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MONSTA X’s Shownu X Hyungwon Return With Mature New Album ‘LOVE ME’
2 hours ago•Michael Choi
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MONSTA X’s sub-unit Shownu X Hyungwon is back with their second mini-album LOVE ME. In press interviews, the duo discussed the long hiatus, their evolving friendship, and how time — including Hyungwon’s military service — shaped a deeper, more natural sound.
Key Facts
- Shownu X Hyungwon released their second mini-album LOVE ME on May 21, 2026 at 6 PM KST, their first unit release in 2 years and 10 months.
- The album includes 7 tracks: title track ‘Do You Love Me’, ‘Superstitious’, ‘In My Head’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Accelerator’, Shownu’s solo ‘Around & Go’, and Hyungwon’s solo ‘NO AIR’.
- Hyungwon wrote, composed, and arranged 4 tracks, including his solo; he submitted over 10 songs and some were rejected.
- The album explores the emotion of love in various layers, expanding on the restrained mood of THE UNSEEN with deeper, more delicate emotional lines.
- The title track ‘Do You Love Me’ was chosen over Hyungwon’s self-composed candidate after discussions with the company about direction; Hyungwon said the paths of the two songs were too different.
- Shownu participated in the choreography for the title track, and both members agreed their strength lies in performance.
- Hyungwon completed his mandatory military service during the unit’s hiatus, and the group prioritized full MONSTA X activities before I.M’s enlistment, then returned to unit work.
- Fans had been asking about a new album for a year and a half, according to Shownu, who said he felt sorry but is now happy to deliver good news.
- Both members described their relationship as natural and deepening with time; Hyungwon called Shownu his likely lifelong friend, saying, “I think we’ll be friends who can sit facing each other drinking a bottle of beer even when we’re white-haired grandfathers.”
- The performance for LOVE ME was designed to have a different texture from MONSTA X, focusing on pair choreography and showing the body’s overall lines.
- Shownu said their unique weapon is the aura to fill a stage just by standing, despite many skilled junior artists.
- The unit’s goal for this activity is a third album, signaling they view unit activities as an ongoing narrative, not a one-time project.
Key Terms
- Shownu X Hyungwon: The first official sub-unit of MONSTA X, formed in July 2023 on the group’s 8th anniversary.
- Love Me A Little: The title track of Shownu X Hyungwon’s debut unit album THE UNSEEN, also produced by Hyungwon.
