Woozi
{{Short description|South Korean singer-songwriter (born 1996)}}
{{family name hatnote|Lee||lang=Korean}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Woozi
| birth_name = Lee Ji-hoon
| native_name =
| image = Woozi 17 Is Right Here Conference 240430.png
| caption = Woozi in April 2024
| image_upright =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|11|22}}
| birth_place = Busan, South Korea
| education = Hanyang University
Anyang University
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| genre = {{hlist|K-pop}}
| years_active = 2015–present
| label = Pledis
| instrument = Vocals
| current_member_of =Seventeen
}}
| module2 = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes|headercolor=transparent
| hangul = %이지훈
| hanja = 李知勳
| hangulstage = %_우지
}}
| signature = Woozi_signature.svg
}}
Lee Ji-hoon ({{korean|hangul=이지훈}}; born November 22, 1996), known by his stage name Woozi ({{korean|hangul=우지|labels=no}}), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and record producer. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen, the leader of its vocal team, and part of its subunit Hoshi X Woozi.
In 2022, he made his solo debut with "Ruby". Aside from his work as a soloist and with Seventeen, Woozi has also written for other K-pop artists such as NU'EST W, Ailee, and I.O.I.
Early life
From a young age, Woozi studied classical music and learned to play the clarinet and other band instruments.{{cite web|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/tv/article/2015061855164|title=[My Name] 세븐틴 (2) 보컬팀 - 우지, 조슈아, 정한, 도겸, 승관|trans-title=[My Name] Seventeen (2) Vocal Team – Woozi, Joshua, Jeonghan, DK, Seungkwan|last=Park|first=Su-jeong|date=June 18, 2015|website=TenAsia|language=ko|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414070830/https://tenasia.hankyung.com/tv/article/2015061855164|archive-date=April 14, 2021|url-status=live}} He successfully auditioned for Pledis Entertainment and met labelmate Bumzu, a frequent collaborator on music production.{{cite web|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019011813575057449|script-title=ko:'프로듀서' 우지 "솔로 욕심? 세븐틴이 먼저죠"(인터뷰)|trans-title='Producer' Woozi "Greed for solo? Seventeen comes first" (interview)|last=Yoon|first=Seung-geun|date=January 19, 2019|website=StarNews|language=ko|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031210443/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019011813575057449|archive-date=October 31, 2021|url-status=live}} He graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School and subsequently enrolled in Hanyang University.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
In 2022, he enrolled in a Master's degree at Anyang University.{{cite web |last1=Anyang University |script-title=ko:우리대학 대학원 입학 세븐틴 최승철, 이지훈, 윤정한 합격증 전달 축하 |url=https://www.anyang.ac.kr/main/introduction/presidential-activities.do?mode=view&articleNo=19700&title=%EC%9A%B0%EB%A6%AC%EB%8C%80%ED%95%99+%EB%8C%80%ED%95%99%EC%9B%90+%EC%9E%85%ED%95%99+%EC%84%B8%EB%B8%90%ED%8B%B4+%EC%B5%9C%EC%8A%B9%EC%B2%A0%2C+%EC%9D%B4%EC%A7%80%ED%9B%88%2C+%EC%9C%A4%EC%A0%95%ED%95%9C+%ED%95%A9%EA%B2%A9%EC%A6%9D+%EC%A0%84%EB%8B%AC+%EC%B6%95%ED%95%98 |website=Anyang University |date=February 15, 2022 |access-date=1 March 2024 |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301082352/https://www.anyang.ac.kr/main/introduction/presidential-activities.do?mode=view&articleNo=19700&title=%EC%9A%B0%EB%A6%AC%EB%8C%80%ED%95%99%20%EB%8C%80%ED%95%99%EC%9B%90%20%EC%9E%85%ED%95%99%20%EC%84%B8%EB%B8%90%ED%8B%B4%20%EC%B5%9C%EC%8A%B9%EC%B2%A0%2C%20%EC%9D%B4%EC%A7%80%ED%9B%88%2C%20%EC%9C%A4%EC%A0%95%ED%95%9C%20%ED%95%A9%EA%B2%A9%EC%A6%9D%20%EC%A0%84%EB%8B%AC%20%EC%B6%95%ED%95%98 |url-status=live }}
Career
= 2015–present: Debut with Seventeen and solo activities =
On May 26, 2015, Woozi debuted in the self-producing group Seventeen with the single "Adore U".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6582987/seventeen-adore-u-13-member-boy-band|title=Here's What a 13-Member K-Pop Boy Band Looks Like: Watch 'Adore U' by Seventeen|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|date=May 30, 2015|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007233343/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6582987/seventeen-adore-u-13-member-boy-band|archive-date=October 7, 2021|url-status=live}} He helped write and produce every track on their debut extended play (EP) 17 Carat.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150526000750|title=Seventeen hopes to shine like diamonds with '17 Carat'|last=Won|first=Ho-jung|date=May 26, 2015|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008185942/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150526000750|archive-date=October 8, 2021|url-status=live}} He has since become Seventeen's main producer along with Bumzu and is credited for writing over 80% of the group's discography as of January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/seventeen-on-the-importance-of-making-their-own-music-3079238|title=SEVENTEEN on the importance of making their own music: "This is like our philosophy"|last=Chin|first=Carmen|date=October 26, 2021|website=NME|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211101192500/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/seventeen-on-the-importance-of-making-their-own-music-3079238|archive-date=November 1, 2021|url-status=live}}
