Singer WOODZ has completed his military service and was officially discharged today (July 21).
WOODZ enlisted in January last year as an active-duty soldier and served in the Army’s Military Academy Band. He was recognized for his dedication, even being selected as an “elite soldier” during his service.
What drew particular attention was his unexpected musical success while still enlisted. His self-composed song “Drowning,” released in April 2023, saw a surge in popularity starting in October, topping major Korean music charts such as Melon and Genie, and even winning 1st place on music broadcasts—all without active promotions.
Now discharged in the midst of this resurgence, WOODZ is receiving heightened attention, with growing anticipation for his post-military activities.
He will resume his career starting with a performance at the '2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon SUMMER' on July 27, followed by an appearance at 'SUMMER SONIC 2025', Japan’s biggest music festival, in August.
WOODZ also launched his official fan community on the global K-culture platform Berriz at 2 PM today, and will host a live broadcast there at 8 PM to commemorate his discharge and connect with fans.
[Q&A with WOODZ]
Q. Congratulations on your discharge! How are you feeling?
When I first enlisted, I worried it might be tough and time would pass slowly. But somehow, a year and a half flew by, and now I'm out—I still can’t believe it. Right now, I’m just really happy.
Q. Looking back on your 18 months in the military, how would you describe your experience?
It was an unforgettable time for me. The fact that my song “Drowning” gained so much attention allowed me to be in the spotlight too. Personally, the structured, more relaxed environment compared to civilian life gave me time to reflect and organize my thoughts.
Q. You were selected as an elite soldier. What’s your most memorable moment during service?
I remember the first event I attended vividly. It was right after finishing boot camp—a military recruitment promotion at Sejong University. It was the first time I got to see fans again, and meeting them while in uniform felt surreal and special.
Q. How have you changed, musically or personally, during your service?
Working with fellow soldiers who played classical instruments allowed me to hear a variety of sounds. I also discussed music a lot with friends who played drums, guitar, and bass. This helped me become more detailed and thoughtful when composing songs.
Q. Your song “Drowning” gained popularity again while you were serving. How did you feel about the sudden resurgence?
Honestly, I didn’t feel the full impact until near the end of my service. I noticed when officers and fellow soldiers began talking to me or asking for autographs. Reading online comments made me feel incredibly thankful, and I became more determined to work harder to return all that love.
Q. It wasn’t just a short viral moment—your success has continued for nine months, even winning on music shows. How do you feel about that?
I’ve never made music with chart rankings in mind, so I hadn’t imagined moments like this. But now that I’ve experienced them, I’m really happy. I’ll keep focusing on making good music rather than chasing numbers, but I’m also committed to meeting everyone’s expectations after such amazing support.
Q. There have been lots of witty comments on your videos. Do any stand out to you?
I remember one that said, “Since WOODZ is in the military, ‘Drowning’ is paddling by itself. It’s on auto-pilot.” That made me laugh.
Q. What’s something you personally want to do now that you’ve been discharged?
I’ve been thinking a lot about music—my core focus. I’m working on album plans and a concert, which are my top priorities at the moment.
Q. Fans are already excited about your next album. Can you share a bit about your upcoming music?
I’ll definitely explore the rock genre I love, but I’m also planning to create music that suits the stories I want to tell in both lyrics and sound. I hope to experiment with different genres while creating music that feels convincing and authentic.
Q. A final message to fans who’ve waited so long for your return?
MOODZ, I’m finally back. Thanks to your unwavering love and support, I was able to get through the hardest times. I’ve always known this, but I really felt again in the military just how powerful your love is. I’ll never take it for granted, and I’ll work hard to be the kind of artist you can proudly say you support. I don’t think I’m someone who deserves love by default—that’s why I understand just how valuable your support is. I won’t rush—I’ll show you slowly, one step at a time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you.
Q. Any final words?
I’m truly grateful to everyone who has recognized and supported me. The love I received during my military service was more than I deserved and made that time incredibly happy. I’ll keep preparing diligently so I can return that love with fun and meaningful work. I’ll always stay humble, keep learning, and do my best to become a better person. Just as your small acts of interest created miraculous moments for me, I’ll strive to be someone who adds to your happiness too.
And lastly, I want to thank everyone I served with. To all the soldiers out there protecting the country in this summer heat—I sincerely respect and appreciate you.
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