Woo Won-jae

Woo Won-jae
우원재
Born (1996-12-23) December 23, 1996 (age 27)
Gyeongju, South Korea
Other names
  • Woo
Occupation
  • Rapper
Musical career
Genres
Years active2017–present
LabelsAOMG
Korean name
Hangul
우원재
Hanja
禹元才
Revised RomanizationU Won-jae
McCune–ReischauerU Wŏnjae

Woo Won-jae (Korean우원재; born December 23, 1996),[1] also known as Woo, is a South Korean rapper. In 2017, he released his debut single "We Are" (Korean시차; RRSicha) which had commercial success and widespread acclaim. He has released one studio album and two EPs.

Career

[edit]

2017-2018: Show Me the Money 6, signing with AOMG and af

[edit]

In 2017, Woo participated in Show Me the Money 6, where he finished in third place.[2] He gained a lot of popularity through the show.

Woo made his debut through releasing a single "We Are", featuring Gray and Loco on September 4, 2017. The single was meant for Woo's final 2 stage in the finals of Show Me The Money 6, but he was eliminated in the top 3 round. The song was a very huge success as it made a successful all-kill in numerous Korean charts.[3]

On October 31, it was announced that Woo has signed with hip hop label AOMG.[4] Following the signing, he released a single album titled "Anxiety" on November 2.[5]

Woo released his first EP af on November 22, 2018, with the title track "a fence". One of the tracks in the EP, titled "Cash", was pre-released on November 16.[6]

2020: Black Out

[edit]

Woo released his first studio album Black Out on August 18. The album included a pre-release single titled "Used To", which was released on August 11.[7]

2022: comma

[edit]

Woo released his second EP comma on November 24.[8]

2024: Departure from AOMG and new label

[edit]

In March 2024, it was announced that Woo has left hip hop label AOMG after his exclusive contract with them has expired.[9] On May 31, Woo, along with Gray and Code Kunst, co-founded Duover, a new label.[10]

Artistry

[edit]

i-D wrote that "Having spoken publicly about his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, Woo’s lyrics are just as honest and open as he is – from not being afraid to get dark when expressing his feelings, to revealing details of a romantic relationship."[11]

Philanthropy

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On March 8, 2022, Woo donated 10 million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help those affected by the massive wildfires that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, which also spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.[12]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[13]
Black Out 31

Extended plays

[edit]
Title EP details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[13]
af
  • Released: November 22, 2018
  • Labels: AOMG, Genie, Stone Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
37
comma
  • Released: November 24, 2022
  • Labels: AOMG, Genie, Stone Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Repeat
  2. Glass (feat. Wonstein)
  3. Our (우리)
  4. Me (나야)
  5. Mommy
  6. Want It Good (그래요)
43

