Go Away With … SHOWNU X HYUNGWON

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune and other outlets
July 25, 2023

It is midnight in Seoul when Shownu and Hyungwon log on for our Zoom interview. Despite the late hour – which they chose, rather than asking western media to stay up late for them – the two members of the South Korean group Monsta X show no signs of fatigue. They are dressed in immaculate white T-shirts and easily riff off each other as they share their views about their music and life in general. They have a lot to talk about. Group leader Shownu recently finished his mandatory military duty, which all able-bodied Korean men are required to fulfill. For his first post-military project, he chose to work with his producer bandmate. As SHOWNU X HYUNGWON, the duo is promoting their first mini album “The Unseen.” Asked why they decided on this collaboration with each other, versus any of their other band members, Shownu said, “We fit well together – visually even – and we have a certain chemistry when we work together. So we decided to release some songs as a sub unit.” (Note: This interview was conducted in Korean and translated into English.)

Q: Do you write any of your songs when you’re on the road?
Hyungwon: Sometimes. Our focus track “Love Me A Little” was written in the studio. But I also worked on [Monsta X bandmate] Kihyun’s solo album when we were traveling on tour. So he and I were easily able to discuss what kind of songs to make together.

Q: Speaking of touring, your shows are very physical. Are hotel gyms a priority for you guys when your management books where you’ll stay?
Hyungwon: [Playfully flexes his arms] It’s the most important thing!
Shownu: [Flexing as well] Honestly, it’s the first thing we go look for when we get to our hotels – what floor the gym is on.

Q: Which city had a gym that you really liked?
Shownu: It’s not a hotel gym, but I went to Equinox in Los Angeles. I remember being surprised that it was so big.

Q: How have your travels impacted your work as musicians?
Hyungwon: What I consider the most important – besides being on stage – is the experience. Traveling is something where I can experience many different things and that gives me more inspiration overall [that makes its way into my music].
Shownu: [There is a difference between] thinking about a place and experiencing it. It feels bigger. Traveling is so important.

Q: Shownu, you were discharged from military service a few months ago. Did you have time to work on new material while you served?
Shownu: It wasn’t that I didn’t have time. I had time. I wasn’t an on-duty soldier [due to a retinal detachment]. I did my service as a social worker and separated my celebrity life and army life. I didn’t really think about anything else when I was a soldier. I physically and mentally concentrated on my duties as a soldier. So I was not mentally focused on [being a singer]. I approached my duty as a worker with a daily routine that didn’t include being a celebrity. Of course, though, I thought about our group and fans, Monbebe.

Q: We already talked a bit about the importance of working out on tour. Do you also exercise more because of all the different foods you like to try when you’re overseas?
Shownu: [Laughs] Yes! In Chicago, I remember eating at a famous restaurant. The pasta serving was huge. And the pizza was big – Chicago style. Hyungwon and the other members [of Monsta X] were there, too. We knew we had to eat it all!

Q: What do you look forward to eating the most when you’re away from home?
Hyungwon: We eat everything – American, Korean and all kinds of food.
Shownu: Hyungwon really likes those cans of spicy tuna.
Hyungwon: Yes, I love it!

Q: Will you be performing in the United States this year?
Shownu: [Next month] we’ll be in Los Angeles [for KCON LA] and New York [Krazy K-pop Super Concert].

Q: Where would you like to go that you haven’t been to yet?
Hyungwon: Canada. We haven’t been there yet and want to go.

Q: What is it about Canada that makes you want to visit?
Shownu: [Laughs] I’m not sure. But the nature is supposed to be beautiful and we’ve heard lots of things about the country, so I’m curious. It’s so close to the United States and yet we have never had a chance to go there yet, so I want to visit.