Joohoney (MONSTA X) Biography: Net Worth 2025, Career, Family, And Military

Profile:

Stage Name: Joohoney (주헌)

Former Stage Name: Jooheon

Birth Name: Lee Joo-heon (이주헌); previously Lee Ho-joon (이호준)

Birthday: October 6, 1994

Nationality: South Korean

Joohoney is the lead rapper and backup vocalist for the six-piece K-pop group MONSTA X, which is signed to Starship Entertainment. He wanted to reach a worldwide audience, therefore in January 2019, he changed his stage name from Jooheon to Joohoney for English-language events. Joohoney, who is well-known for his dimples, aegyo (pretty expressions), and "anti-war charm," is sometimes referred to be MONSTA X's "Menta Care" because of his kind disposition, which uplifts both his group members and fans.

Background:

Born in Nam-gu, Daegu, South Korea, Joohoney spent most of his childhood in Seoul after his family moved to the Seocho neighbourhood. Lee Seung-heun, his younger brother, was born in 2001. For unspecified reasons, Joohoney legally changed his name twice while he was in middle school: once to Lee Jihwan and again to Lee Joo-heon. His early years were characterised by a love of music, especially hip-hop, which he pursued through school events and neighbourhood contests. He demonstrated his leadership and artistic abilities early on when he started and headed a hip-hop group named J.U.S.T. Crew while still a high school student.
Artists like Michael Jackson shaped Joohoney's passion for music, and he created a distinctive style that combines K-pop and hip-hop. His flamboyant theatrical image, which has won him admirers, contrasted with his modest and reserved manner as a young student. He is also well-known for his peculiar behaviours, which include always carrying an external battery and wearing aromatic baby powder in place of cologne. As evidence of his tender side as a pet owner, Joohoney has two tabby grey cats, Gucci and Yoshi, and a pet dog named Sanche.

Education:

Joohoney’s educational journey took him through several institutions in Seoul:

Elementary School: Seoul Banwon Elementary School

Middle School: Kyungwon Middle School

High School: Hyundai Senior High School

University: International Cyber University (Department of Entertainment Studies)

He trained at Starship Entertainment, where he refined his talents as a rapper and performer, to balance his time in school. During his trainee days, Joohoney frequently practiced late into the night due to his commitment to his craft, sometimes leaving for school right away after all-night sessions. He was able to balance his busy idol career with his studies at the International Cyber University, where he concentrated on entertainment studies to deepen his knowledge of the field.

2025 Net Worth:

Joohoney is projected to have a net worth of about $3 million in 2025. Several sources contribute to his riches, including:
Music Career: Revenue from MONSTA X's solo debut EP Lights (2023), album sales, live performances, and endorsements.
Songwriting & Production: Since MONSTA X's inception, Joohoney has been a crucial producer, helping to create songs including "Gambler," "There's No Exit," and "Blue Moon."
Endorsements: He has greatly increased sales by modelling for companies like Born Champs and SPAO. For example, thanks in large part to Joohoney's influence, SPAO's flagship product sold 500,000 units in 2021, up from 170,000 the year before.

Entertainment Ventures: Entertainment endeavours include DJing, participating in picture shoots for magazines like BAZAAR and VOGUE, and making appearances on shows like M! Countdown (as an MC), Show Me The Money 4, and King of Masked Singer.

His diverse career and strong brand presence in the K-pop business are the reasons behind his financial success.

Career:

Joohoney's career combines solo pursuits, collaborations, and group activities with MONSTA X, showcasing his range as an artist.

Pre-Debut and MONSTA X Formation:

In 2014, Joohoney joined Shownu, Wonho, and #Gun as a member of the project group Nu Boyz while still a trainee with Starship Entertainment. The band published mixtapes on the label's YouTube page and played at Starship X shows. Joohoney participated in the Starship and Mnet-produced survival reality show No.Mercy in December 2014. On May 14, 2015, he made his debut as a member of MONSTA X with their debut EP, Trespass, which peaked at No. 5 on the Gaon Album Chart. He was one of the seven winners.

