Woo Won-jae (Korean: 우원재; born December 23, 1996),[1] also known as Woo, is a South Korean rapper. In 2017, he released his debut single "We Are" (Korean: 시차; RR: Sicha) which had commercial success and widespread acclaim. He has released one studio album and two EPs.
Woo Won-jae | |
|---|---|
| 우원재 | |
 | |
| Born | December 23, 1996 Gyeongju, South Korea |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | AOMG |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 우원재 |
| Hanja | 禹元才 |
| Revised Romanization | U Won-jae |
| McCune–Reischauer | U Wŏnjae |
Career
edit2017-2018: Show Me the Money 6, signing with AOMG and af
editIn 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
editWoo 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
editWoo released his second EP comma on November 24.[8]
2024: Departure from AOMG and new label
editIn 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
editi-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
editOn 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
editStudio 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 |
|
37 |
|
| comma |
Track listing
|
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
editTelevision
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
editThis section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (April 2023) |
| 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- ^ "우원재 | Woo". Play DB.
- ^ "'쇼미더머니6 결승' 넉살·행주 2R진출-우원재 탈락…가사실수 비지 너무 미안해". 경인일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ Eun-ae, Kim. "우원재, '쇼미6' 미발표곡 '시차' 오늘 공개..로꼬X그레이 지원사격". OSEN. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ Eun-ae, Kim. "'SMTM6' Woo Won-jae signs for AOMG". OSEN. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ An-ji, Jung. "[공식]우원재, AOMG 합류 후 첫 싱글 '불안' 오늘(2일) 발매". Sports Chosun. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ Eun-jung, Lee. "우원재, 22일 첫 미니앨범…타이틀곡은 '울타리'". Yonhap News. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Bo-ram, Oh. "우원재, 첫 정규앨범 '블랙 아웃' 오늘 발매". Yonhap News. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Bong-seok, Son. "우원재, EP 'comma' 발매···쉼표로 전하는 공감+위로". Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ Choi, Jae-seo (2024-03-28). "그레이·우원재·이하이·구스범스, AOMG 떠난다". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ Lee, Min-ji (2024-05-31). "AOMG 떠난 그레이·코드 쿤스트·우원재, duover 공동 설립 [공식]". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Zhang, Qiuzi (August 9, 2020). "Woo Won-Jae is the dark prince of Korean hip-hop". i-D.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Gaon Music Chart - 우원재". Gaon Music Chart.
- ^
- "August 2020 Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^
- "November 2018 Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^
- "2022 Weeks 48 Album Chart". Circle (in Korean). Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Ghosting". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 1, 2022.
- ^ "TTFU". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Hana (September 9, 2017). "[SE★초점] '쇼미6' 우원재, 신예 래퍼가 스스로 증명한 '가능성'". Seoul Economic Daily.
- ^ Lee, Hoyeon (April 15, 2019). "우원재, 결별 고백→반전 노래→컴백작 예고…'복면가왕' 나들이". Hankook Ilbo.
- ^ Park, Chang-gi (August 22, 2019). "'사인히어' 박재범부터 우원재까지... AOMG표 힙합 오디션의 탄생 (종합)". Korea Economic Daily.
- ^ Park, Pan-seok (September 13, 2021). "'걸스플래닛999' 우원재, 스페셜 랩마스터 소감 "새로운 경험이었다"". Chosun Ilbo.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Basbas, Franchesca (October 24, 2022). "BTS, Blackpink, J-Hope, NewJeans, Twice, TXT, and more nominated at MAMA Awards 2022". Bandwagon Asia.
- ^ "한국 힙합 어워즈 2018 수상 결과". Korean Hip-hop Awards.
- ^ "우원재 - 2018 올해의 신인". Korean Music Awards.
- ^ "우원재 '시차(We Are) (Feat. 로꼬 & GRAY)' - 2018 올해의 노래". Korean Music Awards.
- ^ "우원재 '시차(We Are) (Feat. 로꼬 & GRAY)' - 2018 최우수 랩&힙합-노래". Korean Music Awards.