The group Monsta X (MONSTA X) promised unity and a leap beyond consolidation as it kicked off its spectacular world tour.
Monsta X (Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, IM) opened the 2026 Monsta X world tour 'The X: NEXUS' at KSPO Dome in Bangi-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, on the 1st.
About six months after returning to KSPO Dome following the 2025 Monsta X Connect X held in July last year, Monsta X re-entered the venue. In particular, this marks their first world tour since the 2022 Monsta X 'No Limit' tour in Seoul in 2022, and with tour dates confirmed in regions such as Asia and Latin America, they will begin their full-scale activities starting with the Seoul performance.
The world tour title 'NEXUS' means 'consolidation' or 'connection,' and narratively continues and evolves from last year's 10th anniversary concert theme 'Connect X.' While last year carried a strong sense of 'reunion,' 'NEXUS' symbolizes a 'new leap' into the next chapter based on the strengthened 'unity' formed through those encounters. Especially as they filled the number '10' and entered their 11th anniversary, attention is focused on Monsta X using this as a starting point to move beyond past glories toward a new worldview and broader musical spectrum.
If last year's 10th anniversary concert showed Monsta X's 'history,' this world tour focused on presenting Monsta X's current, ongoing music, including album tracks and members' new solo stages. Opening powerfully with 'DRAMARAMA,' Monsta X reminded the audience of their identity and explained the current Monsta X through the THE X album track 'Catch Me Now.'
Hit songs representing Monsta X such as 'Love Killa,' 'Rush Hour,' 'Areumdawoeo' ('Beautiful'), 'Beautiful Liar,' 'Alligator,' and 'Shoot Out' filled the stage, but tracks from last year's 13th mini album such as 'DO WHAT I WANT,' 'N the Front,' and 'Tuscan Leather' were also heavily included in the setlist, singing of Monsta X's present that looks beyond their 10th anniversary.
Also, by placing songs featuring members throughout the setlist such as 'LONE RANGER,' 'Burning Up,' 'Nobody Else,' 'Deny,' 'AND,' and 'Autobahn,' Monsta X emphasized that they are 'artists' beyond 'idols.' Solo stages — 'Around and Go' (Shownu), 'HOWLING' (Kihyun), 'No air' (Hyungwon), 'Reaching' (Minhyuk), 'error 404' (IM), and 'STING' · 'Until my head touches the sky' (Joohoney) — suggested that each member is not content within the Monsta X framework but is constantly expanding their own musical worlds.
This performance was even more special because member IM is about to enlist for military service to fulfill his defense duty, making this his last stage before enlistment. IM is scheduled to enlist on Feb. 9, and the Seoul show was both the peak of energy that the six-member Monsta X could show and the tour's prologue, as well as a promise that the team Monsta X will continue unchanged. IM said, "My back actually isn't in very good shape. I was told I could perform sitting down, but since it's the last performance before going to the military, I absolutely couldn't sit down to perform. After the first-day performance I wondered what I would do, but after the second day and today, it somehow worked out. The power of love seems amazing." He added, "I stopped activities twice in 2025, but I didn't really rest. The reason I could keep doing things was thinking, 'Would Monbebe like this?' I will pause Monsta X activities for a while and then come back." In particular, IM surprised the audience by immediately undergoing a head shaving ceremony.
Through the 2026 Monsta X world tour 'The X: NEXUS,' Monsta X declared a future as a sustainable global artist beyond the full group returning after military hiatuses. There is no doubt eyes and ears will be on the path they take next.
OSEN=Reporter Jang Wooyoung