The group Monsta X has announced their return with a full concert and a new album to mark their 10th anniversary.
On the afternoon of the 16th, Monsta X held a press conference to commemorate their 10th anniversary performance '2025 MONSTA X CONNECT X' at the Grand Ballroom of Conrad Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, where they shared their thoughts on the milestone.
The members, who stood before reporters as a complete group after a long time, brought smiles from the start with their cheerful greetings. Jooheon noted, "I lost 4 to 5 kg for the press conference," while Kihyun said, "I couldn't lose weight like Jooheon, but I suddenly got a down perm yesterday."
Hyungwon then shared, "I prepared my left, right, and front faces for photos," while Minhyuk added, "I couldn't lose weight, but I went to the dermatologist yesterday."
Since releasing their first mini-album 'TRESPASS' in May 2015, Monsta X has stepped into the music industry and released numerous hits such as 'DRAMARAMA', 'Shoot Out', 'Love Killa', 'Alligator', and 'GAMBLER', earning the title of 'believable performance' masters with their powerful performances and music.
Starting with leader Shownu in 2021, Monsta X members began their military service, and all members except IM were discharged last May, ending their long hiatus and returning as a full group.
Minhyuk expressed his thoughts, saying, "Now that we have reached 10 years, I've been asked a lot about it. Honestly, I didn't feel it much at first, but today it feels very real. It's a new feeling and overwhelming."
Hyungwon added, "I'm grateful that the team has maintained itself and worked hard over the past 10 years. I don’t think we could have come this far without our fans. I want to express my sincere thanks for their ongoing support."
Shownu also remarked, "As I reflect on the memories we've had, I feel it's amazing and new. I also want to thank our fans," while Kihyun stated, "I haven't felt it much since I've just transitioned from military to civilian life, but this is a great gift. I’m grateful to the members and the fans, and I will not rest but will stay focused on moving forward."
IM shared, "When we just debuted, I sometimes wondered when our 10th anniversary would come. Now that we are celebrating it, it feels unreal, and my gratitude for our fans grows as time goes by. Above all, I am grateful to my fellow members."
Finally, Jooheon said, "When I thought about my military enlistment, I wondered when I would be discharged, and it turned out to be 2025, which I remember with anticipation for our 10th anniversary. I want to thank our fans, members, and everyone at Starship. We are preparing the best gift for our 10th anniversary, so please look forward to it."
When asked about memorable moments from the last 10 years, Kihyun replied, "The most memorable moment for me is our first stage, 'Trespass'. I don’t know why, but it remains so vividly clear that I can still picture it with my eyes closed. I think it will stay with me throughout my singing career."
Shownu recalled, "In the early days of our debut, I went to KCON LA, and the venue was so huge, and the cheers were so loud that it remains an unforgettable memory," while Hyungwon added, "I remember our first world tour. It was memorable as we got to meet fans from far away."
Minhyuk stated, "I remember a mini fan meeting we had in the park after a music program. Although the performances in large venues were precious, the time spent interacting closely was unforgettable."
Monsta X plans to hold their full concert '2025 MONSTA X CONNECT X' for their 10th anniversary from the 18th to the 20th at the KSPO DOME (former gymnastics stadium) in Seoul, where they will meet fans.
This concert will be the first performance in three years and will feature all members together for their 10th anniversary. The theme for this concert, 'CONNECT X', tells the story of the continuous connection between Monsta X and their fans, Monbebe. The unceasing connection displayed during the performance, along with the next chapter in the lives of Monsta X and Monbebe, will vividly showcase the trajectory built over the past decade and an infinite future of new chapters.
The members shared their expectations for the concert, saying, "Since this performance is a culmination of the essence of Monsta X, we hope everyone is looking forward to it." They added, "We were supposed to have a performance at the gymnastics arena in 2020, but we couldn't due to COVID-19 issues. I'm personally looking forward to this full group concert since I have been waiting for it. This will be the first time we perform with a live band, so it will be filled with richer sounds."
They continued, "Since it's been a while since we were all together, we know there are expectations for the energy and music, and we are working hard to create our own freshness while meeting those expectations. We’ve missed our fans, and I believe you’ll see a fresh version of Monsta X."
Regarding the secret to the bond that has kept the members close over 10 years, Hyungwon explained, "It's hard for each member who lives different lives to come together, but mutual respect plays a significant role. I also believe it’s important to hold each other together so that we don’t drift apart. We think about how to keep the team moving in a better direction, and that’s likely why we’ve been able to stay together until now."
IM shared, "The greatest factor is the trust among the members. After spending 10 years together, we see each other not just as members but as family. Understanding each other's traits and habits and living like a family helps with our sustainability."
When discussing the next 10 years, they mentioned, "As we prepare for the next 10 years of performances, we joked about how we will be in our 40s and how we should dance then. I think there will be fun in that time." They reflected, "We are called beast idols, but we wonder if we can maintain that title when we hit 20 years. Regardless, we’ve been consistently exercising, so I believe we can continue to do so."
Notably, on this day, Monsta X caught attention by revealing their comeback schedule for the first time. Kihyun stated, "We are already preparing for our comeback. We finished recording a while ago. I shouldn't disclose the exact timing, but internally, a date has already been set, and a significant portion has been prepared."
In response, Jooheon chimed in, asking if he could reveal which month it would come out, adding a light-hearted note, "Our new album will be released in September. It will come out quickly in September," which drew laughter.
The members stated about the new album, "We will become a fresher Monsta X," and added, "We believe that every track has such high quality that they could all be title tracks."
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