Photo Credit: Starship Entertainment

Joohoney’s INSANITY: A Red-Hued Milestone in MONSTA X’s Creative Evolution

The Fire That Breathes Fashion

Joohoney of MONSTA X doesn’t just pose for the lens — he commands it. With the release of his second mini album, 光 (INSANITY), the concept photos titled In Red mark a dramatic evolution in Joohoney’s personal artistry and visual storytelling. This isn’t merely promotional imagery; it’s a couture-inflected narrative that straddles high fashion and emotional vulnerability.

Each frame from the In Red series exudes rich chromatic tension: carmine, vermilion, and dark umber tones bleeding together into visual madness. The red palette dominates not to shock, but to elevate Joohoney’s transformation — a rebirth under a light that both burns and beautifies. The lighting plays its part like a supporting actor: diffused glow on sharp jawlines, the chiaroscuro of introspection rendered in pixel form.

Anatomy of a Style Evolution

Joohoney’s styling across the shoot is nothing short of sculptural. The wardrobe balances tailored modernity with tactile edge — structured blazers tempered by relaxed layers, a touch of iridescent sheen against deep matte textiles. In several frames, he pairs blood-red outerwear with minimal accessories, emphasizing form over ornamentation. It’s clean, confident, and utterly couture-driven.

Hair and makeup further define the concept’s duality. His hair, styled in a tousled yet deliberate sweep, channels effortless sophistication — half runway model, half melancholic poet. The color leans towards an ash-chestnut hue with warm underlights that catch in the scarlet backdrop. Makeup is minimal but strategic: soft contouring to sharpen the cheekbones, a slight shimmer on the eyelids, and a nude matte lip that grounds the intensity. Together, they read as restraint — the calm within creative chaos.

The Context Behind the Madness

The album’s title, 光 (INSANITY) — meaning “light” in Japanese and “madness” in English — folds symbolism into its core. Joohoney has long spoken of his music as catharsis, and this visual chapter mirrors that release. The red concept draws from both his earlier solo aesthetics (PSYCHE, 2023) and the theatrical energy of late-era MONSTA X visuals, merging personal and collective evolution.

This campaign, photographed under a cinematic lens and steeped in minimalistic staging, encapsulates the paradox at play: the insanity of creation within the discipline of fashion. It’s haute expressionism — avant-garde but accessible, luxurious yet raw. In short: Joohoney’s INSANITY isn’t just a music teaser; it’s an act of visual rebellion dressed in designer hues.

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