https://www.scmp.com/rss/503769/feed Monsta X are a South Korean boy group formed through a reality TV survival programme and comprise members Shownu, Minhyuk, Kuhyun, Hyongwon, Joohoney and I.M. The band have conducted several world tours and have survived the departure of original member Wonho. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The recent resignation of K-pop idol Hong Seunghan from Riize, a rising boy band under SM Entertainment, has sparked a fierce battle within the fandom, with many South Korean fans viewing his past behaviour as unacceptable while international supporters argue he is being unfairly punished and bullied. The 21-year-old officially announced his departure from the group on Sunday, just two days after his return from an 11-month hiatus, due to intense backlash both online and in the real world, with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3282482/k-pop-fans-clash-over-seunghans-resignation-riize-cancel-culture-or-accountability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3282482/k-pop-fans-clash-over-seunghans-resignation-riize-cancel-culture-or-accountability?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:41:27 +0000 By Lee Gyu-lee K-pop group Monsta X has debuted a new subunit for the first time in the group’s eight-year career, featuring two of the group’s six members: Shownu and Hyungwon. “This time has been meaningful for us as it’s the first unit from Monsta X,” Hyungwon says. “Although it’s not a group act, we were excited to showcase the unit because we felt we can show a new type of performance.” Called Shownu X Hyungwon, the unit released its first album, The Unseen, on Tuesday. It comprises five... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3228946/k-pop-boy-group-monsta-x-debut-first-ever-subunit-shownu-x-hyungwon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3228946/k-pop-boy-group-monsta-x-debut-first-ever-subunit-shownu-x-hyungwon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jul 2023 10:15:15 +0000 Monsta X’s music label Starship Entertainment has revealed, after months of rumours, future plans for the K-pop boy band. Monsta X were formed as a seven-member group through a televised competition show in 2014. They will continue to make music in their current six-member line-up – one member left in 2019. The label announced this week on the group’s official website: “Starship Entertainment recently renewed contracts with five of our agency artist Monsta X’s members Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3188267/monsta-x-begin-work-new-music-after-contract-talks-im-quitting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3188267/monsta-x-begin-work-new-music-after-contract-talks-im-quitting?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Aug 2022 01:45:11 +0000 Nostalgia for the music of a decade ago is dominating South Korea in 2021, with artist reunions and remakes of older hits. While the third and fourth generation of K-pop stars are doing well internationally with sizeable global audiences, artists from K-pop’s second generation have been recently seeing a lot of love in South Korea’s entertainment industry, going back to the late 2000s and the early to mid-2010s as the industry and audiences alike enjoy the throwbacks. Popular YouTube channel... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3137852/second-generation-k-pop-renaissance-what-you-need-know-about?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3137852/second-generation-k-pop-renaissance-what-you-need-know-about?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:15:00 +0000 Every year brings new K-pop hits, and albums, and so far South Korea’s idol scene has stayed strong in 2021, with many popular names releasing new albums that explore their artistry and viewpoints and make for all-around engaging listening experiences. Ranging from comeback albums to musical autobiographies, here are 10 of the best K-pop albums of 2021 so far. I Burn by (G)I-dle (January 11) Short and sweet, not even 20 minutes long, (G)I-dle’s “I Burn” is an intense, impassioned show of the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3137616/best-k-pop-albums-2021-so-far-twice-exo-tomorrow-x-together-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3137616/best-k-pop-albums-2021-so-far-twice-exo-tomorrow-x-together-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:15:00 +0000 As the year moves on, so does the K-pop industry. This month, many of its biggest names will have major releases that are sure to heat up the summer. B.I – Waterfall LP (June 1) The soloist, formerly of boy band iKon, kicks the month off with his highly awaited first studio album, Waterfall, which features 12 tracks, including the single illa illa. He shared a performance film featuring the song Waterfall in mid-May, giving a first taste of the album. Monsta X – One of a Kind EP (June 1) The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3135573/new-k-pop-releases-june-2021-twice-seventeen-exo-nct-127?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3135573/new-k-pop-releases-june-2021-twice-seventeen-exo-nct-127?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jun 2021 14:15:07 +0000 It’s been more than five years since rapper I.M debuted as a member of K-pop boy band Monsta X, and now he’s sharing new sides of himself on his first solo album, “Duality”.  