MINHYUK, one of MONSTA X's members, didn't set out to reinvent himself with his solo track "Reaching." Talking to tmrw, he's more interested in correcting the record: this calmer, guitar-led sound isn't new to him at all, just new to what people have seen. Within the group, he's known for energy and versatility – but away from that, his own taste runs quieter.

That insight into his preferences shapes almost everything about the release. The stripped-back arrangement wasn't a stylistic risk so much as a return to how he naturally listens and lives – "I include only what is necessary," he says, treating simplicity as clarity rather than restraint. The same logic carried into the video, which he nearly skipped altogether before deciding the song's mood deserved a visual home. He picked the styling himself, plain and unforced, chasing a specific comfort rather than a look.

Asked what he wants listeners to walk away with, MINHYUK resists naming an emotion. He'd rather people simply recognise his taste – the music he actually enjoys, offstage and away from MONSTA X's usual energy. It's a small ask, but a telling one.

We caught up with MINHYUK to talk through the release, how he wants people to take the track, and what it means to finally show a softer side of himself.