Kevin Woo (born November 25, 1991), also known mononymously as Kevin, is an American singer-songwriter and television host based in New York City. He is primarily known as a former member of South Korean boy band U-KISS from 2008 until 2017, as well as a host of various programs such as After School Club.
Born and raised in California, he was discovered by South Korean entertainment agency XING Entertainment at the age of 15 and subsequently moved to South Korea. After a few months of training, Woo debuted as a member of boy group XING in 2006. After leaving the group two years later, he re-debuted as a member of U-KISS in August 2008.
In March 2017, he left U-KISS after his contract expired.KBS World. U-KISS . March 13, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2008. Following his departure from U-KISS, Woo pursued a solo career in South Korea and Japan; he debuted as a soloist with his first single "Ride Along" in October 2018.
After a few months of training, Woo debuted as a first member generation of boy group XING in December 2006. After releasing three singles with the group, Woo left the group in April 2008. Following his departure, Woo signed with NH Media and re-debuted as a member of boy group U-KISS in August 2008.
In February 2009, Woo joined Arirang TV'sArirang. Arirang. February 8, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2009. radio show Pops in Seoul as a host of segment "All About You" alongside co-host Kim Isak. In December 2009, Woo with fellow U-KISS member Alexander released a single "Finally", which was composed by Brave Brothers.
In July 2010, Woo with U-KISS members Soohyun, Kibum, Kiseop and Dongho became a part of the drama I Am Legend,Nate News. U-KISS become acting idols, 5 members to debut in drama. July 27, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2010. acting as a rock band. In August 2010, Woo with fellow members Alexander were selected as the new MCs for Arirang TV's music show The M-Wave.MSN. Alexander & Kevin chosen to be Arirang TV Music Show's MC's. August 2, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010
On January 5, 2011, Woo participated in the musical On Air Live as the lead actor. He acted in a total of 26 shows, his last stage appearance coming on February 14, 2011. On March 17, Woo with U-KISS members Eli and Alexander quit MCing for Arirang's Radio School due to the loss of U-KISS members Alexander and Kibum from the group. On October 12, Woo with U-KISS members Eli announced that they would have a collaboration with Japanese singer JAMOSA from Avex label for her single "Together". The single was released on December 7 and the trio held release events at Lazone Kawasaki Plaza (December 9), Osaka Senri Selcy (December 10) and Asunal Kanayama (December 11).oricon. JAMOSA, U-KISS First Collaboration. October 12, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013. The song "Together" was then selected as the theme song for BeeTV's sweetTV.musicman-net.com. JAMOSA+KEVIN&ELI(U-KISS), "Together" Selected as BeeTV's Theme Song. December 19, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013. In November 2011, Woo and bandmate Eli were selected as MCs for Mnet's English-language version of M Countdown, US M! Countdown.@US_MCountdown. US_Mcountdown.
In 2012, Woo and Soohyun remade UN's "Remember" for the drama Syndrome.korea.com. U-Kiss releases a beautiful ballad, "Remember" . February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
On May 1, 2014, Woo was a guest on music talk show After School Club and from episode 43, he became a co-host alongside Eric Nam, Jae Park and Park Jimin. Woo graduated from the program and left as MC on April 10, 2018, after four years as host.
On March 1, 2017, NH Media announced that Woo would officially leave U-KISS following the expiration of his contract on March 31, 2017. He decided to continue his promotion with U-KISS until mid-April.
Woo was part of the cast of the Korean adaptation of the musical Altar Boyz from February to March 2019. In July 2019, Woo was featured in British DJ duo Hollaphonic's single "Over You", which marked his first international collaboration. He debuted the song during his set at music festival KCON at its New York dates, fulfilling one of his dreams to perform at Madison Square Garden. He released his first extended play, Treasure, on July 31; it was preceded by its lead single "Freedom", which was Woo's first self-composed song. To promote the album, Woo embarked on his first solo tour, Come Alive Tour, spanning four dates in July and August 2019. Woo and former Royal Pirates bassist James Lee collaborated for the single "Falling", which was released on August 2. The duo promoted the single with a two-date concert tour in Los Angeles and San Francisco on August 24 to 25, and a music video released in November 6.
Woo joined the Live From Home livestream charity concert held on May 23, where proceeds benefitted the CDC Foundation's crisis fund for the COVID-19 pandemic. Woo temporarily rejoined U-KISS as a duo with Soohyun as part of a special throwback-themed "Guilty Pleasures" concert from SBS and its variety show MMTG in October 2020. The duo also performed "Shut Up!!" with Teen Top in a special collaboration stage. He joined the lineup of the 2nd annual Joy Ruckus Club concert, which was broadcast online on October 17 & 18.
In March 2021, it was announced that survival horror video game Dead by Daylight would feature a K-pop-themed killer called "The Trickster;" Woo was brought on as a consultant for the character's portrayal . He released his debut English single, "Got It", on June 29, through Sony Music. The song was co-produced by Shintaro Yasuda and co-written by Woo. Woo released his first NFTs with KLKTN, an NFT platform where he serves as creative director.
Woo made his Broadway theatre debut with the K-Pop inspired musical KPOP, which began previews on October 13, 2022, and opened on November 20 in New York City.
Woo resided in South Korea until 2021, the year he moved to Los Angeles, California. As of July 30, 2022, Woo currently resides in New York City. He is known to be active in social media, where he regularly posts on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
+ List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released and name of the album ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="10" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album | ||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
2025 | K-World Dream Awards | Best OST | "Soda Pop" |
2025 | KPop Demon Hunters | Mystery Saja | Singing voice |
2010 | I Am Legend | SBS | Kiss band member | Supporting |
2012 | K-POP Extreme Survival | Channel A | Himself as U-KISS member | Cameo |
2015 | About Love | Naver | Kevin | Web-drama; Main role |
Let's Eat 2 | tvN | Hye-rim's friend | Cameo |
2010 | The M-Wave | Arirang TV | Host | |
2011 | US MCountdown | Mnet | Host | |
2014–2018 | After School Club | Arirang TV | Co-host | Left to focus on music career. |
2011 | On Air Live | ||
2013 | Summer Snow | ||
2014 | On Air – Night Flight | ||
2017 | Maybe Happy Ending | Oliver | Japanese production |
2017 | Altar Boyz | ||
2019 | Altar Boyz | ||
2022 | KPOP | Jun Hyuk |
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