Which Monsta X Members Are In The Military?

Monsta X has gone through some lineup changes over the years, but right now, the group consists of six incredibly talented members: Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. Shownu's military enlistment in 2021 had fans emotional, but the others have been holding it down flawlessly. What's wild is how each member brings something unique—Joohoney's rap game is untouchable, Kihyun's vocals could power a city, and I.M's bilingual flows add such a cool edge. Hyungwon's recent solo work has been on repeat for me, and Minhyuk? That man's stage presence is no joke. Even with the changes, their bond feels stronger than ever, especially seeing how they support each other's solo projects while keeping the group's energy alive.

Monsta X has had a bit of a rollercoaster journey with their lineup over the years, and it’s one of those things that fans sometimes debate passionately. Originally, they debuted with seven members back in 2015 under Starship Entertainment: Shownu, Wonho, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Jooheon, and I.M. Their early years were packed with bangers like 'Hero' and 'Dramarama,' and the group’s chemistry was undeniable. But in 2019, Wonho left due to personal reasons, which hit the fandom hard. After that, they continued as six, and honestly, they’ve still killed it with albums like 'Fatal Love' and 'One of a Kind.' The dynamic shifted, but their energy onstage? Unmatched. I still miss the OT7 days sometimes, but I’m just glad they’re all thriving in their own ways now. Recently, Shownu enlisted in the military, so they’ve been promoting as five for a while, with the others stepping up to fill his absence. It’s wild how resilient they’ve been through all these changes. Monsta X feels like a group that’s weathered storms but never lost their edge. Whether it’s six or seven, their music and performances always deliver—that’s what matters to me as a fan. Plus, Wonho’s solo work slaps too, so it’s not like he vanished entirely!

Xiumin and D.O. have already completed their service—Xiumin was actually the first EXO member to enlist back in 2019, and D.O. followed shortly after with his quiet but impactful service. Currently, Suho and Chen are actively serving; Suho enlisted in 2020 as a social worker, and Chen joined the military band in 2021. Chanyeol enlisted earlier this year, and Baekhyun just started his service recently too. It’s wild seeing so many of them gone at once, but it makes their eventual comeback even more exciting. What’s interesting is how each member’s enlistment reflects their personality—D.O. kept it low-key, Chen’s musical talent landed him in the band, and Baekhyun’s enlistment had fans scrambling for updates. Kai and Sehun are the only ones left who haven’t enlisted yet, but they’ll likely go soon too. Feels like a bittersweet pause in EXO’s journey, but I’m replaying their old albums while waiting.

Monsta X has been through quite the journey! After Wonho's departure in 2019, they settled as a six-member group—Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. But with Shownu currently enlisted in the military (since 2021), their active promotions feel like five members lately. It's wild how their dynamic still shines, though. I binge-watched their 'One of a Kind' comeback stages recently, and the energy is unreal. Kihyun's vocals? Chef's kiss. Side note: Their sub-unit stuff, like Shownu & Hyungwon's 'The Unseen', proves they adapt so well. Even as someone who followed them since 'Trespass', I love how they reinvent themselves while keeping that signature Monsta X intensity. Makes you root for them extra hard during this chapter.

Monsta X has such a charismatic lineup, and their real names are just as cool as their stage personas! Shownu is the powerhouse leader, born Son Hyunwoo—his deep voice and dance skills are legendary. Then there's Minhyuk, whose real name is Lee Minhyuk; he's the sunshine of the group with his infectious energy. Kihyun (Yoo Kihyun) is the vocal king, hitting those high notes effortlessly. Joohoney, aka Lee Jooheon, is the rap genius with a heart of gold. Hyungwon (Chae Hyungwon) is the tall, elegant dancer who slinks into every choreography flawlessly. I.M (Im Changkyun) rounds out the group as the multilingual rapper with a smoldering gaze. Fun tidbit: Their stage names often reflect their personalities or roles—like Joohoney's sweet yet fierce vibe or I.M's enigmatic initials. It's fascinating how their real names blend so seamlessly into their artistry. I love how they each bring something unique to the table, making Monsta X such a dynamic group.

