"11 years with Monsta X, like a dependable and precious ally."
Group Monsta X marked its 11th debut anniversary. Since debuting on May 14, 2015, with 'TRESPASS', they have run without rest for the past 11 years and built an irreplaceable presence. Continuing relentless musical challenges and activities, Monsta X remains an actively performing "present-progress" group.
Following Monsta X's 11th anniversary, Shownu X Hyungwon celebrated the double joy of a unit comeback after 2 years and 10 months. Ahead of their comeback with the new mini album "Love Me", we met Shownu and Hyungwon to hear about Monsta X's 11th anniversary.
Shownu said, "I feel grateful to the fans that I can accept 11 years as something natural and matter-of-fact. We have worked hard together over the 11 years without realizing it, so I want to tell the members that they did a good job," reflecting on the 11th anniversary.
Hyungwon also said, "I don't think 11 years can be defined as a specific number of years. Watching the process of moving from teens to their 20s and from their 20s to their 30s, I feel that we are living this life together. That makes it feel more precious. This 11th anniversary makes me realize more and more how precious each year is."
Over 11 years Monsta X has maintained a solid team and grown into a K-pop artist loved not only domestically but also by global fans. In April they released their third full-length U.S. album, 'Unfold', becoming the first K-pop artist to hold three U.S. full-length albums. They also achieved meaningful results, such as entering the Billboard 200.
What is the secret to keeping the team steady and unshaken for 11 years? Shownu said, "I think luck played a part, but the biggest factor was the effort we made for each other. Fans think the six of us are very diverse, but there are fans who passionately like us, a supportive company, and various reasons that backed us, so maybe that's why we could last 11 years," expressing gratitude to the fans, the company and the members who supported Monsta X.
Meeting in their teens, becoming adults and continuing together into their 30s, Monsta X has been like family to each other. Shownu said with a laugh, "I'm an only child, so I wonder if this is what it'd feel like to have a real sibling. One thing for sure is we're closer than our parents. Because there are personal aspects our parents don't know..." and added, "Having spent adult years with the members, I can't ignore the time I've had with them so far."
Hyungwon also said, "They are the friends I spend the most time and conversations with. It feels strongly like dependable allies. We rely on each other a lot, and because of that we've become relationships that can't be defined by labels like 'member' or anything else. I'm grateful," conveying his special affection for the Monsta X members.
Not only Shownu and Hyungwon but all members have a special affection for the team. Hyungwon said, "We still collect lateness fees. I think that's also an effort for each other. At this point, whoever's late can just do their thing and go, which is more comfortable. Still, creating systems and doing such things shows we care about the team and want it to last a long time."
Having worked as Monsta X for more than 10 years, Shownu and Hyungwon have grown a lot musically and personally. Shownu said, "I think I've grown a lot as a person. It's natural, but since it's a kind of society, I think we've unknowingly learned a lot about running a team together."
On their 11th debut anniversary Shownu X Hyungwon will start new activities as a unit. At 6 p.m. on the 21st they will release their new mini album "Love Me" and make a comeback. "Love Me" is an album that delicately and three-dimensionally unravels the emotion of love.
[Photo] Provided by Starship Entertainment.
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