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Jeff Benjamin

The life stories of many K-pop stars involve heart-warming tales of a lifelong journey towards a career in music, but others only find their true worth after joining the industry.
Wonho for example turned around his tough childhood by becoming a K-pop star and finding love in his fans’ support.
Even when controversy from his past threatened to destroy his career, the singer-producer-dancer never lost the faith of his fans who kept him going through it all.
Here is all you need to know about Wonho’s remarkable journey so far.
His early life
Lee Ho-seok was born in March, 1993 in the Sanbon neighbourhood of the small South Korean city of Gunpo. Wonho has said he had a painful childhood because his family was poor, leading his schoolmates to bully him. He frequently ran away from home and started hanging out with the wrong crowd.
Soon however, the good-looking young Wonho became known as an ulzzang, a Korean term referring to those who gain an online following due to their stunning features.
Known then as Shin Ho-seok, the teenaged Wonho even appeared on television programme Ulzzang Generation – which focused on the lives of these pretty faces – in 2010.


He eventually fulfilled his dream of becoming a singer by joining K-pop agency Starship Entertainment, which was then home to chart-topping acts such as K.Will and Sistar.
After years of training, he was originally expected to make his K-pop debut as part of four-member boy band Nu Boys, alongside two of his future Monsta X members and the hip-hop artist #Gun. But despite several live performances as Nu Boys, the quartet never officially made their debut.
Instead, all four members joined Starship’s singing competition survival show No.Mercy, which pitted 13 trainees against each other for spots in a future boy band. Wonho landed a spot in Monsta X alongside former Nu Boys members Shownu and Jooheon, as well as four new bandmates.

His image
Monsta X established a strong bond with their global Monbebe fan base, and Wonho was known for frequently holding livestreams with fans on platforms such as V Live that would last for several hours.
Fans remember many stand-out Wonho moments, such as when he gave inspirational advice to audience members during concerts and once gave a group of fans umbrellas when they visited the group in the rain.
I.M from Monsta X: the unwanted competitor who became a K-pop leader
Wonho soon became the sweetheart of Monsta X, but controversy struck in October 2019 over rumours that he owed money and had taken drugs before becoming a K-pop idol.
His Ulzzang Generation co-star Jung Da-eun – a former K-pop star and actress herself – claimed on social media that Wonho owed her tens of thousands of Korean won and alluded that he had a criminal past.

Starship Entertainment initially denied that Wonho was in debt and threatened legal action, but news reports began looking into Wonho’s use of marijuana, which is an illegal substance in South Korea.
Then it all seemed to fall apart for Wonho. Starship Entertainment announced that Wonho would leave Monsta X – apparently on the urging of the singer to avoid bringing more trouble to the band – band the agency terminated its contract with the star.
But in March 2020 it was announced that Wonho had been cleared of all drug allegations after a police investigation. His record now clean, Wonho signed a new contract with Highline Entertainment – a subsidiary label of Starship Entertainment – where he would begin a solo career.

His role while in Monsta X
During his time in Monsta X, Wonho was a lead vocalist and dancer, with his ulzzang days making him a “visual” in the septet.
Wonho became increasingly known for his muscular build and sex appeal that fitted perfectly with Monsta X’s edgier image, and the star was also becoming more involved with Monsta X’s music.
He had one writing credit on Monsta X’s debut EP, Trespass, and from 2017 onwards consistently contributed lyrics, production and arrangements to multiple Monsta X album tracks.

In his own words
Even when he was at his lowest while on probation, Wonho said his thoughts always went back to the fans who fought for his innocence even after he exited Monsta X.
“There were many things I promised to them [my fans], that I would always be by their side,” he said during an interview with Korean outlet Dispatch after being cleared of the drug charges.
“I’m sorry that I had to leave like that. I’d lived with only them in my mind … I still can’t forget our fans. I am full of regret, just feeling like I should have done better for them.”
In his first message after announcing his solo career, Wonho once again referenced it.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a better person,” he posted. “Thank you for making it possible for me to keep that promise.”


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Wonho had the world at his feet when he was chosen for Monsta X, but drug allegations forced him out of the boy band, before he was eventually cleared
Now as he starts a new career as a solo artist, Wonho has paid tribute to his fans who struck with him through the hard times



Despite having a tough childhood, K-pop star Wonho hit the big time with Monsta X, but drug allegations forced him out of the boy band. After his name was cleared, he praised his fans for never losing faith in him.


Wonho formerly of Monsta X: how fans’ love helped singer overcome personal problems to start new solo career

Wonho had the world at his feet when he was chosen for Monsta X, but drug allegations forced him out of the boy band, before he was eventually cleared Now as he starts a new career as a solo artist, Wonho has paid tribute to his fans who struck with him through the hard times

Wonho had the world at his feet when he was chosen for Monsta X, but drug allegations forced him out of the boy band, before he was eventually cleared

Now as he starts a new career as a solo artist, Wonho has paid tribute to his fans who struck with him through the hard times