Wonho, Formerly of Monsta X, Writes a New Ending With “Losing You”

Almost exactly three years ago, in Paris, I met Wonho (real name Lee Hoseok) and the six other members of K-pop group MONSTA X for the first time. He was less muscular than he is now — dark haired, polite and, in a complete counterbalance to an overflowing stage confidence, astonishingly shy. As an icebreaker, I’d brought them a gift: a large shopping bag crammed with junk food and ramen. Wonho opened it and, clearly delighted by its contents, lit up like a Christmas tree. Later, this expression reappeared as the conversation wound towards the group’s songwriting, to which Wonho contributed regularly from 2017 onwards. He was writing constantly at the time, he said, almost every day, despite the fatigue of being on tour. And when speaking about his work, Wonho’s face glowed.

Over the years, it appears that what makes Wonho truly happy hasn’t changed. He loves his workouts, his food, making his music, and his fans. Yet everything else in his life has shifted seismically. On October 31, 2019, Wonho announced his departure from MONSTA X following accusations from a former friend that he owed her a sizable sum of money. Simultaneously, a Seoul newspaper reported that he’d historically used marijuana and, separate to that claim, revealed he’d been sentenced to probation as a juvenile.

Monbebe (MONSTA X’s fandom) were left reeling but came together globally to protest Wonho’s departure, calling on his label, Starship Entertainment, to reinstate him. Over the coming months, they refused to back down, using social media and even hiring expensive digital billboards to keep up the pressure. Meanwhile in Seoul, the police investigation into his activities continued; on March 14, Wonho was cleared of all charges. While a reason to celebrate, it was also a dark postscript to a career of hit songs and global milestones that had been abruptly cut off.

Few idols have bounced back from such allegations, even when groundless. More often than not, they take a different path, often finding audiences as YouTubers, or choosing simply to vanish from public life. However, Wonho, who signed in early April to Highline Entertainment (a subsidiary of Starship Entertainment) may well be the first to change the way idols are received after experiencing a “scandal.”

After what seemed like an endless hiatus, a dust devil of activity for the singer-songwriter sprang to life as August began. A new logo — clean, simple and sharp — and a fan cafe on the social platform, V Live. A fandom name: 위니(WENEE, pronounced wi-nee, short for We Are New Ending). And less than a week ago, the announcement of a mini-album, Love Synonym (#1): Right for Me, to be released on September 4th, preceded by the single out today, “Losing You.”.

The piano-lead, English-language “Losing You,” like many of Wonho’s previous compositions, contains a lightness even as it curls its fingers around the heartstrings. It’s a love song within a love song — a direct, fervent message to his fandom imprinted within a universal context. “I’ve loved the song since I first heard it,” Wonho tells Teen Vogue. “It’s an appreciation song to my fans. I love them so much, they give me the power to continue and create music.”

As he geared up for the release of “Losing You,” Wonho spoke to Teen Vogue about his new material, his fans, and his expectations for the future.

TV: Let’s talk about your new single — how long have you been working on this, and what made you decide to release it in English?