'Trust-and-listen producer' Monsta X (MONSTA X) member Jooheon will be Starship's first comeback act of 2026.
On the 17th, agency Starship Entertainment said, "Jooheon, a member of Monsta X currently on the U.S. Jingle Ball tour, is in the final stages of preparation aiming for a comeback in early January next year," adding, "We are devoting great care so you can experience Jooheon's diverse charms, so please look forward to it," announcing the comeback.
This comeback marks his first solo activity in about 2 years and 8 months since the release of his first mini album Lights in May 2023. He, who was praised for filling the previous album entirely with self-composed songs and creating a genre called "Jooheon," is expected to prove an even more expanded musical spectrum and the deepened craft befitting his 10th year since debut with this new release.
Since his debut, Jooheon has served as Monsta X's main rapper as well as a producer and songwriter, building the group's distinctive color. He has been loved by domestic and international listeners as an "all-rounder artist" who not only delivers powerful rapping and top-level vocals at will but also covers lyric writing, composing and arranging.
In particular, even before his official solo debut, Jooheon showed a remarkable global presence through mixtapes. After making notable global achievements by charting on the iTunes chart and the U.S. Billboard World Albums chart with DWTD (Do What They Do) released in 2018, he proved his strong potential as a solo artist by reaching No. 2 on the iTunes Top K-pop Albums chart in 30 countries and No. 2 on the worldwide albums chart with PSYCHE released in 2020.
Having already made a definite mark in the global market, Jooheon is expected to fully demonstrate the musical prowess he has built up through this new album. Showing the abilities of an "all-rounder artist" with each album and proving limitless growth, attention is focused on what kind of music he will once again win over domestic and international fans with in the new year of 2026.
Alongside his primary musical activities, his variety show appearances are adding to the comeback momentum. Jooheon was tapped as the MC of the solo web variety show Good Errand Center - Simcheongi, launched last October, and has been widening his connection with the public by showing approachable and cheerful charm as well as variety skills. Jooheon's diverse charms across stage and variety are expected to multiply the synergy of this solo activity.
Meanwhile, Monsta X, of which Jooheon is a member, demonstrated their power as a 10th-year artist by taking two awards, including AAA History of K-pop, at the 10th Asia Artist Awards 2025 held recently. Participating in the 2025 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour, which is touring major U.S. cities and drawing explosive responses from local audiences, they will conclude the tour with a Miami performance on the 20th. Afterwards, they will hold a new world tour, The X : NEXUS, at the Seoul KSPO DOME from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2026, kicking off a full-scale global schedule from the new year.
[Photo] Starship Entertainment
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