Stray Kids facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stray Kids
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Stray Kids in January 2026
From left to right: Lee Know, Han, I.N, Felix, Bang Chan, Hyunjin, Seungmin, and Changbin |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | SKZ |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
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| Members |
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Stray Kids (often called SKZ) is a famous South Korean boy band. The group was formed by the entertainment company JYP Entertainment in 2017. Stray Kids consists of eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. A former member named Woojin left the group in 2019.
Unlike many other pop groups, Stray Kids creates their own music. Their main songwriting and producing team is a trio called 3Racha. It includes members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. All other members also help write lyrics and compose melodies. Their energetic music combines styles like K-pop, hip-hop, rock, and electronic beats.
The group was formed through a 2017 television survival show. They officially debuted on March 25, 2018, with the extended play (EP) I Am Not. Since then, they have achieved huge global success. Stray Kids became the first musical act to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with their first nine chart entries. They have sold tens of millions of albums worldwide, performed at major international music festivals, and won numerous music awards.
Contents
History of the Band
How Stray Kids Formed and Debuted (2017–2018)
In August 2017, JYP Entertainment announced a new reality competition show titled Stray Kids. The goal of the show was to see if a group of talented trainees could debut together.
The lineup was formed in a very special way. Instead of company executives picking the trainees, leader Bang Chan personally chose the members himself. The members also created their own group name and designed their own logo. The name "Stray Kids" originally meant young people who were lost while chasing their dreams. Over time, it grew to mean finding a path out of the ordinary together.
Before the television show aired on October 17, 2017, the group released a music video called "Hellevator". During the show, members Lee Know and Felix were temporarily eliminated. However, they were brought back for the final lineup because of their teamwork and talent.
On January 8, 2018, Stray Kids released a pre-debut mini-album titled Mixtape. It contained seven songs written and composed by the members during the television show. The EP reached number two on both the South Korean Gaon Album Chart and the US Billboard World Albums chart.
Stray Kids officially debuted on March 25, 2018, with a big showcase concert at the Jangchung Arena. The next day, they released their debut EP, I Am Not, along with the music video for the main song, "District 9". The album sold over 54,000 copies in its first month.
Later in 2018, the group completed their I Am album trilogy. They released their second EP, I Am Who, featuring the energetic track "My Pace" in August. In October, they released their third EP, I Am You. They also performed overseas for the first time at KCON Japan.
The Clé Series and Group Changes (2019)
In early 2019, Stray Kids started their first international concert tour called the Unveil Tour "I Am...". They performed in cities across Asia, Australia, the United States, and Europe. They also traveled across South Korea on their Hi Stay Tour.
To celebrate their first anniversary on March 25, 2019, Stray Kids released a new EP named Clé 1: Miroh. The word "Clé" means "key" in French, and "Miroh" means "maze" in Korean. On April 14, the title track "Miroh" gave Stray Kids their very first music show trophy on the television show M Countdown.
In June 2019, the group released a special album titled Clé 2: Yellow Wood, featuring the electronic-rock song "Side Effects". In October, they released a digital single titled "Double Knot".
In late October 2019, member Woojin left the group due to personal reasons. Stray Kids reorganized as an eight-member group. They released the song "Astronaut" in November, followed by the EP Clé: Levanter in December. They ended the year by launching their "Mixtape Project" with the fun song "Mixtape: Gone Days".
Rising to Global Fame and Go Live (2020)
Stray Kids started 2020 by releasing English versions of their popular songs "Double Knot" and "Levanter". In March 2020, they made their official Japanese debut with the compilation album SKZ2020, released through Epic Records Japan.
In June 2020, the band released their first Japanese single, "Top". The song was used as the opening theme for the popular anime series Tower of God. The single reached number one on the Japanese Oricon chart. Stray Kids became only the fourth foreign male act in history to reach number one on Oricon with a debut single.
On June 17, 2020, Stray Kids released their first full-length Korean studio album, Go Live. The lead single, "God's Menu", became a massive breakthrough hit. Its cooking theme, strong beats, and creative choreography gained millions of fans worldwide. Go Live became the group's first album to be certified platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).
In September 2020, the group released an expanded version of the album called In Life, featuring the hit song "Back Door". The prestigious news magazine Time listed "Back Door" as one of the Top 10 Best Songs of 2020. It was the only song by a Korean musical act on that list. In November 2020, Stray Kids released their first Japanese EP, All In, and held their first online concert.
Kingdom Victory and Million-Selling Records (2021)
In early 2021, Stray Kids joined the television competition show Kingdom: Legendary War. Six top K-pop boy groups competed by creating huge, theatrical performances. Stray Kids won the entire competition on June 3, 2021, earning high praise for their creative staging and energy.
In March 2021, the group collaborated with Swedish DJ Alesso and Chinese producer Corsak on the song "Going Dumb" for the mobile game PUBG Mobile. In June, they released the surprise single "Mixtape: Oh", which reached number one on the US Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.
