Because of the rigorous and multilayered coaching wanted to debut, Okay-pop artists can embrace a kaleidoscope of ideas, sounds, genres and types that may change with each album. As a lot as teams can creatively discover, the Okay-pop idols themselves have a tendency to remain in particular, assigned roles: the rapper, powerhouse belter, the lovable one, the mysterious one, the extreme dancer, the middle. Whereas necessary in establishing a bunch dynamic, Monsta X‘s Joohoney seemed to free himself from any earlier expectations on his first full-fledged solo effort—and hopes different Okay-pop stars notice they’ll do the identical.
Launched to the world as Lee Jooheon in 2014 earlier than gaining important curiosity whereas competing for a spot within the boy band actuality competitors No.Mercy, Joohoney stood out for his well-rounded talents and earnestness in group dynamics. Finally incomes a spot as certainly one of seven in Monsta X, Joohoney served as a predominant rapper for the group however grew to become more and more concerned in shaping their sound and course.
Not solely was he a credited lyricist since MX’s first EP in 2015, Joohoney finally wrote, produced and organized breakthrough singles for the group like “Gambler,” “Rush Hour” and “Love.” Joohoney was additionally the primary member of his group to drop an entire, multitrack mixtape venture the place he took on a majority of the writing and producing. As Monsta X’s international ambitions grew with completely different U.S. labels and extra High 40 pop materials, Joohoney tailored by taking extra lead vocals on the band’s two Billboard 200 English albums, All About Luv and The Dreaming, along with his admiration of Michael Jackson coming via in his ad-libs on Pop Airplay chart hit “Who Do U Love?”
For his first solo file to get a correct bodily launch and promotional push, Joohoney seemed to pack all of the completely different musical parts that encourage him into the concise, six-track EP titled Lights. However past bringing every thing from his singing and rapping talents to his appreciation for hip-hop, rock, jazz and Korean music into one venture, Joohoney needed to ship a private message to his fellow artists.
Talking to Billboard forward of the discharge of Lights from a video name in Seoul, Joohoney sees his eight years within the business as groundwork to make a greater assist system for Okay-pop idols at this time. Joohoney says his early profession’s unhealthy and intense hustle give him a brand new, extra beneficiant perspective for himself and his fellow artists.
At the moment, he isn’t afraid to query business requirements and needs to encourage Okay-pop stars to be extra open and categorical themselves. That journey begins with Lights, his new single “Freedom,” and the brand new mindset and position he’s embracing within the business shifting ahead.
Learn on for extra Joohoney on the makings of his first mini album and what comes subsequent.
Congratulations on the discharge of Lights. You may have credit as a songwriter, arranger and composer on each music, which is absolutely spectacular. What’s your course of prefer to deal with all these roles?
Joohoney: Initially, I get inspiration for simply the music itself. Whether or not I’m capturing a video or out on my day’s schedule, I’m at all times pondering, “How will Monbebes obtain this music or this style each time my solo album does come out?” I kind out lyrics on my cellphone and I sing into my cellphone to make my demos. Once I lastly get into the studio, I’ve my crew—the manufacturing crew who assist make the lyrics and melodies—the place we’re enthusiastic about how one can put collectively our tales.
The very first thing that struck me was what number of completely different genres and sounds there are on Lights. On one hand, Okay-pop is thought for mixing genres however this felt extra bold. How do you mix all of those influences?
To be trustworthy, I don’t know how one can mix the completely different genres—it’s about simply being free, proper? It doesn’t matter what it’s, typically it’s like, “I need to flip the drums up” or “I need to put drill there;” it’s free to me. I don’t need to ever have a hard and fast course, I used to be open to each course with the songs. I need to make a distinct means throughout the Okay-pop scene and the music style itself.
Is that the way you take heed to music? Are your playlists all types of music genres and types?
I take pleasure in listening to an entire mixture of genres and imagining mashing them up. So, for instance, I’ll take heed to songs by Michael Jackson, after which I’ll begin listening to Monsta X songs and he sort of imagining, like, the mashup of those [artists].
I believe any of Lights‘ songs might have been the title observe single, however you selected “Freedom.” Why?
I selected “Freedom” because the title observe [single] music as a result of the album title is Lights and I needed to specific that for anybody who desires freedom and to provide a optimistic message out to the world. Out of all of the songs, I assumed “Freedom” was the one which expresses this which means one of the best.
However I additionally hope that this music will sort of be a supply of inspiration for different Okay-pop artists as a result of it’s completely different from different typical songs. A variety of Okay-pop artists create songs based mostly round their performances they usually’re sort of made beforehand. However in my music, I need to particularly categorical that I’ve been very uncooked and trustworthy. And I need different idols to be snug with sharing about their onerous instances and in a position to categorical themselves confidently via their music sooner or later. The music and lyrics can actually be a mixture of arts.
It doesn’t matter what the style, numerous artists sing about concepts round freedom and eager to really feel liberated. Why is it so necessary to discuss that?
As some examples, BTS‘ Jimin lately launched “Set Me Free Pt.2” and TWICE got here out with a music referred to as “Set Me Free,” so I’ve been noticing that different artists have been expressing the other ways they crave freedom. I believe that Korean artists and trainees can typically really feel a bit restricted attributable to their firms and the completely different guidelines that they may must observe. So, now, after I’ve grown and matured, I’ve been capable of finding myself and may categorical myself extra freely now. There’s an attention-grabbing distinction between Western pop and the Okay-pop world proper now. Many Korean artists have been writing about how they crave freedom however they’re additionally attempting to unfold positivity via their music—that’s been attention-grabbing these days.
