Stray Kids facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stray Kids
Stray Kids in May 2024 From left to right: Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Seungmin, I.N, and Felix
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

Stray Kids (often called SKZ) is a popular South Korean boy band. JYP Entertainment formed the group. The band has eight talented members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. A former member, Woojin, left the band in 2019.

Stray Kids is known for creating much of its own music. Their main production team is called 3Racha. It includes Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. Other members also often help write songs. Bang Chan, the leader, personally chose each member for the group. This was a unique way to form a K-pop band.

The group released their first unofficial album, Mixtape, in January 2018. They officially debuted on March 25, 2018, with the EP I Am Not. This was followed by the I Am series of EPs. In 2019, they released the Clé trilogy.

Stray Kids' first studio album, Go Live (2020), became their first album to be certified platinum in Korea. In 2020, Stray Kids also debuted in Japan. Their first Japanese single, "Top", reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart.

In 2021, their second studio album, Noeasy, sold over a million copies. In 2022, they signed with Republic Records for promotions in the United States. Since then, their EPs Oddinary, Maxident (both 2022), Rock-Star (2023), and Ate (2024) have all reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Their studio albums 5-Star (2023) and Karma (2025), and mixtapes Hop (2024) and Do It (2025) also topped the Billboard 200. This made them the first act to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 with their first eight charted releases.

The Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) certified 5-Star with five million album sales. This made Stray Kids the third group to achieve this in Korea. In 2023, Time magazine included the band on its list of Next Generation Leaders. As of December 2024, Stray Kids has sold over 31 million albums in total.

The Meaning Behind Stray Kids' Name

Logo of Stray Kids.

The members of Stray Kids came up with their own name and logo. The name "Stray Kids" first meant a lost child chasing their dreams. It later grew to mean finding a way to be unique together.

Stray Kids' Journey: From Debut to Global Stars

How Stray Kids Formed and Their Early Music

In August 2017, JYP Entertainment (JYPE) announced a new reality show. This show aimed to create a new male idol group. More details came out, including the show's name, Stray Kids. Before the show started on October 17, JYPE released Stray Kids' first music video, "Hellevator." This song later became a digital single.

During the show, two members, Lee Know and Felix, were briefly eliminated. However, they returned for the final nine-member group. It was later shared that leader Bang Chan chose each member. He picked them from JYPE trainees, which was unusual for K-pop groups.

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

JYPE launched Stray Kids' official website. They also announced the group's first EP, Mixtape. The members helped write and compose its seven songs. It included "Hellevator" and other songs from the show. The EP was released on January 8, 2018. It quickly reached number two on the Gaon Album Chart and the Billboard World Albums chart.

On March 25, the group held their debut concert. The next day, they officially debuted with the EP I Am Not. Its title track was "District 9." I Am Not debuted at number four on the Gaon Album Chart. Stray Kids performed at KCON Japan 2018. This was their first performance outside Korea. They released two more EPs in 2018: I Am Who and I Am You. These completed their "I Am" series.

The Clé Series and Changes in the Group

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

In early 2019, Stray Kids went on their Unveil Tour "I Am..." across Asia. They also toured South Korea. On March 5, JYPE announced their fourth EP, Clé 1: Miroh. This marked their first anniversary. On April 14, the group won their first music show award for "Miroh" on M Countdown. They released a special album, Clé 2: Yellow Wood, on June 19.

Stray Kids released the digital single "Double Knot" on October 9, 2019. They also announced their District 9 Unlock World Tour. On October 28, JYPE announced that member Kim Woojin left the group due to personal reasons. The release of their fifth EP, Clé: Levanter, was postponed. On November 13, the group released the music video for "Astronaut." This was their first single as an eight-member group. Clé: Levanter was released on December 9. The group also released "Mixtape: Gone Days" on December 26. This was the first song from their Mixtape Project.

Japanese Debut and Global Recognition

Stray Kids released English versions of "Double Knot" and "Levanter" in January 2020. Their debut Japanese album, SKZ2020, came out through Epic Records Japan. It included new recordings and Japanese versions of their songs. On March 26, they released "Mixtape: On Track."

On June 3, Stray Kids released their first Japanese single, "Top." It was used as a theme song for the anime Tower of God. The single reached number one on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart. This made Stray Kids the fourth foreign male artist to achieve this with their first single.

On June 17, Stray Kids released their first Korean studio album, Go Live. Its lead single was "God's Menu." Go Live became their best-selling album at the time. It debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart. The Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) certified it platinum in August 2020. Time magazine ranked "Back Door" eighth on its list of the 10 Best Songs of 2020.

