Stray Kids

Changbin

Hyunjin

Han

Felix

Seungmin

I.N

**Stray Kidschang** (KR: 스트레이 키즈; JP: ストレイキッズ) is an eight-member boy group under JYP Entertainment. Formed through the competition reality show of the same name. Originally as nine, they debuted on March 25, 2018 with the mini album *I Am Not*.

Prior to their debut, they released a mini album, *Mixtape*, on January 8, 2018.

## History

### Pre-debut: *Stray Kids* and *Mixtape*

The sub-unit 3RACHA, composed of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, existed prior to Stray Kids. While the nine were still trainees, Bang Chan picked each member of the group himself. They then participated in Mnet's reality show *Stray Kids* (named after the group), in which they had various challenges to accomplish together in order to prove to JYP that they deserved to debut as nine, which was their wish. "Part of what sets Stray Kids apart is their heightened emphasis on self-composition", and the challenges in the show reflected this, like when they had to create their own songs and choreographies. They released a digital single titled "Hellevator" during the show on November 7, 2017. Though two members - Lee Know and Felix - were eliminated on the show, they were eventually given a second chance. It was announced in the last episode that the group would debut as nine.

Stray Kids released the pre-debut album *Mixtape* on January 8, 2018. All the songs featured on it were initially created during the reality show.

### 2018: Debut with *I Am Not*, followed by mini-albums *I Am Who* and *I Am You*

Stray Kids debuted on March 25, 2018 with *I Am Not* and its title track "District 9". The group announced its fandom name, STAY, on August 1. This was a few days before their first comeback on August 6 with the title track "My Pace" and the mini album *I Am Who*. Finally, they released *I Am You* on October 22. The three mini albums, the *I Am* series, were all released in less than a year and are all part of the same narrative cycle revolving around the theme of identity and self-discovery.

### 2019: 'Clé' trilogy, Woojin's departure and "Mixtape : Gone Days"

*Clé 1 : Miroh* was released on the first anniversary of the group's debut, March 25, 2019. "MIROH" is a word Stray Kids created; 'miro' means 'maze' in Korean, and the H at the end of MIROH symbolizes either heaven or hell, meaning there are two possible places it can lead to. The album tackles the subject of surviving in a new world that might be harsh - in Stray Kids' case, this new world is both celebrity and adulthood. It's with the title track of that album, "Miroh", that the group received their first ever music show win, on April 4.

They came back on June 19 with *Clé 2 : Yellow Wood*. The "Clé" and "I Am" series were then connected. For example, the city Stray Kids is looking at at the end of the music video for "I Am You" is MIROH, and the roof of *Clé 2: Yellow Wood* was where the music video "MIROH" has finished.

On October 27, it was announced by JYP that Woojin had left the group and agency due to personal circumstances. As a result of that, the mini album *Clé : Levanter*, which was scheduled to be released on November 25, was delayed to be released on December 9. The album included the two pre-released tracks "Double Knot" and "Astronaut", and also the title track "Levanter".

Stray Kids released "Mixtape : Gone Days" less than twenty days later, on December 26. The song is about the conflict between the new generation, who wants to do things their way and be able to gain maturity on their own, and the older generations, who nags and pushes to do things like it was done in the past. The title is also a play on words, as it sounds like the Korean word "ggondae", a term for old, nosy and bossy people.

### 2020: "Step Out of Clé", Japanese debut, "Mixtape : On Track", *Go Live*, *In Life*, *All In*

On January 14, Stray Kids announced their first English release titled "Step Out of Clé" to be released on the 24th. It contains English versions of the tracks "Double Knot" and "Levanter".

On January 16, it was announced the group would be making their Japanese debut on March 18 with the release of the best album *SKZ2020*.

On March 13, a poster for the group's upcoming release was posted on their Twitter account. On March 19, the members' teaser photos were also posted, announcing their new digital single, "Mixtape : On Track", to be released on the 25th.

The digital single "Top", consisting of the Korean versions of the opening and ending songs of the anime *Tower of God*, was released on May 13. The English version of the single was released on May 20, and the Japanese version on June 3.

On May 26, the first trailer for *Go Live*, the group's first full album, was released. The album was released on June 17 with title track "God's Menu". The album's repackage, *In Life*, was released on September 14.

Stray Kids released their first Japanese mini album, *All In*, on November 4. A Korean version of the album's title track was released on November 26.

The group held an online concert, *Unlock : Go Live In Life*, on November 22. During the show, which was two hours long, Stray Kids showcased a variety of powerful performances, accompanied with technological visual effects, for a total of 22 songs.

