In the K-pop industry, the “seven-year curse” often spells the end for idol groups. So MONSTA X’s tenth anniversary feels nothing short of extraordinary. Most groups don’t last this long, especially those who started on smaller labels. Yet here they are, still together and releasing new music.
The group released their 13th mini album The X, which features six tracks: “Do What I Want”, “N The Front”, “Savior”, “Tuscan Leather”, “Catch Me Now”, and “Fire & Ice”. Their latest single, “N the Front”, isn’t just a comeback. It’s a manifesto.
Chaos, and Energy That Refuse Retreat
The music video wastes no time showing us what survival looks like in MONSTA X’s world. One scene sees a member driving with a bound and gagged man in the passenger seat. Elsewhere, the group dances in taekwondo uniforms alongside children. One of the members even rides on a mechanical bull.
It’s chaos with each scene feeling more bizarre than the last. It all adds to the sense that “N the Front” is about breaking out of boxes. Refusing to play by someone else’s rules and embracing part of yourself. Even the parts that are messy and make you feel uncomfortable.
The Monster Metaphor
At its core, the song declares that everyone carries a monster inside. For MONSTA X, that monster is not something to hide but something to harness. It’s the drive that pushes them through a decade of challenges.
The lyrics echo this theme:
“I wanna see you in the front
Eyes up front, that’s my position
Just hop over my opposition
Breaking the mold, diving into a new mission
Now, let’s go head on
I wanna see you in the front
Hands up, say my name
Hey (where you at?)
There’s no retreat in the front
Hands up, say my name
Hey (ain’t go back)
Throw myself out there in the front.”
It’s a blunt rejection of imitation, an open challenge to carve your own path. The chorus is both a battle cry and an invitation. The phrase “BE REAL U, LET THE GROUND SHAKE,”urges fans to stand tall and take up space without fear.
Ten Years of Battle Scars
If you zoom out, “N the Front” isn’t just about one comeback. It’s about ten years of pushing against limits, of redefining success.
The bound passenger, the martial arts sparring, the chaos of the bull ride. Each scene reinforces the idea that life’s challenges are unpredictable, even absurd. Survival means confronting them head-on, monster and all.
The Real Winner Is Endurance
What does MONSTA X’s monster stand for? Endurance. Power. Their message is simple. Don’t suppress the parts of yourself that are unruly, intimidating, or unconventional. Those are the parts that keep you moving forward.
For fans, “N the Front” is more than an anniversary release. It’s a reminder that resilience itself can be an act of defiance. Ten years in, MONSTA X hasn’t just survived, they’ve turned it into an art style.
