MONSTA X's JOOHONEY, "Only Crazy Can Shine" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.

MONSTA X's Jooheon made a comeback as a solo artist.

On the 5th, Jooheon released his 2nd mini album "INSANITY" ("Gwangsanity") through various online music sites.

"INSANITY" is Jooheon's solo debut album and first mini album "LIGHT" released in May 2023, which is more than a new scene that will be released in about two years and eight months. Jooheon plans to develop music based on a more solid and three-dimensional world view by expanding the concept of "light" covered in his previous work to "light" (light, crazy light).

With Jooheon's narrative continuing his light world view, as well as his production, including writing, composing, and producing all of the album's songs, the title song "STING" (Feat. Muhammad Ali) (hereinafter "STING") is the most elaborate version of the image of "bees" symbolizing Jooheon. It is expected that a charismatic performance and powerful rap will be combined to give off a fast and sharp presence, and Jooheon's unique intense energy will be felt.

Jooheon, who debuted as MONSTA X in 2015, has performed a number of hit songs as the team's main rapper and producer. Even before his solo debut, Jooheon's own color mixtape stood out on overseas charts, including Billboard and iTunes, and proved his ability to build up one after another through his first solo album "Light." Jooheon will deliver another strong resonance to the music industry with his new album "INSANITY" and title song "STING," which cover more expanded music and worldview.

■ JOOHONEY's question and answer

Q1. I'm back as a soloist after 2 years and 8 months. How do you feel?

I feel really good, and I'm excited to be able to play new music for you. Above all, I released my first solo album before I joined the army, and I think it's personally meaningful to release my second album after I was discharged from the military.

Q2. As you wrote, composed, and produced this album "INSANITY", I wonder how you chose the tracklist and what kind of story you wanted to draw.

I took the track composition the same as the first album, and I focused on the feelings and feelings when I listened to the track 1 to the last 7. In particular, I drew a world view that connects with the first album, and in the first album, I talked about "LIGHTTS" and "When it's dark, light becomes strong" through light, but in the second album, the message is "LIGHT" and "Only when you're crazy" through the light to shine and the light to go crazy. It's a world view that started with the thought of "What should I do to cheer everyone up and shine bright in a dark world?" and I think it would be good to see that the artist "Jooheon" continues to expand the world view of light with his vision and realization of light.

Q3. From Muhammad Ali's voice sampling to Tiger JK and iBray, the featured lineup stands out. Do you have any special reason to include Muhammad Ali's voice in this title song, and I wonder what other featured breathing was like.

First of all, it is an honor to be with the legendary Muhammad Ali saying, "Fly like a butterfly and shoot like a bee." It's also called "Honey" by fans (Jooheon → JOOHONEY → HONEY) and I was thinking about whether there was a topic that could express "bees" because they expressed me a lot as honeybees, but Muhammad Ali's quote came to mind. I wanted to give positive power to many people as well through the confidence to fly toward my dream and put it into the exact goal and the energy to achieve my goal accurately. In the case of eyebrow, I really liked the vocal tone. I was thinking about how to make a lot of people feel Ray's charm better and then I got to work with him, and I want to say thank you very much to Ray for being willing to participate.

Q4. I'm curious about the title song, "STING", and the message you wanted to put in the lyrics.

It's a hip-hop song with a strong mixtape scent that I used to do in the past, and it's a theme of Muhammad Ali's famous saying. As a rapper who can perform, I hope you can watch it as an intense song that combines powerful and sensual choreography and music well.

Q5. What's your favorite track besides the title track?

The track that I'm attached to is "NO BRAIN NO PAIN". This song is similar to MONSTA X's "Stand Up", "I Love You", and "Don't Worry Be Happy". I think you usually do intense music, but I've always included warm music like this in MONSTA X's and my albums. This song also has that warmth and a cool rock sound that makes you feel emotional. In particular, this song contains a message that breaks through the reality of not being able to do anything because there are too many thoughts, and it came out by adding my experience in the military and my belief, "Just do it, just go." As much as it's tattooed on my body, I hope it's a precious song for me and MONBEBE.

Q6. Intense visuals such as boxing concepts are the talk of the town, what is something you wanted to highlight visually?

The point is competition, sweat, persistence, and passion. I wanted to express that passion because I thought boxing is a sport that has romance and proves the efforts accumulated in it by competing in the ring.

Q7. One of the messages in this album, "You have to go crazy to shine," is impressive, and I'm curious about the moment when Jooheon was so immersed in himself.

For me, every moment is immersion. Otherwise, I don't feel comfortable. Of course, there are times when I get tired, but I always want to do my best in what I'm given, and I think it's important how to get back to it. I want to immerse myself in every moment and try and live, and that's how crazy I want to be! I believe that only then can you shine more than anyone else.

Q8. Please say something to MONBEBE who love Jooheon.

Dear MONBEBE, I'm making all the albums with passion, but I think this album especially goes well with Passion and is the most similar album to the existing Jooheon. As much as you worked hard, I hope you send me a lot of love, and MONBEBE is more precious light than anyone else. I want to say that we should all shine crazy during this promotion. Starting with our solo album, our team activities, and MONSTA X's new world tour, we're preparing it with excitement, so please look forward to it. I love you, MONBEBE!

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*This content was translated by AI.