Released on February 19, the five-track album is just under 15 minutes long, but there is depth in the brevity.  On the cover, there’s a single parenthesis surrounded by colons - :): – with the imagery of the dual smile/sad face reflecting the rapper’s world view. He has a matching tattoo on his wrist. “I think ‘Duality’ is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3124222/im-very-complicated-im-monsta-x-let-his-emotions-flow-creation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3124222/im-very-complicated-im-monsta-x-let-his-emotions-flow-creation?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Mar 2021 04:15:17 +0000 South Korean music company Starship Entertainment issued an apology today on behalf of Monsta X member I.M after the star was accused of cultural insensitivity for wearing a shirt featuring Arabic calligraphy featuring the name of Allah.  Shared on the band’s official fan cafe – a fan-oriented blogging style popular among celebrities in South Korea – the company apologised and stated that it, “should have taken further measures to ensure there were no religious implications in the concept photos... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3121777/monsta-xs-im-apologises-wearing-allahs-name-promo-images-solo-album?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/article/3121777/monsta-xs-im-apologises-wearing-allahs-name-promo-images-solo-album?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Feb 2021 07:51:04 +0000 Fans chant the names of their idols when K-pop groups take the stage at concerts (at least in pre-Covid-19 times they did). For many people who aren’t diehard fans though, the names being heard may come as a surprise, as they’re not their well-known stage monikers, but the given names of the stars. Stage names have been an integral part of K-pop since the industry’s beginnings and many K-pop stars have them. Here are some stars whose real names you may not know. Kim Dong-young is Doyoung of NCT... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3111128/who-are-kim-taehyung-han-jisung-and-xu-minghao-10-male-k-pop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3111128/who-are-kim-taehyung-han-jisung-and-xu-minghao-10-male-k-pop?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:15:13 +0000 There’s never a dull moment in K-pop. Just look at this week, which saw new releases from none other than BTS and Loona, the return of Shinee, and more controversy over the Produce 101 television series. Here’s what you need to know about the last few days in the K-pop realm. Produce 101 line-up controversy South Korean broadcaster Mnet’s competition series Produce 101 spawned acts such as I.O.I, Wanna One, IZ*One, and X1. IZ*One are the only one currently active. Legal proceedings concerning... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3110725/bts-release-be-minho-shinee-returns-cl-postpones-album-aespa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/news/article/3110725/bts-release-be-minho-shinee-returns-cl-postpones-album-aespa?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Nov 2020 13:45:14 +0000 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... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3108791/monsta-x-tell-story-behind-making-new-album-fatal-love-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3108791/monsta-x-tell-story-behind-making-new-album-fatal-love-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Nov 2020 14:15:06 +0000 The world might still be at a standstill, but fortunately for us, the music world is slowly picking up. Some of our favourite K-pop stars and bands are back to work, ensuring we’re entertained through the year that is 2020. Here’s some of this week’s biggest K-pop headlines. Covid-19 forced K-pop concerts online – are in-person gigs over? Former Monsta X star Wonho teases solo debut Wonho, a former member of boy band Monsta X, has unveiled a teaser video of a track from his solo debut... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3097207/blackpink-x-selena-gomez-twices-beyond-live-virtual?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3097207/blackpink-x-selena-gomez-twices-beyond-live-virtual?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2020 07:15:14 +0000 By Dong Sun-hwa K-pop boy band Monsta X have postponed their comeback online concert until next month to allow band leader Shownu to recover from retinal detachment. “We made an inevitable decision to reschedule the ‘Monsta X Live from Seoul with Luv’ gig, as we regard our artists’ health condition as the highest priority,” said the group’s record label, Starship Entertainment. “Shownu had surgery and is recovering through rest.” The show was initially set to be live-streamed on July 26 on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3092916/monsta-x-comeback-concert-delayed-while-leader-shownu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3092916/monsta-x-comeback-concert-delayed-while-leader-shownu?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jul 2020 14:00:17 +0000 By Dong Sun-hwa K-pop acts including Monsta X, GFriend and The Boyz will participate in an online version of the Kcon concert series organised by entertainment giant CJ E&M in June. The seven-day concert series starting on June 20 is part of “Kcon:Tact 2020 Summer”, a South Korean cultural festival series held overseas annually. