On March 24, Monsta X posted the coming soon image of the eleventh EP Shape of Love on the group's official SNS. In the released black image, only the easel with a colorful heart drawing is illuminated in the dark. The release date was also announced to be on April 11.[1] However, starting from March 28, the group members tested positive for COVID-19, then as a result, their comeback was postponed until April 26.[2][3][4][5][6]
Joohoney participated in writing, composing, and arranging the songs "Love" and "사랑한다" (Saranghanda), while Hyungwon and I.M, for songs "Burning Up" (featuring R3hab) and "And", respectively. The three members also worked together for the song "Wildfire".[7]
The physical EP was released in four standard versions; Love,[8]Originality,[9]Vibe,[10] and Everything,[11] with the addition of jewel cases version, KiT version, and a special version designed by Minhyuk and photos taken by Kihyun.[12]
Shape of Love is an EP with the theme of love and attempts to capture the various forms of love that exist in the world.[13][14]
"Love" combines a catchy R&B guitar sound with an old school feel and a crude, but groovy hip-hop bass.[13] "Burning Up" is all about love and passion,[14] which also compares the beginning and excitement of love to a fire,[13] while "Wildfire" is a contrast to "Burning Up",[14] expressing the pain of corrupted love.[13] "Breathe" is a song that expresses the feeling of falling in love,[15] while "사랑한다" (Saranghanda) is a song dedicated to their fan club, collectively referred to as "Monbebe".[14] "And" is a song where the emotional consumption was enormous, since it was made in a slightly difficult condition.[14]
On April 15, Monsta X officially began their comeback promotion by releasing the schedule poster for Shape of Love through their official SNS. Starting April 17, the group presented four versions of concept photos: Love,[8] Originality,[9] Vibe,[10] and Everything,[11] released the music video teaser on April 24,[16] the album preview on April 25,[17] and released the EP on April 26.[18] Monsta X also held a comeback showcase on Universe to introduce Shape of Love alongside its lead single on April 26.[19] Ahead of their comeback, they already appeared on the KBS2's The King of Jujeop alongside their fan club.[20] Monsta X members and hosts of MBC Radio's Idol Radio 2 Hyungwon and Joohoney represented the group on the show.[21] On the second week of the comeback, they subsequently appeared on several music programs including Mnet's M Countdown on May 5,[22]KBS2's Music Bank on May 6,[23]MBC's Show! Music Core on May 7,[24] and SBS' Inkigayo on May 8.[25][26]
Robin Murray, writing for Clash, said that the dynamic of "the group vs the individual, outside forces vs their own unique voice – is what drives Shape of Love, a project fuelled by a quiet sense of evolution". About the tracks, Murray feel that "Love" is buoyed by "red-hot 90s hip-hop vibes, filtering boom-bap elements through an R&B lens", "Burning Up" found "Monsta X lining up alongside R3hab, and it takes the project in a slightly more subtle, soulful, and explicitly emotional direction", "Wildfire" is "all layered vocals and potent lyricism, with I.M having contributed extensively", "Breathe" is "a snappy, quickfire offering", and closing track "And" is "led by stadium-level guitar lines, reminiscent of Coldplay but within a definitively K-pop context".[27]
Reviewing the EP for NME, Rhian Daly described it as "a record which talks about the different types of love in the world and molds the concept in the band's own way". It does not only tries to "diversify its perspectives in its storytelling, but also offers up an eclectic mix of sounds along the way". About the tracks, Daly described the title track "Love" as a song with "unconditional energy" and "addictive verse". The old-school groove of "Breathe" portrays the "physical feelings of falling head over heels, from turning red-faced to your lungs struggling to keep up with your heart". "Wildfire" explores the moment where "love roars into pain, the excitement of before engulfed in scorching agony". The fan tribute "사랑한다" (Saranghanda), meanwhile is "emotional but offers up lightly bubbling pop with flashes of sparkling synths deployed to evoke subtle euphoria". The closing song "And" is described as a "shadowy pop-rock, melancholy guitar melodies casting a grey light over the track". Daly also commended the group's "voracious appetite" of pushing their sound forward and manages to "stitch each sound together seamlessly and smoothly".[28]
The EP debuted at number three on the monthly Gaon Album Chart and sold more than 415,000 copies in its first month of release in South Korea.[32] Monsta X also received their second Hanteo Chart Silver Certification Plaque for achieving more than 320,000 copies in Initial Chodong sales in its first week of release in South Korea.[33]
"Love" debuted at number 60 on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart,[34] while at number 185 on the monthly Gaon Digital Chart, making it the group's second entry on the monthly chart for digitals.[35] All the other songs on the EP, "Burning Up", "Breathe", "Wildfire", "Saranghanda", and "And" did not appear on the main chart, but did appear on its component chart, the Gaon Download Chart, peaking at 32, 42, 38, 39, and 41, respectively.[36] It won two music show awards on Show Champion and Music Bank,[37][38] with a Hot Stage Award on Inkigayo.[b][40]
^All the albums and songs listed are either unranked or just alphabetically ranked.
