Stray Kids facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stray Kids
Stray Kids in January 2026 From left to right: Lee Know, Han, I.N, Felix, Bang Chan, Hyunjin, Seungmin, and Changbin
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop hip-hop electronic
Years active	2017 (2017)–present
Labels	JYP Epic Japan Republic
Members	Bang Chan Lee Know Changbin Hyunjin Han Felix Seungmin I.N
Past members	Woojin

Logo of Stray Kids.

Stray Kids (often called SKZ) is a popular South Korean boy band. JYP Entertainment formed the group in 2017. The band has eight talented members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. Stray Kids is special because they create most of their own music. Their main production team, called 3Racha, includes Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. The other members also help write songs often.

Bang Chan, the leader, chose each member himself. This was a unique way to form a K-pop group. They released their first unofficial album, Mixtape, in January 2018. Their official debut was on March 25 with the album I Am Not. Since then, Stray Kids has released many successful albums. Many of their albums have reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. They are known for their powerful music and exciting performances. In 2023, Time magazine recognized them as "Next Generation Leaders." By December 2024, Stray Kids had sold over 31 million albums worldwide.

History of Stray Kids

Forming the Group and Early Albums (2017–2018)

In August 2017, JYP Entertainment announced a new TV show. This show would create a new male idol group. The show was called Stray Kids. Before the show started, Stray Kids released their first music video, "Hellevator." This song later became a digital single. Two members, Lee Know and Felix, were briefly eliminated but returned for the final group. The group's leader, Bang Chan, chose each member. This was different from how most K-pop groups are formed. The members themselves came up with the name "Stray Kids." It meant finding a way out of the ordinary together.

Stray Kids at a fan event in the COEX Live Plaza in January 2018.

On January 8, 2018, Stray Kids released their pre-debut album, Mixtape. The members helped write and compose the songs. The album included "Hellevator." Mixtape quickly reached number two on the Gaon Album Chart in Korea. It also charted on Billboard's World Albums chart.

The group held their first concert on March 25. The next day, they officially debuted with the album I Am Not. Its main song was "District 9." This album sold over 54,000 copies in March. Stray Kids had their first overseas performance at KCON Japan in April 2018. They released two more albums that year: I Am Who in August and I Am You in October. These albums completed their "I Am" series.

New Album Series and Changes (2019)

In early 2019, Stray Kids went on their "Unveil Tour 'I Am...'" across Asia. They also toured South Korea. On March 5, they released their fourth album, Clé 1: Miroh. This marked their first anniversary. On April 14, they won their first music show award for "Miroh" on M Countdown. In June, they released a special album, Clé 2: Yellow Wood. Its main song was "Side Effects."

Stray Kids at the red carpet of TMA in April 2019.

Stray Kids released the digital single "Double Knot" in October. They also announced their "District 9 Unlock World Tour." Their fifth album, Clé: Levanter, was planned for November. However, on October 28, JYP Entertainment announced that Woojin had left the group. The album release was then postponed. On November 13, the group released "Astronaut," their first song as an eight-member group. Clé: Levanter was released on December 9. In December, they performed in Tokyo for 8,000 fans. They also released "Mixtape: Gone Days," the first song from their "Mixtape Project."

Japanese Debut and First Studio Album (2020)

Stray Kids released English versions of "Double Knot" and "Levanter" in January 2020. They debuted in Japan with the album SKZ2020. This album had new recordings and Japanese versions of their songs. In March, they released "Mixtape: On Track." On June 3, Stray Kids released their first Japanese single, "Top." This song was used for the anime Tower of God. "Top" reached number one on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart. They were the fourth foreign male artist to do this with their first single.

On June 17, Stray Kids released their first studio album, Go Live. Its main song was "God's Menu". Go Live became their best-selling album at the time. It reached number one on the Gaon Album Chart. In August 2020, it was certified platinum. Time magazine ranked "Back Door" (from the reissued album In Life) as one of the 10 Best Songs of 2020.

