Shownu X Hyungwon

Shownu X Hyungwon
Shownu X Hyungwon in August 2023 Left to right: Hyungwon and Shownu
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop
Years active	2023–present (2023–present)
Labels	Starship
Spinoff of	Monsta X
Members	Shownu Hyungwon

Shownu X Hyungwon (Korean: 셔누 X 형원) is the first official sub-unit of South Korean boy group Monsta X. Formed in 2023, the duo is composed of two Monsta X members: Shownu and Hyungwon. They debuted with the extended play The Unseen on July 25, 2023.

Career

Official Logo

Pre-debut

In May 2023, Starship Entertainment announced that Shownu and Hyungwon will form Monsta X's first sub-unit but the specific schedule had not yet been set.^[1] On June 26, Starship Entertainment revealed their official logo through Monsta X's official SNS, showing Shownu's initial S and Hyungwon's initial H becoming one, with the debut goal for the end of July.^[2] Shownu and Hyungwon are Monsta X's main dancer and lead dancer, respectively.^[3] On June 29, they attended the TAG Heuer's "Iconic Collection Carrera" pop-up opening event, in commemoration of its 60th anniversary, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.^[4] On July 19, it was announced that the duo graced the cover of AtStyle's August issue.^[5]

2023–present: Debut and appearances

On July 25, Shownu X Hyungwon released their debut EP The Unseen,^[6] with the lead single "Love Me a Little".^[7] Hyungwon produced "Love Me a Little", as well as the B-side song "Roll with Me", while Shownu participated in the choreography.^[8] Starting on July 26, the duo became the MC of KBS2's reality television show Monstop Travel Agency.^[9] On July 27, they did a celebratory performance after the first half of the soccer game between Atlético Madrid and K League for the Coupang Play Series, held at Seoul World Cup Stadium.^[10]

On August 5, Shownu X Hyungwon performed for Pepsi Summer Festa 2023, held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul.^[11] On August 11, the duo had been part of 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree K-pop Super Live, held at Seoul World Cup Stadium.^[12] On August 18, they performed for KCON, held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.^[13] On August 20, Shownu X Hyungwon performed for KAMPFEST CDMX 2023, held at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.^[14] On August 26, the duo performed for Krazy K-pop Super Concert as one of the headliners, held at UBS Arena in New York City.^[15]

On September 9, they performed for Someday Festival 2023, held at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul.^[16] On September 23, Shownu X Hyungwon performed for K-POP NATION as the headliner, held at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.^[17]

On October 15, the duo performed for M Countdown, held at Paris La Défense Arena in Paris.^[18]

In February 2024, they released a cover of 2PM's "I Hate You" under Spotify's K-pop ON! playlist.^[19]

Public image and impact

Shownu is the core and identity of Monsta X's performances, known for his powerful and intense, yet detailed dance moves and skills, an artist who allows contradictory expressions such as heavy yet light. He is known for his soft voice and stable live skill, whose vocal tone is a hidden charm. Hyungwon is the center in every group's performances, known for his visual, dance, and producing ability. He is characterized by cool performances and neat dance lines, with producing parts that maximize the charm of each member's vocals for each self-composed song.^[20] As Shownu X Hyungwon, it is a perfect combination of similar personalities and performances, edgy vocals and various charms, alongside a unique synergy that only the duo can give.^[21]

In 2023, Shownu X Hyungwon was hailed by the online magazine Consequence as "Subunit of the Year", emphasizing their unique color and excellent dance skills.^[22] The duo won the "Unit Group" at 2024 Korea First Brand Awards, Korea's largest brand award ceremony which selects the most promising brands to lead the country in the coming year based on consumer research, held annually through public consumer voting and jury deliberations.^[23]

Other ventures

Arts and photography

In October 2023, Shownu X Hyungwon released their unit's first photobook On My Way, which contains coming-of-age images taken by them, while presenting a variety of concepts and styling against the backdrop of New York City.^[24] From October 24 to November 5, the duo held its exhibition at Noudit Hongdae in Seoul, with various MDs and events.^[25]

Endorsements

In August 2023, Shownu X Hyungwon participated in the carbonated soft drink brand Pepsi's campaign through the Korean star and style magazine AtStyle.^[5] On August 9, the duo collaborated with the Singaporean online travel agency Trip.com through KBS2's reality television show Monstop Travel Agency.^[9]

In February 2024, they participated in the Swedish audio streaming and media service provider Spotify's campaign for its K-pop flagship playlist K-pop ON!, under the theme of "My K-pop First Crush", in commemoration of its 10th anniversary.^[26]

