Monsta X to debut in Japanese pop market

Monsta X / Courtesy of Starship Entertainment

By Eom Da-sol

K-pop boy band Monsta X will make its Japanese debut in May.

Agency Starship Entertainment said the band will officially debut on May 17 ― through newly founded Japanese entertainment agency “Mercury Tokyo” ― with an album including hit track “Hero.” The song’s music video has recorded more than 30 million YouTube views.

Monsta X’s Japanese debut album will also include another popular single, “Stuck,” in Japanese.

The band will hold a showcase at ZEPP NAMBA Hall in Osaka on May 1.

Debuting in 2015, Monsta X consists of Lee Joo-heon, Shownu, I.M, Kihyun, Minhyuk, Wonho and Hyungwon. All are winners of TV reality competition show “No Mercy” that aired on Mnet in 2014.

The band’s first album, “The Clan Part 2.5, The Final Chapter,” was released this year. It topped U.S. Billboard’s World Album chart on Mar. 21. It also ranked first on Korean music charts, the U.S. iTunes music chart and on the Japanese K-pop chart.