Person attributes
Other attributes
Early life and pre-debut
Shownu was born in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu in Seoul, South Korea on June 18, 1992.
Shownu was initially a trainee of JYP Entertainment, for around two years, after winning first place in the JYP auditions in 2009.[1] He auditioned to JYP Entertainment as it is the label of the singer Rain, who inspired Shownu to become an idol.[2][3] Although Shownu gained praise at the company for his powerful dancing, he left the company citing conflicts with the company and a feeling of stagnation.[4]
Shownu continued to participate in the idol industry, becoming a backup dancer for Lee Hyori and doing promotions with her, as well as appearing in her music videos; "Bad Girls" and "Going Crazy".[5][6] He also appeared in the music videos; "Talk to My Face" by D-Unit and "Pitapat" by Bestie.[7]
After he auditioned and joined Starship Entertainment, he became part of the project Nu Boyz, alongside future Monsta X members Jooheon and Wonho, as well as #Gun.
In December 2014, he competed in Mnet's survival reality show No.Mercy. He, alongside six other contestants, then debuted in the hip-hop boy group Monsta X in 2015.[8]
2015-2017: Debut in Monsta X
Shownu debuted as the leader and main dancer of Monsta X on May 14, 2015 with the EP Trespass.[9]
Since debut, Shownu has made significant solo appearances on variety and reality shows, including being a regular cast member for two seasons of Lipstick Prince,[10] which landed him a commercial film after winning the show,[11] as well as appearing as a contestant on King of Mask Singer in 2018, as "Okey Donkey",[12] and guesting on more than 10 variety shows.[13][14][15] Shownu has been praised for the diverse types of entertainment he demonstrates in his appearances and his overall ability as an entertainer.[16] Shownu also appeared in Sistar's "Shake It" music video.[17]
Along with being the main dancer of Monsta X, he also contributes to the group's choreography and has been praised for his skills by fellow choreographers.[18] He has released his own choreography for songs such as Ariana Grande's "Side to Side", Richard Parker's "Psychic", Charlie Puth's "LA Girls", Trevor Daniel's "Falling", and The Weeknd's "Heartless".[19][20][better source needed] Shownu also created the choreography for Bruno Mars's "Versace on the Floor" and Monsta X's "Mirror" that were performed at their world tours.[21][22][23]
In June 2016, Shownu made his first solo appearance in a magazine for InStyle Korea.[24]
2018-present: Solo work and television and magazine appearances
In 2018, Shownu also collaborated on the British band PREP's lead single "Don't Look Back" for their forthcoming album alongside Hwang So-Yoon of Se So Neon.[25] Shownu had sought out PREP for collaboration as he was already a fan of the group.[26][27] He appeared in magazines with former member Wonho for Nylon Korea in January,[28] GQ Korea in August,[29] and in October for Dazed Korea promoting Under Armour.[30] He also made a solo appearance in Taiwan magazine Bella in February.[31]
In 2019, he again featured in a magazine alongside Wonho, for Elle Korea in August,[32] where they were promoting Tom Ford's latest perfume line.[33] He also featured on the cover of BEAUTY+ in October and again in November 2020.[34][35]
Shownu is a credited writer on "Mirror" from Follow: Find You,[36][37] and as a writer and composer on three of Monsta X's tracks from their sixth studio album All About Luv; "Who Do U Love?" featuring French Montana, "Middle of the Night", and "Beside U" featuring Pitbull.[38] He also co-wrote "Someone's Someone" alongside Before You Exit members.[39]
In 2020, prior to the release of Monsta X's eighth EP Fantasia X, Shownu injured his back, and the group delayed their comeback by two weeks to allow Shownu time to heal properly from his injury.[40] Prior to Monsta X's live-streamed concert "Live From Seoul with Luv", scheduled for July 25, Shownu had to undergo emergency left eye retinal detachment surgery, and so the concert was postponed to August 8, to give him time to recover from surgery.[41] He featured alongside Monsta X members in magazines several times in 2020, including appearing alongside Minhyuk and Joohoney for Harper's Bazaar Korea in May,[42] Kihyun for W Korea in June,[43] and with Joohoney for Esquire Korea in November.[44]
