Wumuti is one of the most compelling new-generation performers to emerge from the K-pop scene in recent years, an artist whose background, work ethic, and creative vision have shaped both his own artistry and the groups he leads. As the leader and producer of XLOV and a member of the project group WATERFIRE, he blends vocal prowess with hands-on songwriting and production, turning every stage into a statement of intent. If you’ve been curious about the story behind his sharp growth, this profile gathers the essentials, from early beginnings and survival shows to songwriting credits and memorable highlights.
Complete Profile of Wumuti
Before diving deeper into his career and achievements, here’s a detailed look at Wumuti’s basic profile and essential facts that define who he is as both an artist and individual.
- Name: Wumuti (Korean, 우무티, Chinese, 吾木提, Uyghur, ئۈمۈت)
- Birth Name: Wúmùtí Tǔ’ěrxùn / Umut Tursun
- Nationality/Ethnicity: Chinese (Uyghur)
- Date of Birth: July 7, 1999
- Age: 26 (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Height: 175 cm (5’9”)
- Languages: Uyghur (native), Mandarin Chinese, Korean, English
- MBTI: ENTJ
- Blood Type: B
- Positions: Leader, Lead Vocalist & Producer (XLOV), Member (WATERFIRE)
- Former Group(s): SWIN, SWIN-S (C-pop)
- Management: 257 Entertainment (XLOV), Waterfire Co., Ltd., LYNNA Entertainment (WATERFIRE)
Wumuti’s Age and Background
Born on July 7, 1999, Wumuti hails from Urumqi in China’s Xinjiang region and is ethnically Uyghur. His multicultural language fluency, Uyghur at home, Mandarin and Korean across training and promotions, plus English, has become a quiet superpower in a globalized K-pop industry. That diverse background adds color to his artistry, a natural sensitivity to melody, timbre, and rhythm, and a storyteller’s instinct for building concepts that resonate beyond borders.
Growing up, Wumuti cultivated a broad creative toolkit: he trained his vocals, honed dance and stage presence, and nurtured a hobby in drawing that later informed his eye for visual direction. These foundations later proved essential as he stepped into leadership and production roles, where clarity in vision and communication can make or break a team.
Interesting Facts About Wumuti
Wumuti isn’t just known for his powerful vocals and leadership skills, but also for his unique personality and creative hobbies. Here are some interesting facts that show different sides of his character and artistry.
- The name “Umut” means “hope” in the Uyghur language, an idea he often weaves into his personal motifs and even tattoos.
- Beyond singing, he actively produces and writes, XLOV’s debut single “I’mma Be” features his lyric credit and creative direction.
- He enjoys crafting fragrances and sketching, two hobbies that reflect his precise, detail-first personality.
- He has competed in multiple survival shows, including Super Idol (China), Under Nineteen, Boys Planet, and Build Up, earning him broad experience and resilience.
- Multilingual on and off stage, he switches comfortably between Uyghur, Mandarin, Korean, and English during schedules and fan interactions.
- He served previously in C-pop as a member of SWIN/SWIN-S, giving him an unusually early debut experience and a strong base of performance hours.
- As XLOV’s leader and producer, he takes part in shaping music direction, vocal balance, and performance styling, bridging artistry and management.
Career Journey and Early Beginnings
Wumuti’s professional path spans both Chinese and Korean music industries. He first stepped into the spotlight through Chinese survival programs and subsequently debuted in the C-pop boy group SWIN (and its sub-unit SWIN-S) in 2016, 2017. That early debut sharpened his live skills and taught him how to adapt quickly to changing team dynamics.
Ambitious for more, he later joined Korean survival shows, including Under Nineteen (2018), Boys Planet (2023), and Build Up, Vocal Boy Group Survivor (2024). Each program amplified his exposure while testing his versatility across genres and formats, from vocal-focused stages to multidimensional idol missions.
In mid-2024, Wumuti released his official solo single “You Make Me Better,” a sleek R&B-tinged track that put his voice and emotional texture front and center. The release marked a turning point, it introduced him to many international listeners who would soon follow his new team activities. Around the same period, he participated in WATERFIRE, a project boy group formed via Mnet’s Build Up series, further demonstrating his ability to lead, blend, and harmonize within different lineups.
Role and Contributions in XLOV and WATERFIRE
As XLOV’s leader and producer, Wumuti is notably hands-on. The group was introduced in late 2024 and officially debuted on January 7, 2025, with the single album “I’mma Be.” In addition to front-line performance, he contributed to the song’s lyrics and overall concept, reinforcing a signature that mixes moody R&B textures with a confident hip-hop edge. Fans and reviewers quickly noticed the track’s string-led motif, sleek chorus, and a distinct melodic hook that ties back to Wumuti’s sensibility for atmosphere.
Leadership for Wumuti isn’t just a title, it’s a daily practice. He steers rehearsals with clarity, gives arrangement notes, and often bridges communication among members when building a performance. That producer mindset helps XLOV keep coherence across music videos, styling, and live stages. It also shapes the group’s color, grounded yet experimental, with a narrative that invites fans to discover “unknown” layers of love and self-growth.
In WATERFIRE, his role was equally strategic but different in emphasis. The quartet, formed through Build Up, debuted on May 30, 2024, with the single album “Possible.” Within this project lineup, he added steady vocals and performance leadership while syncing with veteran vocalists like Sunyoul and versatile performers like Choi Suhwan and Kang Hayoon. The result was a short but memorable set of promotions that broadened his network and sharpened his live craft.
Achievements and Notable Highlights
Throughout his artistic career, Wumuti has earned recognition not only for his music but also for his leadership, creativity, and cross-cultural appeal. Here are some of his most notable achievements that highlight his journey and impact in the industry.
- Group Leadership & Creative Credits: As XLOV’s leader, Wumuti isn’t just a frontman, he’s credited on the group’s debut single, spotlighting his capacity as a songwriter and producer.
- Solo Milestone: “You Make Me Better” (June 30, 2024) introduced his solo color, smooth, earnest, and polished, strengthening his identity beyond group activities.
- Survival-Show Pedigree: From Under Nineteen and Boys Planet to Build Up, he built a reputation for persistence, technical growth, and a calm, focused stage demeanor.
- Project Synergy: His WATERFIRE promotions (2024) proved he can adapt in mixed-background lineups and still preserve a personal identity.
- Multilingual Bridge: Communicating with fans in four languages, he has organically grown an international supporter base.
- Visual & Concept Sense: A background in drawing and a penchant for detail informs his approach to concepts, seen in the cohesive feel of XLOV’s debut era.
- Rising Press & Public Attention: Post-debut, XLOV drew notable coverage and momentum, with audiences highlighting the team’s tight sonic direction and the effectiveness of their leader’s guidance.
Wumuti’s journey is a case study in steady growth, early debut experience, relentless training, smart project choices, and finally the creative authority to define a team’s sound. As XLOV’s leader and producer and as a member of WATERFIRE, he embodies the modern idol model, performer, creator, and organizer in one. If the debut era is any indication, the next chapters of Wumuti’s story will likely bring bolder writing credits, deeper vocal moments, and stages that keep expanding his reach across Asia and beyond. For fans and new listeners alike, keeping an eye on Wumuti now is the best way to say you knew where the momentum started.
