WOODZ Reclaims Spotlight with ‘Drowning’: A Military-Era Comeback Phenomenon
WOODZ (Cho Seung-youn) has once again proven his unwavering influence in the K-pop scene by taking first place on SBS’s Inkigayo with his self-produced track “Drowning,” originally released in April 2023. The win, achieved without a live broadcast appearance, marks a defining moment in the song’s viral resurgence across Korean music charts.
Competing alongside Le Sserafim’s “HOT” and Jo Jjaeju’s “모르시나요 (PROD. 로코베리),” WOODZ topped the weekly music program with a total score of 5,179. The victory underscores the lasting power of his music, even as he continues his military service in the Army Military Band.
In an official statement via EDAM Entertainment, WOODZ shared his deep gratitude, saying, “I’m truly thankful to all the fans who always send me unconditional love. Moments like this remind me to work even harder and enjoy every step of the way.”
He continued, “I know these moments aren’t made by my efforts alone but by all of you supporting me. I’ll continue to perform passionately and strive to show new and exciting sides of myself.”
“Drowning,” from his fifth mini-album OO-LI, saw a remarkable revival starting in late 2023, culminating in its rise to No. 1 on the Melon Top 100 chart. The momentum was further fueled by a viral video of his performance in military uniform during KBS2’s Immortal Songs 2 Armed Forces Day special, which has surpassed 12.9 million views on YouTube.
This unexpected success while on active duty adds a special layer to his artistic journey, proving WOODZ’s consistent impact in music despite not promoting actively. His ability to resonate with global audiences is clearer than ever as he gets ready for his discharge on July 21 and is already slated to perform at Summer Sonic 2025, Japan’s largest music festival in August.
