Photo = STARSHIP Entertainment

 

MONSTA X’s unit SHOWNU X HYUNGWON has returned. After overcoming a hiatus of about three years, they are set to take the comeback stage with their second mini album ‘LOVE ME.’

 

SHOWNU X HYUNGWON met with Hanteo News at STARSHIP Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul on the 19th and spoke about their album and unit. SHOWNU shared his thoughts on the comeback, saying, “I thought the fans must have been waiting for us for a long time, so we came back with an album we prepared very hard for them.” HYUNGWON added, “We’re returning after 2 years and 10 months, and after finishing our military hiatus, releasing a group album, and preparing hard to show various sides of ourselves as a new unit, I hope everyone looks upon us warmly.”

 

The changes compared to three years ago are also clear. SHOWNU explained, “We came back with a title track that has more tempo and a stronger hook, and we tried to show a more mature, developed, and colorful side of ourselves compared to last time.” HYUNGWON revealed, “Compared to the first album, we participated in many more aspects, and it’s an album that contains more of the maturity and emotions we experienced over those three years.” The album includes four tracks written and composed by HYUNGWON, while SHOWNU participated in the choreography work.

 

The difference from their activities as the group MONSTA X is also clear. SHOWNU explained, “For group activities, since there are six members, there is a diverse kind of intensity, while for unit activities, since there are two of us, I think we can make choices and focus.” HYUNGWON said, “When we came out as a full group, we had rapper members, so we focused on an explosive kind of charm, but this time, we tried to show more of the restrained feel that my hyung and I have.” They also participated directly in the choreography work for the title track. SHOWNU shared, “I edited together references from videos I personally liked and shared them with hyung, and after receiving the revised version again, I gave my opinions,” adding, “The final chorus part was revised a lot, and HYUNGWON also gave his opinions on the point choreography here and there as we worked on it.”

 

The music video also captures new sides of the two. SHOWNU explained, “It’s not that HYUNGWON and I are in love with each other. You can think of MONBEBE as being between us,” adding, “It contains a story where we play tug-of-war with each other, have a battle of nerves, fight, and then make up.” HYUNGWON said, “I had never once seen SHOWNU hyung get angry in nearly 10 years, but I saw it for the first time while filming the music video and concept photos,” adding, “I think fans will probably be seeing it for the first time too, so it could come across as fun.”

 

The synergy between the two is also drawing attention. SHOWNU explained, “Rather than filling in what I lack, HYUNGWON plays a big role in adding more,” adding, “We have a synergy where you can see a one-plus-one effect.” HYUNGWON said, “I think our advantage is that hyung has a completely different vibe from me, starting from how we look, so viewers can feel a variety of charms,” adding, “On stage as well, hyung perfectly fills in the parts I can’t show, so the synergy is even better.”

 

The B-side tracks on this album are songs HYUNGWON created after thoroughly calculating the strengths of the two members. HYUNGWON explained, “I worked on them with goals in mind: a song that would be good to perform at a festival, a song that could show performance, and a song that could bring out our voices well.” HYUNGWON, who sent more than 10 songs to the company but ultimately included only four on the album, said, “I felt like my head would hurt if I started worrying about things at the company level too, so I tend to do my best in my role, send the songs, and then accept the decision.” Regarding the selection of solo songs, SHOWNU revealed, “I received more than 30 demos, and I chose the song while thinking a lot about the stage and shaping the mood and concept.” HYUNGWON shared, “When I did my first solo stage, I did it with the theme of fire, but this time, I wanted to express the same love through the opposite element, water.”

 

Their appearance at WATERBOMB on July 25 has also been confirmed. HYUNGWON said, “I think we’re a unit whose charms can stand out even more at performances or festivals, so I hope we get many opportunities like that,” adding, “The fact that we have a lot to show physically is what sets us apart.”

 

They also shared an update on the youngest member, I.M, who is currently serving in the military. HYUNGWON said, “I think we contact each other more often than before he went to the military, and he’s doing so well,” adding, “He always gives us updates like how many shooting rounds he did, how many push-ups he did, and what place he came in for running.”

 

Their attitude toward results was calm. HYUNGWON said, “The top two things in life that don’t go the way I want are results and money,” adding, “I live with the mindset of not chasing those two things, but walking my own path.” SHOWNU also shared, “The standards for good results and bad results have become vague,” adding, “I think what’s more important is being active for a long time and having opportunities to be together with the fans even as time passes.” Regarding the long-term direction of this unit, HYUNGWON said, “With the release of our second album, I feel like we now have our own narrative and stories as the two of us,” adding, “I hope we can continue moving forward in our own way with sides that we couldn’t show as a team.” SHOWNU smiled brightly and said, “Personally, I think it would be really nice if we could continue long-term.”

 

SHOWNU X HYUNGWON’s second mini album ‘LOVE ME’ will be released through various music streaming sites at 6 PM on the 21st. Attention is focused on whether the unit SHOWNU X HYUNGWON, returning after about three years, will showcase greater expansion through this album.