KSC | K-Pop

WONHO is back in the music scene with the release of Syndrome, dropped on October 31st. For those of you who don’t know, WONHO is a soloist who debuted on September 4, 2020, with Part.1 Love Synonym. He’s known for tracks like “Losing You” and “Open Mind.“

I personally really like the vibes WONHO brings in his music and performances. He always has this catchy sound that somehow ends up in my playlist. The album gives us ten songs, two of which were pre-released — “Better Than Me” and “Good Liar.” And honestly, WONHO has never disappointed me with pre-releases, so I was super excited to see what else he brought in this album.

Album Versions & Concept

The release features three versions: Onset, Fever, and Fall Out. Each comes with its own photobook concept and photocards. From what I’ve seen, I really like all three. Normally I lean toward one version more than the others, but this time I couldn’t decide which concept I liked best.

Track by Track

Fun

Starting off strong with “Fun,” I really enjoyed the storytelling buildup right into the smooth pre-chorus. Honestly, WONHO captures that complicated situationship concept so well. It’s catchy and very on-brand for him. It even feels like a continuation of the story from his previous tracks like “Open Mind.“

If You Wanna

Honestly, I LOVE ME A GOOD OLD RETRO VIBE. It feels like the industry is heading in that direction, and I’m not complaining. I’m a sucker for those vibes. I was sold the moment I heard the beat drop. And hello??? The lyrics were insane. I had to double-check if my ears were deceiving me, but then again, it’s WONHO we’re talking about. Overall, such a vibe. I like how he showed diversity in his range and skills. This one went straight to the playlist.

The music video did not disappoint either. The whole thing was a vibe, from the cherry-red hair to the chill energy in the opening. It captured that old-school music video essence but with a modern twist, and I ate that up.

At 1:34, I literally made a face of disgust from how smooth that dance move was with the vocals. Of course, I love a dance performance-focused video, and I liked how it balanced those moments with the lyrics. The creative team definitely deserves a pat on the back for this one.

DND

Hand me that R&B vibe and smooth vocals with a touch of complex love. I loved the flow of this one, especially the chorus. It’s perfect for those late-night city drives, and that’s exactly where this track went.

Scissors

I think I ascended when I heard the first vocals and notes of “Scissors.” It only got better once the chorus hit. The instrumentals and emotion in this song were incredible. I personally think this might be my absolute favorite song on the album. The vibe and his vocals just make the song so good. Feels wrong to be bopping to a song when the lyrics are about words being painful. This one will be on repeat until I can hear it in my head without pressing play.

At The Time

Not really my personal vibe, just because I don’t normally listen to that genre, but I didn’t hate it either.

Beautiful

I wasn’t expecting the vibe change here. Honestly, this track feels like something straight out of a romance drama soundtrack, the moment when two characters finally give in. I love how the instrumental captured that essence because sometimes words just can’t express feelings the way an instrumental can.

On Top Of The World

Such a vibe. This one also went straight to the playlist. Loved the vocals and the switch-up in rhythm. It gave me that Ne-Yo-on-the-radio era I grew up with.

Good Liar

A pre-release track that plays perfectly into the album’s themes. The album feels like a story: a complicated situationship, falling in love, and then watching it all fall apart. This track sets that tone.

Maniac

This song had me screaming. The intro vocals, the dramatic instrumentals, that edgy vibe, everything. I love when songs have that darker tone, and this one delivered. The buildup into the chorus was everything. This might actually be tied with “Scissors” for my favorite.

Better Than Me

Another pre-release track, and when it first came out it was on repeat for me, because hello, retro vibes. Having it as the final track ties the whole story together perfectly. The music video sold me even more on the retro concept and reminded me of early 2000s music videos in the best way.

Final Thoughts

I personally feel like this album tells a cycle of complicated love, starting from “Fun” and ending with “Better Than Me.” If you let the album replay, it’s like the story loops right back to the beginning.

And honestly, I only purchase albums when I really love the songs, and this one definitely earns a solid spot on my shelf.