Lessons In Charm By Irresistible K-Pop Group MONSTA X

Even if their last album “REASON” was released 12 months ago, here I am, incredibly belatedly, to sing the praises of MONSTA X who, throughout their eight year reign, have been able to showcase a unique charm that leaves their fans breathless with each performance and music video.

MONSTA X, one of the most recognizable groups in K-Pop, by general consensus, stands out when it comes to top-tier discography, high-level performance, mesmerizing vocals and genre versatility. The cherry on the cake? The special connection with their fans — ‘One Of A Kind‘. Their fans (MONBEBE) are always at the center of discourse.

The sextet (formerly septet) has become a prototype for spellbinding, passionate performances, with a punch of hypnotizing stealth and natural charm, strengthened by a penchant for eclectic sound and gutsy verse.

 

The MONSTA X Effect

When it comes to charisma and charm in the music industry, the world nowadays turns to K-Pop quite instinctively. It is the idols who cast a spell on their audience with their music, choreography and, needless denying it, breathtaking looks. On a beauty note, some K-Pop fans can exaggerate. But often it is the hyperbole, those intense emotions that seem to explode on the fringes of reactions, comments and reviews that insinuate the true story. Visuals are a hook, the invitation to find out more, like a shop window. And, by the way, who does not look ravishing, or is made to look that way, in the entertainment business today? You have to look good, no matter what.

The world is changing — Korea is taking over the industry with its compelling waves having reached too high not to break on the shore. This is the country that got the message and invested in the creative industries becoming a pioneer in soft power and culture export; the latter being quite ironic because it would seem that it was Korea following and mingling trends, turning a diversity, a sharing of cultural uniqueness into a hybrid product. This concoction has now become a distinctive trait, a hallmark, winning over global audiences.

Visuals – from the beautiful looks of the artists to the vibrant and often movie-quality music videos – have a more than powerful part in the equation. Reactors and fans are astounded by unique looks that, eventually and objectively, provide the “façade” of what is yet to be discovered through the music, the dance and a whole range of other outlets and activities that make K-Pop the biggest wave there is on the globe.

But MONSTA X is a lot more than visuals and, on that score, I feel that their looks can be distracting when finding out more about their music.

There are songs in their discography that do not get enough attention, songs that are not attuned to the “beastly” idols they are known to be. But labels are misleading. Nothing surprising here. Many bands have wonderful songs that are overlooked.

Known to devoted fans, some songs like ‘Mercy‘ from the album “No Limit”, ‘Myself‘ from the album “Take.1 Are You There?”, ‘Gasoline‘ from the album “Fatal Love”, ‘Better‘ from “The Dreaming”, ‘Secret‘, a track in Japanese from the album “Flavors Of Love” require only time to be fully appreciated. Each one of them are an acquired taste, just like good wine in the cellar waiting for the cork to pop.

This comment appears under the YouTube audio video of ‘Gasoline‘ and it summarizes the impact of listening to the album “Fatal Love” with words that stand out for their lyricism and the analogies evoked.

@user-hy7fq4ne5s says, “Fatal Love isn’t just an album, it’s an artistic reconstitution, the breeze you respire, it’s a motive for existence, a departure from this atrocious cosmos, an embosom from a cherished one, it’s a moment for history books.”

 

Memorable MONSTA X Performances

In the performance of ‘Nobody Else‘, a song co-written by HyungWon, each of the members dressed in black and white, and with shoes on, dances in separate pools filled with a low water level, enough to allow for their choreography to unfold; their controlled gestures seem effortless and poised within the constrained space, with a suggestiveness of sensuality that doesn’t breach any boundaries that would make this choreography a mere show of sexy moves. Instead, this is more of an artistic, contemporary dance.

Before the performance ends, the members step out of the pools and continue dancing, while HyungWon strides with his well-known subdued allure towards an armchair, takes a seat, and the song ends there with him staring at the audience with those melancholy eyes that would surprise anyone who knew they belong to a man with a natural talent of making people laugh.

With vocals that are as sensual and as sharp, and as sophisticated as they are sexy, MONSTA X performances are one of a kind. They are natural born performers who have honed their skill, overcoming all the difficulties they have found on their way. Dancing and singing at the same time, being able to have such a control over their voices (especially, lead vocalist KiHyun whose outstanding voice deserves a separate article) that blend seamlessly between them, is not an easy ride. It is a milestone that can be achieved only with a lot of work, persistence, and passion. In songs like ‘Follow‘ and ‘Fighter‘ this vocal transitioning is quite evident. It seems that Starship Entertainment who handpicked the members through the reality show, “No Mercy“, were able to see how well their talents blended together.

An initiation to their spellbinding mystical powers could be suggested by watching the live performance of ‘Mercy‘. The song begins with HyungWon, his voice soft and breathtaking, as if he is walking with you in a garden with flowers emanating a scent that you feel not only through your nostrils but on your skin and in your heart. Later, MinHyuk brings you back to reality, only to discover you are still in the garden, touched, close to tears. But then comes the softly sharp blow of KiHyun’s voice and you realize that being a mere mortal listening to him is a blessing. And with the bouquet you picked from a stroll in this mesmerizing garden, you have a wreath of sound and of a universe that you feel you are privileged to be part of and wish more people knew about. This is the MONSTA X effect.

