This week’s “Bias Duality” article is dedicated to an idol, actor, poet, philosopher, and friend who represents the truest meaning of the term “Artist For The People”: SF9’s RoWoon. With 10,489 votes from fans all over the world, RoWoon is one of the most highly anticipated idols to appear on this series. To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next “Bias Duality” article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time! Now, onto our bias!
When SeokWoo Met RoWoon
Living up to the meaning of his real name Kim SeokWoo, RoWoon has made this world a sweeter place for millions just by virtue of his existence. There are as many reasons to love this man as there are people who do, but his journey to world domination has definitely not been as effortless as he makes it look. It took 6 years of hard work and endless perseverance for SeokWoo to polish the diamond that is RoWoon and present him to the world in all his glory. The result was a tryst with artistry at its finest and an amalgamation of the best of both worlds.
The RoWoon we see on stage is a majestic performer who shines his brightest for FANTASY, his north star. He is bold, fearless, and deeply inspirational, both as an artist and an individual. The resounding baritone he possesses is complemented by extraordinarily stable vocals, even in the midst of choreography. There’s a deep sensibility to RoWoon’s voice that gives life to the emotions he sings of, bringing out their significance in full colour. When RoWoon sings, you don’t just listen; you experience.
As a dancer, RoWoon’s stage presence and expressiveness are simply unparalleled, even when he admittedly has to move a beat faster than the rest of the members because of his towering physique. The conviction and fluidity of his movements tell a story of their own, charming viewers into a trance of pleasure. While it is unfortunate that his back pain limits his scope for dancing, RoWoon knows exactly how to command the stage nonetheless.
In one moment, RoWoon has us swooning over his adorable smile, and in the next, we’re holding our breath at his magnetic appeal. We just can’t get enough of the enigma that is RoWoon’s duality.
That’s not all! RoWoon is also one of the most celebrated idol actors of all time. Building on his natural talent for the craft, RoWoon debuted in the television industry with “School 2017”, instantly drawing attention to his skills. In the next year, he took on more challenging supporting roles in dramas such as “About Time” and “Where Stars Land” before bagging his first major leading role in “Extraordinary You”. What truly impressed viewers, especially those who were being introduced to RoWoon for the first time, was how seamlessly he manifested the layers of complexity behind HaRu. With the drama being adapted from an immensely popular webtoon, the expectations levied on RoWoon were sky-high. Needless to say, he far exceeded the same, etching an indelible place for himself in the hearts of viewers and critics alike. That year, RoWoon won the MBC Drama Award for the “Best New Actor”, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.
As for fans, RoWoon’s impeccable acting as the reticent and mysterious HaRu took on a whole new dimension of meaning in light of the sheer contrast they found between RoWoon’s real personality and the character he was playing. However, this isn’t particularly surprising, considering that this duality translates just as magically on stage when RoWoon stands tall as the lead vocalist, visual and center of SF9. Following the overwhelming success of “Extraordinary You”, there was no looking back for actor RoWoon. He quickly rose to stardom, becoming one of the most sought-after rising stars in the industry. In 2021, he led the romance drama “She Would Never Know”, also adapted from a webtoon and web novel of the same name, followed by a webtoon-based historical K-Drama, “The King’s Affection”, which steadily maintained its position among the top 10 most-watched TV shows on Netflix at the time and is currently appearing in yet another webtoon adaptation, “Tomorrow”, cementing his position as the manhwa protagonist of our dreams.
Within such a short time, RoWoon has already showcased outstanding versatility through genres such as romantic comedy, melodrama, action, thriller, fantasy, and slice of life but what is fascinating is that he is only getting started! In his myriad characters, viewers find solace and identity, even if it is momentary, and that alone speaks volumes of the power of expression RoWoon holds. The love he receives as an actor is testimony to a lifetime of diligence that created RoWoon, an icon the world adores.
Duality Behind The Scenes
With an understanding of RoWoon’s artistic persona, it becomes even easier to analyse his duality. As previously highlighted, RoWoon has a dignified grace on stage/screen that is unshakeable, to say the least. The respect and discipline with which he treats his art give us a glimpse into how meaningful it is to him. RoWoon is truly a man of many faces, with each one just as endearing as the next.
