Photo: Starship Entertainment / Starship Entertainment Photo: Starship Entertainment / Starship Entertainment Photo: Starship Entertainment / Starship Entertainment Photo: VCG/VCG Via Getty Images, Contributor / VCG/VCG Via Getty Images Photo: VCG/Getty, Contributor / VCG/Getty

It’s 9 a.m. in Houston, and the day has just gotten started. But it’s already 11 p.m. in South Korea. Most people might be winding things down.

But I.M, lead rapper for K-pop group Monsta X, answers the phone with no trace of a time gap.

“I’ve been waiting for your call all day,” he says.

ONLY ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Exploring the K-pop takeover in Houston

Monsta X is one of a handful of K-pop acts, alongside BTS and Blackpink, who have made inroads on this side of the world. The seven-member group signed in May with Epic Records for English-language recordings and distribution outside South Korea. “Who Do U Love?” a single featuring rapper French Montana, was released in June.

Back home, Monsta X has released five albums and six EPs since forming in 2015 on a reality show. Like so many K-pop acts, the group has a fervent fanbase that includes almost 4 million Instagram followers.

Monsta X performs Saturday at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. Rapper I.M talked H-Town memories and wanting to work with Travis Scott.

Monsta X When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, 18111 Lexington Blvd. Tickets: $64-$144; smartfinancialcentre.net.

Why do you think K-pop is experiencing such a huge U.S. moment?

It’s not just in the U.S. It’s kind of a worldwide thing right now. I think it’s just the generation for K-pop. There was a generation for rock and a generation for R&B and other genres. It’s interesting for people — the insane dances with songs. It’s kind of a surreal situation, even for me.

You lived in Boston as a kid from kindergarten through second grade. Any memories?

When I was young, a lot of girls loved me. I think three of them. That was like 20 years ago. When I became an adult, it was the first time having a show in 2015 at the Staples Center for KCON (K-pop convention). It was a huge stage for us, our first overseas stage.

What’s unique about American fans?

I think the big difference from other areas in the world is fan reaction. They are very honest. If they are super happy, they know how to express that. They are so hyped up.

Monsta X has previously performed in Houston. What come to mind when you think of the city?

When I think about Houston — H-Town, hold it down? That comes to my mind first. Texans has a chill vibe. Everybody talks a bit slow. But when we’re onstage, they dance and they do their own thing. They know how to enjoy it.

What inspires you as a performer?

My emotions. They go up and down. Sometimes I get really sad or get so hyped up. Nobody can control me. Sometimes I get lost in it. That emotion gives me so much inspiration, finding the reason why I am feeling that way right now.

What do you listen to when you’re offstage?

I listen to a lot of trap-soul like Tory Lanez, Bryson Tiller, Trey Songz. Kind of very sexy and a mood. Drinking a bottle of wine and turning on that sexy song, with some purple lights. I chill with myself like that. I get inside of that sound. I write a lot of trap-soul when I do my own music.

You’ve collaborated with Steve Aoki and French Montana. Who else is on the wish list?

As a team, I wish we could have a collaboration with Skrillex. Personally, I know that Travis Scott is on Epic Records. I just wanna have a collaboration with him. He’s from H-Town.

PREVIEW: Find fun things to do and see around Houston in our weekly Preview newsletter. Subscribe here.