On August 23, 2021, Stray Kids released their second full-length album, Noeasy. The lead single, "Thunderous", mixed modern hip-hop beats with traditional Korean instruments and dance. Noeasy sold over 1.1 million copies, making it the group's very first million-selling album.
In late 2021, the band released their second Japanese single "Scars", a special holiday album titled Christmas EveL, and a compilation album called SKZ2021.
Chart-Topping Albums and World Tours (2022–2023)
In February 2022, Stray Kids signed an international partnership with the American music company Republic Records. On March 18, 2022, they released their sixth EP, Oddinary, with the main track "Maniac".
Oddinary was a historic milestone. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. Stray Kids became only the third Korean musical group in history to reach the top of this major chart. To celebrate, they launched the massive Maniac World Tour, performing in stadiums and arenas across Asia, Australia, and North America.
In October 2022, Stray Kids released the EP Maxident and its lead song "Case 143". Maxident also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold over three million copies worldwide.
The success continued in 2023. In February, Stray Kids released their first full Japanese album, The Sound, which topped the Oricon chart. On June 2, 2023, they released their third Korean studio album, 5-Star, featuring the hit song "S-Class". The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and sold over five million copies. The music video for "S-Class" won Best K-Pop at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
In July 2023, Stray Kids became the first K-pop group to headline the famous Lollapalooza music festival in Paris, France. In November 2023, they released the EP Rock-Star. The album topped the Billboard 200, and its energetic title song "Lalalala" became the band's first entry on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Global Headliners and Historic Records (2024–2026)
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In early 2024, Stray Kids performed at a charity concert in Paris organized by Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France. In May 2024, the entire group attended the famous Met Gala fashion event in New York City as guests of designer Tommy Hilfiger. They were the first complete K-pop group to walk the Met Gala red carpet together.
In July 2024, all eight members renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment. They released the EP Ate, featuring the catchy track "Chk Chk Boom". The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making them the first group ever to have their first five chart entries all reach number one. That summer, they headlined major music festivals including BST Hyde Park in London, I-Days in Milan, and Lollapalooza in Chicago. They also began their massive Dominate World Tour.
In late 2024, Stray Kids released the Japanese album Giant and a hip-hop mixtape titled Hop, led by the track "Walkin on Water". Hop became their sixth straight album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. They also recorded songs for major film and television projects, including "Slash" for Deadpool & Wolverine and "Come Play" for the animated show Arcane.
In 2025, the band continued their record-breaking streak. They released their fourth Korean studio album, Karma, with the title track "Ceremony", followed by the mixtape Do It. Both albums topped the Billboard 200, extending their unbroken record to eight consecutive number-one debuts.
In 2026, Stray Kids released the special song "Stay" to celebrate their eighth anniversary, and headlined the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York. In August 2026, they released their tenth Korean EP, This & That, with the lead single "Run It". The album marked their ninth consecutive number-one debut on the Billboard 200. By 2026, Stray Kids had sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.
Musical Style and Artistry
Music Genres and the "Mala Taste" Sound
Stray Kids is well known for creating intense, unique, and experimental music. Their songs combine many different musical genres, including:
- Hip-hop and rap
- Electronic dance music (EDM), dubstep, and psytrance
- Rock and heavy metal
- Traditional Korean musical elements
After releasing "God's Menu" in 2020, critics and fans started calling their style "mala taste music" (Korean: 마라맛 음악). This name comes from the spicy Chinese mala spice. Just like spicy food gives a strong, unforgettable kick, Stray Kids' songs are powerful, punchy, and full of surprising sound effects.
The group loves experimenting with new sounds. In "Side Effects", they used intense electronic beats to show feeling overwhelmed. In "Thunderous", they mixed modern digital synthesizers with the kkwaenggwari (a traditional Korean brass gong) and traditional Korean drums. In "Maniac", they added quirky bird-chirping noises to a deep bass beat.
How Stray Kids Writes and Produces Music
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Stray Kids is famous for being a "self-producing" idol group. This means the members write their own lyrics, compose their own melodies, and arrange the songs in the studio.
The core production unit of the group is called 3Racha. It is made up of three members:
- Bang Chan – Group leader, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
- Changbin – Fast rapper, lyricist, and producer
- Han – Talented rapper, high-note vocalist, and producer
All eight members contribute to creating songs. On their official YouTube channel, they share original songs and dance routines through special video series like SKZ-Record, SKZ-Player, and SKZ Song Camp.
Inspiring Song Lyrics and Themes
Stray Kids writes songs that connect closely with teenagers and young adults. Their lyrics explore important life topics:
- Finding Your Own Identity: Early songs like "District 9", "My Pace", and "Voices" talk about the pressure to fit in and the journey of figuring out who you truly are.
- Moving at Your Own Speed: The song "My Pace" shares the message that you should not compare yourself to others because everyone grows at their own pace.
- Overcoming Doubts and Obstacles: Songs like "Miroh" and "Side Effects" encourage listeners to be brave when facing difficult mazes in life.
