The group Monsta X's IM responded to questions about his military enlistment plans.
Monsta X held a press conference on the 16th at the Conrad Seoul Grand Ballroom in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to commemorate their 10th anniversary concert '2025 Monsta X Connect X' and shared their thoughts on the 10th anniversary.
Starting with leader Shownu in 2021, all members of Monsta X began military service sequentially, and all except IM were discharged in May, marking a return as a complete group after a long absence.
Jooheon said, “These days we do it less, but right after returning from military service, whenever the members gathered, we would unconsciously talk about military experiences. We shared stories and skills we had learned, and we developed a kind of unseen military pride among ourselves.”
When asked about what had changed before and after military enlistment, Hyungwon replied, “Recently, we have been spending a lot of time preparing for performances together, and I was surprised that our passion for practice and our playful behavior remained surprisingly the same. It made me realize that there are consistent traits among us, and I was actually grateful for that. I also told myself to maintain that consistency. If I had to find something that had changed after the military absence, I think the members’ appearances have matured and become more attractive.”
Then Shownu laughed and said, “The changes before and after military service seem to include deeper thoughts and consideration when the members talk over time. It’s a private matter, but I think the change is that the staff members around us are getting younger, and we have become the older brothers.”
The only member who had not served in the military, IM, said about his enlistment plans, “When the call of duty comes, I will go with determination and courage.”
He added, “The five older brothers have all come back from the military, and every time they come to the practice room, they only talk about the military, which is to the point where it feels like my ears are bleeding. I will listen until I go, and when the call of duty comes, I will go.”
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