Korean artist WOODZ is a well-rounded and versatile artist who moves fluidly through genres such as K-pop, K-rock, Korean R&B, and many more he wishes to explore. He dove straight back into full creative mode following his military discharge, releasing his digital single I’ll Never Love Again.
“I’ll Never Love Again,” a song that represents the choice between two diverging paths leading to a new beginning, as WOODZ describes, marks the artist’s official comeback to the music scene after completing his service. With fans eagerly awaiting his return after two years away, he wasted no time jumping right back into music creation.
Not only did he return to the studio just a few months after his discharge, but WOODZ also stayed active during his service, showing his unstoppable energy and dedication.
Known for topping esteemed Korean charts such as Melon, Genie, and Bugs for long periods of time, he continues to prove himself as an innovator, an artist deeply passionate about every element of his craft, from lyrics and visuals to his ongoing study of sound and genre.
Remarkably, even while serving in the military, his track “Drowning” charted and maintained strong performance across major streaming platforms, further proving that WOODZ’s impact and artistry resonate deeply with listeners, no matter the circumstance.
“I try to be very honest about what I want to say. And I think, when it comes to genres, I do touch upon very many different genres, but for my color to be put onto those genres, honesty was one of the key factors that I put into it.”
In our conversation with WOODZ below, he opens up about the enthusiasm and pressures of diving back into the music scene after major successes like ‘Drowning,’ staying authentic, and preparing for what’s next, including his upcoming album.
The title track follows WOODZ through striking music video visuals framed by a fiery backdrop. The video explores different types of relationships, familial, platonic, and romantic, while blending bold rock sounds with contemporary melodies. The result is edgy yet melodic, emotionally charged yet easy to listen to.
The music video itself is a visual masterpiece. You can watch the video below.
The second track, “Smashing Concrete,” brings a very different energy from the title track. The visualizer showcases a raw and authentic side of WOODZ, curly-haired, expressive, and unfiltered, set against high guitar riffs and a fusion of metal and rock elements.
WOODZ is no stranger to creating new styles and sounds that defy trends. He’s known for being authentically himself and shared with us that he never releases music unless he’s truly passionate about it.
And that passion is unmistakable. Even within the short three months since his return, it’s clear that WOODZ’s love for music runs incredibly deep and continues to grow stronger with every release.
In our conversation with WOODZ below, you can read as he shares both the enthusiasm and the pressures of diving back into the music scene following major successes like “Drowning.”
While opening up about staying authentic, his upcoming new album, what to look out for next, and how he continues to explore every genre through deep research and pure passion.
Conversation has been edited for clarity.
The Knockturnal: Welcome to LA! I’m so excited to chat about all your activities since your discharge. You’re already back to creating music, so let’s dive into all the exciting things you have planned for this new chapter with I’ll Never Love Again.
When coming back from your service, I know you were active during that time too, but did you know right away that you wanted to get back into music? Did you immediately know what you wanted to come back with, or did you take time to reset and think about what was next?
WOODZ: I wanted to jump right back into it. That’s why, after I was discharged from military service, I immediately put out a visualizer and started performing at festivals. While I was serving, “Drowning” really blew up, so I wanted to give back to the fans and come back with music they could enjoy right away.
The Knockturnal: You really did jump right back into it! So, let’s talk about I’ll Never Love Again. It’s a very emotionally charged title. What does that phrase mean to you when you were creating the song?
WOODZ: The title might sound like it’s about something ending, but that’s not really what it’s about. Sometimes you have to choose between two paths, split, but whichever decision you make, it’s not the end. It’s a new beginning.
For example, when your friend says, “I’m never going to love again,” it usually means they’re about to start something new. Those are the kinds of questions I wanted to explore through this song.
The Knockturnal: That’s beautiful. And you can really tell that message through the music video. It explores different types of love: familial, romantic, and platonic. How did that visual setting connect to the song?
WOODZ: When I met with the music director, we discussed what love means to me. He helped me open my mind. I believe that the ultimate form of positivity is love.
People usually think “I love you” means something romantic, but I say it to my friends and the people close to me. I wanted to showcase that love can take many forms, not just romantic love, but all the different ways we can express ‘I love you.’
