I.M

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.^[3][4] 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.^[5][6] The first language he learned was English and he learned Korean only upon entering primary school.^[1]

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.^[7]

I.M was a late addition to the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, becoming the thirteenth competitor.^[7][8] 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.^[9][10]

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.^[7][11]

In May 2016, I.M released his first mixtape through Starship Entertainment's YouTube channel, titled "Who Am I?" featuring Yeseo.^[12][13] On October 20, he released another mixtape titled "Madeleine" with Brother Su that featured J.Han.^[14]

In July 2017, I.M released a mixtape titled "Be My Friend", alongside group member Joohoney.^[15]

In February 2018, he released another solo mixtape titled "Fly With Me".^[16]

In April 2019, I.M released his mixtape, with the lead single "Horizon", which was a collaboration with the American artist ELHAE.^[17] He also released the song "Scent" as the B-side of the single.^[18][19]

In May 2020, I.M collaborated with ELHAE again, releasing the single "Need to Know".^[20] He also made his first solo appearance on the talk show Talk Talk Information Brunch.^[21]

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.^[22][23] 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".^[24][25][26] 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.^[27] 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.^[28][29]

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.^[30]

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.^[31][32]

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.^[33][34] On September 6, I.M became a new DJ for Naver Now's radio program Midnight Idol, alongside group member Kihyun.^[35]

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".^[36]

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.^[37] In November, Sony Music Korea announced that he signed an exclusive contract with the label for his solo activities.^[38] According to Billboard, Sony Music Korea said the signing made them "the first major label in Korea to sign a 360 deal with an established K-pop star".^[39] A "360 deal" entitles a record label to a percentage of earnings from all of an artist's revenue streams, rather than just the recorded music sales, with the artist getting the largest share of the royalties from music releases.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2023, I.M and Joohoney had a pictorial and an interview with the fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue Korea.^[1] In March, he joined a mobile application Dear U bubble under "Bubble with Stars".^[40] I.M also decorated the cover of the fashion magazine 1st Look Korea's 254th issue.^[41] On April 19, Sony Music Korea released a video containing his new logo and announced the opening of his official site on May 16.^[42]

In May, he confirmed the release of his second extended play Overdrive on June 23,^[43] with the lead single of the same name.^[44] On August 5–6, I.M held the Overdrive Showcase Tour in Seoul at Yes24 Live Hall,^[45] which sold out within five minutes for both days.^[46] On September 3, he performed for Resffect Festival 2023, held at 88 Garden Olympic Park, Seoul.^[47] 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.^[48]

On December 1, he attended the launch event of Swarovski's flagship store, held at Dosan Park in Seoul.^[49] Later that year, a replica of the jacket he used in The Connect World Tour was presented at 2023 Swarovski Crystal World's "The Art of Performance", an exhibition of art pieces.^[50] On December 25, I.M performed for 2023 Someday Christmas, held at Hall 3 of BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Busan.^[51]

In January 2024, it was announced that he will release a new single on January 23,^[52] titled "Slowly" featuring Heize.^[53]

On March 12, it was announced that I.M will have an April comeback.^[54] On March 13, it was revealed that he will release his third extended play Off the Beat on April 3,^[55] with the lead single "Lure".^[56] On March 28, I.M attended the boutique reopening of Brioni, held at Hotel Shilla in Jung-gu, Seoul.^[57]

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.^[58] 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.^[59] On April 23, he attended Chanel's "Rouge Allure" pop-up event opening, held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.^[60]

On June 11, I.M attended Jaeger-LeCoultre's "The Adventure Spirit" pop-up event opening, held in Songpa-gu, Seoul.^[61] On June 15, he performed for Tone & Music Festival 2024, held at 88 Garden Olympic Park, Seoul.^[62] 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,^[63] beginning on July 1^[64] and ending on June 29, 2025.^[65]

On July 19, he attended Diesel's store reopening, held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.^[66] On July 20, I.M performed for Soundberry Festa 24, held at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.^[67]

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.^[68]

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.^[69]

On May 18, I.M performed at the music festival SuperPop Korea 2025, held at KINTEX in Gyeonggi-do, Seoul.^[70] On May 24, it was announced that he will temporarily suspend his individual and group activities due to poor health.^[71]

In September, I.M had mutually agreed to terminate his exclusive contract with Sony Music Korea.^[72]

He released a digital single "IYWO" with Coda Crew on February 20, 2026.^[73]

Military service

I.M enlisted for his mandatory military service as an active duty soldier on February 9, 2026.^[74]

Arts and photography

In November 2023, I.M released his first photobook Here I.M, which contained his current status, solo career journey, and values regarding music.^[88]

Endorsements

In June 2021, I.M became the brand model for the Italian luxury fashion brand Versace's Eros Fragrance perfume through the Korean fashion, beauty, and life magazine Singles.^[89][90] In July, he participated in the global beverage brand Pepsi's "Taste of Korea" summer campaign, with Rain, Monsta X members' Shownu and Hyungwon, Brave Girls members' Yujeong and Yuna, and Ateez members' Hongjoong and Yunho.^[30]

In November 2023, I.M collaborated with the English football and rugby sportswear brand Umbro, promoting its 2023 F/W collection through the men's magazine Esquire Korea.^[88]

Philanthropy

In January 2022, I.M donated ₩500,000 through the idol fandom community service My Favorite Idol, in commemoration of his birthday, which will be delivered to the Miral Welfare Foundation and used as a fund for the disabled who are isolated due to COVID-19.^[91]

Production

In February 2019, I.M narrated an audiobook, Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince, which was released through Naver's Audioclip.^[92] That same year, he narrated two more audiobooks, Edgar Allan Poe's Annabelle Lee and William Wordsworth's My Heart Leaps Up, alongside group member Shownu, which were also released through Naver's Audioclip, as well as to help the visually impaired people as the main purpose.^[93]

In September 2021, I.M was included in the production of the album cover image work and details through the Baverse Studio, as part of his work for Welcome to My Baverse.^[33][34]

In April 2023, he took the lead in the production process of his official logo, which was designed with chrome material to give it a "stylish look", where his "philosophy" and "style" are implied.^[42]

Extended plays

Singles

Other charted songs

Mixtapes

Music videos

Television shows

Web shows

Radio shows

Audiobook narrator

World tours

• Off the Beat World Tour (2024)^[59]