Their first Japanese album, All In, was released on November 4. It included Japanese versions of "God's Menu" and "Back Door." On November 22, they held an online concert called "Unlock: Go Live In Life." This concert continued their world tour, which had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winning Kingdom and Million-Selling Album (2021)

In 2021, Stray Kids joined the Mnet competition show Kingdom: Legendary War. They released the song "Wolfgang" for the final round. On June 3, they won the competition. This earned them their own reality show.

Stray Kids collaborated with Alesso (pictured) and Corsak in "Going Dumb".

Stray Kids held their first fan meeting in February 2021. They also collaborated with producer Alesso and DJ Corsak on "Going Dumb" for PUBG Mobile. This song appeared on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

On June 26, they surprised fans with "Mixtape: Oh". This song reached number one on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. Their second studio album, Noeasy, was released on August 23, 2021. It was their first album to sell over one million copies. The main song, "Thunderous", won six awards on Korean music shows. Its music video quickly reached 100 million views.

In October, they released their second Japanese single, "Scars"/"Thunderous (Japanese ver.)." It sold over 180,000 copies. They released a special holiday album, Christmas EveL, on November 29. It topped the Gaon Album Chart and was certified double platinum. They ended the year with the album SKZ2021 in December.

US Chart Success and World Tour (2022)

On February 10, 2022, Stray Kids signed with Republic Records for promotions in the United States. They held their second fan meeting in February. On March 18, they released their sixth album, Oddinary. This album reached number one in South Korea, Finland, Poland, and the United States. It was their first album to appear on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. Its main song, "Maniac", also charted in the UK.

To support Oddinary, Stray Kids started their "Maniac World Tour" in April. They performed in Asia, Australia, and North America. The tour ended in Los Angeles in April 2023. On June 22, they released their second Japanese album, Circus. It reached number two on the Oricon Albums Chart. They released "Mixtape: Time Out" on August 1 to celebrate their fandom's anniversary.

Their seventh album, Maxident, was released on October 7, 2022. Its main song was "Case 143". Maxident became their second consecutive number-one album in the US. It was also their first album to sell over two and three million copies. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Stray Kids as the seventh-best-selling artist of 2022. Maxident and Oddinary were among the top-selling albums globally that year. They released the album SKZ-Replay in December, featuring solo songs.

Global Recognition and More Number Ones (2023)

Stray Kids released their first Japanese studio album, The Sound, on February 22, 2023. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart. It sold 378,000 copies and was certified double platinum. On June 2, 2023, they released their third studio album, 5-Star. Its main song was "S-Class". The album's lyrics talked about being unique and confident. 5-Star reached number one in South Korea, France, and the United States. It was their third consecutive number-one album in the US. It sold over five million copies by June 2023. "S-Class" won the Best K-Pop Video award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

Stray Kids' mini fan meeting in November 2023.

Stray Kids held their third fan meeting in July. They also started their 5-Star Dome Tour in South Korea and Japan. They performed at the Lollapalooza music festival in Paris in July. They were scheduled to perform at the 2023 Global Citizen Festival in New York City in September. However, due to a minor car accident involving three members, only 3Racha performed. Their third Japanese album, Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.), was released on September 6. It became their second number-one album in Japan.

In October, Stray Kids was featured on a remix of Lil Durk's "All My Life". They released their eighth Korean album, Rock-Star, on November 10. Its main song was "Lalalala". Rock-Star reached number one in South Korea and the US. "Lalalala" was their first song to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2023, Stray Kids received the Prime Minister's Commendation. They also performed on Japan's 74th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. The IFPI named Stray Kids the third best-selling artist of 2023. 5-Star and Rock-Star were among the top-selling albums globally.

Continued Success and New Music (2024)

In January 2024, Stray Kids performed at the Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes charity event in Paris. In February, they collaborated with Coca-Cola for a "K-Wave" edition of Coke Zero Sugar. They also released the song "Like Magic."

Stray Kids at Incheon Airport in May 2024

Stray Kids held fan meetings in Seoul, Osaka, and Saitama in early 2024. They performed the theme song "Why?" for the Japanese drama Re: Revenge – Yokubo no Hate ni. On May 6, 2024, Stray Kids attended the Met Gala as guests of designer Tommy Hilfiger. They were the first K-pop group where all members attended together. They released the single "Lose My Breath", featuring Charlie Puth, on May 10. This song also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart.

