Gen Z Is Shook: K-pop Star Tops Charts 2 Years Later—While Serving in the Military

According to EDAM Entertainment on May 7, “Drowning” reached No.1 on Melon’s “Top 100” at midnight that day. The chart-topping moment is even more extraordinary considering that WOODZ is currently serving in the South Korean military, unable to promote the track himself.

The song was originally released in April 2023 as part of his fifth mini-album. Co-written and composed by WOODZ himself, “Drowning” channels the emotional pain of a breakup through intense rock-influenced soundscapes. Although praised at the time for its depth and quality, it didn’t gain major chart traction—until now.

The turning point came during a special broadcast of KBS 2TV’s Immortal Songs last October, aired for Armed Forces Day. Clad in full military uniform, Corporal Cho Seung-youn took the stage and delivered a raw, vocally gripping performance of “Drowning.” The video clip of that performance has since surpassed 12.6 million views on YouTube, resonating strongly with fans and the MZ generation, who praised the sincerity of his delivery.

The video’s virality breathed new life into the track, sparking months of steady momentum across platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Comments flooded in, praising the lyrics, his vocals, and the emotion behind the performance. According to EDAM, “The buzz surrounding the video hasn’t faded since—it continues to spread organically.”

WOODZ, who first debuted in 2014 with the group UNIQ, later reappeared on Produce X 101 in 2019, becoming a member of the now-disbanded group X1. Since then, he has successfully transitioned into a genre-fluid solo artist, known for his lyrical depth, musical versatility, and dedicated fan base.

Currently serving as an active-duty soldier, WOODZ is scheduled to be discharged in July 2025. He is already slated to return to the global stage in August, where he will perform at SUMMER SONIC 2025, one of Japan’s largest music festivals.

Even without flashy promotions or industry backing, “Drowning” is proving one thing loud and clear—great music never goes unnoticed, and WOODZ’s voice is louder than ever, even from the quiet of military service.