Monsta X has a few members who are pretty comfortable with English, and it's always fun to see them switch between languages during interviews or fan meetings. I.M (Im Changkyun) is definitely the most fluent—he spent part of his childhood in the U.S., so his English is super natural. He even raps in English sometimes, like in 'Who Do U Love?' with French Montana. Shownu (Son Hyunwoo) and Kihyun (Yoo Kihyun) know some basics and try their best, especially when interacting with international fans. Jooheon (Lee Jooheon) has improved a lot over the years too; he's not fluent, but he's confident and throws in English phrases here and there. The others mostly stick to Korean, but they’re all so charming it doesn’t even matter! Watching their behind-the-scenes content, you can tell I.M often translates for the group during overseas promotions. It’s endearing how the others playfully rely on him, and sometimes they even tease each other about pronunciation. Monsta X’s global vibe is part of their appeal, and their efforts to connect with fans in English make their concerts and live streams even more special.

Monsta X has such a unique dynamic, and their age differences actually add to their charm! The oldest member is Shownu, born on June 18, 1992. He's not just the eldest but also the leader of their performance unit, and his presence is like the glue that holds them together. I love how he balances being both dependable and quietly hilarious—like in their variety show appearances where he deadpans the wildest jokes. Fun side note: despite being the oldest, his dance skills are ridiculously sharp, especially in their 'Love Killa' era. There's something about his stage aura that feels both powerful and soothing at the same time. It's interesting how Shownu's role contrasts with the younger members' energy. While Jooheon and I.M bring the fiery rap, Shownu grounds the group with his smooth vocals and steady vibe. His military enlistment in 2021 was a big deal for fans (Monbebes sobbed), but even during that time, the members kept mentioning how much they missed his cooking and his calm advice. Honestly, his return felt like a family reunion—especially when he jumped back into their 'Beautiful Liar' promotions like he never left. Age-wise, he's only a year older than Minhyuk, but that 'hyung' respect runs deep!

Monsta X has this incredible dynamic where each member brings something unique to the table, but when it comes to rap, Jooheon and I.M are the undeniable powerhouses. Jooheon's flow is like lightning—fast, sharp, and full of energy. I remember watching their 'Alligator' performance and being blown away by how he commands the stage. I.M, on the other hand, has this smoother, more laid-back style that contrasts perfectly. Together, they create this balance that’s just chef’s kiss. What’s fascinating is how their roles evolved over time. Jooheon often handles the aggressive, punchy verses, while I.M slides in with those deep, melodic raps. It’s not just about speed or technical skill; it’s how they embody the group’s identity. If you dive into their solo work, like Jooheon’s 'Psyche' or I.M’s 'God Damn,' you’ll see how distinct yet complementary they are. Honestly, it’s hard to pick a 'main' rapper because they’re both essential to Monsta X’s sound.

Monsta X has some seriously tall members, but the crown for the tallest definitely goes to Shownu! Standing at around 183 cm (6'0"), he towers over the others in the group. I remember watching their performances and being amazed at how he effortlessly stands out, not just because of his skills but also his height. It's funny because in interviews, the other members often joke about having to look up to him—literally. His height adds to his stage presence, especially when he's dancing. He just has this commanding aura that makes it hard to take your eyes off him. Plus, seeing him next to the shorter members like Minhyuk or Jooheon is always a cute contrast.

Wonho was the member who left Monsta X back in 2019, and it was such a bittersweet moment for us fans. I remember how shocked everyone was when the news broke—social media was flooded with emotional posts, fan art, and hashtags like #WonhoWeLoveYou. His departure happened during a really tough time for the group, right before their comeback with 'Follow: Find You.' The remaining members handled it with so much grace, but you could tell they were heartbroken too. Even though he’s no longer part of Monsta X, Wonho has been thriving as a solo artist, and his music still carries that signature energy we loved. It’s wild how things turned out, but I’m just glad both he and the group found their footing afterward. Sometimes I still go back to old performances and get nostalgic, though—those OT7 days hit different.