2019 hasn't been the best for K-pop.
Let's be honest, Monsta X is one of the groups that is taking on the American market
and doing well, but that all came crashing down.
Today, we're gonna explain and bring together all the information of why Wonho left,
photos allegedly being spread, and a relationship about another Monsta X member, Shownu.
Starting with how Monsta X grew in K-Pop, what happened, and more importantly, what will happen to them.
But before looking forward, I always like to look back.
At the tail end of 2014, Starship Entertainment launched their first survival show.
They wanted to find their next boy group to debut.
The show titled No Mercy aired with 13 trainees from Starship that would be whittled down to 7,
the final group consisting of Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Jooheon, I.M, and Wonho.
They were all set to debut together.
Later, this group got its name, Monsta X,
that means 'Monsters Conquering the K-Pop Scene'.
This is something really new to come out of Starship,
with their biggest group being SISTAR, who were more mature and sexy,
and the rest of their artists at the time, being ballad singers and a couple of rappers.
Monsta X would show their colors, debuting in 2015 with "Trespass".
Bursting at the scene with pure energy, Monsta X broke into K-Pop.
Just in the debut, you can tell what Monsta X were all about,
bringing charisma, dance, and competitiveness to the table.
With those qualities, Monsta X performed well in Korea, but surprisingly from the get-go,
Monsta X already had an international presence.
This rookie boy group landed 14th on Billboard's World Digital Songs Chart.
And with the rap powerhouse of Jooheon and I.M,
it creates what I think is Monsta X's unique sound.
Later in the fall, Monsta X maintained the debut momentum with the new release, "Rush".
Doubling in sales, Monsta X was on the rise in their first year.
Months later, Los Angeles welcomed these new boys,
as Monsta X made their first ever US appearance at KCON 2015.
KCON is probably a fantastic stepping stone for any new group coming out.
And at the end of the year, Monsta X would prove their staying power
by winning the Next Generation Artist Award at MAMA 2015,
an award that perfectly described what Monsta X would become.
Building on a red hot rookie year, Monsta X needed to step it up,
and they did.
"All In" is a part of a large scale project called The Clan.
This MV was actually directed by award-winning director Shin Dong Kyo.
This story-based music video created a magnificent world
of a cult seeking out rebellion and freedom.
All of this effort added up to Monsta X
debuting on Billbaord's World Album Chart at no. 5, and staying there for 4 weeks.
Starship then announced Monsta X will have their first solo concert.
Whilst on sale, tickets completely sold out in a matter of only five minutes.
[ don't cry bb ;^; ]
[ we lub you too :') ]
Monsta X then continued the Clan series, with "Fighter".
Hinting at the Netflix show, Stranger Things,
Monsta X created a pumped-up song you can listen to in the gym,
if you go to the gym
(unlike me).
Again, Monsta X claimed another award at MAMA 2016
with the Best of, Male artist.
You noticed Monsta X won all the 'next' or the 'new' generation awards
when would Monsta X compete at the top?
The following year, Monsta X featured in their new variety show called Monsta X-Ray,
kinda proving how much of a meme-machine the group is.
I'm sure you know by now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Next up would be Monsta X's biggest release up to date.
"Beautiful" is too beautiful to handle,
a dreamy sound that swept more than just Monbebes of their feet.
This new album debuted in the top spot on Billboard's World Album Chart,
and remained there for one week.
Unable to stop Monsta X, they continued to clam top spots on Billbaord's Heatseekers Chart,
and World Digital Songs Chart.
Not only that, but Monsta X sold over 1,000 of The Clan: The Final Chapter in one week in the US.
That may not seem like a lot,
but for a relatively new, still up-and-coming group from the small peninsula of Korea,
it's still a huge milestone.
Starship saw the international potential of their boy group,
and signed up to have Monsta X debut in Japan,
dropping Japanese versions of their hits "Stuck" and "Hero".
Returning to Korea, Monsta X began promtion of the repackaged version of their latest album,
with the release of the song "Shine Forever".