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organiser decided to stage the event online this year. Girl groups GFriend, IZ*One, Loona and Nature, and boy bands Monsta X, AB6IX,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3086647/monsta-x-gfriend-and-boyz-headline-seven-day-k-pop-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3086647/monsta-x-gfriend-and-boyz-headline-seven-day-k-pop-online?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 May 2020 14:30:07 +0000 On or off the stage, K-pop star Shownu is a charismatic, fit performer who looks like he was born to be in front of an audience. But take a deeper look at the dancer-singer’s life and you’ll soon see his major strength is his compassion and leadership. The member of boy band Monsta X may have big muscles, but he is even stronger than he appears. Here’s a look at Shownu’s journey so far. His early life Sohn Hyun-woo was born in Seoul’s Changdong neighbourhood in June 1992. Growing up as an only... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3083783/shownu-monsta-x-muscular-lead-vocalist-main-dancer-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3083783/shownu-monsta-x-muscular-lead-vocalist-main-dancer-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 15:45:14 +0000 The life stories of many K-pop stars involve heart-warming tales of a lifelong journey towards a career in music, but others only find their true worth after joining the industry. Wonho for example turned around his tough childhood by becoming a K-pop star and finding love in his fans’ support. Even when controversy from his past threatened to destroy his career, the singer-producer-dancer never lost the faith of his fans who kept him going through it all. Here is all you need to know about... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3080992/wonho-formerly-monsta-x-how-fans-love-helped-singer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3080992/wonho-formerly-monsta-x-how-fans-love-helped-singer?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2020 14:00:20 +0000 Sometimes life brings us the most unexpected people as friends. When it comes to K-pop star I.M and his eventual boy band Monsta X, it first seemed unlikely that he would fit in with the group. Yet, the star not only came to be became adored by his bandmates, but ended up as an important voice for the group. Find out how I.M grew from an unexpected rival into an international K-pop leader. His early life Im Chang-kyun was born in South Korean city of Gwangju in January 1996. I.M, his elder... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3078222/meet-im-monsta-x-unwanted-competitor-who-became-global-k?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3078222/meet-im-monsta-x-unwanted-competitor-who-became-global-k?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:00:13 +0000 Since K-pop outfit BTS first hit No 1 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart in 2018, other K-pop boy bands have also made it into the top five, expanding the horizons for South Korean pop in the global music market. This week, boy band NCT 127’s new album, NCT 127 Neo-Zone, made its debut at No 5 on the chart. That made them the fourth K-pop band to score a top-five album in the US. Also this week, BTS’ latest album, Map of the Soul: 7, ranked eighth on the Billboard 200 after topping the chart... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076068/how-boy-bands-bts-and-nct-127-are-leading-k-pops-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3076068/how-boy-bands-bts-and-nct-127-are-leading-k-pops-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2020 14:00:14 +0000 Fans of K-pop idol group Monsta X are clamouring for the return of former member Wonho after a drug use investigation against him has been dropped. The hashtag #WonhoIsAlmostHome began trending on Twitter over the weekend after Monsta X’s agency, Starship Entertainment, announced on Friday that a probe into his alleged marijuana use would not result in any charges. “Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency wrapped up on March 10 its investigation into the former Monsta X member Wonho over his drug... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3075324/will-wonho-return-monsta-x-after-drug-charges-dropped-k-pop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3075324/will-wonho-return-monsta-x-after-drug-charges-dropped-k-pop?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2020 05:00:11 +0000 K-pop boy group Monsta X's Lee Joo-heon, better known by his stage name Joohoney, will be stepping back from the band due to health concerns. The group's agency Starship Entertainment said on Twitter on Sunday that the 26-year-old had been advised to take a break after being diagnosed with anxiety disorder at multiple hospitals. Whether and when he will return to the team is unclear. The agency said it all depended on his health. “After receiving the results of medical examinations, all members... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3045851/will-k-pops-joohoney-ever-rejoin-monsta-x-after-taking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3045851/will-k-pops-joohoney-ever-rejoin-monsta-x-after-taking?