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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Into the Woodz: K-pop artist finds self in 'Oo-Li' album, world tour  

Into the Woodz: K-pop artist finds self in 'Oo-Li' album, world tour  

Published Jun 23, 2023 05:35 pm
K-pop artist Woodz, aka Cho Seung-youn, showed his versatility as a musician during his world tour in Manila.  The 26-year-old artist held his ”2023 Woodz World Tour [Oo-Li] in Manila” last June 17 at the New Frontier Theater.  “Oo-Li,” which means “us,” also refers to his new album of the same name that was released in April under his new agency, Edam Entertainment.  Woodz performing at his Manila concert (Pulp Live World)

When he was young, Woodz studied for a year in the Philippines at Reedley International School.  “When I lived in the Philippines, my dream (was to become a) singer. So I came back to the Philippines. I'm so happy,” he said during a press conference for his show held at Gateway Mall 2 on June 16.  About his most memorable experience in the Philippines, Woodz said, “Maybe I can say school life. Because I met a lot of friends (from other countries), a lot of culture, their culture.” Woodz answering questions during a press conference at the Gateway Mall 2 on June 16 (Jonathan Hicap)
Woodz was happy that he returned to the Philippines to perform before fans.  “I feel amazing because (to become a) singer is my dream. Then I came back to the Philippines to perform for you guys. It’s a very good experience for me,” he said.  “Oo-Li” is Woodz’s fifth mini-album containing seven tracks: “Journey,” "Deep Deep Sleep," “Abyss,” "Drowning," "Busted," "Who Knows" and "Ready to Fight."  “With the ‘Oo-Li’ album, I wanted to show my honest side, my inner self to the fans. Through the process of making this album, I was able to reflect on who I really am. I was able to achieve my goal for a world tour with the ‘Oo-Li’ album,” he said.  For Woodz, the ‘Oo-Li’ album and world tour “are very important to me. I was worried about this project. Through this, I was able to find myself. The support and love given by the fans made me feel relieved.”  Woodz answering questions during a press conference at the Gateway Mall 2 on June 16 (Jonathan Hicap)

Concert

  At the concert, Woodz performed a variety of songs, opening with “Busted,” “Hijack” and “Love Me Harder.”  He also sang “Waiting,” “Chaser,” “Who Knows,” “Dirt on My Leather” and “Trigger.”  “Since the soundcheck earlier, you guys bring the best. Thank you so much Manila Moodz [fans] for welcoming me today,” he told the crowd.  Woodz also covered Filipino band Parokya ni Edgar’s “Your Song” and K-pop girl group NewJeans’ “Hype Boy.”  In addition, he performed “Multiply,” “Abyss,” “Kiss of Fire,” “Fee Like,” “On My Own,” “Sour Candy,” “Bump Bump,” “Drowning,” “Journey,” “I Hate You,” “Better and Better” and “Ready to Fight.”  At the end of the concert, Woodz advised fans, “Mahalin mo sarili mo (Love yourself).” 

“Oo-Li” album

  Woodz worked on his “Oo-Li” mini-album while traveling.  “When I am traveling, I try to work. I try to make music. When I was writing songs for ‘Oo-Li,’ I didn’t want it to be a one-time use. I wanted it to be a whole project. It’s not gonna be that one song but it’s gonna be a background music for the entire project where I can also produce different kinds of content,” he explained.   He said the most important keyword in his “Oo-Li” album is “honesty.” “I wanted to be honest to myself not only in the present but I wanted to reflect on how I was innocent, pure in the past. All of these characters–Woodz or Cho Seung-youn [his real name]–are all grouped as ‘oo-l.’ That was why I was able to come up with this album,” he said.  He said among the songs in the “Oo-Li” album, the main track was the hardest to write.  “I had a hard time choosing the title, like I’m in a new label right now and I had this time when I really had to practice, I was really active for the shows. I had doubts, [thinking] where was my energy, who was I, like what was my energy in front of my fans. I really wanted to set a standard before coming up with this album,” Woodz said.  He said “the difference between Cho Seung-youn and Woodz is that Woodz is a planner while Cho Seung-youn is easygoing.” Woodz gets inspiration from visual things when writing music.   “If I look at a tree, I get inspiration. Maybe we can call it a metaphor. Like something very visual, the visual things really give me the most inspiration when I’m making music,” he said.  His aim was for “listeners to take away good memories with me. I will try my best to be closer to fans and to be more friendly. Later on, when the concert tour has ended, and you guys reflect on the memories you had with me, it will be a healthy memory, happy memory, exciting memory.”  The ”2023 Woodz World Tour [Oo-Li] in Manila” was presented by Edam Entertainment, Kong Yeon Team, YJ Partners, Pulp Live World, Happee Hour and Twenty Two Plus.  Woodz answering questions during a press conference at the Gateway Mall 2 on June 16 (Jonathan Hicap)

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