I.M

Im Chang-kyun (born January 26, 1996), known by the stage name I.M or mononymously as Changkyun, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X, which debuted through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015. He also made his solo debut with the EP Duality in 2021.

History
His stage name I.M came up by reading the English letters, I and M equated for "Im", while his English name is "Daniel", nicknamed as "Danny". The first language he learned was English and learned Korean only when he entered elementary school.

Early life and debut
I.M was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea and Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju as his hometown on January 26, 1996. He spent most of his early years living abroad due to his father's work as a scientist, including living in Boston, Massachusetts, where I.M gained fluency in English, while his father worked at Harvard University.

Between 2013 and 2014, he became part of the boy group Nu'bility under Special K Entertainment but never officially debuted despite holding several events and performances.

I.M was a late addition to the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, becoming the thirteenth competitor. Despite his late addition, he was one of the seven contestants chosen to debut in Starship Entertainment's new hip-hop boy group Monsta X.

2015–2020: Monsta X and solo work
In May 2015, I.M debuted with Monsta X with their first EP Trespass, on which he has five writing credits.

In May 2016, I.M released his first mixtape through Starship Entertainment's YouTube channel, titled "Who Am I?" featuring Yeseo.

On October 20, he released another mixtape titled "Madeleine" with Brother Su that featured J.Han.

In July 2017, I.M released a mixtape titled "Be My Friend", alongside group member Joohoney.

In February 2018, he released another solo mixtape titled "Fly With Me".

In April 2019, I.M released his mixtape, with the lead single "Horizon", which was a collaboration with the American artist ELHAE. He also released the song "Scent" as the B-side of the single.

In May 2020, I.M collaborated with ELHAE again, releasing the single "Need to Know". He also made his first solo appearance on the talk show Talk Talk Information Brunch.

2021–present: Solo debut and other solo endeavors
In January 2021, I.M announced the solo work he had been preparing in 2020, would be released as his first solo album, with an intended release later in 2021. His first official release was announced to be an extended play titled Duality, which was released on February 19, with its lead single "God Damn". For his first EP, I.M was commended for showing a wider diversity of skill with the EP, with a noted difference in rap-style from his work in Monsta X as well as showcasing his abilities as singer-songwriter and composer. All five songs from the album charted on the weekly Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, occupying twenty percent of the entire World Songs chart.

In July, he and other Monsta X members' Shownu and Hyungwon, took part in Pepsi's Taste of Korea summer campaign, releasing a promotional single "Summer Taste", with Rain, Brave Girls members' Yujeong and Yuna, and Ateez members' Hongjoong and Yunho.

In August, I.M was part of Baverse Studio's Welcome To My Baverse, which is a documentary where he can show his thoughts as a musician and as an idol group member.

On September 4, I.M released the single "Loop", as part of his work for Welcome To My Baverse, in which he contributed to the production and composition. On September 6, I.M became a new DJ for Naver Now's radio program Midnight Idol, alongside group member Kihyun.

In December, he appeared as one of the special judges in the Mnet's dance survival program Street Dance Girls Fighter's fourth mission, alongside group members Hyungwon and Joohoney, for Monsta X's B-side song "Autobahn".

In August 2022, I.M decided not to renew his contract with Starship Entertainment but will still continue to participate in the group's future plans.

In November, he signed an exclusive contract with Sony Music Korea for his solo activities.

In February 2023, I.M and Joohoney had a pictorial and an interview with the fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue Korea.

In March, he joined the mobile application Dear U bubble under "Bubble with Stars". I.M also decorated the cover of the fashion magazine 1st Look Korea's 254th issue.

On April 19, Sony Music Korea released a video containing his new logo and announced the opening of his official site on May 16.

In May, he confirmed the release of his second extended play Overdrive on June 23, with the lead single of the same name.

On August 5 and 6, I.M held the Overdrive Showcase Tour in Seoul at Yes24 Live Hall, which sold out within 5 minutes for both days.

On September 3, he performed for Resffect Festival 2023, held at 88 Garden Olympic Park, Seoul.

On October 13, I.M attended the launch event of BOSS' Korea-only capsule collection pop-up store, held at Oud Cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.

On December 1, he attended the launch event of Swarovski's flagship store, held at Dosan Park in Seoul. On December 25, I.M performed for 2023 Someday Christmas, held at Hall 3 of BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Busan.

In January 2024, it was announced that he will release a new single on January 23, titled "Slowly" featuring Heize.

On March 12, it was announced that I.M will have an April comeback. On March 13, it was revealed that he will release his third extended play Off the Beat on April 3, with the lead single "Lure". On March 28, I.M attended the boutique reopening of Brioni, held at Hotel Shilla in Jung-gu, Seoul.

