CHA EUN-WOO Drops Second Mini Album 'ELSE,' A Sharper Snapshot of His Solo Identity
CHA EUN-WOO has officially added a new chapter to his solo work with ELSE, a four-track mini album that dropped on November 20 via Fantagio and Kakao Entertainment. It’s also his first solo release in almost two years, arriving mid-enlistment and offering a snapshot of where his sound and perspective have shifted while he’s been away from the spotlight. And if his previous work (ENTITY) was him turning inward and taking stock, ELSE feels more outward-facing.
The concept this time is simple: try something a little different. The songs ultimately live up to that mission by leaning into sharper genre shifts, a looser delivery, and lyrics that come across more direct. Even as a shorter project, it carefully nudges his solo work forward, especially for anyone who still mainly thinks of him as ASTRO’s center or a drama lead.
Photo Credit: FantagioThe mini specifically caters to two distinct moods—tracks that move on instinct and energy, and others that feel smaller and more finely drawn. Instead of sounding divided, ELSE lets that push-and-pull run through the whole record, with his clean, recognizable tone holding it together.
For starters, “Sweet Papaya” kicks things off with a smooth pop-funk kick, all bright guitar work and an easy, sunlit groove. It’s light on its feet without feeling throwaway, and his softer upper range gives the song a relaxed, almost offhand charm that fits him well.
The focus track “SATURDAY PREACHER” then pushes harder into retro disco-pop, driven by an addictive bassline and vintage-leaning synths. It’s the quickest to stick, built around a hook that begs for replay and falsetto moments that make his growth as a solo vocalist feel obvious. The song also leans into that Saturday-night fantasy of being drawn in by someone magnetic, but the arrangement keeps enough control that it never tips into excess.
“Selfish” tilts the project into more dramatic territory. Trap percussion and soft-rock textures sit side by side, giving it a sweep that would fit comfortably on a drama soundtrack while still working as a pop cut on its own. The lyrics hover around the urge to keep someone close, even a bit too close, and he plays up the gentleness of that feeling instead of pushing for big, anguished peaks.
“Thinkin’ Bout U” closes things out in ballad mode, a lane that’s already familiar for him, but the warmth of the production and his closer, more conversational delivery keep it from feeling like a box-tick. It’s an understated finish that reinforces how much of ELSE is about opening a door for listeners rather than tearing everything down and starting over.
On the visual side, this chapter is just starting to unfold. The “SATURDAY PREACHER” music video is already out, featuring this revamped version of CHA EUN-WOO, and the “Sweet Papaya” clip follows on November 28 at 3:30 p.m. KST (November 27 at 10:30 p.m. PST).
Even with his full return still a way off, ELSE feels like a smart way to keep the connection going, and a small preview of where he might take his music once he’s back for real.
