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| Photo Cr. Starship Entertainment |
JOOHONEY of global K-pop powerhouse MONSTA X, has officially returned as a soloist with the release of The 2nd Mini Album 光 (INSANITY), out today. Marking his first solo project since his 2023 debut mini album LIGHTS, this release captures JOOHONEY at his most emotionally raw, instinctive, and creatively fearless. Guided by the concept, “Only by going mad do you truly shine,” the album reflects a powerful rebirth; one that places JOOHONEY firmly at the boundary between emotion and instinct, and between the dual forces of “madness (狂)” and “light (光).” Demonstrating his artistic versatility, JOOHONEY contributed to writing and composing every song on the album, shaping the project with his own voice, perspective, and musical vision.
Where his pre-release track “Push (Feat. REI (IVE))” exposed the cracks within a relationship, 光 (INSANITY) dives directly inside those fractures, exploring the inner world that exists within them. The project unfolds as an intimate confrontation between the impulsive passion of JOOHONEY’s youth and the responsibility he carries now as an established artist. These two selves—wild, instinctive energy and composed, seasoned artistry—collide, shake, and ultimately fuse into a single, luminous force. The album stands as a deliberate expansion of his identity as a soloist, distinct from his legacy within MONSTA X. Drawing from years of honing his craft through rap, vocals, performance, and production, and now through his full creative authorship, JOOHONEY constructs an entirely new world defined by his own emotional vocabulary and structure.
At the center of that world lies the title track “STING (Feat. Muhammad Ali)”, a pop and hip-hop driven anthem in which JOOHONEY confronts pain head-on, using it as proof of existence. Over time, he has embodied the symbol of the “bee”—quick, sharp, and unforgettable—and “STING (Feat. Muhammad Ali)” brings that identity into its most refined form. Woven into the lyrics is Muhammad Ali’s legendary line, “I’m gonna float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” merging JOOHONEY’s personal narrative with the song’s fierce thematic core. Light on his feet yet striking with precision, he channels strength born from scars and reveals how madness and light ultimately converge. Breaking away from the explosive, large-scale energy often associated with MONSTA X, the track leans into instinct, raw impact, and focused expression, capturing the unmistakable emergence of “solo artist JOOHONEY.”
Across seven tracks, 光 (INSANITY) traces a single emotional thread through diverse sonic forms. “Gwang” warps the border between light and madness, while “Fear” tightens the tension between anxiety and anger. “STING (Feat. Muhammad Ali)” searches for identity through wounds, and “Push (Feat. REI (IVE))” navigates imbalance within a tumultuous relationship. “Bite” channels unrestrained desire, “Touch the sky (Feat. Tiger JK)” ascends toward a limitless determination, and “NO BRAIN NO PAIN” closes the album with the strange calm that remains after every emotion has burned away. Though each chapter differs in tone and perspective, they all journey toward the same end point: a blinding light reachable only by pushing oneself to the absolute edge. JOOHONEY’s contributions as writer and composer on every track ensure that each song reflects his authentic voice and artistic intent.
The visual concept amplifies this narrative, placing a younger, chaotic JOOHONEY; surrounded by frantic scribbles—face-to-face with the confident, present-day artist standing before towering speakers. Their collision becomes the spark of creation: a reminder that true growth emerges not from erasing the past, but from embracing it and transforming it into something radiant. This clarity belongs only to someone who has pushed themselves past every limit, and in that moment of complete immersion, JOOHONEY shines brighter than ever.
With The 2nd Mini Album 光 (INSANITY), JOOHONEY reclaims his voice as a rapper, singer, producer, and director, revealing the full spectrum of who he has become. By driving himself to the brink and stepping through to the other side, he discovers a new beginning; one that offers the strongest indication yet of just how boldly his artistry will continue to evolve.