On July 18, 2024, JYP announced that Stray Kids members had renewed their contracts. Their ninth Korean album, Ate, and its main song, "Chk Chk Boom", were released the next day. Ate reached number one in many countries, including South Korea, France, and the United States. Stray Kids became the first group to top the Billboard 200 with their first five charted albums. "Chk Chk Boom" also achieved their highest peaks on the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100. They headlined major music festivals I-Days, BST Hyde Park, and Lollapalooza. They also started their Dominate World Tour in August.

In October 2024, Stray Kids performed at the American Music Awards. They released their second Japanese studio album, Giant, on November 13. It included theme songs for Tower of God season two. On December 13, they released the mixtape Hop. Its main song was "Walkin on Water". This mixtape introduced their new "SKZhop" genre. Hop reached number one in South Korea and the US. Stray Kids became the first act to top the Billboard 200 with their first six charted albums. In 2024, they also performed songs for the films Deadpool & Wolverine and the TV series Arcane. The IFPI named Stray Kids the fifth best-selling artist in 2024.

Milestones and Global Tours (2025–Early 2026)

In 2025, Stray Kids held their fifth fan meeting, "SKZ 5'Clock," in February. They released the single album Mixtape: Dominate on March 21. This album included the Korean version of "Giant" and sub-unit tracks. They released the Japanese album Hollow on June 18. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart.

Stray Kids' fourth Korean studio album, Karma, was released on August 22, 2025. Its main song was "Ceremony". This album topped charts in South Korea, France, Germany, and the United States. It made Stray Kids the first act in Billboard history to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 with their first seven albums. Karma sold 3.03 million copies in its first week, becoming the best-selling album of 2025 in South Korea. The band also featured on DJ Snake's song "In the Dark".

To end their "Dominate World Tour," Stray Kids held an encore concert in October 2025. Following the tour, they announced their second mixtape, Do It, released on November 21. Its main songs were "Do It" and "Divine". This album reached number one in South Korea and the US. Stray Kids became the first act to top the Billboard 200 with their first eight charted albums. The IFPI ranked Stray Kids as the second best-selling artist worldwide in 2025, their highest rank ever.

For Japanese activities, Stray Kids held an exhibition from December 2025 to April 2026. They also had a virtual concert in Tokyo from March to June 2026. The band returned to Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes on January 22, 2026. The concert film Stray Kids: The Dominate Experience premiered on February 6, 2026. The band will hold their sixth fanmeeting, Stay in Our Little House, on March 28–29 and April 4–5 at the Inspire Arena. They will also headline two major music festivals: the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City in June and Rock in Rio in Brazil in September.

Stray Kids' Musical Style

Blending Genres and Unique Sound

Stray Kids' music takes inspiration from many styles. These include hip-hop, dubstep, heavy metal, electroclash, and dance-pop. Their sound is often described as "dark and experimental." After their album Go Live, people started calling their music "mala taste music." This name comes from a hot and spicy mala seasoning. It means their songs are strong and exciting. Some people first thought their music was "noisy." But with their album Noeasy, Stray Kids embraced this idea. They said they could use "noisy" as their own special strength. They want their music to be known as a unique "Stray Kids" genre.

From the start, Stray Kids has mixed different music styles. Their debut song, "District 9," blended hip-hop, rock, and EDM. "Side Effects" was an EDM-pop song inspired by psytrance. "God's Menu" introduced their "mala taste" sound. In "Thunderous," they combined modern electronic sounds with traditional Korean instruments like the kkwaenggwari (a small, flat, brass gong) and traditional Korean drums. "Maniac" was a powerful trap song with Middle Eastern influences. "Case 143" was a pop song with strong rap parts. "S-Class" mixed hip-hop, old school, and pop elements. "Lalalala" featured rock-leaning phonk music with a powerful rap style.

Songwriting and Lyrical Themes

Bang Chan (left), Changbin (center), and Han (right), collectively known as 3Racha, wrote and produced almost all of Stray Kids' releases.

