WOODZ

Cho Seung-youn, born August 5, 1996 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer known professionally as WOODZ. He first gained attention as the main rapper of the South Korean-Chinese boy band UNIQ, formed by Yuehua Entertainment in 2014. Beyond group work, he co-founded the musical collectives M.O.L.A in 2015 and Drinkcolor in 2016, and later established his own production team, Team HOW, in 2018. WOODZ also became a member of the project boy band X1 after finishing fifth on the survival show Produce X 101 in 2019, though the group disbanded in January 2020 due to the Mnet vote manipulation scandal.

WOODZ debuted as a solo artist in July 2016 under the stage name Luizy with the hip-hop single "Recipe," following an appearance on Show Me the Money season 5. He switched to the name WOODZ in 2018 to reflect a shift toward alternative R&B, releasing singles like "Pool," "Different," and "Meaningless" that highlighted his vocal abilities. His solo career resumed after X1's disbandment with the EP Equal (2020), led by the single "Love Me Harder." In 2025, he scored his first number-one on the Circle Digital Chart with "Drowning," from his fifth EP Oo-Li (2023). Across his career, he has written and produced songs for other artists in South Korea and China, as well as for TV shows like The Unit and Idol Producer.

With a versatile style spanning rap, R&B, and pop, WOODZ has built a reputation as a hands-on creator who writes, composes, and arranges much of his own music. His work continues to evolve, blending introspective lyrics with polished production. As of 2026, he is developing new material following his return from mandatory military service. [edit]

Cho Seung-youn was born in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, as an only child. After elementary school, he moved to Brazil for two years to attend a football academy affiliated with Corinthians, one of the country's largest clubs. He used the name Luis and nearly became a professional footballer before returning to South Korea. He then spent a year in the Philippines studying English and also lived in the United States for a period.

He graduated from Hanlim Multi Art High School and later enrolled in Global Cyber University's Broadcasting Entertainment program, which he is currently on leave from. Before debuting, he auditioned for entertainment companies more than fifty times. He was originally a trainee under YG Entertainment and was placed in the UNIQ debut lineup, which was cooperatively trained by YG and Yuehua. He speaks five languages: Korean, Chinese, Tagalog, Portuguese, and English. [edit]

WOODZ debuted as the main rapper of UNIQ on October 20, 2014, with the single "Falling in Love." The group saw early success in China and South Korea but went on indefinite hiatus after 2016. In 2015, he co-founded the musical collective M.O.L.A with other artists, and in 2016 he co-founded the Drinkcolor collective. That same year, he appeared on the fifth season of Show Me the Money and made his solo debut as Luizy with the hip-hop single "Recipe" featuring Flowsik, released July 29, 2016.

In 2018, he changed his stage name to WOODZ and released the alternative R&B singles "Pool," "Different," and "Meaningless." He also co-founded the production team Team HOW. In 2019, he participated in Produce X 101, finishing fifth with 2,200,382 votes, and debuted as a member of X1 on August 27, 2019, serving as main vocalist and lead rapper. X1 disbanded on January 6, 2020, due to the Mnet vote manipulation scandal.

WOODZ resumed his solo career on June 29, 2020, with the EP Equal and its lead single "Love Me Harder." He continued releasing EPs, including Woops! (2021), Only Lovers Left (2021), Colorful Trauma (2022), and Oo-Li (2023). In October 2022, he left Yuehua Entertainment and signed with Edam Entertainment. After completing mandatory military service from January 22, 2024 to July 21, 2025, he achieved his first number-one on the Circle Digital Chart with "Drowning" in 2025. As of 2026, he is working on new music, having scrapped a previously planned album to develop material reflecting his post-military growth. [edit]

WOODZ is known for his hands-on artistic identity, writing, composing, and arranging most of his own music. His stage name reflects a solid, natural image, and his style spans K-pop, hip-hop, alternative R&B, pop-punk, and Korean ballad. Fans appreciate his introspective lyrics and polished production. His fandom is called MOODZ, and his official colors are Bellwether Blue and Dragon Fire. Media portray him as a versatile and resilient artist who has rebuilt his solo career multiple times after group disbandments. [edit]

WOODZ has cultivated a fiercely loyal following known as MOODZ, a community that values his autonomy and the raw intimacy of his self-produced work. This bond deepened during his military enlistment in late 2023, where supporters met the news with applause and tears rather than backlash, proving their commitment extends beyond fleeting trends to the artist's personal journey. The fandom's influence is visible in sustained commercial success, with tracks from years past resurging to career highs and driving robust international tour attendance across venues like Manila in 2026. Their dedication supports an artist who rebuilt his career from the ashes of the X1 controversy, transforming a project group member into a resilient solo force. This cultural footprint places him firmly within the global consciousness of modern music. According to the latest data, WOODZ is currently the 93rd most famous person from South Korea and holds the position of the 60th most famous person in K-Pop. These placements reflect his standing in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which track attention across media and consumption signals worldwide.[edit]

Fans affectionately call him "Monkey" due to his playful nature, a nickname that contrasts with his serious musical output. He possesses a diverse skillset including beatboxing, krump dancing, and kickboxing, the latter of which he began training in 2021 out of a genuine passion for martial arts. As an only child, he credits his parents for supporting his pivotal decision to switch from football to music. His English name is Evan Cho, and he co-composed a track for the Chinese group Mr-X. A defining chapter in his legend involves the collapse of X1 in early 2020 following vote manipulation allegations; this event forced a reinvention that many fans view as a heroic solo rebirth. Another enduring story among supporters concerns the longevity of his discography, where songs released years ago hit new career peaks in 2025, defying typical pop cycles. When he announced his military service in December 2023, the reaction was not one of disappointment but of emotional solidarity, marking a solemn moment where the community backed his duty while awaiting his return.[edit]

WOODZ is an only child. He has spoken publicly about his close relationship with his parents, who supported his unconventional career path from football to music. He has not disclosed details about his current household or any pets. He resides in South Korea. [edit]

WOODZ is associated with UNIQ members, X1 members, Flowsik (collaborator on 'Recipe'), and his current agency Edam Entertainment. He has also worked with producers and songwriters through M.O.L.A and Team HOW. [edit]

WOODZ has kept his personal life private, and no publicly confirmed romantic relationships have been reported by credible sources. As of 2026, he is reportedly single. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, WOODZ's net worth in 2026 stands at $5 Million. This valuation reflects his diversified income streams, which include music sales, streaming revenue, concert tours, and production royalties. Unlike many peers, his role as a primary songwriter and producer allows him to retain a significant portion of earnings from his catalog. Endorsement deals and YouTube revenue further bolster his financial growth, which has accelerated steadily since his solo resurgence in 2020. A major milestone occurred in 2025 when his first number-one single significantly boosted both his public profile and concert ticket sales.[edit]

WOODZ has won awards at the Asia Artist Awards and Melon Music Awards, though specific wins are not detailed in available sources. He has also received recognition for his songwriting and production work. [edit]