Stray Kids facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stray Kids
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Stray Kids in May 2024
From left to right: Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Seungmin, I.N, and Felix |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
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| Members |
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| Past members | |
Stray Kids (Hangul: 스트레이 키즈; RR: Seuteurei Kijeu; often called SKZ) is a popular South Korean boy band. They were formed by JYP Entertainment. The group has eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. Woojin left the group in October 2019.
Stray Kids often write and produce their own songs. Their main production team is called 3Racha. It includes Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. Other members also help write songs.
The group was first shown in a reality TV show in 2017. They released their first mini-album, Mixtape, in January 2018. Their official debut was on March 25 with the mini-album I Am Not. This was followed by I Am Who and I Am You. These completed their I Am series. In 2019, they released the Clé series: Clé 1: Miroh, Clé 2: Yellow Wood, and Clé: Levanter.
Their first full album, Go Live (2020), became their first album to sell over a million copies. That year, Stray Kids also debuted in Japan with the album SKZ2020. Their first Japanese single, "Top", reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart. They were the fourth foreign male group to do this.
In 2021, Stray Kids' second album, Noeasy, sold over a million copies. In 2022, they signed with Republic Records for promotions in the United States. Since then, they have released several mini-albums and full albums. These include Oddinary, Maxident (both 2022), Rock-Star (2023), and Ate (2024). Their third full album, 5-Star (2023), and first mixtape, Hop (2024), also came out.
All six of these releases reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. This made them the first group to have their first six albums debut at the top of this chart. 5-Star sold over five million copies in Korea. In 2023, Time magazine named them "Next Generation Leaders." By December 2024, Stray Kids had sold over 31 million albums worldwide.
Contents
What Does "Stray Kids" Mean?
JYP Entertainment did not give the band its name. The members came up with "Stray Kids" themselves. It first meant a lost child chasing their dreams. Now, it means finding a unique path together.
How Stray Kids Started and Grew
2017–2018: Beginning and First Albums
In August 2017, JYP Entertainment (JYPE) announced a new reality show. The show aimed to create a new male idol group. This show was called Stray Kids. Before the show started, Stray Kids released their first music video, "Hellevator." This song was later released as a digital single. Two members, Lee Know and Felix, were briefly eliminated but returned to the final nine-member group.
Stray Kids released their first mini-album, Mixtape, on January 8, 2018. The members helped write and compose all seven songs. The album did very well, reaching number two on the Gaon Album Chart in Korea and the Billboard World Albums chart.
On March 25, the group held their first concert. The next day, they officially debuted with the mini-album I Am Not. Its main song was "District 9." I Am Not sold over 54,000 copies in March.
Stray Kids performed overseas for the first time at KCON Japan 2018 on April 14. They released their second mini-album, I Am Who, on August 6, 2018, with the song "My Pace." Their third mini-album, I Am You, came out on October 22, 2018.
2019: Clé Series and a Member Leaves
In early 2019, Stray Kids went on their "Unveil Tour 'I Am...'" across Asia. They also toured South Korea. On March 25, they released their fourth mini-album, Clé 1: Miroh, to celebrate their first year. On April 14, they won their first music show award for "Miroh" on M Countdown. On June 19, they released a special album, Clé 2: Yellow Wood, with the song "Side Effects."
Stray Kids released the song "Double Knot" on October 9, 2019. They also announced their "District 9 Unlock World Tour." Their fifth mini-album, Clé: Levanter, was planned for November 25. However, on October 28, JYPE announced that Kim Woojin had left the group. The album release was then postponed. On November 13, they released "Astronaut," their first song as an eight-member group. Cle: Levanter was released on December 9.
2020: Japanese Debut and New Albums
On January 24, 2020, Stray Kids released English versions of "Double Knot" and "Levanter." They debuted in Japan with the album SKZ2020. This album included Japanese versions of their past songs. On June 3, they released their first Japanese single, "Top." This song was used for the anime Tower of God. "Top" reached number one on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart.
