Singer WOODZ (Jo Seung-yeon) was discharged from military service today (21st).
WOODZ enlisted in the active duty army in January last year, serving in the military band of the Army Officer Candidate School, and has maintained a diligent military life, being selected as a special forces soldier during his service.
In particular, WOODZ drew attention by achieving unusual musical results during his military service. His self-composed song 'Drowning', released in April 2023, sparked a reversal sensation starting from October last year, topping major music charts like Melon and Genie, and even reaching first place in terrestrial music broadcasts, proving his presence despite being inactive.
With this reversal sensation coinciding with his discharge, there is intense interest in him, and expectations for his post-discharge activities are also rising. WOODZ will begin his full-fledged activities starting with his appearance at the '2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon SUMMER' on the 27th.
Meanwhile, on the day of his discharge, today at 2 p.m., WOODZ will open the official fan community on the global K-culture fan platform 'Berriz', and at 8 p.m., he plans to communicate with fans more closely through a live broadcast commemorating his discharge on that platform.
He discussed his past military life and future activities through a Q&A with WOODZ.
The following is the full Q&A with WOODZ.
Q. Congratulations on your discharge! First, please share your thoughts on your discharge.
When I first enlisted, I vaguely thought it would be tough and that time might not pass, but now it feels unbelievable that 1 year and 6 months have already passed since my discharge. I am truly happy now.
Q. After completing about 1 year and 6 months of military service, what was it like for you overall?
It seems to me that it was an unforgettable time. As the song 'Drowning' received a lot of attention, it was also a time when I could be noticed, and personally, I was able to organize what I wanted to do in a more regular and mentally relaxed environment than in society.
Q. You served diligently, even being selected as a special forces soldier. Is there a moment during your service that stands out?
I remember the day I participated in my first event. After just finishing training, the first event I attended was a recruitment promotion event held at Sejong University, and that day I had a chance to meet fans after a long time. Meeting people who loved me as a singer while being a soldier felt amazing and special.
Q. If there are parts of you that have changed personally or musically during your military service, what would they be?
While working with friends who play classical instruments, I was able to listen to the sounds of various instruments, and I had many music discussions with colleagues who handle drums, guitars, and bass. So, I think I have been able to think more deeply and express the detailed aspects when writing songs.
Q. During your military service, your self-composed song 'Drowning' became a hit. What were your feelings when it first started rising?
Actually, right up until my discharge, I didn't quite feel the reversal. When the instructors and other soldiers in the unit spoke to me and asked for signatures, I could feel, 'Ah, I've done something good,' but it was difficult to physically perceive it within the unit. Still, I felt very grateful reading various comments online and resolved to work harder to meet these valuable interests.
Q. The heat hasn't cooled down even after about 9 months, not just a fleeting rise. You have topped various music charts and even ranked first in terrestrial music broadcasts. What are your thoughts on this?
I personally don't work with rankings in mind, so I don't think I've deeply considered such moments, but when I face them, I feel so happy. In the future, instead of making music for ranking, I will continually think about better music and better activities, and I will strive to meet the expectations that have been given to me during these grateful moments.
Q. I've seen many witty comments on your videos; is there any comment that stands out to you?
I remember a comment that said, while I'm at the unit, 'Drowning' is rowing by itself, like it's autonomous.
Q. After your discharge, is there something you personally most want to do or have planned?
I think I'm currently thinking and planning the most about my essential work, which is music. I'm paying the most attention to albums and concerts.
Q. The public's interest in your future album is also hot. Can you share some details about your album release plans or what kind of music you are planning to showcase?
I will, of course, do the rock genre I love, and I want to create music that fits various things I want to express in the album or lyrics. I plan to try various genres with more effort, making music that is persuasive to many people.
Q. Please share a word for the fans who have waited a long time.
Muz fans, I have finally returned. Thanks to your generous support and love, I was able to overcome difficult moments. I already knew that your love was a great strength to me, but I realized it once again during my time in the military. I will strive to be a singer who you can be proud to say, 'I am a fan of WOODZ' wherever you are, without losing my original intention. I don't think of myself as someone who should be loved unconditionally. So, I am well aware of how precious the love you give me is. I will show you slowly without being hasty. Thank you sincerely, and I love you.
Q. Finally, if you have any last words, please feel free to share.
I sincerely thank everyone who recognized me. Thanks to the abundant love during my military service, I was able to spend a happy time, feeling out of place. I will prepare a lot so that I can repay that precious interest in the future, so please enjoy it. I will always strive to be a better person, learning humbly. Just as moments that may seem like small attention from you created a miraculous time for me, I will also work hard to be someone who contributes to your happiness.
I also want to express my gratitude to everyone I served with in the military. To all military personnel who are protecting the country in their respective roles during this hot weather, I truly respect and thank you.
[Photo] EDAM Entertainment
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