There’s a certain nostalgia attached to the early days of K-pop, whether it’s the first or second generation. U-KISS, part of the latter, was one of those groups that impacted many lives, stealing the hearts of fans worldwide. Though the group remained active for years, four of its ten members departed before U-KISS went on an indefinite hiatus in 2024. Among them was Kevin Woo, who chose to focus on his solo music career and acting, building his own path beyond the group. One thing is certain: Kevin has successfully transitioned into a solo career, mixing K-pop and Western influences.

But who is Kevin? He began his career in 2006 with the boy group XING before joining U-KISS in 2008. He contributed to numerous hit singles and albums during his tenure, helping the group gain international recognition. In 2013, he became part of U-KISS’ subunit uBEAT. Alongside his music career, he gained popularity as a television host, particularly on After School Club from 2014 to 2018.

Following his departure from U-KISS in 2017, Kevin pursued solo ventures in South Korea, Japan, and beyond. He debuted as a solo artist with Ride Along in 2018 and continued to expand his presence through music, theater, and collaborations. His 2019 EP Treasure included his first self-composed track, Freedom. That year, he also teamed up with British DJ duo Hollaphonic for Over You and collaborated with Royal Pirates’ James Lee on Falling.

Kevin also showed his talent through musical theater, starring in productions like Altar Boyz and the Broadway musical KPOP. In 2021, he released his first English single, Got It, under Sony Music Korea. He also consulted on the K-pop-themed video game Dead by Daylight.

Now, Kevin is preparing to release his new single, Deja Vu, on March 28, 2025. Produced by TRINITY, the R&B dance track brings that great ‘90s vibe with smooth guitar sound and rhythmic drums. Co-written by Woo, Adien Lewis, Vanessa Jefferson, and Conley Patillo, the song will definitely make you groove. His previous single, Phoenix, has already gained strong streaming numbers, expanding his fanbase across the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, and Canada.

Kevin’s career continues to rise, with his 2025 Scouting for Stars U.S. mall tour and SXSW performance further showing he has more to offer. His new partnership with Greater Than Distribution is an exciting new chapter as he expands into the international market. The official music video for Deja Vu will premiere on YouTube on release day, giving fans a visual treat alongside the song’s beautiful R&B sound.

Featured image courtesy of Ty Chen

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}