Monni () is a South Korean rock band signed to Modern Boy Entertainment. The quartet consists of Kim Shin-eui (vocals), Gong Tae-woo (guitar), Lee In-kyoung (bass), and Jung Hoon-tae (drums). The band formed in 2004 and they released their debut studio album First Day, Light the following year with their original drummer Song Ju-hwan. Following his departure from the band, Jung was recruited to take his place. The band released its second studio album This Moment in 2010. In celebration of their 10-year anniversary, they released a compilation entitled Monni 10th Anniversary Best Album Fix.
History Beginning in winter 2003, Kim Shin-eui, Lee In-kyoung, Song Ju-hwan, and a keyboardist began practicing collectively. Kim read the word "monni" () in a newspaper and "immediately felt that it fit the image of our band, because the simply truth is, we are all greedy for good music". He suggested the name to his bandmates, which they all found satisfactory. Monni was formally established in January 2004. They performed together at Club Sluger for three to four months until the keyboardist quit the band. With Monni's future in limbo, Kim asked former punk-rock band member Gong Tae-woo to join, which he accepted. Monni released their debut studio album First Day, Light in 2005. The lead single "Showers" is a song about death and separation, which is based on Kim experiencing the death of a friend from a disease. The following year, the band was selected as a "hidden master" and were able to perform at the annual Ssamzi Sound Festival.
After performing at a club in Hongdae, a representative of Soundholic approached Monni and they signed with the record label. In 2008, they released their first single album Monni: And,. In midst of preparing for their second studio album, Gong enlisted in mandatory military service and the band saw the departure of drummer Song. The latter was replaced by Jung Hoon-tae. In Gong's absence, the three remaining members began implementing elements of electronic music into the songs they crafted. Monni released their second album This Moment in June 2010. After spending seven years with Soundholic, Monni parted from the company in January 2014. They decided to leave the record label to "create our own music and reinvest our personal passion into songs that we could truly call ours". Kim established Modern Boy Records for the band to continue its activities.
Monni preceded the release of their fourth studio album with the single "Dotnaeyo" on March 11, 2014. They released Follow My Voice and lead single "In the Moment" the following week. They celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a compilation album; three of the twenty-two songs on its track list were decided by the band's fans. Parts one and two were released via online music stores on October 8 and 22, respectively, and the CDs were issued on October 27.
In 2017, Kim made his big-screen debut with Blue Busking, which features songs by Monni. He also served as the film's music director and won Best New Actor at the "Golden Cinematography Awards".
Musical style Musically, Monni is an alternative rock band. Early in its career, Monni's music was noted for its "vibrant, youthful appeal". Their music became "slower" and "more laid-back" over time. Kim cited indie bands Repair Shop and Cloud Cuckoo Land as his motivation. He contributes a substantial amount of the band's songwriting and integrates the products his bandmates generate. Kim's vocals have been compared to Tom Chaplin of Keane.
Members List of members and instruments. Kim Shin-eui (김신의) – vocals, guitar Gong Tae-woo (공태우) – guitar Lee In-kyoung (이인경) – bass Jung Hoon-tae (정훈태) – drums
Former member Song Ju-hwan (송주환) – drums
Discography Albums Studio albums TitleAlbum detailsPeakpositionsSalesKORFirst Day, Light () Released: November 30, 2005 Label: Aiins Digital, Modern Life Formats: CD, digital download —This Moment Released: June 14, 2010 Label: Soundholic, TSN Company Formats: CD, digital download —A Singular Trip Released: March 25, 2011 Re-released (A Singular Trip (Special Edition)): June 1, 2011 Label: Soundholic, TSN Company Formats: CD, digital download —Follow My Voice Released: March 18, 2014 Label: Modern Boy Entertainment, Poclanos Formats: CD, digital download 28 KOR: 808
Compilation albums TitleAlbum detailsPeakpositionsSalesKORMonni 10th Anniversary Best Album 'Fix' CD1''' () | Released: October 8, 2015 Label: Modern Boy Entertainment, Mirrorball Music Formats: Digital download | rowspan="2"|16 | rowspan="2"| KOR: 998 |- ! scope="row"|Monni 10th Anniversary Best Album 'Fix' CD2''' () Released: October 22, 2015 Label: Modern Boy Entertainment, Mirrorball Music Formats: Digital download
Live albums TitleAlbum details''A-Live Take Out Vol. 1 'Playground and Diary''' () Released: June 30, 2010 Label: Mnet Media, Genie Music Formats: Digital download
Extended plays TitleAlbum detailsPeakpositionsSalesKORThe Boys Becomes Adult () Released: March 20, 2012 Label: Soundholic, TSN Company Formats: CD, digital download —Life Is Beautiful () Released: June 12, 2013 Label: Soundholic, TSN Company Formats: CD, digital download —She Released: December 5, 2014 Label: Modern Boy Entertainment, Poclanos Formats: CD, digital download 65Tried So Hard () Released: October 26, 2016 Label: Modern Boy Entertainment, Poclanos Formats: CD, digital download 20 KOR: 602Analog Melody Released: October 30, 2017 Label: Modern Boy Entertainment, Poclanos Formats: CD, digital download 51
