Wonho‘s solo debut album dropped today, and I couldn’t wait to listen to it. Wonho’s name has been on the lips of many k-pop fans for many years. Once part of Monsta X, he’s now a soloist and ready to show he still has it. As you know, I take my music reviews very seriously, I’m ridiculous and overdramatic, so I set my alarm to wake me up as soon as his album was released. Naturally, I slept through the alarm. It’s ok, though. Now I can call this review fashionably late. So without further ado, let’s listen to Wonho’s debut album!

Love Synonym #1 Right For Me

When I first saw the name of the album, I was intrigued. Did number one mean there would be more to follow? Was the phrase “right for me” a synonym for love? Did this mean that the first album would be nothing but ballads? There were so many questions, and I know I wasn’t alone with it.

Open Mind

Wow. WOOOW. I don’t know what I was expecting for the second release from the album, but Wonho threw whatever I thought it would be out the window. A friend of mine said he was so polite while asking for a one night stand, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more. Sheesh.

The song is a groovy bop that I’ve been playing on repeat since I first heard it. The m/v is just ridiculous, and I mean that in a positive way. He shows his dance skills and how well he’s maintained his body (please just tell me your workout and nutrition plan, Wonho). I’ll save the lyric breakdown for the English version of the song later on the album. Overall thoughts of this song and m/v though are A+, 100%, chef’s kiss.

I Just

I thought I Just was going to be a ballad, but it is more like a mid-tempo sad song in actuality. In the chorus, Wonho says I’m running around in circles, passing by. I don’t know anyone who likes running around in circles. He continues saying no one is near him and that even though time keeps moving, you’re staying still. It sounds like the person he’s interested in isn’t showing that they’re interested in him YET they don’t say that they’re NOT interested either. So he’s just there, running in circles, which sucks if you think about it.

I Just is a solid song, but it makes me feel bad because I’m an overprotective mom who doesn’t like to see people get their feelings hurt if they don’t deserve it. However, we’ve all been in situations like this in our lives, so it’s good to have a song that will help us through it if needed.

Lost In Paradise

I cannot stress enough how this song speaks to me. Thanks to Covid-19, I’ve felt like every day is precisely the same. I know that I’m not alone in that thought, and it’s nice to hear Wonho talk about that in his lyrics, even if he ends up talking to someone who doesn’t seem to want to give him the time a day. He wants to be lost in paradise with someone, and honestly, I want the same.

The music is had me tapping my feet and bopping my head, so it’s going on the playlist. I’m not a dancer, but it makes me want to do some type of groove to it. Maybe there will be an m/v in the future? Not of me, of Wonho. No one needs to see me dance, lol.

Losing You – Korean Version

Everything I wrote for the English version is how I feel about the Korean version. Let’s leave it at that.

Interlude: Run Away

The interlude should have been a full song. I love the EDM feel of it, and I feel like it gives us another side of Wonho’s music that we haven’t experienced before. Also, bonus points for the callback lyrics from Open Mind.

With You

Even before I read the lyrics to this song, I knew it would be my favorite from Wonho’s album. The groove is right up my alley, and I envision driving around with the windows down, blasting With You. Wonho starts the song off by saying, “I’m a thrill. I’m so dangerous.” He wants to dance with you all night “until the morn.” I envision a long night dancing in an open roof club while With You plays on repeat, and honestly, that’s not a bad thought.

I love how Wonho seems to have fun exploring different sounds and languages (yes I heard that Spanish you slid in there). Let’s hope he continues this beautiful type of music creation.

Open Mind – English Version

Here we are again with one night stands. As soon as Wonho says I’m letting you know I want you, baby. The screams of thousands of Wenee’s could be heard around the world. I feel like Open Mind‘s lyrics can be open to interpretation, so in my mind he’s asking for …well, I’ve said it enough already.

The lyrics are fun, and it seems like Wonho is enjoying himself with this track. I applaud it. Now excuse me while I go back to watch the video again.

Losing You

This was the first song and m/v that was released from Wonho’s debut album, and oh my goodness, I’m not crying you’re crying. I didn’t want to watch this m/v, nor did I want to listen to the song. Honestly, when Wonho announced his solo debut, I was worried about how it would go. Jump to when I saw the reactions on Youtube, everyone was crying in their thumbnails. Every. Person. I didn’t know if my heart could take it, but how could I ignore what Wonho worked so hard to create? So I took a deep breath and hit play.

This song had to be written for his fans. The lyrics are like a warm hug when you are having a bad day. The melody is hauntingly sweet, and I see why everyone was crying in their reaction to the video. The song isn’t long, and I don’t think it needed to be. Wonho was direct in his feelings and lyrics. If you need him, he’ll be there.

Conclusion

With everything that has happened within the last 12 months, Wonho could have retired from the entertainment life and moved on, but instead, he decided to stay, fight, and persevere. I am so thankful for that. This album is everything his fans could have wanted and more. As a new Wenee, I proud of him and can’t wait to see what he has for us next.

What did you think of his debut album? Let’s talk about your favorite songs, theories, workout plans (lol) on social media, or comments! Don’t forget to shower Wonho with love and admiration by following him on his socials and streaming his music.