Like most people, Monsta X aren’t really feeling this year – as rapper I.M puts it, “2020 sucks”. But even though the planet now exists in a dark timeline, the K-pop group are keeping busy and released their new album, Fatal Love , on November 2. “We want to do our own thing even though we’re stuck and can’t do anything,” I.M says. “We couldn’t just wait until the situation gets well.” The group considered waiting for the pandemic to end before returning with their new release, which comes after the May release of their eighth mini-album, Fantasia X . But as the year progressed, the group decided to put their energy into crafting a new album and bring a moment of brightness to their fans, known collectively as Monbebe. “We tried to release the album as soon as possible because we thought [this] was the best way to make them happy,” said singer Kihyun. The six-member boy band’s new album, fronted by the single Love Killa , is a multifaceted, genre-blending release that reflects the aggression and passion associated with love and hatred. Multiple members of the act, including I.M, have writing credits. According to the act, the new album shows how they have evolved not only as performers but also creators since their debut in 2015. Rising stars of K-pop: meet boy band Drippin Speaking to the Post following the album’s release, the six members of Monsta X – Shownu, Joohoney (also known as Jooheon), Minhyuk, Hyungwon, Kihyun and I.M – displayed their intense dedication to their craft: the group fit a video call in between dance practice ahead of a televised performance later that day, with the members taking the call in their practice clothes. They all look exhausted, but are keen to share their thoughts. Although it encompasses a wide range of styles, Fatal Love sees Monsta X return to a familiar, bombastic and hip-hop heavy soundscape after diverging on February’s All About Love , an English album that slanted more romantic than the intense dance tracks the group are better known for. Love Killa itself, which was released through a music video that features the men channelling famous film villains, was something the group fought for: it was the third or fourth contender for a single for the album. But it won out because of what the members say is its all-round “calm” (Minhyuk), “but sexy” (I.M)” and “unique style” (Joohoney). Singer-DJ Hyungwon especially has seen a lot of love from the act’s fans on social media for taking the lead as songwriter on the smooth B-side Nobody Else . Hyungwon said the song came about after he was humming melodies with member Joohoney in the band’s apartment, and he felt it would be great to create a song that emphasised the members’ vocal prowess. “Earlier this year, we released All About Love , our first English album, and I thought all of our members did really well with that style so I wanted to make a pop R&B style and that song came out,” says Hyungwon. The new album – Monsta X’s third full-length Korean one but seventh overall along with Japanese and English releases – takes the mature, R&B vocalising displayed on the English album ( Sorry I’m Not Sorry , Night View ) and blends it with the kinetic energy ( Beastmode, Thriller ) more commonly heard on the group’s Korean albums, putting their ever-developing artistry front and centre to create what some on social media have been suggesting may be their best release yet. It’s OK. We’re moving forward. We don’t want to get stuck in the past. We just want to move forward Monsta X’s I.M on Wonho no longer being in the boy band “We think it suits Monsta X not to set any rules,” Minhyuk says when talking about the act’s proclivity for combining musical styles to create their very own distinct, yet fluid, musical style, an artistic choice common among K-pop artists. For Monsta X, their eyes are always on improving. “When people are complimenting us, we don’t want to get satisfied as artists,” says I.M. “Every time we release a new song or album, we learn from our fans’ reactions. We want to promote more and develop ourselves as artists. I think [artists] can be proud of themselves. But that’s not a good attitude for me.” “We just want to break the limits over and over again so we can develop ourselves,” explains Minhyuk. “Kind of like how you personally buy clothes. You can wear black clothes every day but sometimes you get sick of that. You just want to wear plaid T-shirts … whatever that is, you just want to change yourself sometimes. We just wanted to change different concepts and make each song on the album like that.” With I.M repeatedly saying how much 2020 “sucks”, it’s clear that Monsta X aren’t thrilled with how the year has turned out. The year arrived after 2019 witnessed former member Wonho leaving the group amid a cloud of scandal that has since cleared – he is now releasing his own music as a soloist under a subsidiary of Monsta X’s label, Starship Entertainment. (When asked about how they feel about parting ways with their former bandmate, I.M says: “It’s OK. We’re moving forward. We don’t want to get stuck in the past. We just want to move forward.”) Then, with the arrival of the pandemic, Monsta X had to cancel their world tour that would have started in May – now, a planned 2021 tour is becoming less likely every day. “The situation cannot be always good,” I.M says before as Kihyun jumps in: “But it’s too bad now.” “But I think we need to move forward, whatever that is,” declares I.M. Despite the lack of live shows, Monsta X are in a good position to keep active in a year that has seen many musicians struggling: the K-pop industry has been quick to adjust to the new normal, and releases are dropping regularly. Album sales have increased tenfold this year in comparison to past years and online concerts and fan events are now common. “I’m just happy that a singer can continue to release an album,” admits Minhyuk. A final message before signing off now that they’ve returned with a new album? “Be safe right now,” implores Joohoney.