### 2021: Hyunjin's hiatus

JYP has announced that group member Hyunjin will go on hiatus from all activities and promotions for an undefined amount of time due to school bullying scandals. The group will promote with seven members for the time being. JYP Entertainment Announces Stray Kids’ Hyunjin Will Halt All Activities. In the meantime, Lee Know or I.N will take on the role of Stray Kids's main vocalist until Woojin's departs.

## Discography

Studio albums* *Go Live* (2020)
	+ *In Life* (2020) Template:Small

Mini albums* *Mixtape* (2018) Template:Small
* *I Am Not* (2018)
* *I Am Who* (2018)
* *I Am You* (2018)
* *Clé 1 : Miroh* (2019)
* *Clé : Levanter* (2019)

Special albums* *Clé 2 : Yellow Wood* (2019)

Digital singles* "Hellevator" (2017) Template:Small
* "Double Knot" (2019)
* "Mixtape : Gone Days" (2019)
* "Mixtape : On Track" (2020)
* "Top" (2020)
* "All In (Korean Ver.)" (2020)

Collaborations* "Going Dumb" Template:Small (2021)

OSTs* "Extraordinary You OST Part.7" Template:Small (2019)
* "Tower of God OST" Template:Small (2020)

Other releases* "Astronaut" (2019)
Best albums* *Unveil Stray Kids* (2019) Template:Small
* *SKZ2020* (2020)

Mini albums* *All In* (2020)

Singles* "Top -Japanese ver.-" (2020)

English
Digital singles* "Step Out of Clé" (2020)
* "Top -English ver.-" (2020)

## Filmography

### Reality shows

* *Stray Kids: The 9th* (VLive, 2018–present)
* *Finding SKZ* (Mnet, 2019)
* *Stray Kids: Two Kids Room* (VLive, 2019–present)
* *CHOISKZ* (VLive, 2019–present)
* *Stray Kids: One Kids Room* (VLive, 2019–2020)
* *Kingdom* (Mnet, 2021)

### Talk show appearances

* *After School Club* (Arirang TV, 2013–present) Template:Small
* *Idol Room* (JTBC, 2018–present) Template:Small
* *Weekly Idol* (MBC Every 1, 2011–present) Template:Small

## Concerts

* Stray Kids Unveil Tour 'I am…' (2019)
* Stray Kids World Tour 'District 9 : Unlock' (2019–2020)

## Endorsements

* Jambangee (2018)
* Coke Caster (2018)
* IvyClub (2018–2019)
* Lotte Duty Free (2018–2019)
* Pro-Specs (2018–2019)
* Dazed Korea (2019)

## Trivia

* Stray Kids' logo is written in Bang Chan's handwriting.
* Stray Kids are highly involved in the creation of their songs. The lyrics and melodies are theirs and, according to Bang Chan, they are given a lot of freedom. They are able to genuinely express themselves and to send the message they want, which is important to them. The struggles and thoughts explored in their songs often mirror those of their fans.

## Official links

* Facebook
* Instagram
* Fan club
* TikTok
* Twitter
* YouTube
* Instagram
* TikTok
* Twitter

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Forbes: Stray Kids Talk Songwriting, Career Goals And Their First U.S. Tour
2. ↑ Soompi: Stray Kids Unveils Fan Club Name Ahead Of Comeback
3. ↑ YouTube: Stray Kids (INTRO "Clé 1 : MIROH")
4. ↑ Soompi: Watch: Stray Kids Takes Emotional 1st-Ever Music Show Win On “M Countdown” With “Miroh”; Performances By IZ\*ONE And More
5. ↑ Soompi: Stray Kids Announces Woojin's Departure + Delays Upcoming Album Release
6. ↑ Officially KMusic: Stray Kids Make a Bold Statement in 'Gone Days' MV
7. ↑ Soompi: UStray Kids Teases Release Of "Step Out Of Clé" English Version
8. ↑ Hankyung: 스트레이 키즈, 3월 18일 일본 정식 데뷔…베스트 앨범 `SKZ2020` 발표
9. ↑ Soompi: Stray Kids Looks Right Out Of A High School Drama In Teasers For Surprise Mixtape
10. ↑ The Jakarta Post: Stray Kids 'unlock' pandemic-hit stage with virtual concert
11. ↑ Soompi: Stray Kids, ATEEZ, And The Boyz Confirmed To Compete On "Kingdom"; Perform Powerful Collab At 2020 MAMA
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 MTV: Stray Kids on Growing Up, Taking More Creative Risks, And Dealing With Self-Doubt