Talking of not being restricted, “Freedom” helps you to present your singing and rapping. What’s your background in singing?
I really began singing at church after I was youthful. Once I grew to become a trainee, I used to be extra enthusiastic about rap so I began getting into that course, however I’d nonetheless follow singing on my own. After all, I had vocal classes then and realized about singing strategies, however I principally simply practiced alone. I’ve at all times needed to do each and present {that a} rapper can sing, and now I can.
“Hype Vitality” opens Lights with conventional Korean singing and devices earlier than the hip-hop beat takes over. It’s very cool. Why begin the album this manner?
I first take into consideration what sort of parts I need to incorporate and focus on that with my producing crew earlier than we make it come into actuality. The explanation why I included extra Korean and Okay-pop parts to start with is as a result of I’m a Okay-pop artist, so, I need to present my unique picture that I’ve had earlier than the music sort of transitions into extra hip-hop parts. And it goes there as a result of I’m probably the most assured within the hip-hop style, and I needed to point out what I do greatest because the introduction to the album.
“Monologue” with GSoul discusses your uncertainty earlier than debuting as an artist. Was there a cause you selected a jazz type to inform this story?
Jazz was most becoming for a music telling the story of my pre-debut days as a result of after I was youthful, I did develop up listening to numerous jazz round me. And I’d really discover playlists and take heed to all types of jazz, like Chet Baker. And after I struggled or had a tough time, I listened to jazz. So, after I was enthusiastic about and remembering the previous whereas writing the music, the reminiscence got here with the jazz sounds; it has a mixed which means.
I learn that “Evolution” is you eager to share how “reflecting on your self is how true ‘evolution’ occurs.” If you replicate on your self and your profession, what do you concentrate on?
I consider how I used to be so busy; how I used to be working tirelessly and never in a position to deal with myself as a result of the group was so busy with their completely different schedules. I need to emphasize that we weren’t even in a position to relaxation for like three days as a result of our schedules have been simply fully full of various things. For a lot of artists, as quickly as they debut, they must tirelessly [work] and maintain themselves busy with varied promotions and schedules. So, I’m at some extent the place I’m now questioning, “Why have they got to be so busy?” I’ve seen that being so busy impacts the artists mentally. Now that I’m an older artist, I need to have the ability to sort of change or sort of enhance the scenario. Interested by this stuff has made me “evolve” and alter into the artist I’m.
That reply makes me take into consideration hiatuses you’ve taken to your psychological well being, which was a courageous factor to share. If you say you need to change the scenario, is it so different artists don’t have the identical experiences?
I need to be part of enhancing the scenario that artists like myself wrestle with and I hope they are going to be snug coming to me. The message on this album can be a message to these artists who’re struggling as nicely. That’s why the album’s identify is Lights.
You need to be the sunshine.
That’s proper.
Have any youthful artists come to you for assist or steerage? Perhaps your label mates CRAVITY, who you’ve additionally produced music for?
I can’t reveal who particularly got here to me for assist and steerage, however I can say that they’re youthful artists who’re presently working very onerous. CRAVITY has additionally come to me for recommendation earlier than, and I’m at all times prepared to assist them in the event that they want something sooner or later. I simply need to inform and advise youthful artists that no matter they do is the best reply in the long run, and that they need to share a message from their coronary heart of their music.
Releasing your first solo mini album feels like it is going to be a busy time with very onerous work. How do you discover steadiness? Do you have got extra say over your schedule?
I’ve extra management over some issues now, however I work onerous to do extra and present extra of myself for Monbebe. Listening to good music within the automobile helps me discover steadiness and helps me preserve my rush of adrenaline too.
You grew to become an MC for the Okay-pop present M Countdown this yr. Why did you need to tackle this position now in your profession, and what has it taught you?
Taking up the position of an MC is actually not simple as a result of, as an MC, I at all times need to be a supply of optimistic power for the opposite artists. One thing I realized with this position is that there are numerous actually nice artists in Korea.
In what methods do you continue to need to evolve or enhance your self?
Now that I’ve discovered myself and who I’m, I don’t need to maintain working after a selected purpose. I believe that life is sort of a highway the place you possibly can’t see forward of you. I believe you must simply maintain shifting ahead, even when you can’t see what’s forward. In case you maintain shifting with the purpose of shifting up, you possibly can at all times find yourself falling down. However when you simply maintain straight forward like a highway, you possibly can maintain shifting ahead and also you gained’t must be afraid of falling down wherever. I need to maintain going ahead over that highway forward of me and be a vibrant gentle.
What’s subsequent for you and Monsta X in 2023? We noticed you at We Bridge Pageant, however will you be returning to the States quickly? Anything you need to share proper now?
My plans are to only waft now, however I do know I’ll at all times be engaged on music for the remainder of my life. As for Monsta X, the opposite members are additionally engaged on their albums so I hope you’ll stay up for their releases as nicely. If something comes up for me within the States quickly, I’ll undoubtedly go! I’ve accomplished interviews with Billboard many instances earlier than, however I’m at all times very grateful for every alternative to debate my music with Billboard. I additionally need to share that I’ve daring aspirations of wanting to point out who the artist Joohoney is on the Billboard Music Awards sooner or later!
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