Members

• Shownu (셔누)
• Hyungwon (형원)

Discography

See also: Monsta X discography

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions and sales

Title	Details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [27]
The Unseen	Released: July 25, 2023 Label: Starship Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming audio	6	KOR: 178,695[28]

Singles

List of singles, showing year released, chart positions and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [29]
"Love Me a Little"	2023	49	The Unseen

Music videos

See also: Monsta X discography § Music videos

Title	Year	Artist	Director	Ref.
"Love Me a Little"	2023	Shownu X Hyungwon	Yeom Woo-jin	[30]

Filmography

See also: Monsta X § Filmography

Television shows

Year	Show	Role	Note	Ref.
2023	Monstop Travel Agency	MC	11 episodes	[9]

Bibliography

Year	Title	Category	Ref.
2023	On My Way	Photobook	[24]

Tours and concerts

Headlining concerts

• Krazy K-pop Super Concert (2023)^[15]
• K-POP NATION (2023)^[17]

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Monsta X

References

1. Lee, Min-ji (May 3, 2023). 스타쉽 "셔누X형원, 몬스타엑스 첫 유닛 준비 중" [공식] [Starship "Shownu X Hyungwon, preparing for the first unit of MONSTA X" [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Naver.
2. Seon, Mi-kyung (June 27, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 7월 말 유닛 데뷔..로고 공개[공식] [Monsta X Shownu X Hyungwon, unit debut at the end of July..Logo revealed [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Naver.
3. Park, Hanbit Nuri (June 28, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누x형원, 데뷔 8년 만에 첫 유닛 [Monsta X's Shownu x Hyungwon, first unit after 8 years of debut]. GQ Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
4. Lim, Kyung-jin (June 29, 2023). 손나은-몬스타엑스 형원-셔누-유연석-변요한, 태그호이어 포토월 풀영상 [TOP영상] [Naeun Son - Monsta X Hyungwon - Shownu - Yoo Yeonseok - Byun Yohan, Tag Heuer Photo Wall Full Video [TOP Video]]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
5. Cho, Jae-yong (July 19, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 탄산음료 브랜드와 '핫서머' 화보…"유닛 호흡 좋아" [Monsta X Shownu X Hyungwon, carbonated drink brand and 'Hot Summer' pictorial... "Unit breathing is good"]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
6. Kang, Da-yoon (June 29, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 7월 5일 유닛 데뷔…첫 미니 '디 언씬' 발매 [공식] [MONSTA X's Shownu X Hyungwon, unit debut on July 5... Released the first mini 'The Unseen' [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Naver.
7. Jeong, Hee-yeon (July 13, 2023). 형원 자작곡=타이틀곡…몬스타엑스 유닛 셔누X형원 트랙리스트 공개 [Hyungwon's self-composed song = title song... Monsta X Unit Shownu X Hyungwon Track List Revealed]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Naver.
8. Oh, Yoon-joo (July 14, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 닮은 듯 다르네…'문짝즈'의 첫 유닛 [MONSTA X's Shownu X Hyungwon, similar but different... The first unit of 'Moonjjakz']. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023 – via Naver.
9. Yoon, Seul-bin (August 9, 2023). 트립닷컴, '셔누X형원'과 여행지 추천 리얼리티TV쇼 진행 [Trip.com, 'Shownu X Hyungwon' and recommended travel destination reality TV show]. news 1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023 – via Naver.
10. Yoon, Hyo-yong (July 18, 2023). 태민-몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 쿠플시리즈에 뜬다... 팀 K리그VS아틀레티코전 직후 공연 예정 [Taemin-Monsta X Shownu X Hyungwon, appearing in the Couple Series... Scheduled to perform right after the Team K League VS Atletico match]. Football List (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via Naver.
11. Kim, Ji-ha (June 15, 2023). '펩시 썸머 페스타 2023', 초대권 증정 이벤트 시작 ['Pepsi Summer Festa 2023', Invitation event begins]. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
12. Jeong, Hee-yeon (August 9, 2023). 뉴진스·NCT 드림→몬스타엑스 셔누X형원 잼버리 콘서트 확정 [공식] [New Jeans · NCT Dream→Monsta X Shownu X Hyungwon Jamboree Concert Confirmed [Official]]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023 – via Naver.
13. Kim, Na-yul (June 15, 2023). 'KCON LA 2023' (여자)아이들→셔누X형원, 화려한 라인업..美 달군다 ['KCON LA 2023' (G)I-DLE → Shownu X Hyungwon, colorful lineup.. America is hot]. K-pop Herald (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023 – via Naver.
14. Lee, Seong-mi (August 25, 2023). 백현ㆍ셔누X형원ㆍ레드벨벳 슬기ㆍ아이콘 등 KAMP 페스티벌 남미 성료 [Baekhyun, Shownu X Hyungwon, Red Velvet's Seulgi, iKon, etc. Successfully completed the KAMP Festival in South America]. Biz Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2023.
15. Benjamin, Jeff (June 5, 2023). "IVE and Monsta X's Shownu & Hyungwon to Headline Inaugural Krazy K-pop Super Concert in New York: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
