Hallyu Star Spotlight: Im Changkyun – The Genius Lyricist You Should Stan

From alluring visuals, relatable personality, and top-tier talent, it’s understandable why fans (and haters) can’t get enough of Im Changkyun.

Multi-talented musician Im Changkyun continues to impress fans, peers, and the media by being unapologetically himself. Despite being in a competitive industry, he has been making a name for himself as one of the most multi-faceted idols, not only locally but also on an international scale.

While many people have been captivated by Changkyun’s stunning visuals, he has demonstrated that there’s more to him than meets the eye. While he may personify the term “idol,” he always encourages his fan to be true to themselves. “I think at first people think that I’m cocky, sassy, that I maybe don’t take others into consideration,” he said in a 2021 interview with EarMilk. “But I really care about my fans, my family, and staff. I just don’t care about bad opinions about me.”

To get to know more about him, here’s a quick rundown on the reasons why he’s a genius lyricist you should stan.

MONSTA X’s Maknae

Changkyun may be the most mature member of MONSTA X, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t act like the youngest from time to time – occasionally whining, being babied, and showing off. He receives his fair share of teasing from his members but isn’t afraid to dish it right back in the form of a snarky comment or prank. Though Changkyun comes off as a savage or evil maknae when he’s teasing his fellow members or sticking up for his group, he has a silly and funny side too. Check out the video below to see some examples of his duality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elwSKPy52q4

Rapper + Producer

Known for his sometimes “racy” lyrics, Changkyun isn’t shy to add his own flavor to every track he touches. Whether he’s on stage or in the studio, this genius lyricist effortlessly creates off the cuff ad libs with a certain “je ne sais quoi” to them, showing more of himself alongside his fellow members. Aside from his talents in rapping in Korean, English, and Japanese, Changkyun is also a renowned producer, lending his producing and composing skills to some 120 songs since his pre-debut days. Pretty impressive, right?

Magazine Editorial Favorite

Although Changkyun is not considered as a visual of the group, he can regularly be seen gracing the pages of Cosmopolitan Korea, Dazed Korea, MAPS, and more. He has beautiful and intensely piercing eyes that make him sexy and alluring. His pure smile and eyebrows are his secret weapons that not only add charm to his face and personality but will make any fan weak.

• MONSTA X’s I.M Signs Contract With Sony Music Entertainment Korea

Variety Show Star

MONSTA X may not appear on variety shows as often as they did in their early days, but fans know they are in for a wild and hilarious ride when they do. Appearing as the adorable and silly maknae, as opposed to his sultry onstage alter ego, Changkyun lets his natural aegyo shine. From being called out for how he plays video games in their dorm and his failed handstand to his members, smothering him with attention and more, Changkyun is hard to ignore.

Adorable Host

In 2021, Changkyun stepped outside his comfort zone and flexed his hosting skills by joining fellow MONSTA X member, Kihyun to host Naver NOW’s Midnight Idol. Through the program, Changkyun met fans Monday through Friday, interviewing fellow K-Pop artists and MONSTA X members. Midnight Idol spanned 150 episodes and undoubtedly helped him grow personally and professionally. 

Soloist

We’ve already established Changkyun as a genius lyricist, composer, and more as the lead rapper of MONSTA X, but that’s not all. He also has a handful of covers, mixtape singles, collaboration tracks, and a solo album under his belt. His solo album, Duality, dropped in February 2021 and was well-received by fans even though no physical album was produced or scheduled for music show promotions. Fans eagerly await his next solo release as expectations for a better promotional schedule is high. 

And there you have it! While this article may not fully cover everything about him, we hope this short feature allowed you to meet Im Changkyun and understand how talented and impressive this genius lyricist is!

We look forward to the group’s next comeback and Im Changkyun’s solo debut with Sony Music Korea. Meanwhile, MONSTA X will host a fan meeting in Seoul on December 3 and participate in K-Pop in Jeju on December 4.

• MONSTA X’s I.M To Share Honest Stories In “Welcome To My Baverse”

Photo Credits: Starship Entertainment, Sony Music Korea, Naver Now

Video Credits: 8bebe, Starship Entertainment, All The K-Pop