Stray Kids is known as a "self-producing" group. Their members are deeply involved in writing and composing almost all their songs. Their in-house production team is called 3Racha. It includes Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. These three have been releasing their own music since 2017. All members also have YouTube projects where they create or cover songs.

Early Stray Kids songs often explored finding one's identity. This was a main theme in their "I Am..." and "Clé" album series. For example, "District 9" showed their frustration with people questioning who they were. "My Pace" taught that everyone has their own speed and shouldn't compare themselves to others. "I Am You" thanked fans for their support. "Miroh" showed the group's strength and desire to achieve their dreams. "Side Effects" talked about doing what they chose, even if it had challenges. "Levanter" suggested that the answers they sought were within themselves.

After these early albums, Stray Kids found their own identity. Their song themes changed. "God's Menu" used cooking metaphors to describe their unique sound. In "Thunderous," they embraced the idea of being "noisy." "Maniac" encouraged listeners to accept their own unique qualities. "S-Class" continued this message, inviting everyone to shine brightly. "Lalalala" celebrated the members' lives and careers, finding joy through music.

Stray Kids' B-sides often focus on self-reflection. Songs like "Mirror" and "3rd Eye" discussed finding one's true self. "Awaken" stressed the importance of breaking free from limitations. Some songs, like "Case 143" from Maxident, explored new themes like romantic love.

The band is also known for using clever wordplay in their lyrics and song titles. For example, the album title Go Live combines the English word "go" with a Korean word that sounds like "life." But it can also mean "hardship." The album Noeasy sounds like "noisy," reflecting how some people described their music.

Stage Performance and Concept Aesthetics

Stray Kids has won many awards for their amazing stage performances. They are known as "K-Performance Leaders." Experts and fans praise their shows, especially during year-end award ceremonies.

The group is also called "Concept Matjib" (a place with great concepts). They show their unique ideas through choreography, music videos, and stage outfits. For "God's Menu," their dance moves mimicked cooking actions. "Back Door" featured door-knocking choreography. In the "Thunderous" music video, they danced in traditional Korean styles with mythical creatures. For "Maniac," they referenced Frankenstein's monster in their concept.

Stray Kids uses choreography and props to enhance their concepts. At the 35th Golden Disc Awards, they performed "God's Menu" with elegant moves and a huge fan. During the 2020 SBS Gayo Daejeon, they performed a nanta (traditional Korean drumming) show. In Kingdom: Legendary War, they impressed judges with creative performances. These included visual effects, acrobatic dances, and storytelling. Their performance mixing "God's Menu" and Blackpink's "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" with a Deadpool theme was highly praised. Even actor Ryan Reynolds complimented them, which led to Stray Kids contributing to the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack.

Other Activities

Endorsements and Collaborations

Stray Kids has partnered with many brands. In 2018, they became models for Jambangee Jeans and Ivy Club. They also worked with Minute Maid Sparkling and CGV.

In 2019, they became ambassadors for the Talk Talk Korea Contest. The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed them as honorary ambassadors. They also endorsed Lotte Duty Free and the sportswear brand Pro-Specs. In 2020, they were brand ambassadors for Shopee Indonesia.

In 2021, Stray Kids became models for Clio Cosmetics and the Japanese clothing brand Wego. They were also ambassadors for the Korea Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Later, they became models for Nacific cosmetics. The sub-unit Danceracha (Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Felix) appeared in campaigns for Etro sneakers.

In 2022, Stray Kids became muses for Mahagrid clothing and ambassadors for the Philippine brand Bench. They also worked with Lotte Duty Free again. In 2023, they were models for SLBS phone accessories and Ultra Milk.

In 2024, Bioré UV chose Stray Kids for its 2025 spring global campaign. In 2025, the group became global ambassadors for Pepero cookie sticks. They also had collaborations with Tamagotchi, A Bathing Ape's Baby Milo, Disney's Zootopia 2, and Roblox for a virtual concert.

Fashion Influence

Stray Kids was chosen as the Asian ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger for several campaigns. In May 2024, Stray Kids made their Met Gala debut as guests of Tommy Hilfiger. They were the first group to attend the event together. They wore stylish suits in the brand's signature colors.