Shortly thereafter, Woozi began writing for other artists as well. In 2016, he and Ailee wrote lyrics for her collaboration with Eric Nam, "Feelin'".{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000659824|title='올드스쿨' 에일리, 센 언니 'NO'...애교만점 '흥 부자' (종합)|trans-title='Old School' Ailee, older sister 'NO'... Full of aegyo 'heung rich' (comprehensive)|last=Kim|first=Joo-ae|date=October 11, 2016|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211101205554/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000659824|archive-date=November 1, 2021|url-status=live}} In 2017, Woozi wrote the last single released by the project group I.O.I, "Downpour", whose lyrics received praise.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0000973252|title="흥행 문제 없어"...진영·백호·우지·정세운, 소문난 프로듀싱 ★ [엑's 기획]|trans-title="No performance problems"... Jinyoung·Baekho·Woozi·Jeong Sewoon, famous producing ★ [X's plan]|last=Han|first=Jeong-won|date=March 30, 2019|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211101203239/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0000973252|archive-date=November 1, 2021|url-status=live}} Later that year, he gifted the song "Thankful for You" ({{lang|ko|지금까지 행복했어요}}) to labelmate Baekho of NU'EST W, which was featured in the group's first EP W, Here.{{cite web|url=https://www.xportsnews.com/jenter/?ac=article_view&entry_id=901858|script-title=ko:'프레젠트' 뉴이스트W 백호 "세븐틴 우지가 솔로곡 선물...가사수정 無"|trans-title='Present' Nu'est W Baekho "Seventeen's Woozi presents a solo song... No lyrics correction"|last=Kim|first=Mi-ji|date=October 11, 2017|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=February 28, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420091815/http://www.xportsnews.com/jenter/?ac=article_view&entry_id=901858}} Woozi became a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000053112|title='뮤직쇼' 세븐틴 우지 "저작권협회 정회원 됐다, 굴비 기대돼"|trans-title='Music Show' SEVENTEEN's Woozi "I'm a full member of the Copyright Association, I'm looking forward to Gulbi"|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|date=January 28, 2019|website=Newsen|language=ko|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211101215458/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000053112|archive-date=November 1, 2021|url-status=live}} On October 15, 2019, Woozi released the song "Miracle" for the soundtrack of the television series The Tale of Nokdu.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004101848|title=세븐틴 우지, '녹두전' OST 세 번째 주자..오늘(15일) 'Miracle' 발매 [공식]|trans-title=SEVENTEEN's Woozi, 'The Battle of Nokdu' OST 3rd Runner..Today (15th) 'Miracle' Released [Official]|last=Ji|first=Min-kyung|date=October 15, 2019|website=OSEN|language=ko|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211031220640/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004101848|archive-date=October 31, 2021|url-status=live}}
In 2021, he worked with fellow Seventeen member Hoshi on the latter's song "Spider", which debuted at number five on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/seventeen-hoshi-talks-first-solo-mixtape-spider-interview|title=SEVENTEEN's HOSHI Talks First Solo Mixtape "Spider"|last=Delgado|first=Sara|date=April 2, 2021|website=Teen Vogue|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402172656/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/seventeen-hoshi-talks-first-solo-mixtape-spider-interview|archive-date=April 2, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/04/18/bts-chanyeol-stray-kids-astro-and-hoshi-hits-making-moves-on-the-world-songs-chart/?sh=61eb89c46cc0|title=BTS, Chanyeol, Stray Kids, Astro And Hoshi: Hits Making Moves On The World Songs Chart|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|date=April 18, 2021|website=Forbes|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211101214359/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/04/18/bts-chanyeol-stray-kids-astro-and-hoshi-hits-making-moves-on-the-world-songs-chart/?sh=61eb89c46cc0|archive-date=November 1, 2021|url-status=live}} That year, Woozi won Best Producer at the 6th Asia Artist Awards, becoming the youngest recipient of the accolade in the show's history. He released his first mixtape, Ruby, on January 3, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/001/0012807868|title=세븐틴 우지, 내달 3일 첫 믹스테이프 '루비' 발표|trans-title=SEVENTEEN's Woozi to release the first mixtape 'Ruby' on the 3rd of next month|last=Lee|first=Tae-soo|date=December 28, 2021|website=Star News|language=ko|access-date=December 28, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228000420/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/001/0012807868}} Its lead single, the first track he wrote entirely in the English language, reached number one on iTunes charts in at least 18 different regions, including Chile, Mexico, Indonesia, and Philippines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news1.kr/articles/?4543737|title=세븐틴 우지, 솔로 믹스테이프 '루비'로 아이튠즈 차트 1위|date=January 4, 2022 |trans-title=SEVENTEEN's Woozi tops iTunes chart with solo mixtape 'Ruby'|publisher=뉴스1|language=ko|access-date=2022-01-14|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115014047/https://www.news1.kr/articles/?4543737|url-status=live}}
