K-pop duo Shownu X Hyungwon. Photos courtesy of Spotify

MANILA — “Beastly idol” is a term used for K-pop boy bands who typically project a tough and macho image, sometimes going shirtless in their performances to display their chiseled bodies.

Such was the concept associated with second-generation group 2PM, which rose in popularity through catchy tracks like “Again & Again” and “Hands Up” after debuting in 2008.

2PM would become influential to later K-pop stars, including Shownu and Hyungwon of Monsta X, another male act that entered the industry in 2015 and has been recognized as the “beastly idols” of their time.

“2PM is a group that we both admire and respect for their performances. We both remember listening to their songs and watching their performances when we were younger and being amazed,” Shownu said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

“Watching 2PM inspired us to work harder and become artists like them who are known for great performances and music,” he added.

So it only comes as fitting that the pair, who perform as the sub-unit Shownu X Hyungwon, chose to cover 2PM’s “I Hate You” for Spotify’s “My First K-pop Crush” campaign.

Held in celebration of the 10th anniversary of K-Pop ON! (온), Spotify’s flagship K-pop playlist, the project tasked three acts — including rising boy band ENHYPEN and girl group STAYC — to cover songs by the sunbaes (a Korean honorific for senior colleagues in an industry) who “first fueled their love for K-pop.”

ENHYPEN, Shownu X Hyungwon, STAYC to drop covers for Spotify

Hyungwon said he is grateful that people see similarities between Monsta X and 2PM.

“2PM is known to have a very strong, powerful and sexy image and cool performances. We’re very thankful that many people think that Monsta X is one of the groups from the next generation to have that same strong and powerful style,” said Hyungwon, who was interviewed ahead of his military enlistment last November.

But Hyungwon noted there are also aspects that set the two groups apart. “We think each group’s specific music is fit for them and although we have similar vibes, each group has a style that is uniquely theirs.”

In 2023, Shownu X Hyungwon released its debut extended play “The Unseen,” with the two members intending to show fans a new side of themselves. This was done through more vocal-focused tracks, devoid of the hard-hitting rap sections typically heard in boisterous Monsta X tracks.

Shownu believes “I Hate You,” which 2PM released in 2009, “would fit our unit’s style really well.”

“[The song is] fun and catchy but has a bit of sexiness too. We thought it would be a good song to show our vocals and expression in our choreography too,” he said.

More from our interview with Shownu and Hyungwon below.

Congratulations on your Spotify Single! What were your initial reactions when you were tapped for this project and what made you say yes?

HYUNGWON: We’re thankful to Spotify for giving us this opportunity to reflect back on our favorite K-pop songs and cover one of them for our fans. The idea of your “First K-Pop Crush” and thinking about what first made you love music was sentimental and fun. It made us think about when we first started out and took us back to our younger days.

What makes your version of 'I Hate You' different from the original? Are there any details that listeners should pay attention to? 

HYUNGWON: The original track is more powerful and wild in a sense, but we made our version fit our style better by making it more laidback. It’s in the UK garage style and we put more emphasis in making it sound more chill, but still sexy.

You can [also] look forward to listening to Shownu’s high notes. He’s an amazing singer and this song was an opportunity to showcase his higher vocals. I focused a lot on trying to express the lyrics and emotions in my vocals so hope you enjoy it.

2PM’s Taecyeon on 15-year career, goals, PH memories

Since we’re talking about music streaming, what songs have been on repeat for you lately?

SHOWNU: I listen to a lot of pop and K-pop. Lately, I’ve been listening to [BTS member] Jungkook and think he’s really cool and talented.

HYUNGWON: I’ve been listening to [American singer] Giveon’s songs a lot recently. His voice is really nice and I’m inspired by him because I want to make music that’s comfortable and easy to listen to like his.

Your unit debuted with 'The Unseen,' which has songs that are quite different from the ones released by Monsta X. What did you want to show your fans through this unit? Is this a sound that we can expect in future releases or do you guys plan on trying out new styles?

HYUNGWON: For our unit, I wanted to show Monbebe (our fans) a new side of us that was different from what they’ve seen as Monsta X. There’s no rap parts to our unit songs so I thought a lot about how we can arrange our parts and fill up the songs with just me and Shownu . 

We discussed together and agreed that rather than doing something overtly sexy and strong, we wanted to make music that is easy to listen to, but still has a hidden sultriness and we could do a strong performance for. That’s why naturally we focused on showing each of our individual vocal styles and created a sensual sound.

Our fans gave us a lot of positive feedback about our unit and we’re happy and satisfied to have shown our different, but very similar styles through our unit. We don’t have any set plans yet, but I would love to try a variety of genres with Shownu in the future.

Monsta X has been around since 2015. You managed to stay together even though I.M moved to a different company and the members have pursued solo projects. What is the secret to your good teamwork?

HYUNGWON: Our teamwork comes from all our members always doing their best. We all want to give our fans the best music and show them great performances so it drives us to all work really hard and come together as a team.

SHOWNU: As a team, we’re all good about communicating and we’re comfortable with each other after being together for so many years. Even with our separate projects, we all think about Monsta X as a team and our fans as a priority so it holds us together.

Just to wrap up this interview, please give a message to your Filipino fans.

SHOWNU: Thank you so much to our Filipino fans for always supporting us!

HYUNGWON: We hope you love our version of 'I Hate You' that we’ve worked on and can’t wait until we can meet you in the future.

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