ZICO (Block B) Biography: Background, Education, Net Worth 2025, And Career

Profile:

Stage Name: Zico (지코)  

Birth Name: Woo Ji-ho (우지호)  

Birthday: September 14, 1992  

Birthplace: Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea  

Nationality: Korean 

Background:

Zico, whose real name is Woo Ji-ho, was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and studied overseas for a portion of his childhood, spending four years in Canada, China, and Japan, including three years at Tokyo Polytechnic University in Japan. His song "Osaka" with ELO is one example of how he has integrated his worldwide experiences into his music and speaks Japanese fluently. In keeping with his strong familial ties, Zico is a devoted Roman Catholic and has a tattoo of his mother's face. Woo Jiseok, a former member of the idol group Speed, is his older brother and goes by Taewoon. His father's identity is not well known, but his mother's name is Lee Geum Bi. Through his involvement in the underground hip-hop culture in Korea and Japan, Zico was first exposed to music under the stage name Nacseo (낙서), which translates to "doodle" or "scribble."

Education:

Zico developed his musical abilities in Seoul Music High School, where he majored in Vocal Performance. Later, from 2013 to 2015, he studied at the Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts University, where he advanced his knowledge of music performance and production. His cultural and linguistic adaptability was further enhanced by his time spent overseas in China, Japan, and Canada.

ZICO Net Worth 2025:

Due to varying sources, Zico's 2025 net worth estimates vary greatly. A net worth of $1–5 million USD is suggested by some accounts, although amounts as high as $8 million or even $40 billion are claimed by others; the latter is highly dubious and probably untrue. Zico has denied reports that he makes nearly 10 billion won ($8.8 million) from music copyrights, claiming that agency revenue sharing drastically lowers his earnings. His work as a rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, and head of KOZ Entertainment, together with sponsorship deals and TV appearances, are the main sources of his fortune. Since he keeps financial information confidential, his precise net worth is unknown.

Career:

Under the moniker Nacseo, Zico started his career as an underground rapper in Japan, sharing the stage alongside groups like Undisputed and Dope Squad. A member of the duo Harmonics with Park Kyung, he made his debut in Korea in 2009 with the release of the digital single "The Letter." He joined Stardom Entertainment that year and appeared in songs by Jung Seul-gi, Cho PD, and IU. His debut mixtape, Zico on the Block, was published in 2010 and became well-known in the Korean hip-hop community.

With the release of the single "Freeze" and the mini-album Welcome to the Block, Zico made his debut as the lead, primary rapper, and producer of the K-pop/hip-hop group Block B in 2011. Among the songs he produced were "Nillili Mambo" and "Very Good." Block B was commercially successful despite problems, including the Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and KBS prohibiting certain music. After suing Stardom Entertainment in 2013 for nonpayment, the group signed with Seven Seasons, a KQ subsidiary.

Entertainment:

The single "Tough Cookie" marked the beginning of Zico's solo career in 2014, and his first full-length solo album, Thinking, was released in 2019. After spending seven weeks at the top of the Circle Digital Chart and igniting the viral Any Song Challenge, his 2020 single "Any Song" became a cultural sensation. His song "Spot!" featuring Jennie from BLACKPINK peaked at the top of the US Billboard World Digital Song Sales list in 2024. In 2019, Zico established KOZ Entertainment (King of the Zungle), which in 2020 was acquired by HYBE Labels. He has produced for a number of artists and made his breakthrough with the boy group BOYNEXTDOOR in 2023 under KOZ. In addition, he appeared on shows like Dancing Queens on the Road and The Seasons, and he mentored on shows like I-LAND. From July 2020 until April 2022, Zico served as a public sector employee throughout his required military service.
Zico has stated that he is still a member of Block B, even though he left Seven Seasons in 2018. A reunion of the group is planned after all members have finished their military service. He has worked with musicians like IU, Jay Park, Crush, and Dean and is a part of the hip-hop group Fanxy Child. Drake is one of his musical influences, and he is well-known for fusing R&B, EDM, and hip-hop.

Family:

Zico has tattoos of his mother Lee Geum Bi's face all over his body, and he is very close to her. Woo Jiseok (Taewoon), his older brother, was a member of the idol group Speed and did not make his debut in YG's MIXNINE survival show. Zico maintains his personal life quiet, therefore not much is known about his father or other family members. He has no children and is not married. From March to September 2016, Zico and AOA's Seolhyun were involved in a well-publicized relationship that ended because of public scrutiny. He is concentrating on his work and is assumed to be unmarried as of 2025.