Monsta X Celebrates 10 Years While Defying Industry Trends

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A decade after their debut, Monsta X shows no signs of slowing down. The group reunited in full earlier this year following the members’ military service and, in September, released their 13th EP, The X. The project marks a fresh chapter for Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M, who continue to push into new sonic territory 10 years into their career.“We wanted to give new surprises or new shock factor,” says Kihyun of the album’s lead single “N to the Front,” which unveiled an edgier, more hip-hop-focused sound than fans might expect. The 32-year-old is sitting amongst his fellow group members at the L.A. office of THR’s parent company, with the exception of I.M, who had to skip the U.S. trip due to a back injury.The group’s bold reunion was a success, and a great opportunity for fans new and old to dive into the world of Monsta X. “I wanted to warm up the fans hearts,” Minhyuk says.The boy group’s latest single, “Baby Blue,” an English-language track released in November, is far more mellow than The X, adopting a dreamy quality both sonically and visually through its music video and promotional photos. English-language releases have become increasingly common in K-pop — hardly a new strategy — but Monsta X has been putting them out consistently for more than five years.For their last album,

The X, several members took part in the songwriting process,

a throughline across much of the group’s catalog. For Hyungwon, that creative involvement carries a deeper meaning. “A fan told me that [during] the hardest time of her life, she listened to our songs and it gave her hope,” he explains. “When I write music, I always try to put a message and incorporate something that I want to say [into it].”That hands-on approach has also played a key role in shaping how the group defines itself: “Identity is an important thing in K-pop. I think making songs is the biggest way [to make your own] identity,” Minhyuk says.The 32-year-old feels strongly that the group’s identity has remained consistent. “We tried our best not to change actually,” he says. Adds Kihyun: “I think our fans love that.”Throughout the decade that Monsta X has been active, the group has seen the K-pop landscape change rapidly, especially when it comes to interacting with their fan base. One of the biggest ways fans can communicate with their favorite performers are text-based communication apps. “There’s obviously a lot of different communication channels available now compared to before, and we’re able to share our music, as well as our personal thoughts a lot more now,” Joohoney explains. “As Hyungwon said before, there’s a very big important message factor in K-pop. Now, as we communicate with fans more closely, we can share that kind of message and share our culture and make that meaning together.”

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“I think the biggest advantage of K-pop is communication with fans,” adds Minhyuk.

As a group, Monsta X has reached a place where words aren’t even needed at times. “While living together and doing all these group activities over the years we’ve been able to learn from each other,” Shownu says.That sense of familiarity runs deep. The 33-year-old Shownu, the group’s leader, credits their closeness for why they’ve lasted as long as they have.“Especially in North America, Monsta X received a lot of love, and we are very thankful for that. But then, of course, there was COVID, and then post-COVID, we all had to go to the army,” he continues. “That break was not easy, and Monbebe [the group’s official fandom name] also had to wait for us. During that time, the members did their own personal activities, and now we’re at our 10th year together.”