MONSTA X

MONSTA X member I.M began his mandatory military service on Monday, marking the final enlistment among the group’s members and triggering a temporary halt to full-group activities. I.M entered the Army Training Center, where he will complete basic military training before being assigned to an active-duty unit. With his enlistment, MONSTA X now has all members either currently enlisted or having completed South Korea’s compulsory military service requirement for able-bodied men. In a message to the group's fans, collectively known as Monbebe, I.M said he felt grateful to have shared meaningful moments before leaving. “I was so happy to greet Monbebe more closely as we recently started our world tour, and I feel relieved that I was able to make good memories before enlisting,” he said. “I will take good care of my health, complete my military service well and return safely. Until we meet again, I hope Monbebe also stays healthy in both body and mind, and continues to support the members’ activities. I love you, Monbebe.” I.M is the youngest member of MONSTA X and the last to

The "kings" of K-pop are back. Third-generation boy groups, who laid the global foundation for the genre, are returning with ferocious momentum, putting their fourth and fifth generation successors on high alert. The wave began with Monsta X last September. With all members except the youngest, I.M — who recently enlisted — having completed their military service, the group released their first full-group album, "The X." They proved their staying power by hitting major global charts, including the Billboard 200. The group followed this by touring the U.S. with "iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025," the largest year-end festival in America, hitting four major cities, including a kickoff at Madison Square Garden last December. The boy band's world tour, "The X: NEXUS," which kicked off last month, is also cruising smoothly. EXO followed suit, releasing its album "EXIST" last month. Fresh off an explosive "MMA 2025" stage, it achieved a "Grand Slam" with five music show wins for "Crown," the album's title track. The group is preparing for its first solo tour in six years, "EXO PLANET #6 – E

I.M, a member of the K-pop boy band MONSTA X, stunned fans by shaving his head live on stage during his final concert before mandatory military service. MONSTA X performed the third and final night of the Seoul leg of their 2026 world tour, “The X: Nexus,” at KSPO Dome in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Sunday. This marks the group’s first standalone world tour in four years, following their “No Limit” tour in 2022. The concert featured tracks from their latest mini-album “The X” and a setlist chronicling the group’s decade-long history. The night held special significance as the final performance for I.M before he begins his military service on Feb. 8. The atmosphere turned emotional during the encore. After performing “Oh My” and “Rodeo,” I.M addressed the crowd, revealing he had performed despite a back injury. “To be honest, my back isn’t in great condition. I was told I could sit out the performance, but this is my last show before the army. I couldn’t bring myself to skip it,” he said. “After the first night, I worried whether I could finish, b