Korean singer Wonho has dropped his first full-length studio album, Syndrome. Across ten tracks that range from pop, R&B, dance, pop-rock, and hip-hop, Syndrome is confident and playful.
Released on October 31, 2025, the project feels like a moment that fully crystallizes who Wonho has become as an artist.
The Sound of if you wanna
The lead single if you wanna dives headfirst into nostalgia. It’s pure Y2K indulgence with sleek synths, a groovy bassline. It embodies that signature early-2000s R&B sound that made Justin Timberlake and Usher household names.
Wonho’s approach stands out because he isn’t mimicking a sound. He’s embodying a feeling. if you wanna is pure, unapologetic Y2K-inspired dirty pop. A lot of artists have tapped into early 2000s R&B and hip-hop. Wonho is one of the few artists to dive into the more sensual side of the Y2K revival.
Wonho described if you wanna in an interview as “direct, thrill, and energy”. The lyrics cut right to the chase, balancing desire and invitation without a hint of hesitation. It’s refreshingly straightforward for a pop song.
Beyond Nostalgia
The music video reflects the song’s confidence. Wonho appears more self-assured than ever. He exudes a mature, effortless charm. Every frame is drenched in the kind of sleek sensuality that defined early MTV-era visuals. Interesting visuals like dousing himself in gasoline, tight choreography, and sheer charisma.
What makes if you wanna so compelling is how it recontextualizes Y2K nostalgia for today. The sound is back in full swing. While most artists flirt with its aesthetics, few fully embody its vibe. Wonho leans into the flirtatious aura that made that era’s R&B so magnetic.That’s the real genius of Syndrome. It’s a confident, genre-blurring statement from an artist who knows exactly what he wants to say and how he wants to say it.