On June 17, Stray Kids released their first full Korean album, Go Live, with the song "God's Menu". This album became their best-selling album at the time. It sold over 243,000 copies in its first month. In August 2020, it was certified platinum. On September 14, they re-released the album as In Life. Time magazine called their song "Back Door" one of the 10 best songs of 2020.
On November 4, Stray Kids released their first Japanese mini-album, All In. On November 22, they held their first online concert, "Unlock: Go Live In Life."
2021: Kingdom Win and Noeasy
In 2021, Stray Kids joined the TV competition show Kingdom: Legendary War. They released a song called "Wolfgang" for the final round. On June 3, they won the competition. This earned them their own reality show.
Stray Kids held their first fan meeting on February 20, 2021. They also worked with Swedish producer Alesso and Chinese DJ Corsak on the song "Going Dumb" for the game PUBG. This song reached number 13 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
On June 26, they released "Mixtape: Oh". This song reached number one on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. The group released their second full album, Noeasy, on August 23, 2021. It was their first album to sell over 1.1 million copies. The main song, "Thunderous", won six music show awards.
They released their second Japanese single, "Scars"/"Thunderous (Japanese ver.)", on October 13. A Christmas-themed album, Christmas EveL, was released on November 29. It sold over 743,000 copies.
2022: Oddinary, Circus, and Maxident
On February 10, 2022, Stray Kids signed with Republic Records for promotions in the United States. They released their sixth mini-album, Oddinary, on March 18. 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", was their first song on the UK Singles Chart.
To support Oddinary, Stray Kids started their "Maniac World Tour" on April 29. On June 22, they released their second Japanese mini-album, Circus. They also released the song "Mixtape: Time Out" on August 1 to celebrate their fandom's anniversary.
Their seventh mini-album, Maxident, and its main song "Case 143" were released on October 7, 2022. Maxident became their second album to reach number one in the US. It was also their first album to sell over three million copies. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) named Stray Kids the seventh-best-selling artist of 2022.
2023: 5-Star and Rock-Star
Stray Kids' first Japanese full album, The Sound, was released on February 22, 2023. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart in Japan. On June 2, 2023, the group released their third full album, 5-Star, with the song "S-Class". This album reached number one in many countries, including South Korea, France, and the United States. It sold over five million copies. "S-Class" won the Best K-Pop Video at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Stray Kids held their third fan meeting and started the 5-Star Dome Tour in South Korea and Japan. They also performed at the Lollapalooza music festival in Paris. Their third Japanese mini-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 worked on a remix of Lil Durk's "All My Life." They released their eighth Korean mini-album, Rock-Star, on November 10, with the song "Lalalala." This song was their first to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. IFPI named Stray Kids the third best-selling artist of 2023.
2024–Present: Ate and Hop
In January 2024, Stray Kids performed at a charity event in Paris, France. They also worked with Coca-Cola for a special "K-Wave" Coke Zero Sugar.
Stray Kids held fan meetings in Seoul, Osaka, and Saitama in 2024. They released the song "Why?" for a Japanese TV drama. Stray Kids made history at the 2024 Met Gala as the first K-pop group where all members attended together. They released "Lose My Breath" with American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth on May 10.
On July 18, 2024, JYP announced that Stray Kids members had renewed their contracts. Their ninth mini-album, Ate, and its main song "Chk Chk Boom" were released the next day. This album reached number one in many countries, including the US. "Chk Chk Boom" also reached higher on the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100. The group headlined major music festivals like I-Days in Milan and BST Hyde Park in London. They also started their "Dominate World Tour".
In October 2024, Stray Kids performed at the American Music Awards. They released their second Japanese full album, Giant, on November 13. On December 13, they released the mixtape Hop, with the song "Walkin on Water". This mixtape combines hip-hop and their unique "SKZhop" style. It reached number one in South Korea and the US. Stray Kids became the first group to have their first six albums top the Billboard 200. They also performed songs for the movies Deadpool & Wolverine and the TV series Arcane.
