MONSTA X reunite for first mini-album in four years, THE X
MONSTA X have released the new EP THE X after teasing their full-group comeback.
MONSTA X have dropped their first mini-album in four years, THE X.
The K-pop outfit have marked their 10th anniversary with a bold, genre-blending project that reasserts their place in the global music scene.
The group — Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M — have spent the past few years navigating staggered military enlistments, solo ventures, and sub-unit activities. With Hyungwon recently discharged and I.M still active ahead of his enlistment.
Led by the high-octane single N the Front, the album delivers six tracks that span trap, synth-pop, and R&B, with lyrics that lean into themes of resilience, ambition, and self-definition. Do What I Want, released ahead of the EP, set the tone with its unapologetic energy and slick production, while deeper cuts like Fire & Ice and Catch Me Now showcase the group’s vocal depth and emotional range.
Members Joohoney, Hyungwon, and I.M contributed to the songwriting and production, adding personal flair to the project. Their creative fingerprints are especially evident on Tuscan Leather, a moody, bass-heavy track that blends introspection with swagger.
To mark the release, MONSTA X hosted a live-streamed comeback special and wrapped their CONNECT X anniversary concert series in Seoul and Tokyo, drawing thousands of fans eager to witness the group’s long-awaited reunion.
MONSTA X made a triumphant return with three shows at Seoul's KSPO Dome between July 18 and 20, their first full-group fan appearance in more than four years due to their military enlistments.
The weekend also saw the Love Killa hitmakers tease more band activity on September 1, which turned out to be THE X.
They captioned a teaser clip on X: "MONSTA X IS COMING 2025.09.01."
At a press event the week prior, members Hyungwon and Shownu discussed the reunion and insisted "nothing has really changed".
Hyungwon shared: “Since we’re preparing for our concert, we’ve spent a lot of time together.
“I was surprised by how nothing has really changed in terms of our teamwork since returning from the military. Our passion for practice and sense of humour have stayed the same.”
He then cheekily quipped: “I’d say our visuals have become more mature — and even sexier.”
To mark a decade as a group, the six-piece released the digital album Now Project vol. 1 in May.
The 10 tracks were originally released between 2021 and 2023, but they rerecorded them to showcase Shownu’s vocals, as he was carrying out his mandatory military service when they were first recorded.
