MONSTA X has returned with its 14th EP, The Phase, as the K-pop group reflects on more than a decade together. In a new interview, members discuss the EP’s creative direction, the title track Magic, individual growth and their connection with Indian MONBEBE.
MONSTA X Returns With The Phase
MONSTA X is back with The Phase, a six-track EP released on September 4, 2026. The latest release marks another chapter for the South Korean group, which debuted in 2015 and has built an international following through high-energy performances and a strong involvement in songwriting and production.
The EP includes Magic, Type X, Survivor, Electric Heart, That’s My Girl and Sweet Night, Sweet Morning. Magic serves as the title track, while the other songs explore different sides of the group’s sound.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon and Joohoney discussed the making of the project and what The Phase represents for the group at this point in its career. I.M, whose real name is Changkyun, is currently completing his military service and is not part of the current group activities.
For the members, the title is linked to their current stage as artists. Their individual and unit activities over the years have given them opportunities to explore different musical approaches, and those experiences have now influenced the group’s latest work.
Why The Phase Reflects MONSTA X’s Current Chapter
The title The Phase carries a specific meaning for the members because it represents where the group stands after years of group activities and individual projects.
Shownu explained that the EP brings together experiences from the members’ work both as MONSTA X and individually. The group has experimented with different styles through solo releases and unit projects, allowing the members to develop their own musical perspectives before bringing those experiences back into the group.
Minhyuk said that one of the defining aspects of MONSTA X is its ability to make different genres feel connected to the group’s identity.
That approach is visible across The Phase. Rather than limiting the EP to one musical formula, the members have worked with different moods and arrangements while attempting to retain the sound that listeners associate with MONSTA X.
The result is an EP that looks at the group’s history without presenting it as a final destination.
Magic Emerged After a Title Track Debate
Magic became the title track, but according to the members, it was not an immediate decision.
Shownu initially felt that Survivor made a stronger first impression. Magic appeared more straightforward to him when he first heard the songs. With repeated listening and further consideration of the group’s direction, however, his view changed. He eventually felt that Magic’s chorus captured the group’s identity while introducing something different.
Minhyuk also recalled having reservations about an early version of Magic. He felt that the melody and verse could be stronger. After revisions and the addition of Joohoney’s rap, the song began to feel more complete.
Kihyun approached the title track from a vocal perspective. He said he wanted the vocals to sound light and sharp while still retaining enough power to match the track’s energy.
The finished song combines rhythmic guitar elements with a punchy beat, with Joohoney among the credited lyricists.
Type X Focuses on the Group’s Bond
Another important track on The Phase is Type X, which Joohoney connected with the relationship between the members.
Rather than viewing the song simply as a statement about how far MONSTA X has progressed, Joohoney described it as a reminder of the bond that has existed within the group.
That idea is particularly relevant for a group that has been active for more than a decade. MONSTA X has gone through different periods of group releases, individual projects and changes in its members’ schedules.
The group members have continued to maintain a connection through these different activities. Their latest EP therefore reflects both continuity and change.
The Phase was released with six songs, giving the members room to explore these different ideas without turning the project into a full-length album.
Hyungwon Brings a Softer Side to The Phase
While MONSTA X is often associated with powerful performances and energetic music, The Phase also includes a softer track.
Hyungwon’s Sweet Night, Sweet Morning was written some time ago. In the Hindustan Times interview, he explained that he had spent considerable time thinking about how he wanted the other members to sing the song and how their individual voices could contribute to its mood.
The song also allowed Hyungwon to bring more of his personal musical preferences into the project.
He described it as carrying a sincere message for MONBEBE, the group’s fandom, as well as for the members and people he feels grateful to have in his life.
The track provides a different mood within the six-song EP and demonstrates the range that the members are trying to maintain as they continue developing their sound.
Individual Projects Influenced the Group’s Music
Before working on The Phase, the members had spent time on solo and unit activities. Those projects allowed them to experiment in ways that are not always possible within a group release.