Stray Kids' Music Style
How Their Music Sounds
Stray Kids' music is inspired by hip-hop, dubstep, heavy metal, electroclash, and dance-pop. It has been called "dark and experimental." After their album Go Live, people started calling their music "mala taste music." This name comes from a hot and spicy Korean seasoning. The band liked this name and used it to describe their strong, unique sound.
Some people first thought their music was too "noisy." But with the album Noeasy, Stray Kids embraced this idea. They said being "noisy" was something they could use as their "own weapon." They want their music to be known as its own genre, the "Stray Kids" genre.
Their debut song "District 9" mixes hip-hop, rock, and EDM. "Side Effects" is an EDM-pop song inspired by psytrance. "God's Menu" uses cooking words to describe their unique sound. In "Thunderous", they mixed modern sounds with traditional Korean instruments. "Maniac" is a powerful trap and electropop song with Middle Eastern influences. "Case 143" is a pop song with strong rap parts. "S-Class" is a hip-hop track with old-school and pop elements. "Lalalala" mixes rock and phonk music.
Songwriting and Themes
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Stray Kids is a "self-producing" group. Their members are almost always involved in writing and composing songs. Their main production team, 3Racha, includes Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. They have been releasing their own songs since 2017. All members also have projects on YouTube where they create or cover songs.
Early Stray Kids songs often talked about finding one's identity. For example, "District 9" showed frustration about people questioning who they were. "My Pace" reminded listeners that everyone has their own speed and shouldn't compare themselves to others. "I Am You" was about thanking fans for their support. "Miroh" showed their strength and desire to face challenges. "Side Effects" was about doing what they chose, even if it had consequences. "Levanter" suggested that the answers they sought were within themselves.
After their early album series, Stray Kids' song themes changed. "God's Menu" introduced their unique sound using cooking words. In "Thunderous", they embraced being called "noisy." "Maniac" encouraged fans to accept their own unique qualities. "S-Class" continued this idea, inviting listeners to shine brightly. "Lalalala" celebrates their journey, finding joy through music even in tough times.
Stray Kids' B-side songs often focus on self-reflection. Songs like "Mirror" and "3rd Eye" talk about finding one's true self. "Awaken" stresses fighting through difficulties. Some songs, like "Case 143" from Maxident, explore new themes like romantic love.
The group is also known for using clever wordplay in their song titles and lyrics. For example, the album title Go Live sounds like "go life" in English, but in Korean, it can also mean "hardship." The title of Noeasy sounds like "noisy."
Stage Performances and Concepts
Stray Kids are known for their amazing stage performances. They have won many top awards for their performances. They are often called "K-Performance Leaders."
The group is also known for their creative concepts in each release. These concepts are shown in their choreography, music videos, and outfits. For "God's Menu," their dance moves included mixing, frying, and chopping. "Back Door" used door-knocking choreography. In the "Thunderous" music video, they used traditional Korean elements like dokkaebi (goblins) and hanok (traditional houses). For "Maniac," they referenced Frankenstein's monster.
Stray Kids use choreography and stage props to make their performances special. For example, at the 35th Golden Disc Awards, they used a huge fan for their "God's Menu" performance. On 2020 SBS Gayo Daejeon, they performed a cooking-themed show.
The group won the 2021 competition show Kingdom: Legendary War. For their introduction stage, they performed "Miroh" with bright lights, wolf tattoos, and acrobatics. In Round One, they performed a mix of "God's Menu" and "Side Effects". This performance showed them fighting to overcome challenges. Experts praised their stage, calling it powerful. For Round Two, they sang BtoB's "I'll be Your Man," showing their vocal skills.
In Round Three, 3Racha (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han) performed a rap song called "Colours." Lee Know, Felix, and I.N performed a dance to Exo's "Wolf." Seungmin sang IU's "Love Poem." For the second part of Round Three, Stray Kids performed a mix of "God's Menu" and Blackpink's "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" with a Deadpool movie theme. This performance was praised by many, including actor Ryan Reynolds. In Round Four, Stray Kids performed "Wolfgang", inspired by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Other Activities
Brand Deals
Stray Kids has worked with many brands. Before their debut, they were models for Jambangee Jeans. They also worked with Ivy Club, Minute Maid Sparkling, and CGV. In 2019, they started endorsing Lotte Duty Free and Pro-Specs sportswear. They also became honorary ambassadors for the Korean Culture and Information Service.
