CHA EUN-WOO has released his second mini album ELSE, marking his first music project in nearly two years. Out now via Fantagio and Kakao Entertainment, the four-track project arrives alongside the music video for the focus track “SATURDAY PREACHER” and signals a clear step forward in the ASTRO member’s solo identity.

ELSE revolves around the idea of exploring what lies beyond the familiar frameworks that have long shaped Eun-woo’s public persona. If his first solo album ENTITY was a reflective search inward, ELSE pushes outward, leaning into instinct, emotion, and a more unfiltered sense of artistic freedom. The record is structured around two contrasting emotional directions – one driven by raw, immediate energy, the other shaped by a more delicate sensitivity – creating a tension that anchors the project.

The mini album opens with “Sweet Papaya”, a pop-funk track built on breezy guitar riffs and playful, tropical imagery. “SATURDAY PREACHER” shifts into retro disco, blending nostalgic synths with a pulsing groove and Eun-woo’s falsetto-heavy hook. “Selfish” introduces a more cinematic pop palette, fusing trap beats with soft rock warmth, while the closing track “Thinkin’ Bout U” settles into a mellow, emotive ballad that highlights his clarity as a vocalist.

Since debuting with ASTRO in 2016, Eun-woo has become one of Korea’s most recognisable multi-hyphenate stars, active across music, film, and television. His work in hit series such as “True Beauty”, “Island”, “A Good Day to Be a Dog”, and “Wonderful World” has solidified his status as a leading actor, while his solo music continues to expand his global reach. With ELSE, he returns to the music landscape with a concise but intentional body of work, signalling a more defined direction for his future releases.