WOODZ Makes Triumphant Return: 'I''ll Never Love Again'' Dominates Charts After Military Service

In one of the most anticipated K-pop returns of the year, singer-songwriter WOODZ (also known as Cho Seung-youn) has made a powerful comeback just after his 전역 (jeon-yeok), or discharge from military service. His new digital single, ‘I’ll Never Love Again’, released on September 24, immediately stormed the major Korean 음원 차트 (eum-won chateu), proving his unshakable popularity.

This comeback follows an incredible phenomenon that occurred during his military hiatus: the viral success of his 2023 song “Drowning,” which achieved a massive 역주행 (yeok-ju-haeng), or “sleeper hit” chart climb.

A King’s Return to the Charts

WOODZ’s new single, ‘I’ll Never Love Again’, shot to the top of charts like Bugs, Melon, and Genie right after its release. The title track, a folk-infused alternative rock song, hit #1 on Bugs and entered the Top 5 on Melon’s HOT100 chart. The B-side, an alternative metal track titled ‘Smashing Concrete’, also charted, showcasing his diverse musical appeal.

As a true artist, WOODZ personally wrote and composed both tracks. The single explores themes of seeing everyday life from a new perspective, a message that resonates with his personal journey of returning to the music scene. The title track delves into the raw emotions of heartbreak and resolution, while ‘Smashing Concrete’ delivers an explosive message of breaking through life’s barriers.

The ‘Drowning’ Phenomenon: A Sleeper Hit Legend

What makes this comeback even more special is the story of “Drowning.” While WOODZ was serving his mandatory military service—a period often called 군백기 (gun-baek-gi) or “military hiatus”—this 자작곡 (ja-jak-gok), or self-composed song, began to climb the charts.

This rare “reverse run” saw “Drowning” hit #1 on all major Korean music charts and even win first place on a national music show, all without any promotion from the artist himself. The song’s viral success, fueled by social media and its emotional depth, solidified WOODZ’s reputation as a musical powerhouse whose art connects deeply with listeners, even in his absence.

For fans and the public alike, this comeback isn’t just the return of an idol; it’s the return of a respected artist who has proven his musical prowess time and time again. His ability to top the charts both with a new release and a viral hit simultaneously is a testament to his unique position in the industry.

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Korean Vocabulary for Global Fans

Here are 5 Korean terms from this article to add to your K-pop dictionary:

1. 전역 (Jeon-yeok)

   • Pronunciation: jeon-yeok
   • Meaning: Discharge from military service. A significant milestone for male K-pop idols and their fans.

2. 음원 차트 (Eum-won Chateu)

   • Pronunciation: eum-won cha-tuh
   • Meaning: Digital Music Chart. These are the main charts in Korea that track song performance based on streaming and downloads.

3. 역주행 (Yeok-ju-haeng)

   • Pronunciation: yuk-joo-haeng
   • Meaning: Literally “driving in reverse.” It describes a song that climbs back up the charts long after its release, becoming a “sleeper hit,” often due to viral fame.

4. 군백기 (Gun-baek-gi)

   • Pronunciation: goon-baek-gi
   • Meaning: “Military hiatus.” A compound word of ‘군’ (military) and ‘공백기’ (hiatus/blank period), referring to an idol’s break from activities for service.

5. 자작곡 (Ja-jak-gok)

   • Pronunciation: ja-jak-gok
   • Meaning: A self-composed song. This term is used to highlight an artist’s songwriting and production talents.