Cultural Shift: Joohoney’s ‘光 (INSANITY)’ Defines K-Pop’s Evolution and the Art of ‘Shining Insanely’! 💥

The landscape of K-pop continues its dynamic expansion, and at its forefront, a familiar yet ever-evolving artist is redefining what it means to truly shine. **MONSTA X’s Joohoney**, a powerhouse known for his “trustworthy vocals and performance” (믿듣퍼), has made a triumphant return as a solo artist with his highly anticipated second mini-album, **’光 (INSANITY)’**. Released on **January 5th** across all online music platforms, this comeback is not just a musical event; it’s a profound conceptual statement 2 years and 8 months after his solo debut album, **’LIGHTS’**, which dropped in **May 2023**.

With **’光 (INSANITY)’**, Joohoney masterfully broadens the concept of ‘light’ from his previous work, extending the Korean character ‘광’ to encompass both “shining light” (빛날 광) and “mad/crazy light” (미칠 광). This ambitious expansion underpins a more robust and multifaceted worldview for his music. Notably, Joohoney has taken the reins as the sole lyricist, composer, and producer for every track on the album, seamlessly weaving his personal narrative and an intriguing cast of featured artists who transcend eras and genres.

The album’s title track, **’STING (Feat. Muhammad Ali)’**, is a meticulously crafted embodiment of the ‘bee’ image, long associated with Joohoney (his nickname ‘Honey’ often morphs into ‘honeybee’). It promises to deliver his signature intense energy through a charismatic performance and powerful rap, radiating a fast and sharp presence that fans have come to anticipate.

Since his debut with **MONSTA X** in **2015**, Joohoney has consistently demonstrated his prowess as the group’s main rapper and producer, contributing to numerous hit songs. Even before his official solo debut, his distinctive mixtapes garnered international attention on global charts like Billboard and iTunes, solidifying his global influence. His first solo album, **’LIGHTS’**, served as undeniable proof of his accumulated capabilities. Now, with the expanded musical universe of **’光 (INSANITY)’** and the title track **’STING’**, Joohoney is poised to send another powerful reverberation through the K-pop industry.

In a recent interview, Joohoney shared insights into his long-awaited return and the philosophical underpinnings of his new album:

• 🐝 Q1. It’s been 2 years and 8 months since your last solo comeback. How do you feel?

Joohoney expressed immense joy and excitement at the opportunity to present new music. He highlighted the personal significance of this album, noting, “I released my first solo album before enlistment, and now I’m presenting my second album after discharge, which holds deep meaning for me.”

• 🌟 Q2. As you wrote, composed, and produced ‘光 (INSANITY)’, how did you structure the tracklist, and what story did you want to tell?

Maintaining a seven-track structure similar to his first mini-album, Joohoney focused on the emotional journey from the first to the last track. He elaborated on the continuation of his unique worldview: “In the first album, **’LIGHTS’**, through the concept of ‘light,’ I conveyed the message that **’when darkness deepens, light strengthens’**. With this second album, **’光’**, encompassing both ‘shining light’ and ‘mad light,’ I’ve embedded the message **’only by going wild can you shine’**. This worldview originated from contemplating ‘how everyone can find strength and shine brightly in a dark world.’ You can see me, **Joohoney** the artist, continuously expanding this ‘light’ worldview with vision and enlightenment.”

• 🎤 Q3. The featuring lineup, from Muhammad Ali’s voice sampling to Tiger JK and IVE’s Rei, is quite striking. Was there a special reason for including Muhammad Ali’s voice in the title track, and how was working with the other featured artists?

Joohoney felt honored to incorporate legendary **Muhammad Ali’s** famous quote, **”Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”** He explained, “Fans often call me ‘Honey’ (Joohoney → HONEY), and they express me as a honeybee. While thinking about themes related to bees, **Muhammad Ali’s** quote came to mind. I wanted to impart positive energy to myself and many others through the confidence of flying towards a dream and striking an exact target, and the energy to precisely achieve what is aimed for.” Regarding **IVE’s Rei**, Joohoney shared his admiration for her vocal tone. He meticulously considered how to best highlight her charm, leading to their collaboration, for which he expressed deep gratitude for her enthusiastic participation.

• 🥊 Q4. What kind of song is the title track, ‘STING’, and what message or listening points did you want to convey through its lyrics?

As expected, **’STING’** centers on **Muhammad Ali’s** famous quote. Joohoney described it as a hip-hop track echoing the strong, intense mixtape vibe he personally loves from his past works. He highlighted his identity as a performer-rapper, emphasizing that the song should be viewed as a powerful piece where potent choreography and music harmoniously blend.

• 💭 Q5. If you had to pick one B-side track that you’re most attached to, what would it be?

His chosen track is **’NO BRAIN NO PAIN’**. This song, he noted, resonates with previous **MONSTA X** tracks like **’Stand Up’** and **’Saranghanda’**, as well as his own mini-album B-side **’Don’t Worry Be Happy’**. While often associated with intense music, Joohoney consistently includes warm, comforting tracks in both his and **MONSTA X’s** albums. **’NO BRAIN NO PAIN’** carries that warmth, amplified by a refreshing rock sound that evokes strong emotions. The song’s message — breaking through the paralysis of overthinking — is deeply personal, stemming from his military experiences and his personal creed: **”Just do it, just go.”** He hopes this track, a sentiment even tattooed on his body, becomes precious to both him and **Monbebe**.

• 💪 Q6. The intense visuals, including the boxing concept, are a hot topic. What visual points did you want to emphasize?

The key visual points are **”competition, sweat, persistence, and passion.”** Joohoney views boxing as a sport brimming with romance, where the efforts accumulated are proven and demonstrated in the ring, and he wanted to embody that fervent passion.

• ✨ Q7. The message “only by going wild can you shine” (미쳐야 빛난다) is very impressive. Can you share a moment when you immersed yourself to that extent?

For Joohoney, every single moment is a moment of immersion; he simply cannot feel at peace otherwise. While acknowledging that he gets exhausted, he always strives to do his best and believes that the crucial part is how one regroups and restarts. He aspires to live every moment with such effort and immersion, truly going “wild” in his pursuits. He firmly believes that “only then can I shine brighter than anyone else.”

• 💖 Q8. Please share a message for Monbebe, who love and support you.

To his beloved **Monbebe**, Joohoney conveyed that while he pours his passion into every album, **’光 (INSANITY)’** particularly resonates with “passion” and most closely mirrors his authentic self. He hopes for abundant love for all the hard work invested. Emphasizing that **Monbebe** are his most precious light, he urged them to “shine insanely” together throughout this promotional period. He also shared his excitement for upcoming solo activities, group endeavors, and the long-awaited new **MONSTA X** world tour currently in preparation, asking for continued anticipation and love. “I love you, Monbebe!”

Joohoney’s latest conceptual venture further solidifies his standing not just as an idol, but as a discerning artist shaping the discourse of K-pop with profound personal narratives. His commitment to expanding his artistic philosophy through **’光 (INSANITY)’** marks a significant moment in the genre’s ongoing evolution.

The anticipation for what Joohoney will bring next, both individually and with **MONSTA X**, continues to build, promising more dynamic performances and deeply meaningful music that resonates far beyond Korea’s borders. We at Hello Korea eagerly await his next move.

Editor: Minho Kang 📜