K-pop powerhouse WOODZ (Cho Seung-youn) made a triumphant return to the Philippines, blending his signature pop-rock intensity with a sentimental local touch during the Manila leg of his “Archive. 1” world tour.
Performing at the New Frontier Theater on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the 29-year-old artist surprised the crowd with a laidback, pitch-perfect cover of Lola Amour’s viral hit, “Raining in Manila.”
Fans praised his clear Tagalog pronunciation—a skill rooted in his history of living in the Philippines during his teenage years for his studies.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE “ARCHIVE. 1” TOUR
The concert served as a showcase for his first full-length album, Archive. 1, which was released in March 2026 following his military discharge in July 2025.
- High Energy: Beyond the ballad, WOODZ ignited the theater with high-octane performances of his newer tracks, including “Human Extinction” and “Who Knows.” He even took to social media to express his awe of the local crowd, captioning a video with, “Grabe ang energy!”
- A Familiar Stage: This marked his first solo concert in the country since his “OO-LI” tour stop at the same venue in June 2023.
- The “Drowning” Effect: The setlist prominently featured his 2023 mega-hit “Drowning,” which famously “reverse-charted” in Korea while he was serving in the army band.
AN EVOLVING CAREER
Born Cho Seung-youn, the artist has navigated one of the most resilient paths in K-pop. From his 2014 debut in the South Korean-Chinese group UNIQ to finishing fifth on Produce X 101 and debuting with X1, WOODZ has successfully transitioned into a premier soloist and producer.
The “Archive. 1” tour is set to continue across Asia, Europe, and Australia, marking his busiest year since his return to civilian life.