MONSTA X is known for being rough, intense, and sometimes wild. But if you listen closely to their music, the core is always “love.” Even within the powerful sounds and raw energy, love has always been there.
Within MONSTA X, Shownu and Hyungwon are the softest pairing. Like the natural drape of silk, they possess a mood and lingering feeling even when they aren’t trying hard. Known as the “Door-framez” for being the tallest members, the duo sang about longing in their 2023 unit debut “Love Me A Little.” Now, returning after about 2 years and 10 months, they pose a deeper question: “Do You Love Me?”
Their new mini-album ‘LOVE ME’ delicately delves into the gaze at the end of love, the flutter of excitement versus emptiness, and the tension between hesitation and obsession. It’s a way of loving unique to Shownu X Hyungwon, focusing more on mood than wildness and lingering emotions than restraint. Here is our Q&A with Shownu X Hyungwon.
Q. This is your first unit comeback in about 3 years. How does it feel?
A. Shownu: Our second unit mini-album is out after 3 years. Thank you for all the interest. Hyungwon: It’s been a while since our last album. We tried to pack in as much of our growth as possible.
Q. What connects this album to your first one, ‘THE UNSEEN’, and what has changed?
A. Hyungwon: We wanted to express the theme of “love” as a connection to the first album. While the first one felt like a special project as a group unit, this time it feels like we’re building our own narrative, which is a key difference. We also tried to include various genres that only the two of us could pull off. Shownu: The title track has more of a beat than the last album and feels like it carries our ambitions. We hope you enjoy it.
A. Hyungwon: I felt that love has many stages. There’s excitement and passionate love, but this time we captured the emotions of the “end of love.” We expressed feelings of desperation, exhaustion, and obsession. I think we’re creating our own narrative by expressing various ways of love through our performances.
Q. Why did you choose the “end” rather than the beginning?
A. Hyungwon: I thought our strength lies in a dark and restrained charm rather than brightness. From that perspective, the “end of love” felt like a perfect fit for us.
Q. MONSTA X also sings about love, but the vibe feels different here.
A. Hyungwon: Even when expressing the same emotion, I think the love MONSTA X shows has a rougher side. The two of us handle the more restrained parts, both in our personalities and on stage. While the vibe might seem similar as a unit, we worked hard to show that love can be expressed this way too. Shownu: The full group is stronger, and the six members have diverse charms. Even a calm love song carries a lot of meaning, but Shownu X Hyungwon’s love story has a natural and restrained charm.
A. Shownu: I felt it definitely had that “title track” vibe. Actually, I considered switching to a song Hyungwon wrote because it had a strong hook, a great beat, and an exciting feel. After discussing it with the company, we selected the current song as the title track, but I think both are great. Hyungwon: I thought the beat and melody were perfect for showing off our performance. Since we’re a unit, chemistry is key, and I think the part distribution and overall harmony worked out well.
Q. What is your main criterion or priority when choosing a title track?
A. Shownu: Music that sounds good. Sometimes I imagine myself as a famous singer and ask, “Which of these two songs would I choose?” Ultimately, I imagine what fans would prefer, what would feel fresh, or what would feel sexy. Hyungwon: Since we are performers, the criterion is whether the song allows the singer to show their maximum strengths on stage. When I write songs, “Can I keep listening to this?” is important. However, for a title track, it’s not about my taste but about aggregating the listeners’ tastes, so I consider the performance aspect more.
Q. Could you introduce the performance strengths and point choreography of “Do You Love Me”?
A. Shownu: We prepared a performance that highlights a “pretty fit.” It’s not too aggressive or scattered, but rather a performance that leaves a clear impression. After receiving the draft, I coordinated with Hyungwon to add variations to the chorus to make it more visible. We also modified the final chorus to create a building sensation. The point is the chorus choreography. It’s the kind of move you’d see in a challenge, and it can feel ticklish yet sexy.
A. Shownu: I think we’ve improved compared to the first album. For 3 years after the unit album, we consistently performed at events and festivals, matching our breathing. I believe we can show much better chemistry than before.
Hyungwon: Even when practicing, I realized we wear the same shoes and clothes without saying a word, and even our tastes are becoming similar. We were already similar in nature, but as time passes, we’re becoming even more alike. I think that will naturally shine through on stage without us even intending it.
Q. You must have influenced each other in many positive ways.
A. Hyungwon: I’ve always loved Shownu hyung’s dance lines. They’re cool. Even without being told, matching my movements to his during practice has helped me grow and helped the team evolve. Shownu: I felt the quality of the songs Hyungwon brought has increased compared to before. Although we don’t decide everything together, I personally loved them. It made me want to record even better.
Q. It feels like Shownu X Hyungwon has developed their own narrative, both musically and personally.
A. Shownu: I think we’re aging gracefully. As time goes by, we’re becoming closer and feel more like friends. There are many positive aspects to how we’re moving forward, and it’s becoming very natural.
Hyungwon: If I had a “lifelong friend” personally, I think it would be Shownu hyung. It’s not because we see each other often, but because of how I feel in my heart. I think we’ll be friends who can share a bottle of beer and walk together even when we’re grandfathers with white hair. Musically, while love stories are the focus now, as time passes, it could become a story of our friendship. I want to create various chapters. That’s why I’m excited about the future of this unit.
Q. What do you think is the strength of the vocal combination of Shownu X Hyungwon?
A. Shownu: I think our pacing is similar. Whether it’s the pace of our speaking or singing. Our tones aren’t extremely high or low, but we have different voices within a similar range, which is an interesting point.
Hyungwon: I think tone is important. Even if you have different vocal charms, the tone must match for it to sound natural when combined. I believe that’s the strength of hyung and me.
A. Shownu: If “Ender Front” felt like it needed to be spat out with more energy, this time it feels more like whispering with emotion, so it was actually more comfortable.
Q. From Hyungwon’s perspective, what is the strength of “Vocalist Shownu”?
A. Hyungwon: Hyung has a voice specialized for R&B. Usually, he seems easygoing and doesn’t seem to have big emotional swings, but there’s a sensitivity that comes out in his voice when he sings. There’s a tone where a sort of “irritated sensitivity” sounds sexy. His range has also increased a lot. While making this album, his charm grew to the point where I wanted to do more songs with his voice.
Q. Did you actually go somewhere for special training?
A. Shownu: While doing the musical ‘The Great Comet’, I learned vocal exercises and took lessons from a teacher I met. I think that helped.
Q. Is there a goal you want to achieve with this album?
A. Hyungwon: A realistic goal is to get a result that allows us to release a third unit album. I want to achieve a result where the company feels this is a group they want to keep trying with.