16. Choi, Song-hee (September 12, 2023). 셔누X형원, 첫 페스티벌 성료…'썸데이 페스티벌 2023' 홀렸다 [Shownu X Hyungwon, completes first festival... 'Someday Festival 2023']. Aju Economy (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2023.
17. Jeong, Hee-yeon (September 25, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원→SF9, 폴란드서 'K-POP NATION' 성료 [MONSTA X Shownu X Hyungwon → SF9 completes 'K-POP NATION' in Poland]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Retrieved September 26, 2023 – via Naver.
18. Moon, Wan-sik (September 12, 2023). 싸이·태민·NCT DREAM·셔누X형원·드림캐쳐·제로베이스원·엘즈업..'MCOUNTDOWN IN FRANCE' 라인업 공개 [Psy·Taemin·NCT DREAM·Shownu X Hyungwon·Dreamcatcher·Zerobaseone·El7z Up..'MCOUNTDOWN IN FRANCE' lineup released]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2023 – via Naver.
19. Kim, Chae-yeon (February 29, 2024). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 2PM '니가 밉다' 재해석..원곡과 색다른 분위기 [MONSTA X Shownu X Hyungwon reinterprets 2PM 'I Hate You'.. An atmosphere different from the original song]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Naver.
20. Jeong, Hee-yeon (July 19, 2023). '올라운더' 모인 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 확신의 '되는 조합' (종합)[DA:스퀘어] [MONSTA X Shownu X Hyungwon, who gathered 'all-rounders', a 'combination' of confidence (comprehensive)[DA:Square]]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Naver.
21. Seon, Mi-kyung (July 25, 2023). 셔누X형원이 몬스타엑스 첫 유닛이 되기까지(종합)[인터뷰] [Until Shownu X Hyungwon became Monsta X's first unit (comprehensive) [Interview]]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Naver.
22. Siroky, Mary (December 20, 2023). "The 2023 K-pop Yearbook". Consequence. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
23. Jeong, Hee-yeon (January 9, 2024). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원→아이브, '2024 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상' 수상 [Monsta X's Shownu X Hyungwon → Ive won the '2024 Korea First Brand Awards']. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Retrieved January 9, 2024 – via Naver.
24. Yoo, Jeong-min (October 19, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누·형원, 뉴욕 촬영 포토북 '온 마이 웨이' 발매 [MONSTA X's Shownu and Hyungwon released their photobook 'On My Way' in New York]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Naver.
25. Jeong, Byeong-geun (October 20, 2023). 몬스타엑스 셔누X형원, 포토북 전시회 개최 [Monsta X Shownu X Hyungwon, photobook exhibition held]. The Fact (in Korean). Retrieved October 20, 2023 – via Naver.
26. Kang, Bo-ra (February 6, 2024). 엔하이픈·셔누X형원·스테이씨, 스포티파이 '나의 K팝 첫사랑' 음원 공개 [Enhypen, Shownu X Hyungwon, and STAYC release Spotify 'My K-pop First Crush']. Single List (in Korean). Retrieved February 6, 2024.
27. Peak chart positions for extended plays on the Circle Album Chart:
    • "The Unseen". July 23–29, 2023. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
28. Cumulative sales for The Unseen (KiT + CD):
    • "Week 30 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). July 23–29, 2023. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
    • "Week 31 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). July 30 – August 5, 2023. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
    • "Week 32 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). August 6–12, 2023. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
    • "Week 33 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). August 13–19, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
    • "Week 34 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). August 20–26, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
    • "Week 35 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). August 27 – September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
    • "Week 41 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). October 8–14, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
    • "Week 43 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). October 22–28, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
    • "Week 45 of 2023 Album Chart". Circle Chart (in Korean). November 5–11, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
29. Peak chart positions for singles on the Circle Digital Chart:
    • "Love Me a Little". July 23–29, 2023. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
30. "Shownu X Hyungwon (셔누 X 형원) - 'Love Me a Little' MV". Yun Sang-woo. July 29, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023 – via Instagram.

External links