Monni (Korean: 몽니) is a South Korean rock band signed to Modern Boy Entertainment. The quintet consists of Kim Sin-eui (vocals), Gong Tae-woo (guitar), Lee In-kyoung (bass), and Jung Hoon-tae (drums). The band formed in 2004 and they released their debut studio album First Day, Light the following year with their original drummer Song Ju-hwan. Following his departure from the band, Jung was recruited to take his place. The band released its second studio album This Moment in 2010. In celebration of their 10-year anniversary, they released a compilation entitled Monni 10th Anniversary Best Album 'Fix'.
Beginning in winter 2003, Kim Sin-eui, Lee In-kyoung, Song Ju-hwan, and a keyboardist began practicing collectively.[1] Kim read the word "monni" (몽니; lit. greed) in a newspaper and "immediately felt that it fit the image of our band, because the simply truth is, we are all greedy for good music".[2] He suggested the name to his bandmates, which they all found satisfactory.[3] Monni was formally established in January 2004.[4] They performed together at Club Sluger for three to four months until the keyboardist quit the band. With Monni's future in limbo, Kim asked former punk-rock band member Gong Tae-woo to join, which he accepted.[1] Monni released their debut studio album First Day, Light in 2005.[5] The lead single "Showers" is a song about death and separation, which is based on Kim experiencing the death of a friend from a disease.[1] The following year, the band was selected as a "hidden master" and were able to perform at the annual Ssamzi Sound Festival.[1]
After performing at a club in Hongdae, a representative of Soundholic approached Monni and they signed with the record label.[6] In 2008, they released their first single album Monni: And,.[7] In midst of preparing for their second studio album, Gong enlisted in mandatory military service and the band saw the departure of drummer Song. The latter was replaced by Jung Hoon-tae.[6] In Gong's absence, the three remaining members began implementing elements of electronic music into the songs they crafted.[1] Monni released their second album This Moment in June 2010.[8] After spending seven years with Soundholic, Monni parted from the company in January 2014.[9] They decided to leave the record label to "create our own music and reinvest our personal passion into songs that we could truly call ours".[2] Kim established Modern Boy Records for the band to continue its activities.[9]
Monni preceded the release of their fourth studio album with the single "Dotnaeyo" on March 11, 2014.[2] They released Follow My Voice and lead single "In the Moment" the following week.[10] They celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a compilation album; three of the twenty-two songs on its track list were decided by the band's fans.[11] Parts one and two were released via online music stores on October 8 and 22, respectively, and the CDs were issued on October 27.[12]
In 2017, Kim made his acting debut in Blue Busking, winning Best New Actor at the "Golden Cinema Film Festival Award".[13]
Musically, Monni is an alternative rock band.[14] Early in its career, Monni's music was noted for its "vibrant, youthful appeal". Their music became "slower" and "more laid-back" over time.[2] Kim cited indie bands Repair Shop and Cloud Cuckoo Land as his motivation.[1] He contributes a substantial amount of the band's songwriting and integrates the products his bandmates generate.[14] Kim's vocals have been compared to Tom Chaplin of Keane.[3]
List of members and instruments.[15]
Former member[1]