WOODZ isn’t afraid of complexity. As both a singer and songwriter, he’s built his artistry around dualities — vulnerability and strength, light and shadow, chaos and calm. With “Drowning,” a standout track from his latest release, he turns emotional turmoil into something poetic.

In this exclusive sori. interview, WOODZ (Cho Seungyoun) reflects on the creative process behind the track, his growth as an artist, and the quiet rebellion of making music that refuses to play it safe.

“It’s not about sinking — it’s about surrendering.”

sori.: ‘Drowning’ feels emotionally intense but strangely peaceful. What was the core feeling you wanted to capture?

WOODZ: The idea of drowning usually feels negative — like panic, like losing control. But I wanted to flip that. To me, Drowning is about being overwhelmed by emotion in a beautiful way. Letting yourself feel everything, even if it hurts.

sori.: So it’s about acceptance?

WOODZ: Exactly. There’s a line between pain and beauty. I think most people live on that line. I just tried to translate it into music.

“Writing this song was like writing a letter to myself.”

sori.: Can you tell us about the writing process? Was it different from your past work?

WOODZ: Very different. This one came from a very real place. I didn’t want to polish the lyrics too much. I wanted them to sound like something you’d write late at night and never show anyone. Except I decided to show everyone.

sori.: Were you scared to release something that raw?

WOODZ: Always. But that fear is part of the process. If I’m too comfortable, it means I’m not growing.

“I produced it like a slow descent — the kind where you don’t want to be saved.”

sori.: The arrangement of ‘Drowning’ feels almost cinematic — soft at first, then building into this emotional weight. Was that intentional?

WOODZ: Totally. I wanted the production to feel like a slow descent — not dramatic, but inevitable. The synths are heavy but smooth. The vocal layering is meant to feel like you’re hearing thoughts inside your head.

sori.: There’s a lot of restraint too.

WOODZ: Yes, because silence can be powerful. You don’t have to scream to be loud.

“I’m not trying to be perfect anymore — just honest.”

sori.: You’ve evolved a lot since your debut — musically and personally. What’s your mindset as an artist now?

WOODZ: I used to want every song to be perfect. But now I want them to be real. There’s beauty in imperfection, in flawed vocals, in unresolved feelings. That’s what Drowning is about too — showing the parts we usually hide.

sori.: And your fans seem to appreciate that honesty.

WOODZ: They’re the reason I can keep doing this. They give me the courage to share what I used to keep inside.

Final thoughts: “This song is for anyone who’s ever felt too much — and didn’t know what to do with it.”

sori.: If ‘Drowning’ could speak to one person out there, what would you want it to say?

WOODZ: That it’s okay to feel too much. It doesn’t make you weak — it makes you alive. Sometimes, the most beautiful thing you can do is let yourself drown… and come back stronger.