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak
chart
positions
Album
KOR
[13][17][18]
As lead artist
"Chopsticks" (젓가락)
with Maniac, Black Nine, Asol
feat. Tiger JK, Bizzy, Ann One
2017 34 Show Me the Money 6 Episode 1
"Again" (또)
feat. Tiger JK, Bizzy, MRSHLL
13 Show Me the Money 6 Episode 3
"Zinza" (진자)
feat. YDG, Suran
33 Show Me the Money 6 Episode 4
"Move"
feat. Bizzy
16 Show Me the Money 6 Episode 5
"We Are" (시차)
feat. Loco, Gray
1 Non-album single
"A Coin Pt.2 (Remix)" (동전한닢 Pt.2 (Remix))
with Nucksal, Jo Woo-chan, Hanhae, Ryno, myunDo, Junoflo, Double K, Ness, Woodie GoChild, Ja Mezz, Olltii, Killagramz,Young B, Hash Swan, Hangzoo, Maniac, Black Nine, P-Type, Asol
Show Me the Money 6 Special
"Loop" (과거에게) 51 Anxiety
"Paranoid" 100
"Balance (Prod. by Code Kunst)"
with Loco
2018 29 Non-album single
"Cash" af
"A Fence" (울타리)
"Engine (Prod. Code Kunst)" (엔.진)
with Jay Park
2019 182 Non-album singles
"Taste (Prod. Gray)" (호불호)
feat. Giriboy
21
"SS (Prod. KHYO)"
feat. Simon Dominic, Hoody
"The Peach Blossom Spring (Prod. KHYO)" (무릉도원)
with Dope'Doug, BlueWhale, Sojuboi
SignHere Episode 2
"Atypus karschi" (땅거미)
with Hippy Was Gipsy
Fire
"Used To"
feat. CIFIKA
2020 Black Out
"Do Not Disturb"
feat. So!YoON!
"Job"
feat. Tiger JK, Qim Isle
"Zip" (함구) Non-album singles
"Uniform"
feat. pH-1
2022
"Ghosting" (Prod. Code Kunst) (잠수이별)
feat. meenoi
29
"TTFU"
with Simon Dominic, Loco, Coogie
178
"Our" (우리) comma
As featured artist
"Mirror" (거울)
(Black Nine feat. Woo Won-jae, Ann One)
2017 Non-album single
"Run It (Prod. by Gray)"
(Jay Park feat. Woo Won-jae, Jessi)
2018 Non-album single
"Not At All" (Prod. by Groovy Room)" (전혀)
(VINXEN feat. Woo Won-jae)
10 High School Rapper 2 Final
"Unbreakable (Prod. By IOAH)"
(Swings feat. Woo Won-jae)
Crumbs Mixtape Vol.1
"venus"
(Ja Mezz feat. Woo Won-jae, MRSHLL)
GOØDevil
"Bastard (Prod. by Sojeso)" (후레자식)
(Giriboy feat. Woo Won-jae)
3 Songs
"How Do You Feel" (그대들은 어떤 기분이신가요)
(VINXEN feat. Woo Won-jae)
How Do You Feel
"LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA"
(NO:EL feat. Woo Won-jae)
DOUBLEONOEL
"BLESS"
(Code Kunst feat. Loco, Woo Won-jae)
BLESS
"11"
(Code Kunst feat. Woo Won-jae)
"Far Away" (멀리)
(The Quiett feat. Hash Swan, Woo Won-jae)
glow forever
"Hate You (Prod. Code Kunst)"
(pH-1 feat. Woo Won-jae)
19 Show Me the Money 777
"Lips"
(Coogie feat. Woo Won-jae)
EMO #1
"Some Beatmaker"
(Loco feat. Yeesang, Woo Won-jae)
2019 HELLO
"now or never" (지금이 아니면)
(CIFIKA feat. Crush, Woo Won-jae)
now or never
"Go High (Prod. by Code Kunst)"
(Lee Young-ji feat. Woo Won-jae, Changmo, The Quiett)
33 High School Rapper 3 Finals
"Twilight (Prod. by Cha Cha Malone)"
(Jay Park feat. Woo Won-jae, Jarv Dee)
The Road Less Traveled
"Broken (Prod. BOYCOLD)"
(Leellamarz feat. VINXEN, Woo Won-jae)
MARZ 2 AMBITION
"GOTT"
(Simon Dominic feat. MOON, Woo Won-jae, Jvcki Wai)
88 No Open Flames
"Don't Ask Me" (물어보지마)
(dress, sogumm feat. Woo Won-jae, Jane)
Not my fault
"Spread The Love (Prod. Gray)"
(Maddox feat. Woo Won-jae)
SignHere Episode 6
"Porter"
(ADOY feat. Woo Won-jae)
VIVID
"Stormy"
(Mckdaddy feat. Woo Won-jae)
sideshow
"I'MMA DO" (아마두)
(YUMDDA, Deepflow, Paloalto, The Quiett, Simon Dominic
feat. Woo Won-jae, Keem Hyo-eun, Nucksal, Huckleberry P)
2 Dingo X DAMOIM (Part 2)
"Because of Winter" (겨울 탓)
(SAAY feat. Woo Won-jae)
2020 Non-album singles
"MASCHEF"
(PAXXWORD feat. Woo Won-jae)
"flower" (꽃)
(Code Kunst feat. Jay Park, Woo Won-jae, Giriboy)
128 People
"Won"
(Nucksal feat. Woo Won-jae, ODEE)
1Q87
"Out of Place"
(DJ Wegun, Jay Park feat. Woo Won-jae, Sik-K)
Everybody Sucks
"Daydreamin"
(Layone feat. Sogumm, Woo Won-jae)
114 Show Me the Money 9
"In Self-defense" (정당방위)
(Epik High feat. Woo Won-jae, Nucksal, Changmo)
2021 Non-album single
Soundtrack appearances
"Nostalgia" (Prod. by Woogie) (향수) 2017 93 Prison Playbook OST Part 6

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 Show Me the Money 6 Contestant Top 3 [19]
2019 Masked Singer Contestant [20]
Sign Here Judge [21]
2021 Girls Planet 999 Judge [22]

