Wonho Biography: Background, Education, Net Worth 2025, Career, and Military Service

Profile:

Birth Name: Lee Ho-seok (이호석)

Stage Name: Wonho (원호)

Birth Date: March 1, 1993

Birth Place: Sanbon-dong, Gunpo, South Korea.

The South Korean singer, songwriter, and producer Wonho, whose real name is Lee Ho-seok, gained notoriety as a former member of the K-pop group MONSTA X. Wonho has developed a sizable fan base as a solo performer and group member thanks to his strong vocals, fascinating stage presence, and commitment to fitness. His career in entertainment has been distinguished by his talent, tenacity, and close bond with his WENEE fans.

Background:

Wonho was born in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo, South Korea, on March 1, 1993, however some sources also place his birthplace in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. With his parents and a married younger brother, he was raised in a loving household. Wonho has frequently conveyed his appreciation for his family's steadfast support during his career, and his mother manages a café called Momo Café. Prior to making his singing debut, he was well-known for his appearance as a former ulzzang, which is a South Korean term for someone who is unusually attractive. He even made an appearance on the television program *Ulzzang Shidae Season 3* in 2010–2011 as Shin Hoseok. Although he was unable to pursue a career as a Taekwondo athlete due to an accident, his early interests included Taekwondo, swimming, and fitness.

Bandmates frequently characterize Wonho as someone who cries easily and cherishes his relationships because of his sensitive and compassionate nature. He enjoys working out, learning Japanese and English, playing the piano, and creating stage costumes. He needs medication to treat his fear of heights, which was particularly noticeable when he was filming the music video for "Hero" by MONSTA X. He dislikes pickled radish and tteokbokki and likes dishes like chicken breast and cold noodles. His favorite colors are red, white, and black.

Education:

Wonho's formal education is not well documented in the public domain. As is typical of K-pop idols who frequently put their training and professions ahead of their academic endeavors, he has not revealed any information regarding his education. Wonho worked as a trainee with Starship Entertainment for about three years, concentrating on improving his performing, dance, and singing abilities. His road to become a professional artist was affected by this rigorous training time as well as his involvement in the survival show *No.Mercy*.

Career:

Pre-Debut and MONSTA X (2014–2019):

Wonho started his career in the music business as a trainee at Starship Entertainment. Alongside labelmates Shownu, Jooheon, and #Gun, he performed at events like as the Starship X concert in 2014 as a member of the project group Nu Boyz. He demonstrated his voice and performance abilities when he participated in the survival show *No.Mercy* later that year, which was a collaboration between Starship Entertainment and Mnet. He was chosen as MONSTA X's fifth member, and on May 14, 2015, he made his group debut with *Trespass*, their debut EP.

As a lead vocalist and visual artist for MONSTA X, Wonho wrote, composed, and arranged songs beginning in 2017, making a substantial contribution to the group's record. *The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter* (2017) and *All About Luv* (2020), the latter of which peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200, were among the group's successful albums. Additionally, MONSTA X received other honors, including as the Bonsang awards at the Golden Disc Awards from 2016 to 2019 and the Artist of the Year title at the 2018 Asia Artist Awards. A notable member due to his charm and skill, Wonho made appearances in a number of periodicals and advertising campaigns, including ones with *Elle* and *Tom Ford*.

When claims of past marijuana use and unpaid debts revealed in October 2019, Wonho's career was severely hampered. To preserve the group's image, Starship Entertainment declared on October 31, 2019, that he was leaving MONSTA X. He was exonerated of all drug-related allegations by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in March 2020, proving the rumors were untrue. There was a huge outpouring of sympathy from Monbebes, or admirers, who organized campaigns and marches calling for his return.

Solo Career (2020–Present):

On April 10, 2020, after being cleared, Wonho signed a contract with Highline Entertainment, a division of Starship Entertainment, to pursue a solo career as a producer and musician. Additionally, he inked a contract with Maverick Management for his global endeavors. On September 4, 2020, he made his solo debut with the EP *Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me*, which included the pre-release song "Losing You" and the title track "Open Mind." Six tracks from his first two EPs appeared on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, and the album topped the iTunes charts in several other nations. His fame as a solo artist was further cemented by his second EP, *Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us* (2021), and further releases, such as *Blue Letter* (2021) and *Obsession* (2022).

Wonho's versatility, which includes songwriting, composing, and producing, has been a defining characteristic of his solo career. His energetic stage presence and choreography were on display during his performances, including those at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards. Additionally, he has kept up a robust social media presence, interacting with followers on sites like YouTube and Instagram (@official__wonho), where he posts behind-the-scenes videos. He received the Best Musician award in 2021, which acknowledged his unique accomplishments. His worldwide appeal was increased by his Japanese singles, such as "On the Way ~Embrace~" (2021).

Military Service:

All physically fit men are required to serve in the South Korean military. On November 15, 2022, Wonho wrote a passionate letter to his followers on his fancafe, announcing his enlistment. He started working as a public servant on December 5, 2022, and was released on September 4, 2024, after serving for eighteen months. In order to keep his followers interested and prevent them from feeling his absence too strongly, he produced content during his enlistment. Wonho pledged to return in good health after receiving support for his duty from his agency, Highline Entertainment, and fans.

2025 Net Worth:

Wonho's solo music career, work with MONSTA X, and endorsement deals with companies that support a wellness-focused lifestyle were the main sources of his estimated $2 million net worth as of 2024. Although 2025 projections are not available, his net worth is probably going to have climbed slightly, possibly by $2.5 million to $5 million, given his ongoing success as a solo artist, which includes album sales, live performances, and brand partnerships. Although precise numbers rely on his post-military endeavors and market performance, this estimate takes into consideration his rising fame and global activity.