In 2020, Stray Kids became brand ambassadors for Shopee Indonesia. In 2021, they worked with 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. Their 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 continued to work with Lotte Duty Free. In 2023, they were chosen as models for SLBS phone accessories and Ultra Milk. In 2024, Bioré UV chose Stray Kids for their spring campaign.
Fashion
Stray Kids became the Asian ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger for their Fall 2023, Spring, and Fall 2024 campaigns. In May 2024, Stray Kids attended the Met Gala as guests of Tommy Hilfiger. They were the first group to attend the event all together.
Individual members also have fashion deals:
- Hyunjin is a global ambassador for Versace (July 2023) and ambassador for Cartier (September 2024).
- Felix is a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton (August 2023).
- Bang Chan is an ambassador for Fendi (January 2025).
- I.N is an ambassador for Bottega Veneta (January 2025).
Helping Others
Stray Kids are known as "Donation Idols" because they often help others. They take part in JYP Entertainment's "Every Dream Matters!" (EDM) campaign. This campaign helps children with serious illnesses. In 2021 and 2023, Bang Chan hosted EDM Day events to share the campaign's results. In February 2023, they helped grant wishes for children with incurable diseases. They also mentored young Koreans who want to be singers and dancers.
Impact and Achievements
Stray Kids was featured in Time magazine's 2023 Next Generation Leaders list for their global success. Rolling Stone UK called them one of the biggest bands in the world. IFPI named them the seventh-best-selling artist globally in 2022. In 2023, they were the first K-Pop group to have over five million pre-orders for their album 5-Star. IFPI named them the third-best-selling artist globally in 2023.
Stray Kids also made history by being the first act to have their first six albums reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. By December 2024, they had sold over 31 million albums.
The group has performed as a main act at big international music festivals like Lollapalooza (in Paris and Chicago), BST Hyde Park, and I-Days. They were the first K-Pop boy band to do this. In August 2024, Stray Kids became the first K-pop artist to be on the cover of Rolling Stone UK.
Stray Kids' music has inspired other artists like Ghost9, Trendz, and Nexz.
Awards and Wins
Stray Kids has won many awards. On April 19, 2019, they won their first music show award for "Miroh" on Show Champion. They have won many trophies in South Korea and worldwide. These include awards from the Asia Artist Awards, Circle Chart Music Awards, The Fact Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Hanteo Music Awards, MAMA Awards, Japan Gold Disc Award, Billboard Music Award, iHeartRadio Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards Japan, Nickelodeon Mexico Kids' Choice Awards, and People's Choice Awards.
They have won six daesang (grand prize) awards. These include three straight Asia Artist Awards (2021–2023) and two straight best performance awards at the Hanteo Music Awards (2022–2023).
Stray Kids was also the first K-pop group to get over five million pre-orders for their album 5-Star. On October 21, 2023, they received the Prime Minister's Commendation. This award recognized their public service and excellence.
Members
On October 28, 2019, Woojin left the group. From February to July 2021, Hyunjin took a break but returned to group activities in August. Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han are part of the 3Racha production team. They are often involved in writing and composing songs for the group.
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Current members |
Former members |
Member Timeline
Discography
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Filmography
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
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| 2017 | Stray Kids | Contestant | ||
| 2019 | Finding SKZ | Cast member | ||
| 2020 | Finding SKZ God Edition | Cast member | ||
| 2021 | Kingdom: Legendary War | Contestant | Hyunjin did not participate starting from episode 2 | |
| Kingdom Week <No+> | Cast member | |||
| 2022 | Finding SKZ Get Edition | Cast member | ||
| 2023 | Stray Kids Tokyo Mission Tour | Cast member |
Short films
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
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| 2023 | SKZflix | Themselves |
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