Stray Kids' first Japanese EP, All In, was released on November 4. It included Japanese versions of "God's Menu" and "Back Door." On November 22, the group held their first online concert, "Unlock: Go Live In Life."

Kingdom Win and Million-Selling Albums

At the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Stray Kids was announced for Kingdom: Legendary War. This was a boy-group competition show. On May 28, 2021, Stray Kids released "Wolfgang" for the final round. The band won the program on June 3. 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 on February 20, 2021. They also worked with Swedish producer Alesso and Chinese DJ Corsak. They released the Korean version of "Going Dumb" for PUBG Mobile on March 19. The song appeared on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

Stray Kids released "Mixtape: Oh" on June 26 without prior announcement. It debuted at number one on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. The group released their second studio album, Noeasy, on August 23, 2021. It debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart. It sold over 1.1 million copies and was certified million by the KMCA. This made Stray Kids the first JYP Entertainment act to sell over one million copies of an album. The lead single, "Thunderous", earned six music program wins.

The group released their second Japanese single, "Scars"/"Thunderous (Japanese ver.)", on October 13. A Christmas-themed album, Christmas EveL, was released on November 29. It topped the Gaon Album Chart and was certified double platinum. Stray Kids ended 2021 with the compilation album SKZ2021 on December 23.

Breaking Records with Oddinary and Maxident

On February 10, 2022, Stray Kids signed with Republic Records for US promotions. The group held their second fan meeting in February. Stray Kids released their sixth EP, Oddinary, on March 18. The EP reached number one in South Korea, Finland, Poland, and the United States. It sold over 1.5 million copies in March. It was the first Stray Kids album to appear on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. They were the third Korean act to top the latter chart. Its lead single, "Maniac", appeared on the UK Singles Chart.

To support Oddinary, Stray Kids began their second concert tour, the Maniac World Tour, on April 29. On June 22, Stray Kids released their second Japanese EP, Circus. The group released "Mixtape: Time Out" on August 1 to celebrate their fandom's anniversary.

Before their seventh EP, Maxident, Stray Kids released "Heyday." Maxident and its lead single, "Case 143", were released on October 7, 2022. The EP debuted at number one in South Korea, Poland, and the United States. It was their second consecutive number-one album in the US. Maxident became Stray Kids' first album to sell over two million and three million copies. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Stray Kids as the seventh-best-selling artist of 2022.

Continued Global Success in 2023

Stray Kids' first Japanese studio album, The Sound, was released on February 22, 2023. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart. The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified it double platinum. On June 2, 2023, the group released their third studio album, 5-Star, with the lead single "S-Class." The album 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 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 the 5-Star Dome Tour in South Korea and Japan. The group headlined the Lollapalooza music festival in Paris, France, on July 21. Their third Japanese EP, Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.), was released on September 6. It became their second number one in Japan.

In October, Stray Kids was featured on a remix of Lil Durk's "All My Life." They released their eighth Korean EP, Rock-Star, on November 10. Its lead single was "Lalalala." The EP reached number one in South Korea and the United States. "Lalalala" became their first song on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2023, Stray Kids received the Prime Minister's Commendation. They also performed at the Japanese New Year's Eve special 74th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. IFPI named Stray Kids the third best-selling artist of 2023.

2024: More Chart Toppers and Global Performances

In January 2024, Stray Kids performed in Paris at a charity event. The group, along with other JYP artists, collaborated with Coca-Cola for a "K-Wave" edition of Coke Zero Sugar. They released the song "Like Magic."

Stray Kids held two fan meetings in 2024. They performed the theme song "Why?" for a Japanese drama. Stray Kids attended the 2024 Met Gala as guests of designer Tommy Hilfiger. They were the first K-pop group where all members appeared together at the Met Gala. They released the single "Lose My Breath", featuring Charlie Puth, on May 10. The song reached number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On July 18, 2024, JYP announced that Stray Kids members renewed their contracts. The band's ninth Korean EP, Ate, and its lead single, "Chk Chk Boom", were released the next day. The EP 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 releases. "Chk Chk Boom" also reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart and number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group headlined major music festivals like I-Days in Milan and BST Hyde Park in London. They also started the Dominate World Tour in August.

In October 2024, Stray Kids became the second K-pop group to perform at the American Music Awards. The band released their second Japanese studio album, Giant, on November 13. On December 13, they issued the mixtape Hop, with the lead single "Walkin on Water." This mixtape introduced the 'SKZhop' genre. It reached number one in South Korea and the United States. Stray Kids became the first act to top the Billboard 200 with their first six charted releases. In 2024, Stray Kids also performed soundtrack songs for Deadpool & Wolverine and Arcane. IFPI named Stray Kids the fifth best-selling artist in 2024.

