Is Monsta X disbanding? I.M terminates his contract with Starship Entertainment
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Is the seven-year curse getting to the Starship Entertainment boy group Monsta X or will the six members continue their journey as a boy band in the long run? While it is unknown what the distant future holds for Monsta X as a group, it was recently reported that the 2015 boy group will continue its journey in the K-pop industry as six members.
Monsta X debuted as seven members under the label Starship Entertainment but back in 2020, but after a personal controversy, former member Wonho made an exit from the boy group and made his solo debut under Highline Entertainment, a subsidiary of the label. Following that, Monsta X continued their journey as a K-pop group with six members namely, leader Shownu, and members Hyungwon, Kihyun, Minhyuk, Jooheon, and I.M (Im Changkyun).
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Will Monsta X disband?
On Monday, August 8, it was revealed that after their seven-year contracts with the label had expired, five members of the boy group except I.M, had renewed their contracts. Now, much attention is being paid to what the future holds in store for Monsta X as fans wonder if the boy group will be disbanding. In their official statement, the label revealed that with Shownu in the military, the boy group Monsta X is continuing their activities as a five-member band. It said that Shownu, Hyungwon, Kihyun, and Minhyuk had already renewed their contracts. As per the new statement, Jooheon also had renewed his contract with the label leaving I.M behind who is the only member of the boy group to terminate his contract.
I.M terminates his contract with Starship Entertainment
The label stated that all five members except I.M had signed new exclusive contracts with a promise to continue their journeys as idols under the boy group. I.M, who is still and will always be a part of Monsta X, has chosen to terminate his exclusive contract with the label. However, I.M will continue to be a member of Monsta X while continuing his solo activities under a different label. An official from Starship Entertainment stated, "Based on the mutual trust we have built up over the years, we will take every effort to make the Monsta X members' activities shine in the future. We promise to provide full and systematic support generously."
It was also revealed that over the past few months, I.M has been having sincere discussions with the boy group and the label but unfortunately, his exclusive contract had to be ended with the label as they were unable to come to a mutual consensus. The label ended their statement by revealing that Monsta X has ended their month-long break after their last comeback and world tour. Now, the members have planned various activities for Monbebes (fans of Monsta X) as they promise several groups and solo activities for the members. Monsta X will continue to promote as a five-member group until Shownu returns from the military.