In August, it was announced he would be featuring on the soundtrack for She's My Type, alongside group member Minhyuk, marking his first soundtrack appearance, independent of Monsta X, since 2011.[45] The song is titled "Have a Goodnight", and was released on September 11.[46] On October 15, Shownu released a rock-style song for the soundtrack of Tale of the Nine Tailed, titled "I'll Be There".[47][48]
In September, he appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan Korea for their 20th anniversary issue, which became sold out as soon as sales began.[49][50]
In October, he had a solo feature in Dazed Korea for the Monsta X Dazed Project,[51] GQ Korea to create a fashion film promoting Under Armour,[52] and he appeared on the back cover of 1st Look Magazine Korea promoting Moschino Toy Boy perfume.[53] After the magazine's release, Moschino perfume's Toy 2 sold out on Olive Young's online mall and also ranked first in perfume brand ranking. Following the success of the promotion, Shownu was selected as the first Korean muse for Italian luxury fashion brand Moschino perfume.[54]
In November, Shownu began appearing as a judge on Mnet's Cap-Teen, a survival reality show.[55][56]
In March 2021, Shownu appeared in Elle Korea to promote Moschino Toy 2 Bubble Gum perfume.[57] He also appeared in Dazed Korea promoting Brooks Sports shoe and clothing line.[58] Shownu, along with Monsta X member Minhyuk, where chosen as the cover models for the first issue of Y Magazine Korea.[59] Shownu was invited to the grand opening of the Dolce & Gabbana store in Seoul, Korea.[60] It was also announced that Shownu would appear in the Netflix show Goedam 2.[61][62]
In May, Starship announced that Shownu would be taking a hiatus from Monsta X and would not promote for their upcoming ninth EP due to health problems related to his eye retinal detachment.[63]
In July, Shownu and Minhyuk appeared in W Korea, promoting the premium luggage brand RIMOWA.[64] Furthermore, Shownu becomes the new face of lifestyle and cosmetics brand Round A'Round.[65] Shownu with other Monsta X members' Hyungwon and I.M also joined Pepsi's Taste of Korea summer campaign, releasing a promotional single "Summer Taste" alongside Rain, Brave Girls members' Yujeong and Yuna, and Ateez members' Hongjoong and Yunho.[66]
Personal life
Shownu enlisted for his mandatory military service on July 22, 2021. He will serve as public service worker due to previous surgery for left eye retinal detachment.[67]
Discography
Main article: Monsta X discography
As lead artist
Year Song title Album Artist Ref.
2021 "Summer Taste"[A] Taste of Korea with Rain, Hyungwon and I.M (Monsta X), Yujeong and Yuna (Brave Girls), Hongjoong and Yunho (Ateez) [66]
As featured artist
Year Song title Album Artist Ref.
2018 "Don't Look Back" Line by Line PREP feat. Shownu and So!YoON! [26]
Soundtrack appearances
Year Song title Album Notes Ref.
2011 "Now We Know Why" Protect the Boss OST [B] [68]
2020 "Have a Goodnight" She's My Type OST with Minhyuk [46]
"I'll Be There" Tale of the Nine Tailed OST [69]
Filmography
See also: Monsta X § Filmography
Television series
Year Network Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 MBC Dae Jang Geum Is Watching Himself Special appearance [70]
2021 Netflix Goedam 2 Jong-chan Episode 8: A Mannequin [61][62]
Reality/Variety shows
Year Network Show Role Ref.
2014 Mnet No.Mercy Contestant [71]
2015 KBS2 Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education [72]
2016 SBS Law of the Jungle in Papua New Guinea Cast [73]
Running Man Contestant [74]
OnStyle Lipstick Prince Season 1 Cast [10]
tvN Hit the Stage Contestant [75]
2017 OnStyle Lipstick Prince Season 2 Cast [10]
Channel A History Repletion: Oh! Cool Guys [76]
2018 MBC King of Mask Singer Contestant [12]
Real Man 300 Cast [77]
2019 Mnet Yum-Yum Yum-Yum Main host [78]
MBC My Little Television V2 Cast [79]
2020 JTBC Hidden Singer Contestant [80]
Mnet Cap-Teen Judge [81]
2021 MBC with SM C&C Hungry For Delivery? Order It First! Cast [82]
Audiobook narrator
Year Title Ref.
2019 Annabel Lee [83]
My Heart Leaps Up
Notes
"Summer Taste" was released as a promotional single in collaboration with Pepsi.
Shownu was credited as Son Hyun-woo, as this predates his debut with the stage name Shownu.