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jan 2020 06:00:09 +0000 Fans of K-pop act Monsta X are pushing for the return of former member Wonho after the singer left the seven-member boy band earlier this month amid rumours he had smoked marijuana and has multiple bad debts. Monsta X returned from an eight-month break in October with the launch of the new album, Follow: Find You, but the release was overshadowed by the scandal surrounding Wonho, whose real name is Lee Ho-seok. Wonho quit the band after South Korean TV personality Jung Da-eun claimed that Wonho... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3038217/fightforwonho-monsta-x-fans-demand-k-pop-singers-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3038217/fightforwonho-monsta-x-fans-demand-k-pop-singers-return?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Nov 2019 14:15:10 +0000 By Jung Hae-myoung Monsta X, the seven-member K-pop boy band, have been reduced to six after Wonho left the group following rumours he had smoked marijuana and has multiple bad debts. In October, the group returned from an eight-month hiatus and released a new album, “Follow: Find You”, but instead of promoting the album, Monsta X are now facing scandals of the kind that are a nightmare for any K-pop outfit. Wonho’s departure from the band came after South Korean TV personality Jung Da-eun... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3036193/monsta-x-star-wonho-leaves-k-pop-boy-band-after-claims-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3036193/monsta-x-star-wonho-leaves-k-pop-boy-band-after-claims-he?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:30:05 +0000 In July 2017, K-pop boy band Monsta X played their first shows in the US: two nights at the 2,400-capacity The Novo in downtown Los Angeles. The concerts were hotly tipped among the genre’s superfans, who loved the brash aesthetic of singles such as Rush. But they were only just beginning to break through to American audiences. What a difference two years makes. In August, the group will return to LA to headline the massive Staples Centre, an indication of their ascent into K-pop’s A-list. And... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3017446/monsta-x-follow-bts-and-blackpink-us-music-companies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3017446/monsta-x-follow-bts-and-blackpink-us-music-companies?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jul 2019 18:30:11 +0000 Tommy Hilfiger celebrated the opening of its flagship South Korean store in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu district with a star-studded extravaganza. The biggest names in K-pop boy band fandom made appearances, including Monsta X’s Shownu and Jooheon, and NU’EST’s JR. Girl group members Yeonwoo, from Momoland, and YooA, from Oh My Girl, also were in attendance. EXO’s Park Chanyeol, who released his first official solo single in April, wore a Tommy Jeans Archive reversible colour-blocked nylon jacket and a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/3012595/k-pop-stars-celebrate-denim-tommy-hilfigers-opening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/3012595/k-pop-stars-celebrate-denim-tommy-hilfigers-opening?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 May 2019 18:00:15 +0000 Kihyun, the main vocalist of K-pop boy band Monsta X, turns 25 on Thursday and to celebrate this milestone, we take a quick look at his career and pick out the five times we were blown away by his talent. 2014: Cover of ‘Hyey’ on the survival programme ‘No.Mercy’ Before making his debut as part of Monsta X, Kihyun took part in Mnet’s survival television programme, No.Mercy, to win a spot in the soon-to-launch boy band. The reality show, which pitted 13 K-pop wannabes against each other, was... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2174440/5-k-pop-star-kihyuns-career-highlights-his-25th?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2174440/5-k-pop-star-kihyuns-career-highlights-his-25th?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Nov 2018 04:04:07 +0000 Hong Kong’s K-pop fans are being spoiled this summer, with massive boy band Exo making an appearance last month and Wanna One coming to town for two nights in just a few weeks. But next up is a show on Tuesday night by boy band Monsta X. All seven members including Shownu, Wonho, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Jooheon and I.M. are set to take to the stage of Star Hall at Kitec in Kowloon Bay. Why Japanese don’t measure up to Koreans as pop idols Just as with Wanna One, Monsta X were formed through... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2154446/five-hits-monsta-x-fans-can-look-forward-k-pop-boy-bands-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2154446/five-hits-monsta-x-fans-can-look-forward-k-pop-boy-bands-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:00:30 +0000 South Korean, hip-hop-influenced, K-pop boy band Monsta X are returning for a second show in Hong Kong, less than one year after making their debut in the city. The K-pop superfans who can make, and break, musical careers in South Korea The seven members of Monsta X were hand-picked by fans to form the boy band during the 2014-15 South Korean reality TV show No Mercy, and they released their first EP in 2015. They have notched up several No 1 releases on the South Korean charts and have... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2138453/k-pop-boy-band-monsta-x-return-hong-kong-july-concert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2138453/k-pop-boy-band-monsta-x-return-hong-kong-july-concert?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:10:14 +0000