K-Pop Group MONSTA X Acknowledges Cold Reception In Home Country, Admits Mistakes In Promotion
MONSTA X has been aware that they lack popularity in South Korea in comparison to how warm they are received overseas. Although the group can't say exactly why they are less popular in their home country than overseas, they have a theory that they would intend to change moving forward.
MONSTA X said they still haven't cracked the mystery behind why they are more popular in other countries, particularly in Japan, than in South Korea. The members, however, think it all boils down to how they promote themselves.
"In terms of what we could have done better, what comes to mind is the fact that we weren't more outgoing. I wish I had been a little more outgoing on variety shows, and I think it would have been better if I'd been more skillful at making facial expressions during our performances," Shownu said in an interview with SBS' funE (via Soompi).
MONSTA X member Jooheon added they should have also shared a variation of contents to their fans from the very start. He said they could have showcased each member by releasing mixtapes or solo singles. So far, none of the MONSTA X members have released a solo single. As for why they are popular overseas, the squad thinks it's because of the elements of their music.
"Our music is all about intense sounds, overflowing energy, and lyrics with embedded messages. I think those aspects attracted a lot of international fans. We are not completely sure, but I think the musical elements were the key points," the group told TV Report (via AllKPop).
MONSTA X Future Plans
The K-pop group is determined to win the hearts of Korean fans. They vowed to do better with their music and at the same improving their relationship with their fans. Jooheon has also revealed that they are working on creating the group's own identity that would set them apart from the other K-pop idol groups.
Clearly, MONSTA X has been working on making themselves more visible in Korea. They have been on several TV shows lately. MONSTA X recently appeared in on JTBC's Sugarman 2 and in SBS' Inkigayo to promote their latest album The Connect: Dejavu and its title track, "Jealousy". The seven-member band has released their sixth mini-album, The Connect: Dejavu, a week ago. It contains seven tracks including "Jealousy".
The group has been launched in May 2015 with their debut EP, Trespass. A year ago, they released their first studio album and final part of "The Clan" series. Earlier this year, they dropped their third Japanese single album and their first Japanese original song "Spotlight." The album also contains the Japanese version of their single "Shine Forever," which ranked No. 1 on Japan's Oricon daily singles chart.