Shownu said the transition back to group work felt relatively natural because the members had worked together for so long. He said the bigger difference was seeing how much each member had developed through their individual projects.
The members also supported each other’s individual work by listening to songs and visiting music video sets.
Those experiences eventually came back into the group.
This is reflected in the concept behind The Phase. Instead of treating individual activities and group music as completely separate, MONSTA X has incorporated elements of the members’ growth into its latest EP.
The approach also allows the group to experiment without abandoning the musical identity established over its career.
I.M’s Absence Was Felt During Recording
The Phase was also created during a period when I.M was completing his military service.
His absence naturally became part of the recording process. Kihyun told Hindustan Times that there were moments during the creation of the songs when he imagined how I.M’s voice might sound in particular sections.
However, Kihyun said the finished songs eventually felt complete because the other members contributed different details and dynamics.
The current lineup for the group’s activities includes Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon and Joohoney. I.M remains part of MONSTA X but is currently completing his mandatory military service.
The situation makes The Phase a distinct point in the group’s history, particularly because the members have spent many years developing a shared musical style.
MONSTA X Addresses Its Growing Indian Fanbase
One of the most notable parts of the new interview for Indian K-pop audiences was the group’s message to MONBEBE in India.
Indian fans have followed MONSTA X for years, and the members said they are aware that many fans in India are waiting for an opportunity to see the group perform there.
Minhyuk said the members would like to visit India and perform for Indian MONBEBE if they receive the opportunity. He also expressed a desire to make memories with fans in the country.
The comments do not amount to an announcement of an India concert or tour. No specific Indian performance date or venue was announced in the interview.
For Indian fans, however, the acknowledgment is significant because it directly recognises the group’s audience in the country.
MONSTA X has built its international fanbase over the years, and India’s growing K-pop audience has become an increasingly visible part of that global community.
Why MONSTA X Still Wants to Experiment
After more than a decade as a group, MONSTA X is not presenting The Phase as a fixed definition of what comes next.
Hyungwon said the members want to continue trying new things and exploring different genres. That ambition fits the concept behind the EP, which brings together the members’ experiences from group and individual work.
The group has already demonstrated that its sound can move across different styles while maintaining recognisable elements.
The Phase continues that approach with tracks such as Magic, Type X, Survivor and Electric Heart alongside the more melodic That’s My Girl and Sweet Night, Sweet Morning.
The six-song project therefore works as both a current release and a snapshot of where the members are at this point in their careers.
The Phase Marks Another Step for MONSTA X
The latest MONSTA X EP arrived on September 4 and gives the group another opportunity to combine its established identity with ideas developed through years of individual work.
The members’ discussion of Magic shows that the title track went through internal debate before becoming the final choice. Other songs highlight different aspects of the group’s musical identity, from Joohoney’s focus on the group’s bond to Hyungwon’s softer contribution.
For Indian fans, the group’s comments about potentially visiting India add another point of interest, although there is currently no announced India concert tied to those remarks.
As MONSTA X enters another phase, the members say they still want to experiment, explore different genres and discover what the group can do next.
Takeaways
- MONSTA X released its six-track EP The Phase on September 4, 2026.
- Magic was selected as the title track after the members considered it alongside Survivor.
- The members say their solo and unit projects influenced their approach to the new EP.
- MONSTA X acknowledged Indian MONBEBE and said they would like to visit India and perform there if the opportunity arises.
FAQ
When was MONSTA X’s The Phase released?
MONSTA X released The Phase on September 4, 2026. The EP contains six tracks and is led by the title track Magic.
What songs are included on The Phase?
The six tracks are Magic, Type X, Survivor, Electric Heart, That’s My Girl and Sweet Night, Sweet Morning. A deluxe version was also released with an additional Magic remix.
Is MONSTA X planning a concert in India?
The members said they would like to visit India and perform for Indian MONBEBE if they get the opportunity. The interview did not announce a specific India concert, venue or date.
Why is I.M not part of the current group activities?
I.M, also known as Changkyun, is currently completing his military service. The other five members discussed recording The Phase and how they approached making the songs during his absence.
