MONSTA X

MONSTA X is a South Korean boy group under Starship Entertainment. Formed through the Mnet survival show NO.MERCY, which aired from December 2014 to February 2015, the group originally debuted as seven members: Shownu, Wonho, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. They officially debuted on May 14, 2015, with their first mini album, Trespass. The group currently promotes as six members. The name MONSTA X is derived from the French phrase “Ma Star,” meaning “my star,” while the “X” symbolizes infinite possibilities. Their official fandom name, MONBEBE, also comes from French and translates to “my baby.” On May 17, 2017, MONSTA X made their Japanese debut under Universal Music’s Mercury Tokyo label with a single album featuring Japanese versions of “Hero” and “Stuck.” “Hero” achieved high placements on major Japanese charts, including number two on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart. On January 13, 2018, the group participated as torchbearers during the Seoul leg of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics torch relay. On October 31, 2019, Starship Entertainment announced Wonho’s departure from the group following allegations made against him, stating that legal action would be taken against malicious claims. Wonho was later cleared of drug-related charges in March 2020 and subsequently signed with a Starship subsidiary to pursue a solo career. In 2022, Starship Entertainment announced that all members except I.M had renewed their contracts with the agency. Although I.M did not renew, it was confirmed that he would continue participating in group activities. In 2023, MONSTA X released their twelfth mini album, Reason. That same year, Shownu and Hyungwon debuted as the group’s first official subunit with the mini album The Unseen. In 2025, the group released their first digital album, Now Project Vol.1, followed by the Japanese digital single “Beautiful Liar / Gambler (Japan Special Edition).” They later returned with their thirteenth mini album, The X, and released the English digital single “Baby Blue.” On February 6, 2026, MONSTA X released their eighth English digital single, “Growing Pains.”