- Celebrating Uniqueness: In "Maniac" and "S-Class", the band encourages fans to embrace their quirks and stand out rather than trying to blend in.
- Fun Wordplay: The group is clever with song titles. For example, the album title Noeasy sounds like the word "noisy", poking fun at critics who said their music was too loud.
Creative Stage Performances
Stray Kids is widely recognized as one of the best performing groups in K-pop. They have won multiple grand prizes (called daesangs) for their stage performances.
Their live stages are famous for:
- Energetic and complex choreography
- Creative props like giant flags, traditional fans, and light effects
- Theatrical storylines and acting
- Strong live singing and rapping
During their performances of "God's Menu", the dancers act out chopping, stirring, and seasoning food to fit the cooking theme. When performing "Thunderous", they combine modern street dance with traditional Korean folklore characters like the dokkaebi (goblin) and traditional lion dancers.
Group Members
Stray Kids has eight active members. Each member brings a unique talent to the team:
- Bang Chan (Christopher Bang) – The leader of the group. He is a skilled producer, songwriter, singer, and dancer who grew up in Sydney, Australia.
- Lee Know (Lee Min-ho) – The main dancer and vocalist. He was a professional backup dancer before joining the group.
- Changbin (Seo Chang-bin) – A powerful main rapper, songwriter, and producer known for his fast delivery.
- Hyunjin (Hwang Hyun-jin) – A charismatic main dancer, rapper, visual artist, and painter.
- Han (Han Ji-sung) – An all-around talent who acts as a main rapper, lead vocalist, and songwriter.
- Felix (Felix Lee) – A dancer and rapper famous for his incredibly deep voice. He was born in Sydney, Australia.
- Seungmin (Kim Seung-min) – A main vocalist known for his steady and clear singing voice.
- I.N (Yang Jeong-in) – The youngest member (the maknae) and a skilled vocalist.
Former Member:
- Woojin (Kim Woo-jin) – Vocalist who left the group in October 2019.
Member Roles and Lineup Timeline
Other Activities and Impact
Fashion and Commercial Endorsements
Stray Kids has worked with many popular global brands in fashion, technology, and food.
In 2023, the American fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger selected Stray Kids as their official ambassadors. In 2024, the entire group made history by attending the Met Gala together in custom Tommy Hilfiger suits.
Individual members also represent major luxury fashion houses:
- Hyunjin – Global ambassador for Versace, Cartier, and Guess
- Felix – Global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, where he walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week
- Bang Chan – Brand ambassador for Fendi
- Lee Know – Brand ambassador for Gucci
- I.N – Brand ambassador for Bottega Veneta and Damiani
- Seungmin – Brand ambassador for Burberry
- Changbin – Brand ambassador for Autry
- Han – Brand ambassador for Tod's
The group also created cute animal character counterparts called SKZoo. These characters have appeared in official merchandise, video games like Roblox, toys with Tamagotchi, and clothing collaborations.
Helping Others and Charity Work
Stray Kids is well known for supporting charitable causes and helping people in need. Fans often call them "Donation Idols" because of their generosity.
The band regularly takes part in JYP Entertainment's "Every Dream Matters" (EDM) program. Through this project, they have met with children with serious illnesses to help make their dreams come true and raised money to pay for medical treatments.
In April 2025, Stray Kids donated 800 million Korean won (about $600,000 USD) to disaster relief organizations to help families and firefighters affected by large wildfires in South Korea. In November 2025, they donated one million Hong Kong dollars to the Red Cross to help victims of a residential building fire.
Global Influence and Legacy
Stray Kids is recognized as one of the most influential pop music groups of their generation. In 2023, Time named them on their list of Next Generation Leaders. In 2025, Forbes Asia included them on their 30 Under 30 list.
The South Korean government awarded Stray Kids the prestigious Prime Minister's Commendation at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards to honor their role in spreading Korean culture around the globe. In 2026, scientists in Myanmar discovered an ancient fossil of a water bug preserved in amber and named it Carcinonepa libererrantes in honor of Stray Kids.
Discography
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Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role |
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| 2023 | SKZflix | Themselves |
| 2026 | The Dominate Experience | Themselves |
Television Programs
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 2017 | Stray Kids | Contestants | Survival show that formed the group |
| 2019 | Finding SKZ | Cast members | Reality variety show |
| 2020 | Finding SKZ God Edition | Cast members | Reality variety show |
| 2021 | Kingdom: Legendary War | Contestants | Competition show winners |
| Kingdom Week <No+> | Cast members | Special variety show | |
| 2022 | Finding SKZ Get Edition | Cast members | Reality variety show |
| 2023 | Stray Kids Tokyo Mission Tour | Cast members | Japanese travel variety show |
| 2026 | Soul Beam | Cast members | Korean New Year holiday special |
Major Concert Tours
- District 9: Unlock World Tour (2019–2020)
- Maniac World Tour (2022–2023)
- 5-Star Dome Tour (2023)
- Dominate World Tour (2024–2025)
- Run It World Tour (2026–2027)
See also
In Spanish: Stray Kids para niños