On a more passionate note, watching the first few minutes of the “No Limit” concert in Seoul exudes such excitement that it cannot be just about good looks and suggestive moves. Concisely, it would seem that this energy comes from what connects fans with the group. It is a kind of energy that is not strictly personal but, rather, shared.

These boys honor the stage as they transform it from a tabula rasa into a journey rich with a wide spectrum of emotions. They do not seek to impress. Their passion does the work for them by means of a thorough and well-developed training.

Undoubtedly, a similar approach to the stage is innate in other boy groups. A few names that come to mind are SEVENTEEN, ONEUS, CRAVITY, SHINee, A.C.E and Stray Kids.

 

Aspects Of MONSTA X’s Charm

How is their charm and charisma expressed and what can we learn from their approach? It is a connection of different dots: their engaging social media content, strong connection with their fandom, their authenticity, their elegance, and passion. It is also being nice, and being nice is the best sexy.

 

1. Escalating performance skills

From their debut until today, their group performances have been improving by focusing on what works best, both individually and as a group. Their fans, therefore, aware of this development, are proud because they are never let down. But most importantly, they are aware that their favorite group is paying attention to what the fans like about them and consequently they work on those areas. In a stage presence ranking video where JooHoney was placed 2nd and KiHyun 9th, the analysis of their individual style is very interesting and quite accurate.

 

2. Diversity in style and genre

There are songs that seem to be out of their usual style but with sublime results: ‘You Problem‘ has a cheerful disco funky sound, ‘Gasoline’ has a Latin sound to it with a catchy, uplifting melody, while ‘Gambler’ is the one closer to their style with its thunderous synths and bass.

Here is a comment which speaks volumes of MX about being a band that can’t and shouldn’t be labeled as “K-Pop”:

“I was never a K-Pop fan until I heard Monsta X.. They are in my opinion one of if not the best K-Pop groups out there they have soo much passion and love for everything they do and everyone that supports them.. I hope they are around for a long time they make absolutely amazing music and they each have the most absolutely phenomenal voices I have heard so far in K-Pop!! Kept it up Monsta X you guys are doing an incredible job!!”

 

3. Human and pleasant to the bone

Rolling off hilarious quips and visual gags that win over fans, proving how humor bridges the language gap, they can be hilarious and comic. In a diverse range of online content, you will see them cook, take part in a Korean cultural travelogue, do entertaining reality shows, karaoke of other K-Pop singers, surprise parody karaoke to laugh your socks off, act in a drama, and much more.

 

4. Distinctive and complementary vocals

Each member holds a different torch when it comes to voice. The lyrics are distributed wisely taking the abilities and talents of each member. In ‘Mercy’ that I have already mentioned, this distribution and complementing of their voices reaches its highest peak.

A few words about the main vocalist KiHyun: naturally gifted with a distinctive vocal timbre that is angelic, raspy, warm, and sensual at the same time. Reinforced by dedicated training, he has been catapulted into a performer who skillfully combines live vocal delivery with demanding choreography. His technique is so remarkably flexible that he transforms his voice according to the style and genre while hitting all those hibernating strings of the listeners’ heart who feel what he is feeling.

JooHoney and I.M’s rapping is always one of the most mind-blowing experiences for audiences for how their passion builds up on and between every word with precision and skill, while their theatricality in expression and delivery of the lyrics always bring exhilaration and an uplifting sensation to the audience. ShowNu’s sweet voice runs through the veins with a gentle stir, while MinHyuk’s ability to deliver emotion and nostalgia is not to be reckoned with. HyungWon’s bravura lies in delivering an enchanting, subdued and well-balanced velvety sound that complements the vocal styles of the other members.

 

5. Performing with passion and facial expressions

On stages like ‘No Limit’ and at the “2019 SBS K-Pop Awards“, viewers can take a glimpse of how their talents unfold on the stage by means of choreography, consistency, body and voice control and passion. Throughout the entire performance, different elements in their physical narrative perform synergistcally. JooHoney’s piercing glance, KiHyun’s seductive eye, HyungWon’s sweet bashfulness, MinHyuk’s mischievous eye, ShowNu’s elegant mildness.

 

6. They are not shy to show love to their fans

Their focus is how they can make their fans happy. The love they give is the love they receive and vice versa. It is quite impressive to read comments of fans expressing how they have benefited from their music and from being their fans. This of course is true for many K-Pop groups and their energizing, uplifting music.

 

7. They turned leather wear into state of art outfits

It is a fact that among K-Pop groups leather wear is a frequent choice. But how many would wear leather while shooting in the freezing weather a music video with a plot that assembles a horse and a whip, mirrors and chains, flames and fog? From red leather to studded black jackets with diamond and different shapes and designs of patterns for each member, their outfits have attracted the attention of many fans who always congratulate their stylists.

 

8. They are not afraid to show their human side

MONSTA X’s members are not afraid to be themselves. We know about their weaknesses as much as we know of their talents, who cooks best, who will buy Brussel sprouts because they look cute, who’s a hilarious meme, who will decide to go to his parent’s house for a surprise visit while the recording camera is on, who will tease a member while showing at the same time boundless love, who will vacuum clean during a live show, who will accept to wash dishes with a sad face, who will scrub a bathtub live, and so much more.

Four members of MONSTA X are currently serving in the military. Warmhearted letters were posted by all of them with follow up messages and updates as well as new online content that fans are always looking forward to. During the 2023-2024 holiday season, new videos were uploaded connecting the members with their fans even more.