Web shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.
2022–2023 Woo Won-jae's Yomojomo Host [23]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
Mnet Asian Music Awards 2017 Best Hip Hop & Urban Music "We Are" (시차)
feat. Loco, Gray
Nominated
2022 Best Collaboration "Ghosting" Nominated [24]
Melon Music Awards 2017 Top 10 Artists Himself Nominated
Best New Artist Nominated
Kakao Hot Star Award Nominated
Best Rap/Hip Hop "We Are" (시차)
feat. Loco, Gray
Nominated
Golden Disc Awards 2018 Digital Bonsang Nominated
New Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Global Popularity Award Nominated
Seoul Music Awards New Artist Award Nominated
Popularity Award Nominated
Hallyu Special Award Nominated
Korean Hip-hop Awards Hip Hop Track of the Year "We Are" (시차)
feat. Loco, Gray
Won [25]
Gaon Chart Music Awards New Artist of the Year (Song) Won
Song of the Year – September Nominated
Korean Music Awards Rookie of the Year Himself Nominated [26]
Song of the Year "We Are" (시차)
feat. Loco, Gray
Nominated [27]
Best Rap and Hip Hop Song Won [28]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "우원재 | Woo". Play DB.
  2. ^ "'쇼미더머니6 결승' 넉살·행주 2R진출-우원재 탈락…가사실수 비지 너무 미안해". 경인일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  3. ^ Eun-ae, Kim. "우원재, '쇼미6' 미발표곡 '시차' 오늘 공개..로꼬X그레이 지원사격". OSEN. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  4. ^ Eun-ae, Kim. "'SMTM6' Woo Won-jae signs for AOMG". OSEN. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  5. ^ An-ji, Jung. "[공식]우원재, AOMG 합류 후 첫 싱글 '불안' 오늘(2일) 발매". Sports Chosun. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  6. ^ Eun-jung, Lee. "우원재, 22일 첫 미니앨범…타이틀곡은 '울타리'". Yonhap News. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  7. ^ Bo-ram, Oh. "우원재, 첫 정규앨범 '블랙 아웃' 오늘 발매". Yonhap News. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  8. ^ Bong-seok, Son. "우원재, EP 'comma' 발매···쉼표로 전하는 공감+위로". Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  9. ^ Choi, Jae-seo (2024-03-28). "그레이·우원재·이하이·구스범스, AOMG 떠난다". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  10. ^ Lee, Min-ji (2024-05-31). "AOMG 떠난 그레이·코드 쿤스트·우원재, duover 공동 설립 [공식]". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  11. ^ Zhang, Qiuzi (August 9, 2020). "Woo Won-Jae is the dark prince of Korean hip-hop". i-D.
  12. ^ Kang Nae-ri (March 8, 2022). "이동휘·우원재·김이나, 산불 성금 천만 원씩 기부(공식)" [Lee Dong-hwi, Woo Won-jae, and Kim In-a donate 10 million won each for forest fires (official)] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  13. ^ a b c "Gaon Music Chart - 우원재". Gaon Music Chart.
  14. ^
  15. ^
  16. ^
  17. ^ "Ghosting". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "TTFU". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  19. ^ Lee, Hana (September 9, 2017). "[SE★초점] '쇼미6' 우원재, 신예 래퍼가 스스로 증명한 '가능성'". Seoul Economic Daily.
  20. ^ Lee, Hoyeon (April 15, 2019). "우원재, 결별 고백→반전 노래→컴백작 예고…'복면가왕' 나들이". Hankook Ilbo.
  21. ^ Park, Chang-gi (August 22, 2019). "'사인히어' 박재범부터 우원재까지... AOMG표 힙합 오디션의 탄생 (종합)". Korea Economic Daily.
  22. ^ Park, Pan-seok (September 13, 2021). "'걸스플래닛999' 우원재, 스페셜 랩마스터 소감 "새로운 경험이었다"". Chosun Ilbo.
  23. ^ Song Min-ju (December 27, 2022). "내성적' 우원재, 예능 MC 도전...첫 게스트는 조세호" ['Introverted' Woo Won-jae, a variety show MC challenge... The first guest is Jo Se-ho] (in Korean). TV Report. Retrieved December 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Basbas, Franchesca (October 24, 2022). "BTS, Blackpink, J-Hope, NewJeans, Twice, TXT, and more nominated at MAMA Awards 2022". Bandwagon Asia.
  25. ^ "한국 힙합 어워즈 2018 수상 결과". Korean Hip-hop Awards.
  26. ^ "우원재 - 2018 올해의 신인". Korean Music Awards.
  27. ^ "우원재 '시차(We Are) (Feat. 로꼬 & GRAY)' - 2018 올해의 노래". Korean Music Awards.
  28. ^ "우원재 '시차(We Are) (Feat. 로꼬 & GRAY)' - 2018 최우수 랩&힙합-노래". Korean Music Awards.
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