2025: New Milestones and Global Tours

In 2025, Stray Kids held their fifth fan meeting, SKZ 5'Clock, in February. The group released the single album Mixtape: Dominate on March 21. This was the fifth part of their "Mixtape Project" series. They released the Japanese EP 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 lead single was "Ceremony." The 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 entries. The album sold 3.03 million copies in its first week. This made it the best-selling 2025 album in South Korea.

To end the Dominate World Tour, Stray Kids held an encore concert in October. Following the tour, Stray Kids announced their second mixtape, Do It, released on November 21. The title track and "Divine" were the main singles. The album reached number one in South Korea and the United States. Stray Kids officially became the first act to top the Billboard 200 with their first eight charted releases. The band was featured on the track "In the Dark" from DJ Snake's album Nomad. From December 2025 to April 2026, the group is holding an exhibition in Japan. This exhibition celebrates the fifth anniversary of their Japanese debut.

Stray Kids' Unique Artistry

Musical Style: "Mala Taste Music"

Stray Kids' music is a mix of hip-hop, dubstep, heavy metal, electroclash, and dance-pop. People have described their sound as "dark and experimental." After their album Go Live, some media outlets called Stray Kids pioneers of "mala taste music." This name comes from the hot, spicy mala seasoning. It became a popular music trend among K-pop boy groups.

At first, some people criticized their songs for being too "noisy." But with the album Noeasy, they embraced this criticism. They said the term was "something that [they] could use as [their] own weapon." The band wants their music to be seen as a new genre. In a 2023 interview with Time, they said, "The goal is to continuously pioneer new [musical] subjects and to have our music be recognized as a 'Stray Kids' genre."

Stray Kids has always experimented with music. Their debut song, "District 9," mixes hip-hop, rock, and EDM. "Side Effects" was an EDM-pop song inspired by psytrance. "God's Menu" introduced their "mala taste" genre, meaning hot and spicy songs. In "Thunderous", they blended traditional Korean instruments with modern sounds. "Maniac" is a powerful trap song with Middle Eastern influences. "Case 143" is a pop song with intense rap. "S-Class" combines hip hop, old school, and pop. "Lalalala" is rock-leaning phonk music with a strong rap tone.

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 a "self-producing" idol group. Its members are deeply involved in writing and composing their music. The band's in-house production team, 3Racha, includes Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. They have released their own songs on SoundCloud since 2017. All members are important to the music-making process. They also have YouTube projects like SKZ-Record and SKZ-Player. Here, members produce, choreograph, or cover songs.

The main theme in Stray Kids' early songs was finding their identity. This was seen in their I Am... and Clé album series. "District 9" showed frustration about people questioning their identity. "My Pace" taught that everyone has their own speed and not to compare themselves to others. "I Am You" thanked fans for support. "Miroh" showed their strength to enter a "maze" to achieve dreams. "Side Effects" was about doing what they chose, even with challenges. "Levanter" implied that the answers they sought were within themselves.

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

Stray Kids' B-sides often explore self-reflection. Songs like "Mirror" and "3rd Eye" discuss finding one's true self. "Awaken" stresses fighting to break free. Some songs, like "Case 143" from Maxident, explore new themes like romantic love.

Stray Kids often uses wordplay in their lyrics and song titles. For example, Go Live combines "go" with the Korean word for "life." This also sounds like the Korean word for "hardship." The title of Noeasy sounds like "noisy." The Korean title of "Thunderous" means "singers of pansori," but also "someone who does sound very well." The Korean title of "Lalalala" is a wordplay with "rock," meaning "pleasure."

Stage Performance and Concept Aesthetics

Stray Kids is known for their amazing stage performances. They have won many top awards for their performances. These include the Performance of the Year award at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards (AAA). They are also called "K-Performance Leaders." Experts and media praise their performances at award shows.

Stray Kids is also known as "Concept Matjib" (meaning a place with great concepts). Their concepts are shown in their dances, music videos, outfits, and music style. Their stylist, Doooho, is praised for their outfits. "God's Menu" choreography includes mixing, frying, and chopping. "Back Door" uses door-knocking moves. In the "Thunderous" music video, members danced in dokkaebi styles with traditional Korean elements. For "Maniac," they referenced Frankenstein's monster.

Stray Kids uses choreography and stage props for 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 show for "God's Menu."

