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MONSTA X – THE X – Forbes Exclusive<\/p>\n
Starship Entertainment<\/p>\n
It seems like only yesterday when K-pop powerhouse MONSTA X first debuted.<\/p>\n
On May 14, 2015, MONSTA X did their debut showcase at the Lotte Art Center in Seoul, performing their single, \u201cTrespass.\u201d The young men were in their early 20s, except the youngest member, I.M,<\/a> who was 19 at the time. As rookies, they began performing at festivals, conventions, and concerts, forming a connection with their fans, who were given the name, Monbebe.<\/p>\n Fast forward 10 years, the group \u2013 comprised of members Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M \u2013 have become icons in the Korean music industry. Since their debut, they have been nominated for and won numerous music awards, both domestically and internationally, including the MTV Video Music Awards, MAMA Awards, Asian Artist Awards, and the Seoul Music Awards. They were also one of the first K-pop artists to release \u2013 not one, but two \u2013 all-English albums. One of which, All About Luv, ranked No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard 200 Chart. Continuing their music influence on Western media, they performed on Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Teen Choice Awards, iHeartRadio\u2019s Jingle Ball, and KCON Los Angeles, and collaborated with popular artists like Steve Aoki, French Montana, and Sebasti\u00e1n Yatra. They also appeared as themselves<\/a> on the popular Cartoon Network animated series, We Bare Bears. <\/p>\n As one of the most prolific K-pop artists<\/a> in the industry, MONSTA X became an inspiration for many trainees and newer K-pop acts, including the fictional boy band, The Saja Boys<\/a>. Though when you talk to them about their many accolades and sing their praises, they are genuinely taken aback, humbly crediting their fans for all of their success.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn\u2019t do it alone,\u201d says Kihyun. \u201cThe only way we were able to do [all of this] was through our fans\u2019 love.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, a fan\u2019s love can only take a group so far.<\/p>\n MONSTA X has earned its place in the music business through their talent and hard work, having produced nine studio albums (in Korean, Japanese, and English) and twelve EPs (mini-albums), achieving multi-platinum status in South Korea. Throughout their career, they\u2019ve continuously challenged themselves on languages and genres \u2013 experimenting with EDM, Latin music, R&B, pop, and future bass.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile keeping MONSTA X\u2019s unique color and style, we put a lot of effort into exploring different genres and sounds,\u201d says I.M, who has written and produced a lot of their songs (alongside Joohoney and Hyungwon).<\/p>\n MONSTA X – THE X<\/p>\n Starship Entertainment<\/p>\n Their latest EP, THE X, was released today, featuring new songs produced and co-written by all six members, after nearly four years. The title of the album is in reference to both the group\u2019s name and the Roman numeral for the number 10, representing their decade-long career.<\/p>\n \u201cTHE X means 10 in Roman numerals,\u201d Joohoney says proudly. \u201c[It\u2019s our] 10th anniversary \u2013 so 10!\u201d<\/p>\n Although the members say they still feel like rookies<\/a>, they\u2019ve grown significantly over the past decade as individuals and artists. They\u2019ve faced numerous challenges, including group dynamics, mandatory military service, and temporary health hiatuses among some members, but have survived and thrived through it all.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I feel alive [again],\u201d Minhyuk says. \u201cWhen I was in the military service, it was the longest time of my life. It\u2019s done 1756799588. It\u2019s time to show [the world] our group [again].\u201d<\/p>\n With THE X, MONSTA X welcomes a new era and a fresh, dominating sound, drawing on their life experiences from the past decade \u2013 from their 20s into their 30s. It represents how far they\u2019ve come and evolved in their careers.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring the recording, all the members were still very good, [despite] having some time apart,\u201d says Kihyun. \u201cTheir skills even improved after all of this time. Maybe because of our personal growth throughout this time. We could really hear that experience [in the music] that comes with an experienced group like us after 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n Joohoney adds, \u201cWe have a lot of range in [our] music. THE X is [showing that] we can do everything: vocalists are rapping and rappers are singing. We can do everything. We have confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n They even mention that the types of songs they\u2019re singing for this album are different than what fans are used to hearing. Minhyuk says, \u201cBefore, our songs [were] about love, but this album is really about ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Their pre-release single \u201cDo What I Want,\u201d which dropped last month, showcases this strong confidence and \u201cbadass\u201d energy, with their signature sexy style. The catchy song features funkadelic basslines, pulsating drums, and their sharp vocals and rap flow. The song\u2019s concept reflects the group\u2019s self-assurance in their identity, telling the world, \u201cWe know who we are, and we will do what we want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhile keeping MONSTA X\u2019s unique color and style, we put a lot of effort into exploring different genres and sounds,\u201d says I.M. \u201cEven with the pre-release track, we wanted to showcase our identity along with a fresh sound and visual\/concept.\u201d<\/p>\n Hyungwon isn\u2019t shy to express how hard they\u2019ve worked on this album, especially with trying out new genres. He reveals, \u201cI think preparing for this album, each of the members\u2019 abilities is so good. [They] go f*cking hard.\u201d<\/p>\n The members explode with laughter after Hyungwon\u2019s use of profanity. They continue to bicker and laugh with each other over their answers jokingly. At one point, when asked what languages they\u2019d like to try out after having Korean, Japanese, and English albums, they begin to discuss among themselves over which language is harder to learn: French or Spanish.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, if we have the time or chances to make an album in another language, it\u2019s Spanish,\u201d says Kihyun.<\/p>\n Joohoney agrees. Both Hyungwon and I.M chose French. Kihyun tells them French is too hard, leading Minhyuk to question, \u201cSpanish isn\u2019t hard?\u201d<\/p>\n