On April 17, it was announced that he will be the MC of KBS' web show I.M on the Beat, beginning on April 20. On April 22, it was announced that I.M will have his first world tour Off the Beat, to be held in eighteen cities in ten countries. On April 23, he attended Chanel's "Rouge Allure" pop-up event opening, held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

On June 11, I.M attended Jaeger-LeCoultre's "The Adventure Spirit" pop-up event opening, held in Songpa-gu, Seoul. On June 15, he performed for Tone & Music Festival 2024, held at 88 Garden Olympic Park, Seoul. On June 18, it was announced that I.M will be the new DJ of KBS Cool FM's radio program Kiss the Radio, replacing Day6's Young K, beginning on July 1.

On July 19, he attended Diesel's store reopening, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. On July 20, I.M performed for Soundberry Festa 24, held at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

Musical style and influences
As one of Monsta X's producer line, I.M made various musical attempts, contributing to broadening the musical spectrum of the group. He established the intense and powerful music color and framework unique to Monsta X, as well as presenting a variety of music, from songs with a dreamy and sensual mood to exciting songs that will enhance the atmosphere of a concert. As a solo artist, I.M incorporates various genres, such as trap, deep soul, R&B, and jazz in his releases, considered not a typical mainstream type of music and different from his usual songs produced for the group.

Upon growing up, he was influenced by his father's love for jazz, classical, and old pop music, specifically the Kenny G's saxophone albums and Norah Jones' albums, besides being particularly obsessed with Trevor Daniel's songs since their music tendencies are similar.

Public image and impact
I.M, as an individual and a member of Monsta X, showed outstanding musical growth that shined into a unique world of music. Also, his musical ability not only broke the prejudice of being an "idol", but became a musician that brings out genuine music. He has built his own identity through the release of various mixtapes, which showed off a different, yet original music color, and developed his skills through steady music work. In addition to music, he has also conducted exclusive interviews with famous overseas media, such as the Chicago Tribune and the BBC, with his fluent English skills, as well as playing an active role in leading the early overseas promotions of the group, becoming their practical spokesperson, as what Forbes had evaluated. He has established himself as an unprecedented artist who goes back and forth between groups and solos, while showing his outstanding musicality as an "all-round artist".

I.M dominates domestic and international charts with his solo releases, drawing hot global response, by topping the Melon, Bugs!, iTunes, Amazon, and Billboard, surpassing world-famous pop artists including Ariana Grande, Moguai, Adele, and Coldplay while occupying multiple spots on the charts which was a rare feat, one that only the biggest names in the business can muster.

Billboard's 2023 International Power Player and Sony Music Korea's CEO/Managing Director Bobby Ju shared that signing him with the record label marked Sony as the first major label in Korea to sign a "360 deal" with an established K-pop star. This entitles a record label to a percentage of earnings from all of an artist's revenue streams, rather than just the recorded music sales, with the artist getting the largest share of the royalties from music releases. Billboard emphasized that Ju's inclusion was due to I.M's "global success". The replica of the jacket he used in The Connect World Tour was presented at 2023 Swarovski Crystal World's "The Art of Performance", an exhibition of art pieces with world stars including Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Elton John, and Lady Gaga.

I.M had been cited by DKB's Harry-June as his role model. He also inspired All(H)Ours' Xayden through watching his direct cams.

Arts and photography
In November 2023, I.M released his first photobook Here I.M, which contained his current status, solo career journey, and values regarding music.

Endorsements
In June 2021, I.M became the new model for the Italian luxury fashion brand Versace's Eros Fragrance perfume through the Korean fashion, beauty, and life magazine Singles. In July, he took part in the global beverage brand Pepsi's "Taste of Korea" summer campaign, with Rain, Monsta X members' Shownu and Hyungwon, Brave Girls members' Yujeong and Yuna, and Ateez members' Hongjoong and Yunho.

In November 2023, I.M collaborated with the English football and rugby sportswear brand Umbro, promoting its 2023 F/W collection through the men's magazine Esquire Korea.

Philanthropy
In January 2022, I.M donated 00,000 through the idol fandom community service My Favorite Idol, for his birthday. It will be delivered to the Miral Welfare Foundation and used as a fund for the disabled who are isolated due to COVID-19.

Production
In February 2019, I.M narrated an audiobook, Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince, which was released through Naver's Audioclip. That same year, he narrated two more audiobooks, Edgar Allan Poe's Annabelle Lee and William Wordsworth's My Heart Leaps Up, alongside group member Shownu, which were also released through Naver's Audioclip, as well as to help the visually impaired people as the main purpose.

In September 2021, I.M was included in the production of the album cover image work and details through the Baverse Studio, as part of his work for Welcome To My Baverse.

In April 2023, he took the lead in the production process of his official logo, which was designed with chrome material to give it a "stylish look", where his "philosophy" and "style" are implied.

World tours

 * Off the Beat World Tour (2024)