Kim Woo-seok

Kim Woo-seok is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor. Born October 27, 1996 in Daejeon, he first made his mark as Wooshin, a member of the boy group Up10tion debuting in 2015. His career took a sharp turn in 2019 when he finished second on Mnet's survival show Produce X 101, earning a spot in the project group X1. After X1 disbanded in early 2020, he launched a solo career with the EP 1st Desire (Greed), writing and composing all five tracks himself.

Beyond music, he has stepped into acting with the web drama Twenty-Twenty and mentored on Thailand's 9low on Top. Known for his warm tenor voice and sharp dance moves, Woo-seok has built a devoted fandom called NIA. He completed mandatory military service in May 2026 and is currently active as a solo artist under Blitzway Entertainment. [edit]

Kim Woo-seok grew up as an only child in Daedeok District, Daejeon. He dropped out of high school with plans to become a barista but later passed the High School Graduation Equivalency Examination. While working a part-time job, a JYP Entertainment scout spotted him. He decided to pursue entertainment after seeing his mother cry, a moment he has described as pivotal.

He became the first member to join Up10tion under TOP Media. To prepare, he enrolled at Dong Ah Institute of Media and Arts, majoring in K-pop and Acting, and later studied Broadcasting and Entertainment at Global Cyber University. [edit]

Kim Woo-seok debuted as Wooshin with Up10tion on September 10, 2015, on M Countdown with the mini-album Top Secret. The group made a Japanese debut in March 2017 with the single ID and released their first studio album Invitation in 2018.

In 2019, he entered Produce X 101 and finished second with over 1.3 million votes. He re-debuted with X1 on August 27, 2019, with the EP Emergency: Quantum Leap. The group won their first music show win on September 1 with the track Flash. But X1 disbanded on January 6, 2020, due to the Mnet vote manipulation scandal.

Woo-seok quickly pivoted to solo work. He appeared on King of Mask Singer as Hot Friday in April 2020, then released his solo debut EP 1st Desire (Greed) on May 25, 2020, writing and composing all five songs. That year he also made his acting debut in the web drama Twenty-Twenty. In 2022 he served as a mentor for the Thai survival show 9low on Top. He quietly left Up10tion in March 2023 and signed with Blitzway Entertainment. He enlisted for mandatory military service on November 4, 2024, and was discharged on May 3, 2026. [edit]

Kim Woo-seok is known for his charismatic stage presence and gentle personality. Fans appreciate his vocal talent and visual appeal. His official fandom name is NIA, with a nickname NyaNya. He maintains an active social media presence on Instagram (@woo.ddadda) and YouTube, where he shares behind-the-scenes content. Media portrayals highlight his journey from Up10tion to Produce X 101 success and his growth as a solo artist. [edit]

Kim Woo-seok commands a steady global following as a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actor whose career trajectory has spanned multiple high-profile groups and a solo debut. His public profile remains distinct within the entertainment landscape, though he currently holds no placement in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific top-100 lists. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his standing in August 2026 and determined that he does not occupy a ranked position at this time. This absence of a numeric rank reflects a specific evaluation window rather than a lack of professional activity, as he continues to operate as an active artist with a dedicated audience. His supporters are formally recognized under the name NIA, a designation documented by iFANN as the official fandom identifier for his work. While general media coverage tracks his transition from Up10tion and X1 to his solo endeavors, the organized fanbase operates without a distinct, separate identity in the public record beyond this shared moniker. The connection between the artist and his fans is characterized by consistent engagement through digital platforms and live performances, yet no specific viral folklore or extraordinary crowd disruptions have been attributed to him in available documentation. His reputation rests on vocal talent and acting roles rather than sensationalized public events. The iFANN assessment confirms that while he maintains a recognizable presence in the industry, his current fame metrics do not translate into a quantified global ranking slot.[edit]

Kim Woo-seok possesses a collection of distinctive personal traits and nicknames that include Desert Fox, Jjallang (Dokinchan), Daejeon Kitty, and HipHop Kitten. He is capable of speaking basic Chinese and enjoys drawing comics, playing video games, watching movies, reading poetry, and discovering new restaurants. A notable physical feature is a large scar on his right hand sustained during an art class accident, which he revealed during a 2019 birthday V Live. His shoe size measures 250mm, marking it as the smallest among members of the group X1. He cites BTS as a favorite artist and expresses a preference for girls with double eyelids. Beyond these personal details, his career includes several documented milestones that define his public narrative. In July 2019, he rose to prominence by finishing second on the survival show Produce X 101, securing a spot in the project group X1. Following the disbandment of X1 in early 2020 due to voting fraud scandals, he released a heartfelt letter to his fans on January 6-7, 2020, before launching his solo career with the EP 1st Desire [Greed] on May 25, 2020. He later served in the military and was officially discharged in May 2026. One specific anecdote from his service notes a brief period where he joined the military for only ten days alongside Kang Na-eon prior to his discharge, a detail reported by media outlets. He also participated in the web drama Twenty-Twenty and mentored on Thailand's 9low on Top.[edit]

Kim Woo-seok is an only child. His mother's emotional support was crucial in his decision to pursue entertainment. He has spoken about seeing his mother cry as a turning point that motivated him to enter the industry. No other family details are publicly known. [edit]

Lee Jin-hyuk, fellow Up10tion member and Produce X 101 contestant. X1 members. TOP Media (former agency). Blitzway Entertainment (current agency). [edit]

No public romantic relationships have been confirmed for Kim Woo-seok. As a K-pop idol active since 2015, he has maintained a clean image without dating scandals. In interviews, he has mentioned his ideal type as a cute girl with long hair, similar or shorter height, who would call him oppa. As of 2026, he is single. [edit]

As of 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Kim Woo-seok's net worth at $5 Million. His financial portfolio derives from album sales, digital music revenue, concert performances, endorsement deals, and acting fees. During his tenure with Up10tion and X1, he generated income through various group activities. His solo debut EP and subsequent releases contributed significantly to his earnings. Additional revenue streams include YouTube content creation and brand partnerships. After his military discharge in May 2026, he is expected to resume activities, potentially increasing his future earnings.[edit]

Kim Woo-seok has not won any major individual awards. He was part of X1, which won Rookie of the Year at the 2019 KoreanUpdates Awards, but that is a group accolade. [edit]