Wonho. Photo: courtesy of the artist.
Ever since Wonho began his solo career, his music has become the soundtrack to his personal stories, following themes of love, strength, and self-discovery. Think of songs like “Losing You,” where he taps into love’s complexities; “Open Mind,” where he reflects on identity and growth; or “Don’t Regret,” where he embraces the past as a source of strength to move on—and all while sharing the stories with his beloved fans, Wenee. In a similar vein, Wonho’s new single “Better Than Me” speaks to them. While in part a breakup song, “it’s a message to my fans who believed in me and waited for me,” he says. As he elaborates, “The line ‘No one does it better than me’ is not just about self-confidence—it’s a declaration that no one can love and protect Wenee the way I do.”
“Better Than Me” is an English track that stems from Wonho’s heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support of his fans. “The line ‘I’ll give you forever, so take all the time you need’ is something I truly wanted to express to them,” he shares, while emphasizing, “No matter what happens, my feelings for you haven’t changed.” This emotional depth is at the core of the song, which blends nostalgic style with modern energy, drawing inspiration from early 2000s Western boy bands such as NSync and Backstreet Boys. For Wonho, these groups were all about honesty and drama in their music, their performances exuding a strong sense of presence. Drawing from these influences, as well as artists like Usher and Ne-Yo, he wanted to add that timeless essence to his “Better Than Me.” “The emotional melodies paired with rhythmic beats blend the nostalgic energy of early boy bands with today’s pop sensibilities,” he explains.
The track is Wonho’s first new music, following his 2024 English single, “What Would You Do,” a sneak peek into his upcoming album. He reveals that the album explores a range of genres and styles, centered around the concept of “pop star,” through which he wanted to show the range of his music and the energy he brings to the stage. “From emotional ballads to high-energy performance tracks, this project reveals many sides of me,” he says.
The 32-year-old at the time of writing debuted in Monsta X back in 2015 and shifted to a solo career in 2020 (a year after he parted ways with Monsta X). That same year, his debut album, Love Synonym Pt.1: Right for Me, topped the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and claimed top spots on iTunes charts in several countries, as well as the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Charts. Since then, Wonho has cemented himself as a standout voice in the K-pop industry. Reflecting on his experiences as an idol, he acknowledges the various lessons he has learned through this demanding journey, which invariably requires stamina and skills. Still, he highlights that the most important thing for him has been “believing in myself.” “That process helped me become stronger on the inside, and now I feel like I can express my thoughts and emotions more honestly through my music. This album naturally reflects that growth.”
“Better Than Me” sets the tone for it. The song’s music video features Wonho flexing slick moves in a high-energy dance routine with others on a basketball court, perfectly capturing the summer vibe. However, the backstage story Wonho shares reveals a much more challenging process. “The weather on the shoot day was intense! The sunlight was so strong that even the light bouncing off the ground was blinding. We had to film outdoors all day with no shade at all. On top of that, there was a wind advisory — the gusts were so strong that some of the tents on set nearly took flight. There were a lot of scenes where I could barely keep my eyes open, but despite the tough conditions, I’m glad the final video turned out great.”
“I’m really looking forward to the moment I get to sing this song with my fans on stage,” Wonho expresses. The song has been a project he’s worked on his own that he believes will feel fully realized when he performs it live for his fans. “Through ‘Better Than Me,’ I hope my fans can feel more confident and love themselves even more. I think they’ll enjoy seeing me perform this song — and just thinking about that already makes me happy.”
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