In real life, RoWoon is the very definition of a gentle sweetheart. Despite what his well-built stature might suggest, he is as delicate as a flower with a heart of gold. He is fiercely protective of his loved ones but is deathly afraid of little bugs. Our beloved tiny RoWoon makes our hearts skip a beat with his cuteness, as does his fatal allure on stage. The boundless aegyo RoWoon takes pride in is just as captivating as his sensuality, and that binary is inarguably one of his greatest strengths.
RoWoon is effusive in his appreciation of fans and cannot help but pour out his heart to them during interactions. FANTASY have often shared their accounts of fan sign events where RoWoon took the lead in the conversation, just so his fans would feel more comfortable around him. Besides, his ever-growing collection of Dad jokes will never get old!
In contrast to RoWoon’s unique sense of humour, his multifaceted personality also holds space for literary discourse. RoWoon enjoys writing poetry and is an avid reader of books on philosophy, psychology, and questions of life. He often finds himself pondering on matters of universal relevance, such as the ideas of freedom, the meaning of existence, contentment, perfection, and so on. Through reading, he aims to know and understand his own self better so as to expand his horizons. His theory on the violence of numbers is a concept that he continues to adhere to, reinstating time and time again that statistics of sales, viewership ratings, and so on are futile yet burdensome. What truly matters is the message he conveys through his art, and that is exactly what he focuses his energy on. The line RoWoon draws between his true self and his stage self further becomes clear from his preferences. A confident rockstar on the one hand and a bright young man on the other, RoWoon does not hesitate to set clear boundaries. Not only is this an ideal response to showbiz, but it also sets a healthy precedent for artists who struggle to do the same for their own well-being. While it is a visual treat to see RoWoon sport cropped costumes, it is also a commonly known fact that he isn’t a fan of exposing garments. At the same time, despite this personal preference, RoWoon does not rule out drama scenes that require him to show a little skin. After all, that’s what the role demands! RoWoon’s professionalism is perfected to such a degree that these identities coexist with ease. A perfect example of this duality is RoWoon’s stage fashion in comparison to his personal sense of style - both of which he pulls off with immeasurable charisma. In his role as a member of SF9, RoWoon is sincerely attentive to his members and their needs, both emotional and otherwise. The nurturing selflessness and maturity he brings to the table are irreplaceable but that doesn’t stop him from being childishly playful at the same time. We can never forget the time RoWoon used a blow dryer to cool down Chani’s food and on a different occasion, sulked at the latter forgetting his birthday.
The level of comfortability and openness RoWoon shares with his members is truly a relationship worth cherishing. Putting them first is second nature to RoWoon, both in a literal sense and otherwise.
When it comes to acting, despite being flawless in his delivery of some of the most heart-fluttering dialogues in the history of romance K-Dramas, the very same lines make him blush off-screen. No matter how cool or tough he looks in character, out of it, he reverts to baby mode, keen on taking care of every single person working with him.
He brings vigour and levity to the set, lifting the team’s spirits up high, and creating an enjoyable working environment for everyone involved. It isn’t surprising therefore that he is highly praised by fellow co-actors, directors, and staff members alike for his considerate and kind disposition.
He is even famous for his “manner legs” whereby he lowers himself to accommodate his makeup artists so they can do their job comfortably. RoWoon is a real-life Prince Charming with a million people wishing they were in a fairy tale.
In the ceaselessly fast-paced world we live in, RoWoon reminds us to take a pause and savour life before it passes us by. He is a shoulder to lean on during difficult times and a much-needed respite from the noise of society. He inspires us to pursue happiness unapologetically, and find ourselves in the grand scheme of things. This is not just an idol or a celebrity, RoWoon is a healing wind of change that calls to our own duality, encouraging us to embrace the same. At the end of the day, that is what makes us unique. What is your favourite thing about RoWoon’s duality? Tell us in the comments section down below! If you’re looking for more RoWoon and SF9 content on Kpopmap, here are some articles you might enjoy!
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