K-pop soloist WONHO continues to evolve with every release, and his latest EP, CORE, offers his most personal work yet. The seven-track project sees WONHO exploring self-reflection, growth and the emotions that have shaped him both as an artist and as a person. While the EP delivers the powerful vocals and performance-driven sound fans know him for, it also takes a more honest approach, with lyrics inspired by his own experiences and the bond he shares with WENEE. It’s a project that looks beyond the stage, focusing on the person at the center of it all.
We had the pleasure of catching up with WONHO to learn more about the story behind CORE, a project that reflects the different sides of himself he has come to embrace throughout his journey. Read our full interview with the artist below.
Sweety High: You’ve spent years showing fans different sides of yourself, from your performances to your music. At this point in your career, do you feel like you’re still discovering who WONHO is as an artist?
WONHO: I would say so, yes. Every time I work on a new album, there are still so many things I want to try, and I’m always surprised by the new sides of myself that I discover through the process.
(Photo credit: Highline Entertainment)
SH: With CORE, you explore the parts of yourself that aren’t always visible to others. Was there something about yourself that you understood differently after creating this EP?
WONHO: I think I’ve learned to embrace every part of myself as simply being me. Whether I’m at my weakest, trying to appear strong or trying to break free from all of that, I’m still the same person. Making this album helped me become more introspective and encouraged me to look more deeply at who I am.
SH: The title CORE feels especially meaningful because it asks what remains when everything else is removed. What do you think is at the center of who WONHO is today?
WONHO: My fans and the music I make. I create music because I want to share my story with my fans, and it’s because of their support that I’m always able to keep trying new things. I think that comes across throughout this album—the lyrics are often inspired by the conversations I’ve had with my fans.
SH: People often see artists at their strongest moments on stage. What is something about yourself that you’ve learned to embrace during the quieter moments away from the spotlight?
WONHO: As time has passed, I’ve learned to appreciate those quieter moments much more. In the past, they felt unfamiliar or even boring, but now I realize how important they are. Whether I’m listening to music by myself, working out or simply resting without thinking about what comes next, those moments are all necessary to make the next performance even better.
(Photo credit: Highline Entertainment)
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SH: Your music often carries a lot of emotion, but you’re also known for creating powerful performances. When you’re preparing a song, do you think first about how you want people to feel or how you want them to experience the performance?
WONHO: More than anything, I focus on how people will experience the song as a whole. I often imagine where it might fit into a concert setlist or how much fun it would be to jump around together during a performance. Since every song has its own genre and style, I hope people can experience a wide range of emotions through my music.
SH: You’ve become more involved in the creative process with each release. What is something you’ve learned about yourself through songwriting that you don’t think you would have discovered any other way?
WONHO: I’ve realized that emotions I’m not even consciously aware of often come out while I’m writing. Whenever that happens, I surprise myself and think, “Wow, I didn’t realize I was feeling that.” Songwriting has become another way for me to better understand who I am.
SH: Was there a moment while making CORE where you surprised yourself, whether it was a lyric you wrote, a sound you tried or an emotion you decided to explore?
WONHO: I think what surprised me most was how honest I was with the lyrics. As I reflected on my thoughts one by one, they naturally found their way into the songs.
SH: “Don’t Wake Me Up!” captures the feeling of wanting to escape, while the song itself feels like a burst of energy. Do you think music has always been a way for you to escape, express or understand your own emotions?
WONHO: I think it’s all three. Music helps me express my emotions and better understand myself, but sometimes it also gives me the chance to step away from everything and catch my breath. “Don’t Wake Me Up!” is a powerful and energetic expression of those moments.
SH: Every artist has songs that become special because of the memories attached to them. Is there a song from your career that has taken on a new meaning for you over time?
WONHO: I wouldn’t say there’s one specific song. There are songs I used to think of mainly in terms of performing them on stage, but over time, they’ve become reminders of who I was back then and the memories I made with my fans. I think any song can take on a deeper meaning as time passes.
(Photo credit: Highline Entertainment)
SH: Your fans have supported you through many different chapters. What is something WENEE has taught you about the kind of artist you want to become?
WONHO:: My fans have always supported me for who I am, and because of that, I want to become an artist who can always give them the very best of myself.
SH: A lot of fans connect with the honesty in your music. Do you ever find yourself writing something personal and then realizing it might resonate with more people than you expected?
WONHO: Yes, absolutely. More often than not, I’ll write something and wonder, “Is this too personal to share?” But then people tell me they connected with it or found comfort in those words. Experiences like that have made me realize that our emotions are what connect us to one another.
SH: After experiencing different stages of your career, what is something you wish you could tell the younger version of yourself who was just beginning this journey?
WONHO: There are so many people who believe in you and will support you no matter what, so don’t give up. Keep moving forward, because you’re already on the right path.
SH: You’ve explored so many sides of yourself through music, performances and storytelling. Is there still a side of WONHO that you feel fans haven’t seen yet?
WONHO: Definitely. There’s still so much I want to explore, both musically and as a performer. I hope I can continue to surprise people with every new release.
(Photo credit: Highline Entertainment)
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SH: Looking ahead, what kind of memories do you hope to create with WENEE and what kind of artist do you hope WONHO continues to become?
WONHO: I want to be the kind of artist people can look back on with a lot of happy memories. Of course, the big performances are exciting, but more than anything, I hope that one day we can look back together and think, “We were really happy during those moments.”
SH: Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to share with your fans or anything you’re especially excited for them to experience?
WONHO: CORE is the most honest representation of who I am today. I think if you listen to the album from beginning to end, in order, you’ll be able to fully understand everything I wanted to express. Thank you, WENEE, for your patience and for always believing in me. I hope we can create many more happy memories together during this comeback.
You can listen to CORE in full here:
For even more on the star, click HERE to read our 2025 interview with WONHO on “What Would You Do.”