MONSTA X Career:

With members Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. (formerly including Wonho), MONSTA X has emerged as a major force in K-pop worldwide, thanks to singles including "Hero," "Dramarama," "Shoot Out," and "Love Killa." Joohoney contributes composition and production in addition to his role as the primary rapper and sub-vocalist. More than 18 MONSTA X songs, including the 2021 title track "Gambler" from the EP One of a Kind, have his compositions and lyrics. Fans love his trademark rap openings, which frequently begin with "Joohoney 1 hunnit~."
In 2020, the trio signed with Epic Records after achieving international success with their English album All About Luv, which reached at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. MONSTA X has won various awards, such as the Mnet Asian Music Awards' Next Generation Asian Artist title and the 2015 Melon Music Awards' 1theK Performance Award.

Solo Career:

Joohoney's solo career began in January 2017 with his first music video, "Rhythm." He then released his first mixtape, DWTD (2018), which included songs like "Should I Do" and "Red Carpet." MTV and Teen Vogue lauded the emo-K-pop crossover song "Smoky" for its cathartic energy on his second mixtape, Psyche (2020). He officially made his solo debut in May 2023 with the EP Lights, which featured the hit "Freedom."
In addition, he has contributed to the OSTs of dramas like Orange Marmalade and Behind Your Touch and worked with artists like Mad Clown, San E, Hyolin, and Lovelyz's Kei. In addition to MONSTA X, he has produced songs for Boyfriend and CRAVITY.

Other Ventures:

Joohoney is talented in both fashion and entertainment:
Broadcasting: He was an MC for M! Countdown in 2023 and had appearances on Music Universe K-909, Show Me The Money 4, and King of Masked Singer.
DJing: He has demonstrated his abilities on a number of platforms under the moniker DJ J.One.
Fashion: Born Champs reported a 30–40% performance boost in 2022, and his modelling for SPAO has generated substantial sales.
Advocacy for Mental Health: Joohoney took a break in January 2020 to concentrate on his mental health, and he returned in March for the Fantasia X promotions. Fans have been encouraged by his candour regarding anxiousness.

Following his release from the military in January 2025, Joohoney returned to work with MONSTA X, filming for their online series Monmukgo and taking part in TikTok dancing competitions, such as the popular "Shanghai Romance" trend and Aespa's "Whiplash." On May 18, he will play in SuperPop Korea 2025.

Family:

Although Joohoney keeps his personal life private, it is known that his parents encouraged him to relocate to Seoul and seek a career in music. He has a tight relationship with his younger brother, Lee Seung-heun. Joohoney has chosen to keep his family life out of the spotlight by not publicly discussing his parents' occupations or personal information. His followers, referred to as Monbebes, respect his privacy and instead concentrate on his career accomplishments and the intimate stories he frequently tells about his dogs on social media.
In terms of his personal relationships, as of 2025, Joohoney had no verified girlfriend. According to him, his ideal partner is "sexy but bulky in the aegyo," likes hip-hop, and shares his love of art and music. He is looking for a partner that shares his active lifestyle and can unwind at home. Joohoney is a fan favourite despite his secretiveness because of his distant and caring appeal towards ladies.
Joohoney has neither a wife nor a daughter, according to reliable reports, and any other allegations seem to be fan speculation or false information.

Military Service:

On July 24, 2023, Joohoney joined the 15th Infantry Division on active duty at Hwacheon army camp in North Gangwon Province as part of his required military service. He served as a company commander in the 2nd company throughout basic training before assuming positions as a disciplinary squad leader, military chaplain, and assistant drill instructor. He received the "Elite 300" honour and an early promotion to corporal in March 2024 for his outstanding performance.
Joohoney served for eighteen months before being released on January 23, 2025. Members of MONSTA X bid him a fond farewell, carrying on their custom of shaving each other's heads prior to enlisting. In a handwritten letter to his fans, Joohoney said he would return "healthy and full of energy" and referred to his duty as a "comma" rather than a full stop in his career. He threw a free fan gathering in February 2025 after his discharge and immediately resumed group activities, which delighted Monbebes.
When Joohoney was serving, he happened to run with RM of BTS, who was also assigned to the 15th Infantry Division. Their joint military uniform photo shoot became a viral sensation.