After 11 Years, MONSTA X's Kihyun Finally Found His Own Sound

MONSTA X member Kihyun has spent the past 11 years experimenting with different vocal styles, genres and techniques. With his upcoming second solo EP, "BORDERLINE," he believes that journey has finally led him to the music that best represents who he is as an artist.

Returning with his first solo release in nearly four years, Kihyun described "BORDERLINE" as the first album shaped almost entirely by his own ideas. From choosing the title track to deciding the album's overall direction, he said every step reflected the artist he wanted to become.

"I felt like this was finally the time to show myself," Kihyun told K-POPIT during a media interview in Seoul ahead of the album's release. "I've tried so many different things over the years, and I think this is the first album where my own musical identity became clear."

Kihyun sees "BORDERLINE" as the next chapter in a journey that began with his first solo release, "VOYAGER," and continued through "YOUTH." While those two albums captured the excitement of a new beginning and the emotions of youth, respectively, he said the new album reflects a more mature stage, where those experiences have finally shaped the artist he is today.

The album's title track carries that idea as well. Rather than representing uncertainty, Kihyun said "BORDERLINE" is about reaching the point where he chooses to trust his own judgment instead of trying to satisfy everyone else's expectations.

"There are always people telling you what the right answer is," he said. "This album is about believing my own choices."

That mindset also influenced the music itself. Although rock remains the album's foundation, Kihyun explored genres he had rarely attempted before, incorporating elements of R&B, jazz and even rap. He said he wanted listeners to discover a different side of his vocals instead of hearing another version of what he had already done.

The biggest challenge during the album's production came with "So Good," which he ultimately selected as the title track despite initially questioning whether he could fully pull it off. Unlike his previous rock-driven singles, the song demands greater emotional control and more delicate vocal expression.

Choosing the title track became one of the most difficult parts of making the album. Kihyun said nearly every song on the seven-track record was considered a title track candidate, and he didn't make his final decision until just before production deadlines because he wanted to be certain he had chosen the song that best represented the album.

That process also reflected how much he has changed as a performer. Earlier in his career, Kihyun said he often found himself trapped by perfectionism, becoming overly concerned about whether he was physically and vocally prepared before every performance. Over time, however, rock music helped him move beyond that mindset by allowing him to focus less on perfection and more on expression.

His military service became another turning point. Although he remained active in the military band, performing at more than 300 events during his enlistment, Kihyun admitted he constantly worried about falling behind and whether fans would still be waiting for him when he returned.

"When I came back, the fans were still there," he said. "That made me realize how fortunate I am and how much I want to repay them."

Preparing "BORDERLINE" shortly after returning to MONSTA X's group activities was physically demanding. Kihyun often flew back from overseas tour stops to record vocals or film the music video before leaving again for the next schedule. Despite the pace, he said he was happier with these recordings than any of his previous solo projects.

Looking back, Kihyun believes versatility has always been both his greatest strength and his biggest challenge. While he was able to adapt to many genres, he often felt he lacked a sound that people could immediately identify as his own. He believes "BORDERLINE" is the album that finally changed that.

"I always wondered what kind of artist I really was," he said. "I think this album finally answered that question."

Kihyun will release "BORDERLINE" on July 7 at 6 p.m KST.