The Heart Behind the Movement: A Reflection on "Unfold"

As we celebrate the release of Monsta X’s third English album, Unfold, my heart is less focused on the charts and more on the quiet, transformative journey of the last eight years. What began as a professional endeavor has evolved into the defining chapter of my life.

A Bridge Built on Trust

Being entrusted with the A&R direction for three consecutive English albums is a responsibility I have never taken lightly. To be the person who helps select the sounds and words that represent these six incredible artists on the global stage is a profound honor. I have always seen my role as a steward of their talent—simply helping to build the bridge that allows their authentic spirits to cross borders and reach hearts everywhere.

Together, we’ve navigated a historic path:

• Breaking Television Barriers: From making a massive impact on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Good Morning America to their iconic animated appearance on Cartoon Network’s We Bare Bears, we showed the world that Monsta X wasn't just a musical act, but a cultural phenomenon.

• Global Collaborations: It was a privilege to help facilitate the creative synergy between the band and Western powerhouses. From the high-energy "Play It Cool" with Steve Aoki and "Who Do U Love?" with French Montana, to the soulful "Magnetic" with Sebastián Yatra and our work with Snoop Dogg, these moments were true milestones of cultural intertwining.

• Live Milestones: Leading the charge as the first K-pop group to grace the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball stage—a journey we were fortunate enough to repeat four times after—remains one of the proudest markers of our collective hard work.

A Second Home, A Second Family

The most beautiful part of this journey hasn't been the accolades, but the belonging. Over nearly a decade, Starship Entertainment has ceased to be just a partner; they have become my second family, while Korea became my second home in every sense of the word.

In the long nights of production and the high-energy days of touring, the lines between work and life blurred into something much more meaningful: Kinship. This album is a tribute to that bond. It is a reflection of the grace and patience the band has shown me as we navigated this movement together.

Monsta X are the "real deal"—true artists who lead with a kindness that is rare in this world. I truly believe they are here for a reason that transcends music. They are pioneers of a new history, one rooted in unity and acceptance.

As I look at where we are today, I am reminded that their music is a vessel for something much larger. More than hits or tours, what they provide is a sense of connection. In a time of global uncertainty, they offer the one thing the world needs now more than ever: the power to heal, and the promise of healing.