On with this new comeback, Monsta X packed their bags for their first world tour,
spanning Asia, Europe, the Americas,
and putting up on an award-winning shows for tons of fans.
But Monsta X . . .
were nowhere near done.
"Dramarama" is such an iconic era for Monsta X,
and it helped them claim what every successful group needs,
their first win.
Monsta X kicked off 2018 with having the honor of carrying the torch for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
And was back in action, mainly focusing on Japanese promotions and a second world tour.
Until [returning to] K-Pop once again, at the end of the year was "Shoot Out".
Beside from moving like my phone does on vibrate,
"Shoot Out" was another breakout hit for the boys,
continuing their search to the top.
Now on to this year, 2019,
which is actually a huge expansion year for Monsta X.
"Alligator" marked a new era.
It was gritty and ruthless.
I mean, take a listen. As someone from Florida, let's just make this our state anthem.
Can we- can we get that passed?
At the same time, Starship was making moves.
Monsta X teamed up with Steve Aoki to release "Play It Cool".
I usually don't like when K-Pop groups go all English and release a song to appeal the American audience,
but, man, "Play It Cool" is so clean and catchy.
This marked a major campaign to bring Monsta X to the United States, to officially debut.
Signing with the major US label, Epic Records, Monsta X appeared on US television,
in person and in cartoon form.
Continuing to focus on this new market, Monsta X had another collab in store,
"Who Do You Love?", with rapper French Montana.
All of Monsta X's music for the western market were a Monsta X we haven't really seen,
more relaxed and smooth, and it just works.
Monsta X were making history as one of the handful of K-Pop acts that even made the jump to America.
Everything seemed like it was set for success.
Monsta X are booked for the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour, and numerous big appearances.
Yet, all of it could be in jeopardy as controversy broke.
Tons were blindsided by the announcement that the member, Wonho, would be leaving the group,
and people wanted to know why.
Wonho allegedly owed a past friend he lived with $27,000,
for rent and money he borrowed.
He only paid her back nearly $2,000.
That, along with the slew of other accusations, led to his departure.
Wonho himself wrote a letter apologizing for causing such trouble and for his mistakes in the past,
and he decided to leave to not affect his group.
All we have right now are these messages and DMS from people,
with no real facts yet.
It sadly isn't just that,
as the leader of Monsta X had his own accusations.
Shownu was allegedly seeing a married woman,
with numerous fake photos being spread.
Starship Entertainment was quick to respond, saying Shownu has been seeing this woman,
but had no idea she was married.
Now all of this is still new and being sorted out,
whether it's true or not,
but fans are against Wonho's removal.
So against it in fact that they started posting notes on Starship's building
in support for Wonho.
Organized a silent protest, signed petitions, and raised money for a Billboard ad
in support of Monsta X and Wonho.
Now, can this all be fixed?
Will Starship go back and accept Wonho into the group?
There are close to zero times where a K-Pop company goes back
and changes their stance on a member leaving a group.
Will Shownu also have to face possible termination of his contract?
Who knows? It is still a devloping story.
This has dealt a big damage to Monsta X,
who had just released a new album just days before this controversy.
Monsta X are a huge part of Starship,
and why they didn't stand with Wonho and maybe help pay the debt,
and help him is beyond me.
It is still saddening to see that there is no loyalty
when it comes to artists and labels,
but that isn't surprising.
Although Wonho isn't perfect, we all have done something we aren't proud of,
and should be criticized for.
But he did what he could, and apologized.
I do hope Monsta X can carry on like they have been,
and continue to be a leading name in K-pop around the globe.
That's it for me guys, hope you enjoyed this one,
and what do you think about the whole Monsta X . . .
controversy, I guess?
As of right now, this is what I know,
and if there's any new information that comes out, please let me know
and update me down in the comments
Shout out to all the Monbebes showing support for Monsta X and the group and Wonho,
and it's incredible to see a fandom be so caring
even though the label isn't.
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