From chart-topping albums to bigger-than-ever festivals, 2018 marked multiple breakthrough moments for the K-pop scene. One of those momentous milestones included Monsta X snagging a slot on this year's Jingle Ball tour. Put on by the renowned iHeartMedia, the national concert tour is announced and promoted throughout radio waves as an annual celebration for the best in pop. This year's tour brought together the likes of Shawn Mendes, Cardi B, Calvin Harris, and many more to cities across the country. Monsta X's inclusion on the lineup was huge because it was the first time the festival included a K-pop group since its inception in the mid-'90s.

Although their Take.1 Are You There? album landed on multiple Billboard charts, Monsta X's Shownu, Wonho, Hyungwon, Kihyun, Minhyuk, Jooheon, and I.M were tasked with proving that they earned their place at Jingle Ball among pop's biggest names. "Shoot Out," the septet's latest single and opening number at the New York City show started things strong by delivering an attention-demanding introduction to the uninitiated with the boys nailing the full-body-vibrate choreography. This, of course, caught the attention of their fan base, affectionately known as Monbebe. Meanwhile, a song like "Fallin'"—which the guys say gets the best reaction from the crowd—showed off the group's mastery of live freestyling and ad-libbing.

While Monsta X notes the recent spike in attention to Korean music (rapper Jooheon says he's noticed "K-pop has so many opportunities" with fellow rapper I.M mentioning that "BTS made the U.S. audience get a little more used to K-pop"), the hard work was far from over for the group representing not only themselves, but their country and culture on a giant platform like Jingle Ball. But before they wrapped up the end of Jingle Ball and as they plot their next global move, the boys sat down for a moment with Teen Vogue at one of their NYC performances to reflect on what they've accomplished and where they're going next.

Teen Vogue: You're wrapping up your first outing on the Jingle Ball tour tonight, the first time a Korean group has been on the lineup. If you take a moment to reflect, what's going through your minds after such an experience?

Minhyuk: I still can't believe [it] because there are such big stars and great singers on this tour.

I.M: You know, I don't want to talk too much about the negative things, but every time we go to another venue we have to get used to the venue. We do soundchecks every time but the environments are so different. We get really sensitive about the sound, the depths, so we've been a little bit sensitive when we are doing the rehearsal. And the crowd isn't just Monbebe, there's regular U.S. audiences and listeners—the lineups are constructed by all big stars and not just us.

Kihyun: Still, the reaction is the same. Excited and supportive.

TV: What was going through your head at the first show? Were you worried about the reaction?

Wonho: I was also most worried about our soundcheck because it's not just our solo show and the steps taken for each artist are different—not just us. You can't get 100% satisfied by the soundcheck.

Shownu: In my case, I never worry about the reaction.

Kihyun: Honestly, we are used to performing on big stages, but in L.A. we were so nervous because it was our first time without it being our own concert. But these days, it's fine and we're feeling more comfortable.