How MONSTA X Show MONBEBE Their Love For Shownu In “SHAPE Of LOVE” Comeback
On April 26th, MONSTA X released their eleventh mini album, SHAPE Of LOVE, featuring title track “LOVE”.
MONBEBE around the world are loving the six-member group’s new songs and sophisticated style.
However, a few sharp-eyed MONBEBE have noticed a variety of references to leader Shownu, who is currently serving in the South Korean military until 2023, and thus won’t be performing in the comeback.
On his Instagram story, I.M uploaded a picture of the “LOVE” music video thumbnail, placing a heart emoji above each member’s head. One MONBEBE notices that in the far left of the photo, there is an additional heart above an empty space, symbolizing Shownu’s presence.
did changkyun put the one love beside his for shownu 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/EWVmRO31nW
— 채리균 ෆ :): (@TurtleLoveCat) April 26, 2022
At the end of the “LOVE” music video, as the title card appears on-screen, another MONBEBE notices six mic stands positioned across the stage rather than five, with one for each of the six members.
Is that… is that 6 mic stands… is that, is that for Shownu….. *cries a river* pic.twitter.com/xZGI0Nnj5O
— m i k a h ᓚᘏᗢ Shape ♡𝒻 Love (@monbebepabu) April 26, 2022
Among those who purchased physical copies of the new album, another MONBEBE finds images of Shownu in a collage page.
One photo has the group posing at a cafe table, including Shownu sitting second from the right.
Look at them with Shownu ☹️☹️☹️☹️ #ShapeofLove #MonstaX #민혁 pic.twitter.com/e6jiKicPo2
— m i k a h ᓚᘏᗢ Shape ♡𝒻 Love (@monbebepabu) April 26, 2022
To add a finishing touch to these small yet thoughtful references throughout the comeback, during the MONSTA X Mini Album SHAPE Of LOVE Comeback Show also held on April 26th, Joohoney and Minhyuk reassure fans that Shownu is “doing well”, and that the members “get in touch with him often”.
THE MONSTAS SAID THAT SHOWNU IS DOING WELL AND THAT THEY SEE HIM OFTENpic.twitter.com/AaaMVlI8xX
— 🧸❣️ (@dawnuayo) April 26, 2022
If you’re missing Shownu as much as we are, you can see him in the upcoming horror anthology series, Seoul Goedam, premiering on April 27th, which was filmed before his enlistment in July 2021.