Singer Wonho’s latest EP “Façade” is a rollercoaster of emotions.

“Façade” dropped on Monday and includes five tracks — “Intro: 9AM,” “Crazy,” “Close,” “White Miracle (Korean Ver.)” and “Outro: 9PM” — all of which Wonho helped to produce.

The theme of the EP is centered on a carnival and the emotional changes that ensue. For example, one may feel a plethora of emotions while riding a rollercoaster that soars and plunges, or briefly escape from reality while on the carousel, his agency Highline Entertainment explained.

The lead track “Crazy” is a funky dance song that sees Wonho “dance like a maniac,” as described by his agency, in the music video.

The first and last track of the EP, “Intro: 9AM” and “Outro: 9PM,” mark the beginning and end of the “carnival.”

The EP also has the Korean version of “White Miracle” (2021), which was originally released as a Japanese song.

On Tuesday, the EP landed in the top five of the iTunes Top Albums chart in 12 regions. It ranked No. 1 in Turkey, No. 2 in Columbia, Indonesia, Russia and Singapore, No. 4 in Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Netherlands and No. 5 in Finland.

“Crazy” is No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in Azerbaijan, Bolivia, El Salvador, Panama and Saudi Arabia, No. 3 in Paraguay and No. 4 in Argentina.

Wonho debuted in May 2015 as a member of boy band Monsta X with the EP “Trespass.” The band was formed through Starship Entertainment and Mnet’s music survival show “No.Mercy” (2014-15). The band was originally a seven-member act with other members Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M.

Monsta X is known for songs like “Who Do U Love?” (2019), “Love Killa” (2020) and “You Problem” (2021) and its aggressive and tough image, hence its name.

In October 2019, Starship Entertainment, which is home to Monsta X, announced that Wonho decided it would be best for him to leave the band so that his “recent chain of events [don’t] distract” from the rest of the band’s activities.

At the time, social media celebrity Jeong Da-eun claimed that Wonho owed her a significant amount of money and that they had smoked marijuana together. Starship firmly stated that the rumors were not true and that Wonho had already repaid the money.

Wonho was cleared of all allegations as the police were unable to find any evidence of drug abuse.

The singer posted a handwritten letter to fans on social media, apologizing for “causing damage to the other members” and said that he “could no longer sit and watch the pain so many people were going through because of [him].”

In 2020, Wonho signed with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship. Since then, he has released EPs “Love Synonym Pt. 1: Right for Me” (2020), “Love Synonym Pt. 2: Right for Us” (2021), “Blue Letter” (2021), “Obsession” (2022) and the latest, “Façade” (2022).

Wonho has maintained a sexy image since his debut. He is known for his muscular physique, showing off his bare body in many photoshoots for magazines like Men’s Health, Dazed and Elle, and on stage.

Wonho (Lee Ho-seok)

Date of birth: March 1, 1993
Zodiac sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Gunpo, Gyeonggi
Debut: May 2015 as a member of boy band Monsta X
Agency: Highline Entertainment

Wonho debuted as one of seven members of boy band Monsta X in May 2015. The band was formed through Mnet’s survival show “No.Mercy” (2014-15), which was produced in collaboration with Starship Entertainment. Wonho left the band in late 2019 following a series of allegations related to debt and drug use. After signing with Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of Starship, Wonho has released numerous EPs as a solo artist. Some of his notable songs are “Losing You” (2020), “Open Mind” (2020), “Lose” (2021), “Blue” (2021) and “Eye On You” (2021).

This information was confirmed by Highline Entertainment on June 13, 2022.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]