More and more with K-pop, we’re seeing a rift form between acts who primarily target Asian markets and those making a bigger push toward Western audiences. Ideally, artists would simply release great music that appeals to everyone, but it’s not uncommon for a performer to release English-language material and tour it extensively in the States. Such is the case with Wonho, whose full-length English-language album is out now.
After several pre-releases, If You Wanna acts as the album’s lead single. It’s everything you would expect from a solo male K-pop artist in 2025, which is to say it borrows heavily from early-2000s hip-hop beats and features a mix of crooning and sing-talk. In general, this is a sound that appeals to me, but in such an overstuffed market you end up hearing so many songs that sound exactly like this. After awhile, they tend to blend together. Nothing about If You Wanna makes it stand apart from its peers, but on the whole it’s an above average version of this style.
Much of this is due to Wonho’s satisfying croon. If You Wanna‘s vocal moments (especially the pre-chorus) work very well and compliment the bouncy beat. However, even the song’s spoken hook rides the groove convincingly. I’m beyond tired of spoken-word choruses, but at least this one has some natural rhythm in its phrasing. I don’t know that I’ll remember If You Wanna in a month’s time, yet in the moment it’s got my head nodding and that’s enough to make it a small standout.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