The group won the 2021 competition show Kingdom: Legendary War. Industry experts praised their creative performances. They used visual effects, acrobatic dances, and acting. Their performance of "God's Menu" and Blackpink's "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" with a Deadpool concept was highly praised. Even actor Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman complimented them. This led to Stray Kids contributing to the soundtrack for Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).

Other Activities and Contributions

Brand Endorsements

Stray Kids has worked with many brands. In February 2018, they became models for Jambangee Jeans. They also became models for Ivy Club and partnered with Minute Maid Sparkling. They promoted CGV's Youth Brand Festival.

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

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

In 2022, Stray Kids became the muse for Mahagrid's summer campaign. They were also ambassadors for the Philippine clothing brand Bench. They again served as models for Lotte Duty Free. In 2023, they were selected as models for SLBS phone accessories and Ultra Milk.

In 2024, Bioré UV chose Stray Kids for its 2025 global campaign. In 2025, the group became a global ambassador for Pepero cookie sticks. Their character SKZoo collaborated with Tamagotchi, Baby Milo, and Disney's Zootopia 2.

Fashion Influence

Stray Kids was chosen as the Asian ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger for their campaigns in Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Fall 2024. 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.

Individually, members are ambassadors for various brands. Hyunjin is a global ambassador for Versace (July 2023) and an ambassador for Cartier (September 2024). Felix is a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton (August 2023). In 2025, Bang Chan became an ambassador for Fendi, I.N for Bottega Veneta and Damiani, Seungmin for Burberry, and Lee Know for Gucci.

Philanthropy: Giving Back to the Community

Stray Kids is known as "Donation Idol" for their charity work. They participate in JYP Entertainment's "Every Dream Matters!" (EDM) campaign. This campaign helps children with serious illnesses. In 2021, Bang Chan hosted the JYP EDM Day. In February 2023, they helped grant wishes for children with incurable diseases. In December, Bang Chan hosted the 2023 JYP EDM Day. They shared results of EDM projects and Stray Kids' mentoring for young aspiring singers and dancers.

On April 1, 2025, Stray Kids donated 800 million won. This went to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association and World Vision. The funds helped residents affected by large wildfires in Gyeongsang regions. In November 2025, Stray Kids donated HK$1 million to the Hong Kong Red Cross. This followed a large apartment complex fire in Tai Po.

Stray Kids' Global Impact

Time magazine featured Stray Kids in its 2023 Next Generation Leaders list. This was for their success in global markets. Rolling Stone UK called them the biggest band in the world. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Stray Kids as the seventh-best-selling artist globally in 2022. In 2023, Stray Kids was the first K-Pop group to have over five million album pre-orders for 5-Star. 5-Star and Rock-Star were the second- and ninth-best-selling albums worldwide in 2023. IFPI named Stray Kids the third-best-selling artist globally that year.

Stray Kids also became the first act to break the record of six consecutive Billboard 200 No. 1 albums. This streak continued with Oddinary, Maxident, 5-Star, Rock-Star, Ate, Hop, Karma, and Do It. As of December 2024, Stray Kids had sold over 31 million albums.

Stray Kids is recognized for their music and performances. They have headlined major international music festivals. These include Lollapalooza (Paris in 2023, Chicago in 2024), BST Hyde Park, and I-Days. They were the first K-pop boy band to do so. 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 on the cover of Rolling Stone UK. In 2025, the band appeared on Forbes Asia's Forbes 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. On April 19, 2019, they won their first music program award with "Miroh" at Show Champion. They have received many trophies in South Korea and internationally. These include eleven Asia Artist Awards, six Circle Chart Music Awards, nine The Fact Music Awards, seven Golden Disc Awards, six Hanteo Music Awards, 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). These include three consecutive Asia Artist Awards (2021–2023). They also won two consecutive Best Performance awards at the Hanteo Music Awards (2022–2023). They received an Asia Star Entertainer Award (2024).

Stray Kids is also the first K-pop group to have over five million pre-orders for their album 5-Star. This was reported on June 1, 2023. On October 21, 2023, Stray Kids received the Prime Minister's Commendation. This recognized their public service and excellence. According to Oricon, Stray Kids was the fifth best-selling artist in Japan from 2022 to 2024.

Meet the Members of Stray Kids

On October 28, 2019, member Woojin left the band and his contract with JYP Entertainment due to personal reasons. From February to July 2021, Hyunjin took a temporary break from group activities. He returned to regular activities with the group in August. Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han are also part of the songwriting and production team 3Racha. They are often involved in writing lyrics and composing for the group.

Member Timeline

Stray Kids' Music: Discography

Stray Kids on Screen: Filmography

Television series

Short films

Stray Kids Live: 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