Kihyun

Yoo Ki-hyun (, born November 22, 1993), better known mononymously as Kihyun, is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a vocalist in the South Korean boy group Monsta X, formed through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015. Kihyun made his solo debut with the single album Voyager in March 2022, in addition to having released several original soundtracks, further establishing himself as "K-pop God", "Vocal God", and "The K in K-pop".

Early life
Kihyun was born in Seoul, South Korea on November 22, 1993. He came from a family of four, which includes his father, mother, older brother, and himself. Kihyun is also a graduate from Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts.

2014–2015: Debut and career beginnings
In December 2014, Kihyun competed in the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy. Along with six other trainees from the show, Monsta X was formed, a hip-hop idol group that debuted under Starship Entertainment, with the EP Trespass on May 14, 2015. In 2015, through the survival show, he had been featured in two of its soundtracks, for "Pillow" with Sistar's Soyou and Giriboy on January 14, and "0 (Young)" with Giriboy, Mad Clown, Jooyoung, and other remaining trainees in No.Mercy on February 4.

In May 2015, Kihyun and fellow Monsta X member Jooheon, released an original soundtrack "Attractive Woman" for KBS2's Orange Marmalade. In October, he released his first solo original soundtrack "One More Step" for the MBC's television drama She Was Pretty.

2016–2020: Original soundtracks and solo activities
Kihyun appeared as a contestant on King of Mask Singer with the name "Tell Them I'm the Dragon King" on January 3, 2016. He won the first round against Apink's Namjoo, known as "Good Daughter Shim Cheong". On the second round of the competition, he lost to Lim Jeong-hee, known as "Rolled Good Fortune", with the difference of three votes.

In April, Kihyun became an MC for MBC Dramanet's Tasteful Beauty Plus. He participated with Son Tae-young and Kim Ji-min, as one of the beauty information and tips experts.

Kihyun sung the acoustic version of "The Tiger Moth" for the soundtrack for MBC's drama Shopping King Louie, which was released on October 27.

In June 2017, an original soundtrack titled "I've Got A Feeling" for SBS' drama Suspicious Partner was released.

In May 2018, Kihyun recorded "Can't Breathe" for MBC's Partners for Justice with fellow Monsta X member Jooheon, and in June, he also recorded "Love Virus" for tvN's drama What's Wrong with Secretary Kim together with WJSN's Seola.

For Monsta X's album All About Luv, Kihyun participated in writing and producing of three songs, including "Who Do U Love?" featuring French Montana (and its remix by will.i.am), "Middle of the Night", and "Beside U". He had previously co-written "I Do Love U" from Take.1 Are You There? with three other members, as well as co-written and produced the song "No Exit" for their debut EP Trespass.

In April 2020, Kihyun released a song for the soundtrack of KBS2's Welcome, titled "Again Spring", and then a song for KBS2's Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, titled "To Be With You", on October 7. In October, Kihyun had a solo stage for M Studio on M Countdown, where he performed a cover of the song "Bad" by Christopher.

2021–present: Solo debut with Voyager and other solo activities
In February, Kihyun released a song for the soundtrack of the drama Replay: The Moment, titled "O.M.O.M.". He was praised for his work in the drama, particularly his voice was able to express the "sweetness and softness" that complemented the drama.

In August, Kihyun appeared as a special guest on Naver Now's Night Studio, where he sang covers of several songs, including "Middle of the Night" by Monsta X and "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons, with a live band. He also became a new DJ for Naver Now's Midnight Idol, alongside group member I.M.

In September, Kihyun appeared again as a contestant on King of Mask Singer's special duet episode for the 2021 Chuseok holiday. Kihyun also paired up with a co-label solo artist Jeong Se-woon as the "Cheongdam-dong Sworn Brothers". They lost in the first round against MeloMance's Kim Min-seok and actor Kim Woo-seok as the "Brave Brothers".

He made his solo debut with the single album Voyager, along with the lead single of the same name, contributing to the lyrics of the song ", (Comma)" on March 15, 2022. Kihyun tested positive for COVID-19 on March 30.

On August 4, Kihyun released a song for the soundtrack of the webcomic After School Lessons for Unripe Apples, titled "Is This Love".

On September 16, he appeared and performed in the music festival KPOP LAND 2022, to commemorate love, peace, and a better world, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

On October 14, Kihyun performed in the KCON 2022 Japan, held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. On October 24, he released his first EP Youth, along with the lead single of the same name. On October 25, Kihyun was selected as the sole host for Naver Now's new live show PLAY!, starting on November 7.

On November 12, he released a song for the soundtrack of the new SBS' Friday-Saturday drama The First Responders, titled "Fire".

In January 2023, Kihyun had a pictorial and an interview for the fashion magazine Arena Homme + Korea.

In April, he became a permanent panelist for JTBC's current affairs and liberal arts program Han Moon-cheol's Black Box Review. On April 16, Kihyun and Joohoney participated in the OST of TVING's original Our Game: LG Twins, titled "Awake". It is a song about overcoming difficulties by cheering each other on and raising hope, which combines rock and hip hop, and contains a moving theme of turning adversity upside down. They also participated in its pitch and theta for victory before the game series against Doosan Bears.

