Monsta X's Jooheon back from hiatus, posts throwback photo for fans
Monbebe! Our favorite dimples, Jooheon, is back in the recording booth working on some new music.
In a post made in their fan cafe, the Monsta X member and rapper uploaded a throwback photo and video of him back in high school doing what he loved most -- creating music.
On the site, Jooheon wrote a letter to his fans titled “Gift for Monbebe.”
He wrote, “Monbebe, this is me doing music when I was in high school.
“Even back then, I really made a lot of music and I'll come back to Monbebe showing off all the talent and energy that I have with the overflowing passion just like I used to have during those days.
“I love you and I always want our Monbebe to only see pretty and beautiful things.
“So, I'm gifting you with what I think were my most beautiful days.
“Sleep well tonight. Think of me and think of Monsta X a lot too. Goodnight.”
Early this year, Jooheon announced to his fans that he'll be taking a little break from activities to take care of his mental health.
He wrote, “Hello Monbebes. To be honest, I thought and worried for a long time about whether to write anything at all. But right now, my mental state is very weak and I'm having a hard time.
“I am taking medicine and trying to make space to breakthrough. I put my hands together and prayed in my room with the lights off and cried.
“I want to come back. I am working very hard because I want to return with an even better image for Monbebes -- as a cooler Joohoney.
“Let's all pray for each other together… I love you.”
Jooheon's return
On March 25, it was announced that Jooheon will be resuming all activities and that Monsta X is preparing to make a comeback within the first half of the year.
Jooheon even surprised his fans with a behind-the-scenes video in the V-Live channel where he is seen visiting fellow Monsta X member Minhyuk in SBS's Inkigayo.
In the clip, Jooheon updated his fans on what he's been up to during his three-month-long hiatus.
He said, “I completely stopped writing songs while resting. I stopped everything and let everything go. I ate what I wanted to eat, slept when I fell asleep, and spent a lot of time at home.
“One thing I realized was why people are homebodies -- it's because it's so nice being at home.
“Meeting up with people and talking to them is nice, but I watched Netflix, films, and dramas, comfortably at home.
“And because we live in a good society, I ordered what I wanted to eat. I did a lot of different things, I ate delicious broiled eel, I went shopping which is something I enjoy doing. If I was walking around and saw food that looked delicious, I just walked inside and ate alone. I'm good at eating alone.”
He added, “I also exercised frequently. It gave me a lot of strength and helped me mentally as well.”
Comeback in May
On March 27, Monsta X's agency, Starship Entertainment, confirmed that the group will be making a comeback album sometime in May.
“Monsta X will be making a comeback with a new album sometime in May.
“Jooheon, who temporarily halted activities in January for his mental well-being and adequate rest, will resume Monsta X activities starting with the upcoming May comeback. His health has significantly improved as he focused on treatment and recovery during his break. His return was decided after a thorough discussion with him, the agency, and a medical professional.
“We will continuously check the health conditions of the Monsta X members and put in our full effort for the management of their health,” it concluded.
Monsta X is a South Korean boy group formed through the reality survival program No Mercy by Starship Entertainment.
The group consists of members namely Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Jooheon, Wonho, and I.M.
Monsta X's “From Zero” debuts at No.1 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales Chart