^ abThis award selects the first place with the most wonderful performance on stage for the artists who appeared on the day's broadcast with 100% of fan votes.[39]
^Kwak, Hyun-soo (March 24, 2022). 몬스타엑스, 4월 11일 컴백…'셰이프 오브 러브' 발매 [MONSTA X, comeback on April 11th... Release of 'The Shape of Love']. YTN (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ye-na (March 29, 2022). 몬스타엑스 형원, 코로나19 확진…"음반 발매 연기" [MONSTA X's Hyungwon confirmed with Corona 19... "Postponing the release of the album"]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jae-eun (March 30, 2022). [전문] 몬스타엑스 기현, 코로나19 돌파감염 [[Special] MONSTA X Kihyun, Corona 19 breakthrough infection]. Sports Khan (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 31, 2022). 몬스타엑스 측 "민혁·아이엠 코로나 확진, 재택치료 중"[공식] [MONSTA X side "Minhyuk and I.M. Corona confirmed, under treatment at home" [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Min-ji (April 11, 2022). 몬스타엑스 주헌, 코로나19 확진 "3차 접종 완료, 경미한 인후통" [공식] [MONSTA X's Jooheon confirmed with Corona 19 "Third dose completed, slight sore throat" [Official]]. news1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jung-hyuk (April 16, 2022). 몬스타엑스, 컴백 일정 재개…26일 11번째 미니앨범 공개 [MONSTA X resumes comeback schedule... 11th mini album released on the 26th]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jae-eun (April 25, 2022). 몬스타엑스 'SHAPE of LOVE' 몬베베 향한 사랑 담았다 [MONSTA X's 'SHAPE of LOVE' contains love for Monbebe]. Sports Khan (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abJeong, Hee-yeon (April 18, 2022). 몬스타엑스 비주얼 감탄만…첫 콘셉트 포토 공개 [Only admiring the visuals of MONSTA X... First concept photo released]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abLee, Seung-hoon (April 20, 2022). 몬스타엑스 하면 슈트, 슈트 하면 몬스타엑스..'SHAPE of LOVE' 콘셉트 화보 공개 [MONSTA X is a suit, and a suit is MONSTA X...'SHAPE of LOVE' concept pictorial released]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abPark, Seol-i (April 22, 2022). '26일 컴백' 몬스타엑스, Vibe 버전 콘셉트 포토 공개 ['Comeback on the 26th' Monsta X, Vibe version concept photo released]. TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abAhn, Byung-gil (April 24, 2022). 몬스타엑스는 '설렘'이다 [MONSTA X is 'excitement']. Sports Khan (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (May 13, 2022). 몬스타엑스 민혁 아티스트 면모…새 앨범 아트워크 작업기 공개 [MONSTA X's Minhyuk Artist aspect... New album artwork work machine revealed]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcdJeong, Ha-eun (April 26, 2022). "다 주고 싶어" 몬스타엑스가 8년간 빚은 사랑 이야기[SS신곡] ["I want to give it all" Monsta X's 8-year love story [SS new song]]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2022.