The Knockturnal: That’s so true. It was also followed by “Smashing Concrete,” which is striking in its own way. “I’ll Never Love Again” has fire and chaos, and “Smashing Concrete” feels raw and intense.
How was it translating those emotions visually? Were there any moments during filming that felt meaningful or inspired by something?
WOODZ: When it comes to the visuals, a lot of it was inspired by my previous self. During my musical activities, people would say, “Oh, he’s doing well,” but I still felt like I wasn’t expressing everything I wanted to.
After my military service, I thought, “Why can’t I just do what I want?” That mindset inspired both “Smashing Concrete” and “I’ll Never Love Again.” People might not expect it because I’m actually kind of shy, but I’m a really shy guy!
The Knockturnal: You mentioned earlier that while you were enlisted, “Drowning” had a huge resurgence. That must’ve been surreal to witness from afar. Coming back after that success, did you feel any pressure to keep the momentum going? Or did it motivate you?
WOODZ: I can’t say no because I really wanted to make my music without pressure. I want to say a lot of things. I didn’t want to be pressured to make it sound like “Drowning” because I wanted to really showcase what I felt, what I saw, whatever I felt, whatever I saw, whatever I heard.
I want to be able to use myself like a transistor to really showcase these emotions to people.
Rather than giving up on what I like, I’d rather have my music be more pure, genuine, and really down to the core of who I am.
If I find myself not liking what I am creating in the process, then I think that’ll be very difficult for me to accept because I really want to be able to create something that I really love.
The Knockturnal: I love that. Speaking of authenticity, your ability to move through genres effortlessly really stands out. How do you stay true to your sound as it changes with the industry? You move between K-rock, R&B, pop, and punk so naturally.
WOODZ: When it comes to my color, my identity, it’s difficult to answer. Like when someone asks, Tell me about yourself,’ it’s not always easy to put into words who I fully am.
Over everything, I try to be very honest about what I want to say. And I think, when it comes to genres, I do touch upon very many different genres, but for my color to be put onto those genres, honesty was one of the key factors that I put into it.
The way I approach things is also me. As I mentioned earlier, I try to stay pure and very genuine to the music that I do. As a basis, I select genres.
But also, when it comes to genres, I don’t want people to view it as me just trying to dip my toes or test the waters in that genre.
I study the genre, and I put some time into getting to know it. I experiment, and whenever I feel that this is comfortable for the people in the genre to be listening to this kind of track. It’s only when I’m sure that people will let me in that I release my music.
During the process, in my personal work, I probably have more than 100 songs that I cannot use because I didn’t have the assurance that I could actually release these songs.
That’s kind of the method I try to go with.
The Knockturnal: You can definitely hear that honesty and depth. You explore so many genres. Are there any new ones you want to try next?
WOODZ: I listen to a lot of different genres, and then also rock music, electronic, and techno. A lot of electronic artists are really big now, so I’m very interested in that genre. But I still need to study it more.
When it comes to genres, I don’t want to just follow trends. I don’t want to touch on genres that are trending right now, because in those genres, there are pioneers who worked hard to build them up. I don’t want to dive in just because it’s popular. Right now, I’m listening to a lot of alternative music. I’m trying to put in the work to really understand what went into each genre. At the same time, I’m very interested in electronic music and exploring that space as well.
The Knockturnal: That’s wonderful. Well, I hope to see all those sides of you soon! Looking ahead with the last few months of 2025 and 2026 coming up, what are your hopes, dreams, or upcoming projects you can share?
WOODZ: The big plan is my new album. I don’t know exactly when it’ll be released, hopefully next year. I can’t share details yet, but I’m preparing a lot from my videos, music, and promotions. I’m trying to find things that really differentiate me, that make me stand out. When the new album comes out, I think it’ll be very, very exciting.
It’s clear through WOODZ’s actions, his eagerness to jump back in, and his attention to every detail, that he is creating music that stands out as truly his own: recognizable, passionate, and impossible to overlook.
For longtime fans who have supported him since before his military service, and for new listeners discovering him through releases like I’ll Never Love Again, WOODZ is ready to dive headfirst back into the music scene as the artist he’s always been: authentic, driven, and endlessly creative. We look forward to his full album and everything still to come.
Photo Credit: EDAM Entertainment
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