Im Chang-kyun (Korean: 임창균; born January 26, 1996), known by the stage name I.M or mononymously as Changkyun, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Monsta X under Starship Entertainment. He made his solo debut with the EP Duality in 2021.
History
His stage name is based on the romanization of his family name "Im", while his English name is "Daniel", nicknamed as "Danny". The first language he learned was English and he learned Korean only upon entering primary school.
Early life and debut
I.M was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea and Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju as his hometown on January 26, 1996. He spent most of his early years living abroad due to his father's work as a scientist, including living in Boston, Massachusetts, where I.M gained fluency in English, while his father worked at Harvard University.
Between 2013 and 2014, he became part of the boy group Nu'bility under Special K Entertainment but never officially debuted despite holding several events and performances.
I.M was a late addition to the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, becoming the thirteenth competitor. Despite his late addition, he was one of the seven contestants chosen to debut in Starship Entertainment's new hip-hop boy group Monsta X.
2015–2020: Monsta X and solo work
In May 2015, I.M debuted with Monsta X with their first EP Trespass, on which he has five writing credits.
In May 2016, I.M released his first mixtape through Starship Entertainment's YouTube channel, titled "Who Am I?" featuring Yeseo. On October 20, he released another mixtape titled "Madeleine" with Brother Su that featured J.Han.
In July 2017, I.M released a mixtape titled "Be My Friend", alongside group member Joohoney.
In February 2018, he released another solo mixtape titled "Fly With Me".
In April 2019, I.M released his mixtape, with the lead single "Horizon", which was a collaboration with the American artist ELHAE. He also released the song "Scent" as the B-side of the single.
In May 2020, I.M collaborated with ELHAE again, releasing the single "Need to Know". He also made his first solo appearance on the talk show Talk Talk Information Brunch.
2021–present: Solo debut and other solo endeavors
In January 2021, I.M announced the solo work he had been preparing in 2020, would be released as his first solo album, with an intended release later in 2021. His first official release was announced to be an extended play titled Duality, which was released on February 19, with its lead single "God Damn". For his first EP, I.M was commended for showing a wider diversity of skill with the EP, with a noted difference in rap-style from his work in Monsta X as well as showcasing his abilities as singer-songwriter and composer. All five songs from the album charted on the weekly Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, occupying twenty percent of the entire World Songs chart.
In July, he and other Monsta X members' Shownu and Hyungwon, took part in Pepsi's Taste of Korea summer campaign, releasing a promotional single "Summer Taste", with Rain, Brave Girls members' Yujeong and Yuna, and Ateez members' Hongjoong and Yunho.
In August, I.M was part of Baverse Studio's Welcome to My Baverse, which is a documentary where he can show his thoughts as a musician and as an idol group member.
On September 4, I.M released the single "Loop", as part of his work for Welcome to My Baverse, in which he contributed to the production and composition. On September 6, I.M became a new DJ for Naver Now's radio program Midnight Idol, alongside group member Kihyun.
In December, he appeared as one of the special judges in the Mnet's dance survival program Street Dance Girls Fighter's fourth mission, alongside group members Hyungwon and Joohoney, for Monsta X's B-side song "Autobahn".
In August 2022, I.M decided not to renew his contract with Starship Entertainment but will still continue to participate in the group's future plans. In November, Sony Music Korea announced that he signed an exclusive contract with the label for his solo activities.
In February 2023, I.M and Joohoney had a pictorial and an interview with the fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue Korea. In March, he joined a mobile application Dear U bubble under "Bubble with Stars". I.M also decorated the cover of the fashion magazine 1st Look Korea's 254th issue. On April 19, Sony Music Korea released a video containing his new logo and announced the opening of his official site on May 16.
In May, he confirmed the release of his second extended play Overdrive on June 23, with the lead single of the same name. On August 5–6, I.M held the Overdrive Showcase Tour in Seoul at Yes24 Live Hall, which sold out within five minutes for both days. On September 3, he performed for Resffect Festival 2023, held at 88 Garden Olympic Park, Seoul. On October 13, I.M attended the launch event of BOSS' Korea-only capsule collection pop-up store, held at Oud Cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.
On December 1, he attended the launch event of Swarovski's flagship store, held at Dosan Park in Seoul. On December 25, I.M performed for 2023 Someday Christmas, held at Hall 3 of BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Busan.
In January 2024, it was announced that he will release a new single on January 23, titled "Slowly" featuring Heize.
On March 12, it was announced that I.M will have an April comeback. On March 13, it was revealed that he will release his third extended play Off the Beat on April 3, with the lead single "Lure". On March 28, I.M attended the boutique reopening of Brioni, held at Hotel Shilla in Jung-gu, Seoul.
On April 17, it was announced that he will be the MC of KBS' web show I.M on the Beat, beginning on April 20. On April 22, it was announced that I.M will have his first world tour Off the Beat, to be held in eighteen cities in ten countries. On April 23, he attended Chanel's "Rouge Allure" pop-up event opening, held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
On June 11, I.M attended Jaeger-LeCoultre's "The Adventure Spirit" pop-up event opening, held in Songpa-gu, Seoul. On June 15, he performed for Tone & Music Festival 2024, held at 88 Garden Olympic Park, Seoul. On June 18, it was announced that I.M will be the new DJ of KBS Cool FM's radio program Kiss the Radio, replacing Day6's Young K, beginning on July 1 and ending on June 29, 2025.
On July 19, he attended Diesel's store reopening, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. On July 20, I.M performed for Soundberry Festa 24, held at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.
In February 2025, it was announced that he will perform for 2025 Soundberry Theater in March, to be held at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.
In March, it was announced that I.M will release a digital single "Don't Speak" on March 28, which he already performed during the Off the Beat World Tour Encore in Seoul.
On May 18, I.M performed at the music festival SuperPop Korea 2025, held at KINTEX in Gyeonggi-do, Seoul. On May 24, it was announced that he will temporarily suspend his individual and group activities due to poor health.
In September, I.M had mutually agreed to terminate his exclusive contract with Sony Music Korea.
He released a digital single "IYWO" with Coda Crew on February 20, 2026.
Military service
I.M enlisted for his mandatory military service as an active duty soldier on February 9, 2026.
Musical style and influences
As one of Monsta X's producer line, I.M made various musical attempts, contributing to broadening the musical spectrum of the group. He established the intense and powerful music color and framework unique to Monsta X, as well as presenting a variety of music, from songs with a dreamy and sensual mood to exciting songs that will enhance the atmosphere of a concert. As a solo artist, I.M incorporates various genres, such as trap, deep soul, R&B, and jazz in his releases, considered not a typical mainstream type of music and different from his usual songs produced for the…