Singles TitleYearPeak chart positionsSalesAlbumGaon Digital Chart"Shower" () 2005 — First Day, Light"Tears Flow (Rearranged)" () 2008 — Monni: And,"You're Going to Leave Me" ()2010 — This Moment"You're Going to Leave Me (A-Live)" () — A-Live Take Out Vol. 1 'Playground and Diary''' |- ! scope="row"|"You Blew It in Front of the House" () | — | | New Moment|- ! scope="row"|"Sunshine" | rowspan="3"|2011 | — | | Travel of Only One-Time|- ! scope="row"|"Always in My Heart" () | — | | Travel of Only One-Time (Special Edition)|- ! scope="row"|"Band Music" | — | | rowspan="2"|The Boys Becomes Adult|- ! scope="row"|"Can't Write Love Songs Anymore" () | 2012 | — | KOR: 67,403 |- ! scope="row"|"Old Man" () | 2013 | — | | Life Is Beautiful|- ! scope="row"|"Dotnaeyo" () | rowspan="3"|2014 | — | | rowspan="2"|Follow My Voice|- ! scope="row"|"In the Moment" () | —
! scope="row"|"White Shoulder" () | — | | She|- ! scope="row"|"The Boys Becomes Adult (Rearranged)" () | rowspan="4"|2015 | —
! scope="row"|"Stay Just Way You Are" () | — | | Monni 10th Anniversary Best Album 'Fix' CD1|- ! scope="row"|"You're Going to Leave Me (Rearranged)" () | —
! scope="row"|"Beautiful" () | — | | Monni 10th Anniversary Best Album 'Fix' CD2|- ! scope="row"|"Grown Up" | rowspan="4"|2016 | — | | rowspan="3" |- ! scope="row"|"Loudly" () | —
! scope="row"|"Stay Just Way You Are (OnStage ver.)" () | —
! scope="row"|"Tried So Hard" () | — | | Tried So Hard|- ! scope="row"|"Don't Forget Me" () | rowspan="4"|2017 | — | | rowspan="2" |- ! scope="row"|"Remember My Voice" () | —
! scope="row"|"You&U" () | — | | rowspan="2"|Analog Melody''"Wind" () —"Myeong-dong Romance" ()2018 — rowspan="7" "Rainy Season" () —"Goodbye My Girl" —"Alive" () 2019 —"Our Spring Was Beautiful" ()2020 —"Romantic Breeze" () —"Tonight" () 2021 —
Guest appearances TitleYearRelease"A Windy Day" () 2009 2009 Autumn of Memory"Without a Phone" ()2011 Save the Air Green Concert"Green Fish" () Sum∞ [Greenplugged Omnibus Album]"It's Only My World" () 2011 Remake of Wild Chrysanthemum"This Rain Is My Greed" ()2012 Save the Air Green Concert Vol.2"Met You by Chance" () Survival Top Band 2 Round 8-B"With You" () Survival Top Band 2 Round 16-C"When Sorrow Comes" () Survival Top Band 2 Round 8 Live Broadcast-A"Always in My Heart" () Survival Top Band 2 Round 4"Love Love Love" ()2015 I Am a Singer Season 3 Episode 4 'Songs of Respected Musicians|- ! scope="row"|"For You" () | I Am a Singer Season 3 Episode 5 'The Song I Want to Sing''' |- ! scope="row"|"Spring Rain" () | Sum∞ Fifth Greenplugged Official Omnibus Album|- ! scope="row"|"???" () | Hahn Dae Soo 40th Anniversary 'Rebirth |- ! scope="row"|"Although I Loved You" () | 2016 | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (The Late Kim Kwang-seok 20th Anniversary Volume 1)|- ! scope="row"|"What the Matter" () | rowspan="6"|2018 | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Kim Hyun-chul, the Beloved Singer of Youth)|- ! scope="row"|"Always" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Show! The Young Star We Love, Kim Won-jun)|- ! scope="row"|"Forget You" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Pride of Korean Rock, YB)|- ! scope="row"|"Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)" | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Forever Diva, Yoon Bok-hee)|- ! scope="row"|"The Face I Miss" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Again)|- ! scope="row"|"True Love" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Reminiscing Voice, Kim Sang-hee)|- ! scope="row"|"Always Winter" () | rowspan="10"|2019 | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Bravo, My Life! Thirty Times Spring Summer Fall Winter)|- ! scope="row"|"Night Like Tonight" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Night Like Tonight Gentle Voice, Lee Kwang-jo)|- ! scope="row"|"Let's Forget It" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Story of Glorious Youth, Lee Jang-hee and Friends 2)|- ! scope="row"|"Morning Dew" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Singing 100 Years of Korea with People)|- ! scope="row"|"Man Tears" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Singing the Joys and Sorrows of Life, Lyricist Kim Byeong-geol)|- ! scope="row"|"Reminiscence" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Partners Who Sang Their Life Together, Chong Tae-chun & Park Eun-ok)|- ! scope="row"|"Pledge of Love" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Episode 402 May Is Full of Love, Singing Happiness)|- ! scope="row"|"Winter Sea" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (That Time of Our Youth, Kim Hak-rae)|- ! scope="row"|"Want to Leave from You" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Yoon Si-nae)|- ! scope="row"|"I Have a Lover" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Barefoot Diva Lee Eun-mi)|- ! scope="row"|"I Will Survive" () | rowspan="7"|2020 | Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man3 Episode9|- ! scope="row"|"Turn On the Radio" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Shin Seung-hun)|- ! scope="row"|"Turn Up the Radio" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Prodigy Special)|- ! scope="row"|"Lalala" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Cho Young-soo)|- ! scope="row"|"Spring Rain" () | Greenplugged Official Omnibus Album Sum∞ 10th Best|- ! scope="row"|"Sad Beatrice" () | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (King of Kings Special: 1st Half of 2020)|- ! scope="row"|"One Million Roses" () | Immortal Songs: Cheer Up, Korea! Celebrity Special Part 1: Go Doo-shim''
Soundtrack appearances TitleYearRelease"The Stars" 2012 Mabinogi Heroes Season 2 OST"Black Mirror" 2019 Welcome 2 Life OST
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