Son Hyun-woo (Korean: 손현우, born June 18, 1992), known professionally as Shownu, is a South Korean singer, dancer, and actor. He is a member of South Korean boy group Monsta X and its sub-unit Shownu X Hyungwon under Starship Entertainment.
Early life and pre-debut
Shownu was born in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu in Seoul, South Korea on June 18, 1992.
He was initially a trainee of JYP Entertainment, for about two years, after winning first place in the JYP auditions in 2009. Shownu auditioned for JYP Entertainment, as it had been the company of the singer Rain, who inspired him to become an idol. He also gained praise from the company for his dancing skills but still decided to leave, citing "conflicts with the company" and "feeling of stagnation".
Shownu continued to participate in the idol industry, becoming the backup dancer of Lee Hyori and doing promotions with her, as well as appearing in the music videos for "Bad Girls" and "Going Crazy". He also appeared in the music videos, such as "Talk to My Face" by D-Unit and "Pitapat" by Bestie.
After Shownu auditioned and joined Starship Entertainment, he became part of the project group Nu Boyz, alongside Monsta X members' Joohoney and Wonho, as well as #Gun.
In December 2014, Shownu competed in Mnet's survival reality show No.Mercy and debuted in the hip-hop boy group Monsta X, alongside the other six contestants, in 2015.
2015–2017: Debut in Monsta X and solo activities
He debuted as the leader and main dancer of Monsta X, with the EP Trespass, on May 14, 2015.
Since debut, Shownu had made significant solo appearances on variety and reality shows, including being a regular cast member for two seasons of Lipstick Prince, which landed him a commercial film after winning the show, as well as appearing as a contestant on King of Mask Singer in 2018, as "Okey Donkey", while guesting for more than ten variety shows. He also appeared in Sistar's "Shake It" music video.
In June 2016, Shownu made his first solo appearance in a magazine for InStyle Korea.
2018–2021: Solo appearances and other solo activities
In January, he was selected to host the Korean-Japanese music show The Power of K, alongside Block B's U-Kwon and Momoland's Nancy, which was broadcast simultaneously in Korea and Japan.
On October 26, Shownu collaborated with the British band PREP's lead single "Don't Look Back", for their forthcoming album, alongside Hwang So-yoon of Se So Neon. Shownu had sought out PREP for collaboration as he was already a fan of the group. He also appeared in magazines with member Wonho for Nylon Korea in January, GQ Korea in August, and in October for Dazed Korea. Shownu also made a solo appearance in Taiwanese magazine Bella in February.
In 2019, he was again featured in a magazine alongside Wonho, for Elle Korea in August, as well as on the cover of BEAUTY+ in October and again in November 2020.
Shownu is a credited writer on "Mirror" from Follow: Find You, and as a writer and composer on three of Monsta X's tracks from their sixth studio album All About Luv; including "Who Do U Love?" featuring French Montana, "Middle of the Night", and "Beside U" featuring Pitbull. Shownu also co-wrote "Someone's Someone", alongside the Before You Exit members.
In 2020, prior to the release of Monsta X's eighth EP Fantasia X, he injured his back, and the group delayed their comeback by two weeks to allow Shownu time to heal properly from his injury. Prior to the group's live-streamed concert "Live From Seoul with Luv", scheduled for July 25, he had to undergo emergency left eye retinal detachment surgery, and then the concert was postponed to August 8, to give Shownu the time to recover from surgery. He featured alongside Monsta X members in magazines several times in 2020, including appearing alongside Minhyuk and Joohoney for Harper's Bazaar Korea in May, Kihyun for W Korea in June, and with Joohoney for Esquire Korea in November.
In August, it was announced he would be featuring on the soundtrack for She's My Type, alongside group member Minhyuk, marking his first soundtrack appearance, independent of Monsta X, since 2011. The song is titled "Have a Goodnight", and was released on September 11. On October 15, Shownu released a rock-style song for the soundtrack of the Korean television drama Tale of the Nine Tailed, titled "I'll Be There".
In October, he had a solo feature in Dazed Korea for Monsta X Dazed Project, GQ Korea for a fashion film, and appeared on the back cover of 1st Look Magazine Korea.
In November, Shownu began appearing as a judge on Mnet's survival reality show Cap-Teen, making him the youngest judge on the show.
In March 2021, Shownu appeared in Elle Korea, as well as in Dazed Korea. Shownu with Monsta X member Minhyuk were chosen as the cover models for the first issue of Y Magazine Korea. Shownu was invited to the grand opening of the Dolce & Gabbana store, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. On March 17, it was announced that he would become part of the horror film Urban Myths.
On May 4, Starship announced that he would be taking a hiatus from Monsta X and would not promote for their upcoming comeback due to health problems related to his eye retinal detachment.
In July, Shownu with other Monsta X members' Hyungwon and I.M joined the Pepsi's "Taste of Korea" summer campaign, releasing a promotional single "Summer Taste", alongside Rain, Brave Girls members' Yujeong and Yuna, and Ateez members' Hongjoong and Yunho.
2023–present: Continued solo activities and sub-unit debut
In May, he attended an event commemorating the renewal of the Delvaux's store, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
In June, Shownu was announced to join as a judge on Mnet's dance competition show Street Woman Fighter 2, starting on August 22. He also graced the cover for July issue of Singles. On June 21, Shownu attended the Korea launching party event of SimiHaze Beauty, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. On June 29, he appeared at the pop-up opening event of TAG Heuer's "Iconic Collection Carrera", with Hyungwon, in commemoration of its 60th anniversary, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
On July 25, Shownu formed Monsta X's first official sub-unit Shownu X Hyungwon, along with Hyungwon. The duo released their debut EP The Unseen, with the lead single "Love Me a Little". He participated in the choreography.
In August, Shownu had graced the cover of Allure Korea's September issue.
On September 8, he attended the launch event of Canada Goose's "Live in the Open" F/W collection, in collaboration with Rok Hwang and Matt McCormick, held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. On September 14, Shownu attended the launch event of Calvin Klein's capsule collection, in collaboration with Son Heung-min, held in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The brand hosted its Fall 2023 Calvin Klein Jeans' collection event, celebrating fashion and music, where he also attended on October 19, held in Tokyo. On September 26, Shownu attended the Aspesi's pop-up store opening, held in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
On October 23, he attended the launch event of Hermès' "Please Check In" S/S collection, held in Seoul.
On November 8, Shownu attended the launch event of Boucheron 2023 Carte Blanche's "More is More" exhibition, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He was a special guest for 2023 Fuerza Bruta Wayra in Seoul on November 26, December 1, and December 3, with four additional appearances.
On December 1, Shownu attended the launch event of Swarovski's flagship store, held at Dosan Park in Seoul.
In January 2024, he attended the launch event of Marni's special capsule collection, in collaboration with YK Jeong, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Shownu was also chosen to be part of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, playing the role of Anatole, the aristocratic and seductive hedonist, charming and attractive officer who captivates women in an instant, and narcissist who enjoys women and alcohol, which will run from March 26 to June 16.
On February 28, he attended the launch event of MAC Cosmetics'…