Individually, members have also become ambassadors for luxury brands. Hyunjin became a global ambassador for Versace in July 2023 and for Cartier in September 2024. Felix became a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton in August 2023. Bang Chan represents Fendi, I.N for Bottega Veneta and Damiani, Seungmin for Burberry, and Lee Know for Gucci in 2025.

Philanthropy and Giving Back

Stray Kids is known as "Donation Idol" for their charity work. They participate in JYPE's "Every Dream Matters!" (EDM) campaign. This campaign helps children with serious illnesses. In 2021 and 2023, Bang Chan hosted JYP EDM Day events. These events shared the results of EDM projects. Stray Kids also mentored young people who wanted to be singers and dancers.

On April 1, 2025, Stray Kids donated ₩800,000,000 (about US$600,000) to help victims of large wildfires in Korea. The funds supported emergency relief and firefighters. In November 2025, Stray Kids donated HK$1,000,000 (about US$128,000) to the Hong Kong Red Cross after a major apartment fire.

Impact and Influence

Stray Kids was featured in Time's 2023 Next Generation Leaders list for their global success. Rolling Stone UK called them one of the biggest bands in the world. The IFPI ranked Stray Kids as the seventh-best-selling artist globally in 2022. In 2023, they were the first K-Pop group to get over five million album pre-orders for 5-Star. 5-Star and Rock-Star were among the top-selling albums worldwide that year. The IFPI named Stray Kids the third-best-selling artist globally in 2023.

Stray Kids also set a record on the Billboard 200 chart. They became the first act to have their first eight charted albums reach number one. By December 2024, Stray Kids had sold over 31 million albums in total.

Stray Kids is recognized for their music and performances. They have headlined major international music festivals like Lollapalooza (Paris in 2023, Chicago in 2024), BST Hyde Park, and I-Days. They were the first K-pop boy band to do this. Pop culture critic Ha Jae-geun praised Stray Kids for their high-quality performances and music. In August 2024, Stray Kids became the first K-pop artist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone UK. In 2025, they were featured on Forbes Asia's "30 Under 30" list.

Stray Kids' work has inspired other artists. These include Ghost9, Trendz, Dxmon, Nexz, All(H)Ours, WHIB, Commander Man, and KickFlip.

Awards and Achievements

Stray Kids has won many awards throughout their career. On April 19, 2019, Stray Kids won their first music program award with "Miroh" at Show Champion. They have received numerous trophies in South Korea and internationally. These include eleven AAA, six Circle Chart Music Awards, nine The Fact Music Awards, seven Golden Disc Awards, six HMA, seven MAMA Awards, two Japan Gold Disc Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, an iHeartRadio Music Award, an MTV Europe Music Award, an MTV Video Music Award, an MTV Video Music Award Japan, a Nickelodeon Mexico Kids' Choice Award, and a People's Choice Award. They have won six daesang (grand prizes): three consecutive Asia Artist Awards (2021–2023), two consecutive Best Performance awards at the Hanteo Music Awards (2022–2023), and an Asia Star Entertainer Award (2024).

Stray Kids is the first K-pop group to sell over five million album pre-orders. On June 1, 2023, the 5-Star album reportedly exceeded 5.13 million pre-orders. On October 21, 2023, Stray Kids received the Prime Minister's Commendation. This award recognized their public service and excellence. According to Oricon, Stray Kids was one of the top-ten best-selling artists in Japan from 2022 to 2025.

Members of Stray Kids

On October 28, 2019, Woojin left the band. From February to July 2021, Hyunjin was on hiatus but resumed regular activities with the group in August. Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han are also members of the in-house songwriting and production team 3Racha. They are often involved in writing lyrics and composing for the group.

Member Activity Timeline

Discography

Filmography

Films

Television series

Concert Tours

• District 9: Unlock World Tour (2019–2020)
• Maniac World Tour (2022–2023)
• 5-Star Dome Tour (2023)
• Dominate World Tour (2024–2025)

See also

In Spanish: Stray Kids para niños