^ abcdeSun, Mi-kyung (May 4, 2022). 몬스타엑스 "'SHAPE of LOVE', 팬들 향한 사랑 아낌없이 담은 앨범"[일문일답] [MONSTA X "'SHAPE of LOVE', an album that contains generous amounts of love for fans" [Q&A]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-yeon (April 26, 2022). [팝's신곡]"이 순간이 영원하길 기도해" 몬스타엑스, 팬들에게 다 주고픈 'LOVE' [[Pop's new song] "Pray that this moment will last forever" MONSTA X, the 'LOVE' to give to the fans]. K-pop Herald (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (April 25, 2022). 몬스타엑스 컴백 D-1…가슴 뛰게 만드는 'LOVE' 티저 공개 [MONSTA X comeback D-1… Teaser release of 'LOVE' that makes your heart flutter]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jae-eun (April 26, 2022). 몬스타엑스 'SHAPE of LOVE' 팬사랑→음악역량 담았다 [MONSTA X's 'SHAPE of LOVE' fan love → Music ability]. Sports Khan (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hye-yeon (April 16, 2022). 몬스타엑스, 미니 11집 '셰이프 오브 러브' 스케줄 포스터 공개 [Monsta X releases the schedule poster for the 11th mini album 'The Shape of Love']. K-pop Herald (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-hee (April 14, 2022). 몬스타엑스, 26일 컴백 쇼케이스…타이틀곡 '러브' 공개 [Monsta X, comeback showcase on the 26th... Title song 'Love' released]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jung, Ji-hyun (April 6, 2022). 몬스타엑스, 아이돌 최초 '주접이 풍년' 출연…마성의 매력 뽐낸다 [공식] [MONSTA X, first idol to appear in 'Juju-Ji-Pi-Yun'... Show off the charm of the devil [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Baek, Seung-hoo (May 3, 2022). '아이돌라디오2' 몬스타엑스 형원·주헌, K팝 기강 제대로 보여줘 ['Idol Radio 2' Monsta X Hyungwon and Jooheon, show K-pop discipline properly]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Baek, Min-kyung (May 5, 2022). 아이브, 활동 종료에도 1위...르세라핌 데뷔→아이콘·싸이 컴백 (엠카)[종합] [Ive, even after the end of promotions... Le Sserafim Debut → Icon Psy Comeback (Mcar) [General]]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang, Da-yoon (May 6, 2022). '뮤직뱅크' 몬스타엑스 1위 "♥몬베베 감사해"…르세라핌 데뷔-려욱·우즈·클라씨 컴백 [종합] ['Music Bank' Monsta X 1st place "♥Monbebe thank you"... Le Sserafim Debut - Ryeowook Woods, Classi Comeback [Comprehensive]]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ha-na (May 7, 2022). '음악중심' 빅뱅, 출연없이 3주 연속 1위‥려욱·몬스타엑스 컴백(종합) ['Music Core' Big Bang, 1st place for 3 weeks without appearances… Ryeowook, MONSTA X comeback]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Jung-min (May 8, 2022). '인기가요' 아이브, 출연 없이 1위…몬엑·아이콘·려욱 컴백→르세라핌 데뷔 ['Inkigayo' Ive took 1st place without appearing... Mon-Ek, iKON, Ryeowook comeback → Le Sserafim debut]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Joo-hee (May 9, 2022). 몬스타엑스, '러브' 프로모션 성료…'사랑한다! 몬베베♥' [MONSTA X's 'Love' promotion has been successful... 'love! Monbebe♥']. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^2022년 18주차 Download Chart [Week 18 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
^ abJeong, Hee-yeon (May 4, 2022). 몬스타엑스 'LOVE' 1위 행진 시작 "다 몬베베 덕분♥" (쇼챔) [종합] [Monsta X 'LOVE' 1st streak begins "It's all thanks to Monbebe♥" (Show Champion) [General]]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abKim, Na-yeon (May 6, 2022). '뮤뱅' 몬스타엑스, 팬들 환호 속 1위→르세라핌 데뷔[종합] ['Mubang' Monsta X wins 1st place amid cheers from fans → Debut Le Sserafim [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Moon-hee (March 25, 2022). 프리보트, SBS인기가요 실시간 투표 및 핫스테이지 투표 실시 [Freevote, SBS Inkigayo real-time voting and hot stage voting]. Business Korea (in Korean). Retrieved May 16, 2022.
^ abLee, Seong-soo (May 26, 2022). 몬스타엑스 'LOVE', SBS 인기가요 핫스테이지서 우승 [Monsta X's 'LOVE' wins SBS Inkigayo Hot Stage]. Global Epic (in Korean). Retrieved May 26, 2022.
^週間 アルバムランキング 2022年05月02日～2022年05月08日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking May 2, 2022 – May 8, 2022]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
[28]
