MONSTA X Kihyun Makes a Solo Comeback "I Want to be Remembered as a Vocalist Kihyun." [Q&A]

Kihyun of the group MONSTA X marked the start of his second journey.

Kihyun will release his First Mini Album ‘YOUTH’ through various online music sites at 6PM on October 24th and start his full-fledged activities.

‘YOUTH’ depicts the happiness, excitement, and determination of the beginning that traveler Kihyun wants to tell when he meets himself, and a new album that started from autobiographical stories.

Through his new album, Kihyun presents a different charm with vocals that control various emotions based on alternative rock and pop sounds. In this album, which consists of a total of 5 tracks, Kihyun showed off his vocalist capabilities across various genres.

The title track ‘Youth’ of the same name is an alternative rock track that tells Kihyun's childhood emotions and his current resolutions. His cool vocals are impressive, and ‘Bad Liar’ presented by Monsta X Hyungwon shows Kihyun's powerful vocals and dramatic atmosphere, and ‘STARDUST’ shows emotional and lively vocal charm. In addition, you can feel the delicate vocals harmonized with the piano sound in ‘Where Is This Love’ and ‘Cause of You’ as refreshing as the cheerful sound.

 Kihyun personally told the story of his First Mini Album ‘Youth,’ which reflects the confidence of ‘Vocalist Kihyun,’ who can control various emotions with just one voice.

Q. You are back with your First Mini Album 'YOUTH' in seven months. How do you feel about coming back with a solo album?

A. I think I was more nervous and anxious to start solo activities after 7 months. Even though it wasn't my first time, I was worried if they would like me as a solo artist, Kihyun, but personally, this album came out really satisfactorily, so I felt more comfortable, and I think I changed to wanting to play it for MONBEBE (fandom name) as possible. All the songs in this album are great, so I hope you love all the songs.

Q. Can you explain your First Mini Album, ‘YOUTH,’ which is drawing attention due to your work with a special collaboration team?

A. Following the last album, this album will be under the concept of ‘Travel.’ Kim Eana, the lyricist who gave me the keyword ‘VOYAGER’ in the first single album, wrote the title song and gave MONSTA X HYUNGWON two customized songs that were made just for me as a gift, so it was a richer album. As good people participated in my album, the second journey was to make an album that looked back on seven years. If I wanted to say my story more honestly in the last album, I was going to lead audiences to my own music world, but this time, I played the role of an observer who asks and answers himself and a storyteller, and I expressed my determination to tell myself in my childhood after 7 years of intense time. I'm glad that the current emotions that I can't let people hear, if it is not now, are placed in this album well.
 

Q. I wonder what kind of song ‘Youth’ is. What else should we focus on?

A. You'll be able to feel a different charm from the MONSTA X Kihyun through this title song. The title song is an alternative rock track, and the unique and impactful hook is very addictive. If Kim Eana's lyrics are added to this, I think it's a song that I want to keep listening to. If you listen to it, you'll be able to feel why I'm talking so confidently.

Q. In this album, MONSTA X Hyungwon gave you the songs ‘Bad Liar’ and ‘Where Is This Love.’ We are curious about the work episode.

A. First of all, I'd like to thank Hyungwon for giving me a good song. While working on this song, Hyungwon went through a lot. Both songs were made by changing the sound to suit my taste. I think I was able to finish the work quickly as usual because it was a song that was tailored to me from the beginning.

Q. This music video is drawing attention for its sensuous visual beauty. Any memorable episodes while filming?

A. There's a scene where I fell into the sea. I remember that scene the most. I wanted to finish it quickly, so I just went out throwing my body from the beginning, but it didn't come out as pretty as I thought, so I think I ran 10 times. Later, it was so cold that I remember running while shaking. I'm happy that the music video came out well, as I worked hard on it, and I hope many fans watch it.

Q. ‘KCON 2022 - Japan (KCON 2022 - JAPAN)’ and others are performing as a solo artist Kihyun at home and abroad. How do you feel about being on a foreign stage as a solo artist?

 A. I was very nervous to perform overseas for the first time as a solo artist Kihyun, not as a member of MONSTA X. I'm so thankful that I was able to perform well thanks to MONBEBE overseas cheering for me. It was a shame that we couldn't see our fans overseas often because of COVID-19, but as MONSTA X and Kihyun, we have more opportunities to show our performances to MONBEBE around the world, so we want to communicate with our fans more often on stage.

Q. Before your solo comeback, did the members cheer you up?

 A. Like when I debuted as a solo artist, the members helped me a lot while preparing for this album. Hyungwon completed my album with a good song, and Jooheon also participated in ‘Cause of You’ as a surprise feature. The other members also monitored carefully and helped me a lot. It's a solo stage, but I feel more confident when I think that there are members who are always by my side with unconditional support and I think I need to work harder so I won’t give a bad influence on the name of MONSTA X. I'm always thankful to the members.

Q. With a lot of support, including MONSTA X members, you started ‘YOUTH’ activities in earnest. What are your goals and plans for this promotion?

A. To show various sides of me as solo artist Kihyun, I plan to communicate with MONBEBE through various content, including music programs. If my goal is to promote this album, I want to be remembered as a vocalist Kihyun by more people, and I hope that every moment I spend with my fans as a solo artist will be a meaningful and happy activity.

Q. With the announcement of active activities through various contents, the news of your comeback as a host of Naver NOW was announced. How do you feel about being the solo host of ‘PLAY’?

A. I was able to communicate with my fans as a solo host through ‘PLAY!’ and I am nervous but excited to do it alone without the members. First of all, I'm so happy that I can talk to MONBEBE every week, and I'm planning to show you a variety of things as a host at ‘PLAY!’ so I hope you can come to my space with a comfortable mind. Be with Kihyun on Mondays!

Q. Please say something to your fans.

A. MONBEBE, I'm back with my First Mini Album, ‘YOUTH’. As much as we worked hard on this album, we're going to show you various sides of me, so please look forward to it. I'm so happy to be with you on my second journey. Are you ready to run with me until the end? Please show a lot of interest and support for ‘YOUTH.’ Thank you always, and I love you.