter as WONHO joins us to discuss his highly anticipated first full-length album, SYNDROME, and its electrifying title track, “If You Wanna.” Known for his dedication to his craft and his deep connection with his fans WEENEs, this album promises to be his most intimate and ambitious project yet.
Let’s now dive into the interview!
Davide: Hello, WONHO! It’s Davide here, and it’s very nice to reconnect with you! Thank you for taking the time for this interview during this busy time. How are you doing these days?
Before diving into your new album, you recently wrapped up your European Tour, Stay Awake. Thank you again so much for having me. I had a blast at the show! I really enjoyed it, and you were incredible! How did it feel to be back in Europe on tour? I hope you also enjoyed the different cities.
WONHO: Lately, I’ve been focusing on preparing for my upcoming album SYNDROME. I’ve been pouring a lot of time and energy into showing a new side of myself.
The European tour was such a happy time for me. There were countries I visited for the first time, and returning to cities I hadn’t been to in about three years felt refreshing in its own way. But above all, being able to meet WENEE in person and perform on stage was the greatest joy. I also made a lot of good memories, enjoying the atmosphere of each city and trying delicious food whenever I could.
Davide: Let’s talk about your new album, SYNDROME, for which you released a pre-release single called “Good Liar.” What’s the story behind this song, and why did you choose it as a pre-release track?
WONHO: Good Liar is emotionally sad, but it has a very cool and stylish vibe overall. It has a familiar yet addictive melody that pulls you in right away, which is why I thought it would be great for people to hear it first. That’s why I chose it as the pre-release track.
Vocally, I also tried a wider range of tones than usual, so I think it’s a fun song to listen to.
Davide: When we chatted about your previous digital single “Better Than Me,” which is now included in this album, you mentioned that it’s a fun song that reminds you of the boy bands of the early 2000s. And now with “Good Liar”, we can see you have experimented with a different sound and style from the WONHO we are used to listening to. Does this reflect the whole album? How did you challenge the different genres and sounds in this new record?
WONHO: This album includes a really wide variety of songs. Good Liar was originally written for a female vocalist, so reinterpreting and expressing it in my own style was a new challenge in itself. I also experimented a lot with sounds that are different from what I’ve shown before.
Especially in terms of my vocal tone and delivery, I tried to bring in some changes. As you go through the album, you’ll feel not just one emotion but a natural flow of different feelings that connect to one another.
Davide: What’s the overall concept behind SYNDROME? During the promotions before the release day, one of the teasers on social media mentioned that “this is your love syndrome.” How does this phrase express the overall concept of the album?
WONHO: SYNDROME expresses the different stages of love. It captures everything from the first spark of excitement, to the intensity that grows as emotions deepen, and finally the quiet aftertaste that lingers when everything has passed.
It’s an album that portrays the waves and transformations love creates through music, so the phrase “this is your love syndrome” represents that flow. I believe everyone will find moments in the songs that connect with their own experiences of love.
Davide: “if you wanna” is the title track, and some people might not know that you arranged and composed this song. What’s the message you are trying to give your fans with this song, and why did you pick it as the title track?
WONHO: I chose if you wanna out of many strong candidates. It’s a style I hadn’t tried before, so I wanted to take on that challenge, and the more I listened to it, the more it stuck with me. I found myself humming it without realizing, and I could instantly picture how it would look on stage. That certainty made me pick it as the title track.
The message behind if you wanna is about getting closer if you want to. I also hope WENEE will take it as a message to go for what they want without hesitation. I wanted to cheer on that courage.
Davide: The visuals of the music video are very impressive. What’s the storytelling behind the music video, and what can fans take away from it?
WONHO: The music video visualises me getting closer to “you” as my heartbeat rises. So throughout the video, I keep repeating actions that make my heart beat faster in order to reach you. I wanted to express visually the idea that if you want it, I’ll run to you even faster.
That feeling is also connected to how I feel about WENEE. If WENEE want it, I want to reach them as quickly as I can, too.
Davide: In this album, you wrote several songs, which I think is very nice and important. I now would like to take a moment to celebrate your artistry as a songwriter and to talk about those tracks. You wrote “DND,” “At The Time,” and “On Top Of The World.” Can you tell us in a few words what the inspirations behind each of these songs were, or what message you were trying to convey with them?
WONHO: I often get inspiration from everyday life.
DND is like a “Do Not Disturb” message to myself when I’m emotionally drained. It came from wanting to take a moment to clear my mind and find some peace.
At The Time was a song I started while on my U.S. fan meeting tour. It captures the feelings I had while taking things slow, enjoying the scenery, and driving around. It’s about the warmth of moments you come to cherish only after they’ve passed.
On Top of the World came from an idea I had during a shoot—I wanted to express the excitement and freedom of being at your happiest moment, like a scene from a movie. That feeling when you’re with someone and it feels like you have the whole world.
Each song carries different emotions, but in the end, they’re all about the natural flow and passage of the heart.
Davide: In our previous interview, you said your workout playlist was the songs you were working on for the album. Now that SYNDROME is out, which track on the album is the one you enjoy listening to most (or feel most energised by) during your workout sessions?
WONHO:I think Maniac fits my workouts best. It’s a song that instantly lifts my energy—it makes me feel stronger and naturally raises my motivation.
Davide: WONHO, you have been non-stop since your return, from the first US tour last December to “Better Than Me,” the South America and European tour, and the full SYNDROME album release. It is incredible work. I really want to compliment you on your dedication; the results speak for themselves. Very well done!
I know it might be too early to say, but what would you like to explore next to be closer to your fans?
WONHO: While meeting fans and preparing for the new album, I suddenly realised that 2025 is already coming to an end. Time has really flown by.
In 2026, I want to keep meeting fans through new albums, tours, and different kinds of content. I’ve been thinking a lot about ways to connect more closely with everyone, not just through my music.
I hope WENEE will always feel that I’m right by their side. Please look forward to everything that’s coming next.
Davide: That’s all for today! Thank you so much, WONHO! It was a pleasure to chat with you again and get to know SYNDROME more with this interview! You are doing such a great job, and you should be proud of yourself! I hope to see you again soon! 감사합니다
Thanks for reading this interview and I hope you continue to support WONHO in his journey. Big thanks to WONHO for this interview and his whole team, it has been an absolute pleasure.
Over the years WONHO has shown the world he is a very talented and humble artist and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!
DAVIDE K-POP 