MONSTA X Jooheon Completes Military Service: “I’m Back, Ready to Move Forward”
Jooheon, a member of K-pop group MONSTA X, has officially completed his military service. After 18 months of active duty, including serving as an instructor in the 15th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, he was discharged on January 23, 2025.
A Heartfelt Message to Fans
Following his discharge, Monsta X Jooheon expressed his gratitude and excitement through a statement released by his agency, Starship Entertainment. He said:
“First and foremost, I want to thank our Monbebe (official fan club name) who waited for me for such a long time. I missed you all so much. During my personal time in the military, I often watched videos of our performances with Monbebe and thought about how I wanted to return as soon as possible and show you an even better version of myself. I’m so happy to have completed my service safely and to be back.”
He added:
“Now that I’ve taken a brief pause, I plan to move forward with even greater energy. As MONSTA X’s Jooheon, I’ll continue to grow and show you many sides of myself, so please look forward to it. Lastly, I want to thank Shownu hyung, Minhyuk hyung, and Changkyun (I.M) for steadfastly supporting MONSTA X during my absence.”
Celebrating His Return
To mark his return, Jooheon will host a special live broadcast on MONSTA X’s official YouTube channel at 6:30 PM KST on January 23. Instead of holding an in-person discharge event, he opted for an online celebration to connect directly with fans worldwide.
Contributions to MONSTA X
Since debuting with MONSTA X in 2015, Jooheon has been a pivotal member of the group as its main rapper, producer, and songwriter. He has contributed significantly to the group’s discography by writing and producing hits like “Love Killa,” “Shoot Out,” “Gambler,” and “Rush Hour.” His creative direction has played a key role in shaping MONSTA X’s musical identity.
Before enlisting in July 2023, Jooheon released his solo debut album LIGHTS, featuring self-composed tracks that showcased his artistic range. He also demonstrated his versatility through various entertainment activities, including serving as a regular MC on Mnet’s M Countdown and appearing on shows like JTBC’s Korean Food Tray and YouTube’s Bbam Bbam Social Club.
Looking Ahead: MONSTA X’s 10th Anniversary
Monsta X Jooheon’s discharge comes at an exciting time for MONSTA X as they prepare for their 10th debut anniversary in 2025. With Jooheon back alongside Shownu, Minhyuk, and Changkyun—and with Kihyun and Hyungwon set to complete their military service soon—the group is gearing up for a full-member reunion that fans have eagerly awaited.
As Jooheon resumes activities with MONSTA X, fans are thrilled to see what lies ahead for both him and the group in this milestone year.
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