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For the subunit of T.O.P Girls, see I&M.

I.M (아이엠) is a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper under Sony Music Entertainment Korea. He is the maknae of the boy group MONSTA X, a former member of the project group Y TEEN, and a former member of the pre-debut group Nu'Bility.

He made his official solo debut on February 19, 2021 with his first digital mini album Duality.

Career[]

Pre-debut[]

From 2013 to 2014, I.M was a member of the pre-debut group Nu'Bility, formed by Special K Entertainment. Though the group attended a few events and released content, it never made its official debut.[2]

2014–2015: NO.MERCY, debut with MONSTA X[]

He participated in the Mnet reality survival show NO.MERCY. Introduced at the eighth episode, later than all the other trainees, he ended up being part of the final lineup and as a result debuted with MONSTA X on May 15, 2015, with the mini album Trespass.[2]

2016–2019: Mixtapes[]

Between 2016 and 2019, I.M released a few mixtapes. The first, called "Who Am I" and featuring YESEO, was released on May 5, 2016.[3] He also released "Fly With Me" and "Horizon" on February 20, 2018 and April 19, 2019 respectively, both with a music video.[4][5] In 2019 he also recorded an audiobook of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince for NAVER.[6]

2021: Solo debut with Duality[]

In June 2020, I.M mentioned he was interested in releasing a solo album eventually.[7] In January 2021, Starship announced that I.M would have his first official solo release at the end of February.[3] The first poster was released on February 7, revealing that I.M's solo debut would be on February 19 with a digital mini album titled Duality.[8] The album is deeply personal, and shows a side of him different to the one he shows when with MONSTA X. As its title hints, the songs evoke various kinds of duality, like, for example, the one between the illusion of happiness and trying to convince yourself you're fine when in reality you're in pain, and they explore intense feelings, both positive and negative.[9]

2022: Departure from Starship Entertainment, new agency[]

On August 8, Starship Entertainment released a statement announcing that all of the MONSTA X members, except I.M, renewed their contracts. I.M decided to not renew his contract but he will continue to participate in the group's future plans.[10]

On November 15, I.M signed an exclusive contract with Sony Music Entertainment Korea.[11]

2023: Overdrive[]

On April 19, I.M launched a new YouTube channel hinting at an upcoming solo return. Sony Music, also announced that they would be launching a new official website on May 16.[12]

On May 16, it was announced that he will be releasing a new EP titled Overdrive on June 23.[13]

2024: "Slowly", Off The Beat[]

On January 12, 2024, I.M announced that he will release a digital single on January 23.[14] On January 15, the title was revealed to be "Slowly".[15]

On March 12, it was reported that I.M will be making a comeback in April.[16] The next day, it was announced that he will be releasing his second EP Off The Beat on April 3.[17]

Discography[]

Mini albums[]

EPs[]

Mixtapes[]

Digital singles[]

Collaborations[]

Features[]

Producing and writing credits[]

  • All credits adapted from KOMCA, unless stated.[18]

2010s[]

Artist Song Album Type
2015
I.M (Him), Hyungwon, & Jooheon "Interstellar" "NO.MERCY Part.4" Writing
MONSTA X "No Exit" Trespass
"One Love"
"Steal Your Heart"
"Blue Moon"
"Rush" Rush
"Hero"
"Perfect Girl"
"Broken Heart"
2016
MONSTA X "Ex Girl" The Clan Part.1 Lost Writing
"All In"
"Stuck"
"Sweetheart"
"Unfair Love"
"Because of U"
"Fighter" The Clan Part.2 Guilty
"Be Quiet"
"Blind"
"Queen"
"White Love"
"Roller Coaster"
I.M and Brother Su "Madeleine"
2017
MONSTA X "Ready or Not" The Clan Part 2.5: The Final Chapter 'Beautiful' Writing
"Beautiful"
"Incomparable"
"Need U"
"Oi"
"Miss You"
"Calm Down"
"All I Do"
"Last Page"
"I'll Be There"
MONSTA X "Shine Forever" Shine Forever
"Gravity"
"Newton"
"Dramarama" The Code
"Now Or Never"
"In Time"
"From Zero"
"X"
"Tropical Night"
"Déjà Vu"
"Lonely Christmas" Writing
Composing
Arranging
2018
MONSTA X "Jealousy" The Connect : Dejavu Writing
"Destroyer"
"Fallin'"
"Crazy in Love"
"Lost in the Dream"
"If Only"
"Special"
MONSTA X "Underwater" Take.1 Are You There?
"Shoot Out"
"Heart Attack"
"I Do Love U"
"Mohae" Writing
Composing
Arranging
"Oh My! Writing
"Myself"
"By My Side"
"Spotlight (Korean Ver.)
"Shoot Out (English Ver.) "Shoot Out"
2019
MONSTA X "Alligator" Take.2 We Are Here Writing
"Ghost"
"Play It Cool"
"No Reason"
"Give Me Dat"
"Turbulence"
"Rodeo"
"Stealer"
"Party Time"
I.M (Himself) "Horizon" "Horizon" Writing
Composing
"Scent" Writing
Composing
Arranging
MONSTA X "Alligator (Japanese Ver.) "Alligator" Writing
MONSTA X "Who Do U Love?" Writing
Composing
"Breathe For You" "Puppy Day (with TTG) OST" Writing
"Follow" Follow : Find You
"Monsta Truck"
"U R" Writing
Composing
"Disaster" Writing
"Burn It Up"
"Mirror"
"See You Again"
"Middle of the Night" Writing
Composing

