Woochan: "Child rap prodigy" to ALLDAY PROJECT member, a new breeze of Kpop

Jo Woo-chan, known by his stage name Woochan, is one of the most prominent young talents in modern Kpop. Born on January 20, 2005 in Seoul, South Korea, Woochan showed his musical talent early on.

Making waves with the nickname "Lil Dok2" at Show Me The Money

Woochan's first big break came in 2017, when he participated in the hit rap show Show Me The Money Season 6 (SMTM6). At the age of 12 (Korean age), Woochan was not only the youngest contestant in the show's history, but also surprisingly made it all the way to the semi-finals. This was an unprecedented achievement for a contestant of his age, and helped him quickly become a phenomenon.

With his solid rapping skills, good musical sense and confident stage presence, Woochan has attracted the attention of both audiences and professionals. The nickname "Lil Dok2" (Dok2 kid version) was given by fans as a tacit recognition of his natural talent and unique rap style. After SMTM6, Woochan did not choose the underground rapper path but experimented with many other directions in the entertainment industry.

First steps on the path of professional art

In 2018, Woochan participated in the hip-hop school project OG SCHOOL PROJECT, a collaboration between Cube Entertainment and Starship Entertainment. Together with two other young artists, Park Hyun Jin and Achillo, he released the song "OGZ" produced by the famous producer duo GroovyRoom. This project helped Woochan continue to hone his skills and get used to a professional working environment.

In 2019, Woochan released his first solo single, "ID Schoolboy Pt.1". This product marked his musical maturity, clearly demonstrating his ability to write lyrics and perform independently. The trap style combined with singing rap began to be shaped by Woochan from here.

Another big turning point in his career was when he joined Trainee A , a special trainee lineup of Big Hit Music (BTS's management company). Although he had the chance to debut in a promising boy band, the project was canceled in December 2022 due to internal issues, including the departure of a key member due to a scandal. This event put an abrupt stop to Woochan's debut plans, but it did not discourage him.

Unexpected events and the departure of Tarzzan

Not letting his career be interrupted for too long, Woochan joined THE BLACK LABEL , a subsidiary of YG Entertainment, known for its unique musical style and personalized artist orientation. This is where many talents gather such as Taeyang (BIGBANG), Rosé, Jeon Somi and Zion.T.

In 2025, Woochan officially debuted as a rapper in ALLDAY PROJECT , the first co-ed group under THE BLACK LABEL. The group consists of 5 members: Annie, Bailey, Tarzzan, Youngseo, and Woochan, representing the versatile Gen Z generation of artists who are not constrained by the traditional mold of Kpop.

However, less than a month after their debut, the group faced a major incident. On July 28, THE BLACK LABEL officially announced the removal of member Tarzzan from the group. The reason given was that Tarzzan had repeatedly engaged in "cultural appropriation and inappropriate statements", culminating in the incident of using the "N-word" during a meeting.

Despite receiving support from a portion of Korean fans, the wave of criticism from the international fan community was so great that the company had to make this decision. This incident was not only a shock to fans but also a valuable lesson for rookies about being careful in their speech and behavior, especially in the context of globalization.

The Vision of a New Generation All-Around Artist

Woochan has never hesitated to express his personal musical identity in each stage of his development. From SMTM6's classic boom bap style to his modern trap products, he has always maintained a receptive attitude, is serious about his career, and strives to shape his "own style".

Woochan's rap voice is said to be clear, decisive, and able to change flexibly according to each beat. His singing-rap ability also helps him stand out in an era where the line between rapper and vocalist is increasingly blurred.

In addition to his musical talent, Woochan also scores points thanks to his bright visuals, unique fashion style, and stage presence - factors that make him expected to become a well-rounded face of the new generation of Kpop music.

Woochan's journey is a living testament to perseverance, the spirit of learning and the desire to assert oneself in the increasingly competitive Kpop music industry. With his inherent potential and the quality artistic environment at THE BLACK LABEL, Woochan is expected to continue to develop strongly not only as a rapper but also as an all-round artist, contributing to the diversity and creativity of the new generation of Kpop.

Joining THE BLACK LABEL, a company known for its creative freedom for artists, has opened a new and promising chapter for Woochan. Here, he can explore and develop himself without being constrained by the traditional frameworks of large entertainment companies. This is also an opportunity for Woochan to learn from previous artists who have affirmed their names and unique musical personalities.

With the combination of experience from SMTM, Trainee A and his natural talent, Woochan promises to become a new "force" of Kpop, bringing quality and unique products. His success is not only a personal story but also a sign of positive change in the Korean music industry, where young talents are given the opportunity to shine in their own way.

Woochan's journey shows a clear reality in Kpop: talent is a prerequisite, but perseverance and adaptability are the keys to survival. From a 12-year-old boy who showed a strong personality on stage, Woochan has experienced many ups and downs, from hope to failure, from being a "chicken" of Big Hit Music to finding a place at THE BLACK LABEL.

Each journey is a valuable lesson, helping the male idol to mature in both skills and artistic thinking. The Kpop fan community is looking forward to Woochan's next projects, believing that with the support of a talented production team and a creative environment like THE BLACK LABEL, he will soon break through and become one of the leading faces of the new generation.

ALLDAY PROJECT encountered the scariest thing in Kpop, stemming from the noise of 1 member Tuyết Ngọc07:25:32 06/08/2025The arrival of rookie group ALLDAY PROJECT at KCON 2025 in Los Angeles is becoming a hot topic, but not in the way that any artist expected.