The tour symbolizes a new leap for the group, marking I.M's final performance before military service

[OSEN=Jang Woo-young Reporter] The group MONSTA X has opened the grand curtain of their world tour, promising unity beyond connection and a leap forward.

MONSTA X (Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Jooheon, I.M) held the '2026 MONSTA X WORLD TOUR 'THE X : NEXUS' at KSPO DOME in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 1st.

MONSTA X, who returned to KSPO DOME approximately six months after their '2025 MONSTA X CONNECT X' concert held in July of last year, marked their first world tour since the '2022 MONSTA X 'NO LIMIT' TOUR IN SEOUL' four years ago. With confirmed tour dates in Asia and Latin America, they have begun their full-scale journey starting with the Seoul performance.

The title 'NEXUS' of this world tour, meaning 'connection' or 'union,' narratively follows last year's 10th-anniversary concert theme 'CONNECT X' while showcasing an evolved meaning. While last year emphasized 'reunion,' 'NEXUS' symbolizes a 'new leap' toward the next chapter, built on the strengthened bond through their reunion. As they have now entered their 11th year, MONSTA X is expected to become a starting point for expanding their musical spectrum and worldview beyond past glory.

If last year's 10th-anniversary performance highlighted the group's 'history,' this world tour focuses on showcasing their ongoing music, including album tracks and new solo stages by members. MONSTA X opened intensely with 'DRAMARAMA,' reminded audiences of their identity, and explained their current state through 'Catch Me Now' from 'THE X.'

Hits like 'Love Killa,' 'Rush Hour,' 'Beautiful,' 'Beautiful Liar,' 'Alligator,' and 'Shoot Out' filled the stage, while tracks from their 13th mini-album released last year -- 'DO WHAT I WANT,' 'N the Front,' and 'Tuscan Leather' -- were heavily included in the setlist, singing about MONSTA X's present beyond their 10th anniversary.

Additionally, songs members participated in, such as 'LONE RANGER,' 'Burning Up,' 'Nobody Else,' 'Deny,' 'AND,' and 'Autobahn,' were placed throughout the setlist, reinforcing MONSTA X's identity as 'artists' beyond 'idols.' Solo stages like Shownu's 'Around and Go,' Kihyun's 'HOWLING,' Hyungwon's 'No air,' Minhyuk's 'Reaching,' I.M's 'error 404,' and Jooheon's 'STING' and 'Until My Head Touches the Sky' suggested that each member continuously expands their musical worlds without being confined to the MONSTA X framework.

This performance is especially meaningful as it is I.M's final stage before enlisting for military service. I.M is set to enlist on February 9th, and the Seoul concert serves as both the peak of the six-member group's energy and the opening of the tour, promising that MONSTA X will continue unchanged. I.M said, "~~~~~."

Through the '2026 MONSTA X WORLD TOUR 'THE X : NEXUS,' MONSTA X has declared their future as sustainable global artists beyond the post-military hiatus. Their upcoming journey is bound to attract attention. /elnino8919@osen.co.kr

Monsta X Begins 'THE X: NEXUS' World Tour, I.M's Last Stage