On January 26, 2024, Woozi officially released the song "What Kind of Future" as a birthday gift to his late friend Moonbin, who had died the previous year.{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Jae-soo |date=2024-01-26 |script-title=ko:세븐틴 우지, 故문빈 생일에 곡 '어떤 미래' 선물|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20240126051800005 |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Yonhap |language=ko |archive-date=2024-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426204230/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20240126051800005 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Fulfilling a promise, Seventeen's Woozi officially releases "What Kind of Future" (어떤 미래) - listen|url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/woozi-seventeen-what-kind-of-future-official-studio-version-moonbin-listen-pledis-entertainment-hybe-astro |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Bandwagon Asia |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426204831/https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/woozi-seventeen-what-kind-of-future-official-studio-version-moonbin-listen-pledis-entertainment-hybe-astro |url-status=live }}
On February 19, 2025, Pledis Entertainment announced that Woozi would be debuting in a sub-unit alongside Hoshi as Hoshi X Woozi with the release of a single album titled Beam on March 10.{{cite news |last1=Shim |first1=Sun-ah |title=Seventeen's Hoshi, Woozi form new unit, to release first single next month |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250219003600315 |access-date=19 February 2025 |website=Yonhap News Agency |date=19 February 2025 |archive-date=19 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219054424/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250219003600315 |url-status=live}}
Endorsements
In October 2022, Korean fashion brand Romantic Crown announced that they had selected Woozi as their brand model for their 2022 Fall/Winter collection.{{cite news |last1=Cheon |first1=Seol-hwa |title=로맨틱크라운, 세븐틴 우지와 함께한 22FW 패션 화보 공개 :: |url=https://www.stardailynews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=401318 |work=스타데일리뉴스 |date=27 October 2022 |language=ko}} In March 2023, the brand collaborated with Woozi on a second collection, which featured clothing referencing "Universe Factory", Woozi's nickname for his music studio.{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Jong-bin |title=로맨틱크라운, 세븐틴 우지'와의 두번째 시즌 23SP 화보 공개 |url=https://www.newsbrite.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=171496 |access-date=14 May 2024 |work=뉴스브라이트 |date=17 March 2023 |language=ko |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514110636/https://www.newsbrite.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=171496 |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Woozi is set to commence his mandatory military service in the South Korean military in the second half of 2025 as an active duty soldier.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Chang-kyu |title="잊혀지고 싶지만" 세븐틴 우지, 현역 입대 전 열일 예고 (침착맨) |url=https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1984430 |website=엑스포츠뉴스 |access-date=11 April 2025 |language=ko |date=9 April 2025}}
Discography
{{See also|Seventeen discography|Hoshi X Woozi#Discography}}
= Singles =
=Other charted songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Album |
|---|
| colspan="1" scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%" |KOR Peak chart positions on Circle Digital Chart:
|
| scope="row" | "Destiny" ({{Korean|hangul=운명|labels=no}}){{Efn|Credited under Seventeen but is a solo track performed by Woozi. |group=upper-alpha}}
| 2025 | 104 |
= Soundtrack appearances =
Awards and nominations
{{See also|List of awards and nominations received by Seventeen}}
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Woozi}}{{Seventeen (band)}}
{{Pledis Entertainment}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:South Korean composers
Category:South Korean male idols
Category:Japanese-language singers of South Korea
Category:English-language singers from South Korea
Category:Mandarin-language singers of South Korea
Category:21st-century South Korean male singers
Category:Pledis Entertainment artists
Category:Hybe Corporation artists
Category:Hanlim Multi Art School alumni
Category:Hanyang University alumni