Aurora, a MONBEBE (MONSTA X’s fan) from Italy, talks about her experiences and thoughts as a fan
Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?
Hi, my name is Aurora and I’m a MONBEBE from Italy.
How and when did you enter the fandom?
I’ve been a MONBEBE since April 18th 2019. That day I was going to participate in a K-Pop event in Milan and I wanted to discover new groups. I searched “K-Pop groups” on Google and MONSTA X was in the recommendations. I searched their name on YouTube and I first listened to one of the title tracks: ‘Shoot Out’.
After listening to it, I immediately realized that MONSTA X were going to be my favorite group, so I searched more information about them and I started listening to their music. Since that day, we’ve become inseparable.
What are the reasons why you love your favorite group?
There are way too many reasons why I love MONSTA X! They’re so talented, kind, funny… They’re always able to make me smile, they’re always there in the darkest moments of my life, they’re people I know I can trust and their music makes me feel a lot of emotions. I think music is something that needs to transmit something special to you and MONSTA X are the best at doing this. With their music, their videos, their concerts, their laughters and also their tears, I feel alive.
They enlighten my life.
Who caught your attention at first and why?
The member of MONSTA X that caught my attention first was I.M (Im ChangKyun). As I mentioned before, I first listened to ‘Shoot Out’, and I immediately fell in love with him. I really enjoyed his rap, his voice and his visuals; it was something I had never heard and seen before, I was really surprised, and he became my Bias. Now, after 5 years and half, he’s still the member I prefer.
Who is your bias, and why?
My Bias in MONSTA X is I.M (Im ChangKyun). Also here, there are way too many reasons why he’s my favorite member! I love everything about him. I love the way he raps, the way he sings, the way he dances…I love his cute and deep voice, his smile, his laughter, his personality, his songs, his tattoos, his eyes…there nothing I don’t love about him.
He’s the person who can make me feel loved and he’s the one who can make me always smile, even in the worst situations. He’s like the candle that makes me see in the darkness. He’s my Bias not only because he’s an amazing and talented artist, but also because his attitudes and behaviors are always so good. He’s very kind, shy, altruistic and he always makes sure his fans are alright. He cares so much about us and loving him is one of the ways I can repay him for everything he does.
Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans?
MONSTA X title tracks are all extraordinary, but one of my favorite is “GAMBLER”. It was produced by the Main Rapper JooHoney and its Music Video really looks like a movie!
For their B-side songs, I recommend ‘Wildfire’ (from the album “Shape of Love”), produced by the Visual and Vocalist HyungWon and ‘Lost in the Dream’ (from the album “THE CONNECT : DEJAVU”).
Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers?
I.M (Im ChangKyun) debuted as a solo artist in 2021, after releasing some solo songs and Mixtapes. I strongly recommend listening to all his solo work, that everyone can find on YouTube and Spotify! He released his first solo album in 2021, called “Duality” and the most recent one, released on June 2023, called “OVERDRIVE”.
Most of his songs give off a chilly and sensual mood, along with deep and intense lyrics; his songs are perfect to listen to while relaxing alone and drinking a hot chocolate. I.M recently opened his own website, in which you can find all the contents related to him, alongside with selfies, posts and schedules!
Can you also recommend a content video (variety series, song cover, dance cover, etc.) by your favorite group?
If I had to choose among the variety shows that MONSTA X made, I’ll for sure recommend the “Monsta X-Ray”. Every MONBEBE has watched it at least once! It’s a variety show made by themselves, in which they play games, travel, try new things and make new experiences! It has 3 seasons and it’s really fun to watch!
Another show that is similar to “Monsta X-Ray” is “MONMUKGO”, released this year.
Finally, I also want to recommend a song cover made by them, which is ‘Heartbeat‘ (originally from the K-Pop group 2PM). They really showed an amazing talent in covering other songs from other groups there, and you won’t regret watching it for sure!
Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics?
The lyrics of ‘By My Side‘ is one of the best lyrics of MONSTA X songs in my opinion. This song can be explained by the title itself and the song lyrics, that every MONBEBE knows about, which is also one of my favorites lyrics of them, is: “I love you all day. I love you always. So in love with yourself. 내게 사랑을 알려준 네게 정말 고마워 (Thank you for letting me know how to love)”.
MONSTA X always dedicate this song to us, because the lyrics refers to their love for their fans…but at the same time, MONBEBE dedicate it to MONSTA X, because, in our point of view, the lyrics are addressed to them.
Are there any words from the members you would like to share?
A member of MONSTA X, the Main Vocal KiHyun, once said: “Don’t forget we always got your back we’ll always be on your side wherever you are. Thank you for being my happiness. Goodnight Good afternoon Good morning”. He wrote all this in English and posted it on their official FanCafe.
This is what I meant by saying that MONSTA X are always here for me, no matter what. They’re my comfort zone, and trust me, one random day (usually it’s at least one day a week), you can simply wake up and find messages of support, encouragement or love from the members, like the one that I shared here.
What is your favorite group/bias’ influence on your daily life?
I’ve been a MONBEBE for 5 years and I can say that I kind of grew up with them. They did and still do influence my daily life in a positive way; thanks to them I learned how to open up with people and how to not let people take advantage of me. I feel more confident with myself now and a part of it was surely thanks to them. Besides being happier with them, I feel also better with myself; they taught me how to enjoy life, how to be more comfortable with others and they helped me through the process of loving myself.
In a more materialistic way, thanks to them I started studying Korean and I traveled a lot to get a chance to see them; thanks to them I went to Germany, France and also South Korea, and these experiences really helped me learn more about myself and the World in general. I’m very grateful.
Do you feel there are any misunderstandings, things that are not well known, or any prejudices about your favorite group from other fans (non-fans)?
I think that some people, unfortunately, have prejudices towards MONSTA X that refer to them being just and only a “hot and sexy group, with members who have a great body”. Many people who don’t personally know them say that, and it’s not a bad thing, but they’re just more than that. Rather than just being sexy, they’re also genuine people, who give infinite love to their fans, who are effortlessly funny, who make songs that make your heart beat, who are able to make you feel loved and who are genuinely talented. I really hope people will recognize all this.
A message to your Bias?
I don’t really know what to tell you, ChangKyun. I just want you to be healthy and happy. Even if life is not always happy, I really hope you will be always strong, even in the worst situations. Thank you for everything you’ve done and still do for me and for all the MONBEBE. Thank you for always being by my side. Thank you for being a part of my life. I infinitely love you.
For me, my bias is…
For me my bias is my role model, my best friend, the shoulder I can always lean on.
If you have a chance to cook for the group, what will you cook for them?
I’m Italian and of course I couldn’t skip the question about food!! I will cook them a good and tasty Carbonara!
If you are collecting goods, what is your most precious treasure?
My most precious treasure from all the goods I have of MONSTA X is for sure the Mini Bag that I bought in South Korea, outside the YES24 Arena, ready to attend I.M’s first solo concert! I went to Seoul just to attend his concert and as soon as I arrived at the venue, I immediately bought one item from Official Merch, which is this cute, yet fancy Mini Bag!
Is your bias different while performing and in real life? What is your reaction to the difference (if there’s any)?
I talked about this in the review of I.M’s first solo concert (that I posted on X)! I.M (Im ChangKyun) really surprised me! He’s so handsome and doesn’t change much from photos or videos.
I was in the first line for both the Send-Off events (after the concert) and he was really close to me. I could notice his acne scar on his cheek (that I found really cute), his facial features and details, which are very pretty, his smile (which is very bright) and he’s fit, even though he’s pretty skinny. I love the way he looks in real life.