2020s[]

Artist Song Album Type
2020
MONSTA X "Beside U" All About Luv Writing
Composing
Elhae "Need to Know" "Need to Know"
MONSTA X "Fantasia" Fantasia X Writing
"Flow"
"Zone" Writing
Composing
Arranging
"Chaotic" Writing
"Beautiful Night"
"It Ain't Over"
"Stand Up"
MONSTA X "Love Killa" Fatal Love
"Gasoline"
"Thriller"
"Guess Who"
"Nobody Else"
"Beastmode"
"Stand Together"
"Night View" Writing
Composing
Arranging
2021
I.M (Himself) "God Damn" Duality Writing
Composing
Arranging
"Howlin'"
"Burn"
"Happy to Die"
"Flower-ed"
MONSTA X "Gambler" One of a Kind Writing
"Heaven"
"Addicted"
"Secrets"
"Rotate" Writing
Composing
Arranging
"Livin' It Up (Korean Ver.)" Writing
"Kiss Or Death"
I.M "Loop" Writting
Composing
Arranging
MONSTA X "Rush Hour" No Limit Writing
"Autobahn" Writing
Composing
Arranging
"Ride with U" Writing
"Got Me in Chains"
"Just Love" Writing
Composing
Arranging
"Mercy" Writing
"I Got Love"
2022
MONSTA X "Love" Shape of Love Writing
"Wildfire" Writing
Composing
"Love You" Writing
"And" Writing
Composing
Arranging
2023
I.M "Overdrive" Overdrive Writing
Composing
"Blame"
"Dumb"
"Habit"
"More"
"Not Sorry"
2024
I.M "Slowly" Writing
Composing
"Lure" Off The Beat
"Bust It"
"XO"
"Skyline" Writing
Composing
Arranging
"MMI" Writing
Composing
"Nbdy"

Concerts[]

World tours[]

Concert participation[]

  • Tone & Music Festival 2024 (2024)[20]

Filmography[]

Dramas[]

  • High-end Crush (MBN, 2015)

Reality shows[]

Radio shows[]

Trivia[]

  • He’s known for his charming voice and can be considered the "voice" of the group.[2][6]
  • He traveled a lot during his childhood as his father changed work.[2] He lived in Israel for four years and in the United States for three.[22]
  • Fluent in English, he acts as the main representative when MONSTA X travels overseas to English-speaking countries.[2][23]
  • He used to want to be a scientist, like his father.[2]

Gallery[]

Main article: I.M/Gallery

References[]

  1. Marie Claire Korea: 아이엠
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Meet I.M from Monsta X: the unwanted competitor who became a global K-pop leader South China Morning Post (April 3, 2020). Retrieved on January 20, 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 MONSTA X’s I.M To Release First Solo Single In February Soompi (January 19, 2021). Retrieved on January 20, 2021.
  4. Watch: MONSTA X’s I.M Drops Captivating “Fly With Me” Mixtape MV Soompi (February 20, 2018). Retrieved on January 20, 2021.
  5. Watch: MONSTA X’s I.M And ELHAE Drop MV For Mixtape “Horizon” Soompi (April 18, 2019). Retrieved on May 17, 2021.
  6. 6.0 6.1 MONSTA X’s I.M Shares Why He Decided To Record His Recent Audiobook Soompi (February 18, 2019). Retrieved on January 20, 2021.
  7. Monsta X Member I.M On His Solo Ambitions: ‘I Hope To Have My Own Album As Soon As Possible’ Forbes (June 18, 2020). Retrieved on January 20, 2021.
  8. MONSTA X's I.M To Serve His Magnificent "Duality" In First Solo Digital Mini Album HelloKpop (February 7, 2021). Retrieved on February 7, 2021.
  9. Monsta X’s I.M Unpacks His Solo Mini-Album “Duality” Teen Vogue (February 19, 2021). Retrieved on February 20, 2021.
  10. Soompi: 5 MONSTA X Members Renew Contracts With Starship + I.M To Leave Agency But Continue Group Activities
  11. Soompi: MONSTA X’s I.M Signs With Sony Music Korea After Leaving Starship
  12. Soompi: Watch: MONSTA X’s I.M Gears Up For Solo Comeback With Exciting Logo Motion Teaser
  13. Soompi: MONSTA X’s I.M Launches Official Solo Social Media Accounts + Drops Comeback Teaser
  14. @IMxSMEK on Twitter (January 12, 2024)
  15. @IMxSMEK on Twitter (January 12, 2024)
  16. (KR) JTBC: [단독]몬스타엑스 아이엠, 4월 솔로 컴백
  17. Soompi: Watch: MONSTA X’s I.M Announces Solo Comeback Date With 1st Teaser For “Off The Beat”
  18. KOMCA: Searching Works (search 10009195 under Writers & Publishers)
  19. Soompi: MONSTA X's I.M Announces Dates And Cities For 2024 World Tour "Off The Beat"
  20. [https://www.instagram.com/p/C57wm0CPYzV @toneandmusicfestival on Instagram (April 19, 2024)
  21. (KR) Hankyung: 몬스타엑스 아이엠, '키스 더 라디오' DJ 발탁
  22. Idol Battle Likes Episode 1
  23. Soompi: MONSTA X’s I.M Talks About Leading Interviews In English, Collaborating With ELHAE, And More

Official links[]

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