On May 7, he released a song for the soundtrack of the drama Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, titled "Full Moon". On May 28, Kihyun appeared and performed at the Peak Festival 2023, held at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul.

In June, he attended the 2023 Seen Festival in Hội An, Vietnam. On June 22, Kihyun attended the Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Night, held at Vietnam National Convention Center, as "K-pop Representative Singer". It was a place to enjoy K-pop and V-pop together, to strengthen cultural consensus between the two countries and promote friendship for the future generations.

Military service
Kihyun enlisted for his mandatory military service as part of the military band, with 25th Infantry Division at Yangju army base in North Gyeonggi Province on August 22, 2023. In February 2024, he was featured in the Korean military magazine Kookbang Ilbo. Kihyun is scheduled to be discharged on February 21, 2025.

Musical style and influences
Kihyun, as the main vocalist of Monsta X, has the "refreshing yet sexy voice", "rich voice that does not shake even in powerful performances", and "fantastic high-pitched ad libs". His "soulful voice" which crosses between "pop and rock" firmly holds the musical center of Monsta X, considered as the owner of a "luxury vocal", whose voice itself is the "coordinate of paradise". Kihyun's timbre is in charge of the "centripetal force", so Monsta X's music was able to create a harmony of power and beauty.

Kihyun had cited international artist Harry Styles as his role model.

Public image and impact
For over seven years since debut, Kihyun continuously expands his musical spectrum, and has grown into a vocalist who can do his part, in any genre of song and any stage, in any environment. As the main vocalist of Monsta X, he has always captivated the K-pop fans by showing off his unwavering live skills despite the group's unique strong performances. In addition to team activities, he not only participated in various drama OSTs, but also released cover videos of various genres, acting as a "Vocal of Confidence", further establishing himself as "K-pop God", "Vocal God", and "The K in K-pop".

In October 2019, an official statement from Kakao M revealed that Monsta X, which Kihyun is assigned, received 7,906 shares (about ,000,000,000) of it to resolve issue rights to strengthen solidarity with affiliates and entertainers. The group is one of many Kakao M-affiliated artists who received stocks from the company, of which according to reports, is also preparing to rejoin Korea Exchange through a re-IPO.

In July 2022, Kihyun was voted as "Emotional Vocal Tone King Idol", with a vote rate of 30.62% out of a total of 297,873 votes after fierce competition among many candidates, such as Mamamoo's Wheein, Kim Jae-hwan, and BTS' Jimin.

In September, Architect Professor Yoo Hyun-jun expressed his gratitude to Kihyun, with the released of photos that contain the contents of captured texts and comments, that he left on Daum Cafe, watching Sherlock Hyun-jun videos on YouTube during a delayed flight. Because of this, "Sherlock Hyun-jun" became a real-time trend on Twitter and the number of YouTube subscribers also increased, exceeding 470,000.

Kihyun had inspired the group Blitzers for his "cool expression" on stage.

Arts and photography
In 2016, Kihyun alongside Minhyuk held a special exhibition "Moment in November" at the Space Art 1 in Jung-gu, Seoul from November 26 to 27. Under the theme of "moment", this exhibition consists of Kihyun's photos and Minhyuk's calligraphy and drawings. A space was also prepared for them to see the before and after Monsta X's debut photos, undisclosed polaroids, childhood photos, their cherished items, as well as events for fans, due to the warm response from domestic and foreign fans and to repay the support they showed during the group's activities.

In 2018, Kihyun held a special exhibition "Moment of November 2018 with Kihyun" at The Space Gallery in Gangnam, Seoul for three days from July 6 to 8. This exhibition is held for the first time in two years, which consisted of photos and works taken by him under the theme of "moment", with about 3,000 domestic and foreign visitors coming to the exhibition. It was unfolded with various photos, cherished items, and events including the appearances of the members and their childhood, plus a special space to share precious memories with his fans to commemorate the third anniversary of Monsta X's debut.

In 2023, Kihyun published his first solo photobook The Moment of November, which records the current him in fans' memories, before enlisting on August 22, as well as exhibition and pop-up store at Cafe OAOA in Seongdong-gu, Seoul from August 7 to 15.

Endorsements
In December 2021, Kihyun collaborated with the newly-established Filipino clothing brand RNDM, with him being its brand ambassador and co-creative director.

In May 2022, Kihyun became the new muse for the Korean unisex street brand AQOstudiospace's 2022 summer collection, which held various promotions, such as SNS participation and exclusive photocards events. In June, he became a model for the Korean cosmetics and skincare brand the SAEM through the Korean star and style magazine AtStyle. On August 22, Kihyun became a model for the Korean lifestyle beauty brand Lalafranc through the Korean fashion, beauty, and life magazine Singles.

Philanthropy
In November 2016, proceeds from the 2-days special exhibition "Moment in November" were donated in the names of Kihyun, Minhyuk, and fan club, Monbebe.

In January 2021, he donated ,000,000 to the Good Neighbors, a charity organization that helps low-income families in South Korea, which will be used for support kits containing hygiene products for the girls.

In December 2022, Kihyun donated his cherished items to the Korean general news agency News 1's "Bazaar of Love" and all its proceeds will be donated to Severance Hospital for the treatment and care of children from low-income families and with severe, rare, and incurable diseases.

Songwriting
All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless stated otherwise.