Wanna One Reunites After 6 Years: Members Achieve Success in Acting and Music

The popular K-pop group Wanna One is set to make a full comeback after six years, with members like Park Ji-hoon and Kim Jae-hwan achieving significant milestones in acting and music during their hiatus.

Wanna One's reality show, Mnet's 'Wanna One Go,' is scheduled to air this April, marking their first full group activity since their 2021 'MAMA AWARDS' performance. Fans are eagerly anticipating the reunion, especially as members have been sharing exciting news.

Park Ji-hoon, known for his charming looks and masculine voice during the group's active years, has become a '10 million actor' with his debut film. 'The Man Who Lives with the King,' in which he stars, became the 34th film in history to surpass 10 million viewers on March 6, and by March 30, it had attracted 15.67 million viewers, ranking as the third highest-grossing film behind 'Extreme Job' (16.26 million). Park Ji-hoon, who plays the lead role of Danjong, is affectionately called 'Danjong Oppa' by fans.

In addition to his acting career, Park Ji-hoon is set to delight fans with his return to music. He will release his first single album 'RE:FLECT' on April 29, marking his comeback after approximately three years since his 2023 mini-album 'Blank or Black.'

Kim Jae-hwan, who was the main vocalist of Wanna One and known for his high notes, also announced his comeback in April. According to Ten Asia, Kim Jae-hwan will release a solo album, his first since completing his military service in December. This marks his return to music after two years since his mini-album 'I Adore' in May 2024. His comeback is expected to coincide with the airing of 'Wanna One Go,' drawing significant public attention.

During Wanna One's active years from 2017 to 2019, Kim Jae-hwan was known for his powerful vocals, particularly in the chorus and high notes of their songs. Notably, he hit an E5 note in the song 'Fireworks' from their final album '1¹¹=1 (POWER OF DESTINY),' a feat that even female vocalists find challenging. Fellow member Ha Sung-woon, who composed the song, suggested using falsetto, but Kim Jae-hwan insisted on using his full voice, adding to the song's impact.

Yoon Ji-sung, who pursued a solo career after the group's disbandment, gained attention as the lead actor in the BL drama 'Thunderstorm and Rain,' exclusively released on Wavve in December. The drama helped him build a global fanbase, leading to a fan meeting in China with co-star Jung Ri-woo in January. The drama topped weekly charts on Japan's Rakuten TV for three consecutive weeks and also ranked first on iQIYI in North America and Europe, as well as platforms in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

Ha Sung-woon has been active in both broadcasting and the music industry. Known as a rising 'OST powerhouse,' he has contributed to several drama soundtracks, including tvN's 'Seocho-dong,' 'Run Away with Seon-jae,' and 'Our Blues.' Recently, he participated in the OST for KBS2's historical romance 'Beloved Bandit,' starring Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min. On March 21, he appeared on KBS 2TV's 'Immortal Songs' for a special tribute to the late Kim Kwang-seok, performing 'Too Painful a Love Was Not Love,' capturing the audience's attention.

'Wanna One Go' is being produced to celebrate the group's 10th anniversary, bringing together all members except Kang Daniel, who is serving in the military, and Lai Kuan-lin, who is currently in China. This program is a gift to fans who have waited six years for their return. During this time, the members have grown both individually and collectively, ensuring fans' patience was worthwhile. This full-group activity also presents a significant opportunity for those who have not achieved major solo success.

Min-kyung Lee, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr