[INTERVIEW]ย Monsta X Member I.M On His Solo Ambitions: โI Hope To Have My Own Album As Soon As Possible
Earlier this month, South Korean vocal band Monsta X scored their tenth top 10 title on Billboardโs World Albums chart with their new project Fantasia X, proving once again that they are one of the most successful groups from that country making waves in the United States.
The set comes just a few months after they released All About Luv, their very first English project. That effort helped them rewrite the history books by debuting at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, making them one of just a handful of acts from their home nation to land inside the top 10 on the most important albums list in America.
I spoke with Monsta X musician I.M recently about Fantasia X, the groupโs plans to promote their music during a time when they canโt travel and his desire to record an album all his own.
Hugh McIntyre: I was just listening to several of the songs from Fantasia X. Itโs really exciting, I can hear the energy. Congrats on finishing it! Are you excited itโs out?
I.M: Thank you. Yeah, we are pretty excited, and we put a lot of effort inside the album to make the quality the best. And yeah, I think the fans are going to like it.
McIntyre: How long did you all work on it?
I.M: Since February, maybe.
McIntyre: I was just listening to โFantasia,โ is that going to be the first single?
I.M: No, itโs going to be the title song of the album.
McIntyre: Okay, got it. Because when the album dropped, there was a video for โFantasia,โ correct?
I.M: Yes, exactly. We dropped a music video.
McIntyre: Itโs a little tough with the way the world is right now, but do you have any plans to promote this and get the most out of the new music?
I.M: Well, since the situation is really bad internationally, we are trying to promote by videos and lots of content to share. You know what Iโm saying? Like some cover video or some little short video, so people can see very easily without any pressure.
I.M: And lots of interviews. And also, since we canโt go like some overseas country, we try to prepare lots of videos in plain English too.
McIntyre: I was personally really excited earlier this year when you released an English album. Itโs something totally different coming from the Korean side. Were you nervous about that project or were you excited?
I.M: Actually, it was full of excitement and joy because we never prepared something like that album before. Before we started the process, we had a little bit of a worry, but that was nothing because the process was really fun and easy. And to me, you know Iโm a rapper, and I rap a lot. Previously in the Korean album, I didnโt have a chance to sing, but with this album, I had a lot of opportunities to sing, so it was a great experience.
McIntyre: How did your Korean fan base react to you guys devoting an entire project to English?
I.M: They were super surprised because they didnโt expect that the English album was going to come out first. As you know, the lyrics were very sexy, very sexual. But in Korea, we donโt talk like that. We donโt write out lyrics like that. I think they were very surprised. Actually they really liked it.
McIntyre: It sounds like that went really well. Do you think you will release more English music?
I.M: Yeah, for sure, I have to say. And actually we are making some English songs. I cannot tell you the detailed date of release. Actually, I donโt know the date when we are going to release that song, but we have recorded some songs recently.
McIntyre: Thatโs awesome. Now that was only back in February, and itโs now summer, so thatโs a pretty short break in between albums. What made you want to release another project so quickly?
I.M: Well, we need to promote ourselves. We have a lot of songs and other content. We donโt want to lose this opportunity. I think we really made a great mark on the Billboard chart, as you know. We wanted to put good vibes on our new album, so people can feel that very easy.
McIntyre: Now weโre only halfway through the year. What plans do you guys have planned for the rest of 2020?
I.M: Well, I think we are going to release another album in the third quarter, maybe.
I.M: And maybe we can release a new English album, too. And we hope this coronavirus situation can get well as soon as possible, so we can go around and meet some people. And especially, we really want to have a concert in different countries, in the United States or Europe or South America.
McIntyre: Did you say you have two albums coming this year?
I.M: Itโs just my thought. Iโm not really sure about it. I think Iโm just saying my wishlist.
McIntyre: Sure. I know youโve obviously been busy finishing the album, but what are you guys all doing while youโre at home and not able to go outside? Whatโs keeping you busy?
I.M: What are we doing recently? In the quarantine time? Well, weโve been shooting, recording and making lots of content to share and try to make more music. And we are still trying to make some new music and I have my own music studio and I try to make my own music too.
I.M: Iโm making my own album. I hope to have my own album as soon as possible.
McIntyre: You want to release a solo album soon?
I.M: Mm-hmm, but Iโm not sure when Iโm going to release my own single album.
McIntyre: Wow. Thatโs really impressive.
I.M: Maybe this year. Yeah. I hope so.
McIntyre: Good. Good for you. I canโt wait to hear that. Thatโs an incredible amount of music youโre making.
Full article onย forbes.com
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