Jaehwa Bernardo

(From left) Hyungwon and Shownu of K-pop group Monsta X return as a duo sub-unit with their second extended play 'Love Me.' Photo courtesy of Kakao Entertainment

Article (news)

What Shownu X Hyungwon hope to achieve with comeback EP 'Love Me'

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779592856712SHOWNU X HYUNGWON_1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="(From left) Hyungwon and Shownu of K-pop group Monsta X return as a duo sub-unit with their second extended play &#x27;Love Me.&#x27; Photos courtesy of Kakao Entertainment"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">(From left) Hyungwon and Shownu of K-pop group Monsta X return as a duo sub-unit with their second extended play &#x27;Love Me.&#x27; <em>Photos courtesy of Kakao Entertainment</em></span></span></span></div><p>Since their debut in 2015, the K-pop boy group Monsta X has built a devoted fan base while carving out a signature “beast idol” image and sound, defined by hard-hitting hip-hop and EDM influences.</p><p>The numbers reflect the group&#x27;s massive reach: Monsta X draws 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, boasts millions of followers across social media — including 6 million on Instagram and 4 million on X — and has mounted several world tours throughout its career.</p><p>For Shownu, however, goals have come to mean something different over time. Rather than focusing solely on numbers or awards, the 33-year-old artist said his priority now is longevity.</p><p>&quot;As time goes by, I find myself focusing less on results or achievements and more on wanting to do this for a long time,&quot; he said in a Q&amp;A for &quot;Love Me&quot; —  the recently released extended play (EP) from his sub-unit with bandmate Hyungwon — shared with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>&quot;I want to continue exploring different directions with Hyungwon, hold concerts, and spend a long time with our fans,&quot; added Shownu, whose real name is Son Hyun-woo.</p><p>The singer born Chae Hyung-won, on the other hand, said he hoped the comeback would give their sub-unit greater recognition from the public.</p><p>&quot;And for our fans, I hope this comeback exceeds their expectations. I want people to think, &#x27;Shownu X Hyungwon can pull off something like this too?&#x27; and keep giving fans that sense of surprise and excitement,&quot; he said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kUF1-MOV4KA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The seven-track &quot;Love Me,&quot; unveiled last May 21, marks Shownu X Hyungwon&#x27;s first new EP since debuting in 2023 with &quot;The Unseen.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/2/28/why-shownu-x-hyungwon-covered-2pm-s-i-hate-you-for-spotify-729"><strong>READ: Why Shownu X Hyungwon covered 2PM’s ‘I Hate You’ for Spotify</strong></a></div><p>&quot;It feels great to finally share new music with our fans again. Since they’ve been waiting for us, we really wanted to prepare well and show our appreciation through this album,&quot; Shownu said.</p><p>&quot;We spent a lot of time thinking about what Shownu X Hyungwon can uniquely bring and what new sides we could show, so I hope people enjoy the album,&quot; Hyungwon added.</p><p>Shownu said the EP &quot;expresses different perspectives on love and a wide range of emotions in a more delicate and detailed way.&quot;</p><p>The lead single &quot;Do You Love Me,&quot; meanwhile, &quot;captures the tension and push-and-pull emotions of not being fully certain about love,&quot; Shownu explained.</p><p>&quot;When I first heard it, I was really drawn to the song’s sense of tension. I also felt like it was a track that could really highlight our performance strengths,&quot; he said.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779592983492SHOWNU X HYUNGWON_2.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Hyungwon also believes the single &quot;really shows how much we’ve grown both vocally and performance-wise.&quot;</p><p>&quot;It also highlights our more restrained charm in a clearer way, so I hope people pay attention to that point as well,&quot; Hyungwon said.</p><p>The EP also showcases a notable diversity in sound, from the groovy energy of &quot;Superstitious&quot; and the powerful vocals of &quot;In My Head&quot; to the breezy Afrobeats of &quot;Breathe&quot; and the relaxed yet fun &quot;Accelerator.&quot; Each member is also given space to shine individually through the solo tracks &quot;Around &amp; Go&quot; for Shownu and &quot;No Air&quot; for Hyungwon.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/9/1/monsta-x-marks-10th-anniversary-with-fresh-powerful-ep-the-x-1724"><strong>READ: Monsta X marks 10th anniversary with &#x27;fresh, powerful&#x27; EP &#x27;The X&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;I think this album could only happen because Monbebe was there for us,&quot; said Shownu, referring to Monsta X&#x27;s fans. &quot;We prepared this album wanting to repay that support with even better music and performances.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Over the years, I’ve become even more grateful that we’ve been able to stay together for so long. While preparing for this album, I kept thinking about what Monbebe would want to see and what they would enjoy,&quot; Hyungwon said.</p>

<p>Shownu and Hyungwon of K-pop group Monsta X made their comeback as a duo sub-unit with 'Love Me,' an extended play that explores 'different perspectives on love.'</p>

Shownu and Hyungwon of K-pop group Monsta X made their comeback as a duo sub-unit with 'Love Me,' an extended play that explores 'different perspectives on love.'