stayc main image

Rap Battles Are No Longer About the Music

March 27, 2026

Rap has always had tension in it. That’s kind of the point. Competition built the genre, who’s better, who’s realer, who actually has something to say. From early clashes to full blown diss tracks...

Read more
stayc main image

Why Everything Sounds “Nostalgic” Right Now — Even New Songs

March 27, 2026

Pop music right now has a weird quality to it. You hear a brand new song, fresh release, trending everywhere, and somehow it feels like you’ve already lived with it. Not in a repetitive way, but in...

Read more
stayc main image

The Unreleased Era: When “Leaked” Music Isn’t Really a Leak Anymore

March 27, 2026

There was a time when a song leaking early was every artist’s worst nightmare. It meant lost control, lost streams, and a rollout ruined before it even began. Now? It kind of feels like the...

Read more
stayc main image

The Quiet Move That’s Reshaping Pop Behind the Scenes

March 27, 2026

At first, it just sounded like another business deal. But this one actually means a lot more for how music works right now. When news came out that Britney Spears sold the rights to her music...

Read more
stayc main image

From Sound to Screen — Why The Moment Feels So Charli XCX

March 27, 2026

Charli XCX has never been the type of artist to stay in one place creatively. From reshaping modern pop to experimenting with sound, mood, and identity, her work has always felt bigger than just...

Read more
stayc main image

The Comeback Era: Why Artists Aren’t Really “Gone” Anymore

March 25, 2026

Something interesting is happening in music right now. Artists don’t really disappear anymore. They just… pause.Then suddenly they’re back, and somehow bigger than before.A lot of this comes down...

Read more
stayc main image

Sweet and Bright! How to make the Bubblegum Pop sound

March 25, 2026

Bubblegum pop is upbeat pop music with very strong hooks, simple lyrics, and a sweet. Songs are usually short, in a major key, with easy melodies, handclaps, and sing‑along choruses that get stuck...

Read more
stayc main image

The Comeback Era: Why Artists Aren’t Really “Gone” Anymore

March 25, 2026

Something interesting is happening in music right now. Artists don’t really disappear anymore. They just… pause.Then suddenly they’re back, and somehow bigger than before.A lot of this comes down...

Read more
stayc main image

A Deep Dive into PinkPantheress’s Production and the New Nostalgia Sound

March 25, 2026

Before PinkPantheress became a Grammy-nominated artist and one of the most talked about names in the industry, she started on her laptop with GarageBand, experimenting, recording vocals in her room...

Read more
stayc main image

The Deluxe Drop: Why Artists Keep Expanding Albums After Release

March 25, 2026

In today’s streaming era, an album release rarely ends on release day. Instead, many artists return a few months later with an expanded version, often called a deluxe or extended edition. These...

Read more
stayc main image

The “Greedy” Effect: How Tate McRae Brought Dance-Pop Energy Back

March 25, 2026

Pop music goes through phases. Some years the charts are full of emotional ballads, other times it’s glossy synth pop or moody R&B. When Tate McRae released “Greedy,” the track cut through that...

Read more
stayc main image

Jersey Club Is Taking Over: A Starter Pack

March 25, 2026

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you’ve heard a certain bouncy, chopped-up beat. That’s Jersey Club! a high-energy genre from Newark, New Jersey and it’s...

Read more

WONHO: Rising Success After Departure From Monsta X

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

Teen Vogue

In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered about the future of his music career. Although the allegations turned out to be false, WONHO has put in a lot of effort over the past three years to establish himself as a solo artist and start a successful career separate from Monsta X.

After leaving Monsta X, WONHO signed with Highline Entertainment, a division of his previous label, Starship Entertainment. In August 2020, he went on to release his first solo song called "Losing You”. Fans admired the moving ballad WONHO co-wrote, which featured his superb vocals.

Getty Images 

After the release of “Losing You,” WONHO followed up with a debut mini album in September 2020 called "Love Synonym #1: Right for Me”. The album release was a success and reached No. 1 on the iTunes charts in a number of nations, including the US, Canada, and Australia. It also received favourable reviews, with many appreciating WONHO’s strong voice and the coherent tone of the album.

WONHO’s outstanding stage performance has really demonstrated his abilities as a solo artist. He has been gaining attention for his amazing choreography and compelling visuals. WONHO made his first appearance on stage since Monsta X during his performance at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards, where he sang "OPEN MIND" and "Losing You" and displayed his passion and musical talent.

WONHO has also maintained a strong presence on social media, connecting with his followers. He launched a YouTube page where he posts videos of himself writing music and communicating with fans, and he frequently shares photographs and behind-the-scenes footage on his Instagram account of his life as a solo artist. On top of that, a snippet of his music video from his song “OPEN MIND” even went viral on TikTok, garnering him more fans than before. 

NAVER X Dispatch

WONHO has achieved notable solo success since departing from Monsta X. He has established himself as a talented singer and performer, and he has a devoted fan base that is ready to see what he does next. It’s undeniable that as WONHO improves and expands as an artist, his success will only continue to rise. 

WONHO also recently started his required military service in South Korea and while his fans were sad to see him go, WONHO reassured his fans that he will continue to work on music while serving in the military. He’s even hinted that he might release new music after his return. Fans are eagerly awaiting his return and can't wait to hear the new music he has in store.

Check out his Music Video of “OPEN MIND”, below. 

WONHO: Rising Success After Departure From Monsta Xwonho-rising-success-after-departure-from-monsta-xMuellysa Timmangen |Apr 08, 2023In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..