MONSTA X: Current Artists, Journey Continues [Interview]

Continued from Interview ②

Q. What were some of the challenges of embarking on your first world tour in four years?

▶Minhyuk: Rather than being difficult, it was overwhelming and made me feel incredibly happy because it had been so long. If I had to pick one thing, it would be maintaining my stamina. I’d go on stage thinking, “I’m going to tear this stage up!” but to keep that up, I need to really focus on managing my physical condition. But when I hear the screams of Monbebe, all the fatigue disappears. So, I’m going to work even harder on my stamina before the full-fledged overseas tour.

▶Joohoney: It’s been four years since our last world tour, and I’m already so excited to meet Monbebe overseas. I’m confident that we have a legendary setlist. We put a lot of energy into our performances, but the support we receive is even greater, so rather than feeling tired, we get even more energized and want to do even more.

Q. Now, it seems like there might be some creative struggles or difficulties when working on new albums. What are your thoughts?

▶Joohoney: The work itself isn’t hard. I spend a lot of time thinking about what kind of music Monbebe will enjoy the most. I wrote a lot of songs whenever I had time off last year, and I’ve been working on new music consistently since my discharge. I still have so much music I want to share and concepts I want to show, so I hope you’ll look forward to it and enjoy it.

▶Hyungwon: As the years go by, it’s true that I feel a greater sense of responsibility to show a certain image. However, I use that responsibility as a positive driving force to try and make MONSTA X’s music even more unique. As we release more albums, the members are participating in song writing more and more, so I hope you’ll look forward to what kind of stories MONSTA X will tell through our music in the future.

▶I.M: I’m trying to constantly make new attempts. I put a lot of effort into the vocals in our recent new song, ‘growing pains.’ Thankfully, Monbebe liked it, and I’m enjoying the adventure of constantly discovering new paths while finding parts of myself that I didn’t even know existed. The sense of accomplishment I feel in that process keeps me moving forward, so I want to find more rewards like this rather than feeling burdened in the future.

Q. What are your personal dreams for 2026?

▶Shownu: I hope we can all do our best and stay healthy this year. And I hope our youngest, I.M, can complete his military service without getting sick and in good health.

▶Minhyuk: I showed a solo performance using the guitar on this first world tour. As I practiced the guitar, I became more ambitious and wanted to get better. This year, I want to practice the guitar a lot and show another side of myself to the fans.

▶Kihyun: After this concert, I was really proud to hear the fans say they loved it so much. I want to continue to put on good performances so that Monbebe can feel proud of us. Also, since this is our first world tour in four years, I’m going to work hard so that I have no regrets after each performance.

▶Hyungwon: I’m also looking forward to being able to greet you with more diverse activities this year. As I greeted you last year not only with MONSTA X activities but also through MCing and web entertainment, I am working hard to show you various activities this year as well. I hope you will join us this year as well.

▶Joohoney: I finished my solo activities that I had been preparing for a long time in January, so now I’m going to turn that energy back to the team. For the time being, I want to focus on the world tour stage and also focus on the next chapter of MONSTA X in my spare time.

▶I.M: 2026 will be the year I take a break and fulfill my duty to the country. Thankfully, I received overwhelming support and love from the fans at the world tour concert right before my enlistment. My biggest goal is to have a healthy military life, both physically and mentally, and to greet you again. I hope that the members and Monbebe will have a happy time while I’m away.

Q. Please also mention any unfulfilled dreams as a team.

▶Joohoney: We are currently loved by many people, but I want the name ‘MONSTA X’ to become a music genre in itself. I think we have shown our charm sufficiently with the colors we have built up so far, but I want to make sure that when anyone hears our future songs, they don’t categorize them into a genre but say, “That’s definitely MONSTA X music” first.

▶Kihyun: Thankfully, our album that we released last year as a whole group after a long time was loved so much that it was listed on the Billboard charts. Just because we’ve achieved a dream once doesn’t mean that the excitement or weight of it gets any lighter. This year, I want to prove more clearly that these results are due to our skills through good music. Of course, results are important, but I want to solidify the trend of our products being consistently recognized and loved in the global market.

Q. What do you think will be the final destination of MONSTA X’s career?

▶Shownu: Rather than a ‘final destination’ where we have to stop somewhere, I want to remain ‘in progress,’ as I mentioned earlier. My goal is to become a team that always thinks about and creates a new next chapter based on the experience we have built up.

▶Minhyuk: In addition, I want to continue to create our own path so that when we look back on the paths we have walked and the paths we will walk in the distant future, we can think, “It was possible because it was MONSTA X.”

▶Hyungwon: Rather than marking a destination, I hope that the path that MONSTA X is walking now will continue as long as possible. Rather than a grand goal, I think the most wonderful completion of our career would be to remain a team that is still showing good music in the same place when Monbebe suddenly thinks of us.

Q. Lastly, what would you like to say to Monbebe?

▶Kihyun: We’re looking forward to our 11th year, and I want you to know that MONSTA X has been able to work together all this time thanks to Monbebe. I am grateful to everyone who has been with us and everyone who has been with us, and I hope we can continue to go together hand in hand in the future.

▶Joohoney: MONSTA X has been able to be the pride of Monbebe for 10 years because Monbebe has also been our pride and our pride. I always say it, but it always seems lacking. I love you, Monbebe!

▶I.M: I’ve stood in front of Monbebe as MONSTA X and also solo for 10 years, and I’ve gained so much strength from seeing you sincerely support and like me. My biggest motivation will continue to be Monbebe. I’ll come back healthy, so don’t worry, and I hope Monbebe will be healthy and happy until we meet again. I love you!