Stray Kids

**Stray Kids** (Korean: 스트레이 키즈; RR: '**Seuteurei kijeu'**; often abbreviated as **SKZ**) is a South Korean boy band formed by JYP Entertainment through the 2017 reality show of the same name. The group is composed of eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N.

Originally a nine-piece group, member Woojin left Stray Kids due to undisclosed personal reasons in October 2019. The group released their extended play *Mixtape* in January 2018 and officially debuted on March 25 with *I Am Not*.

## History

### 2017–2018: Formation through a reality show, debut and *I Am* series

Logo of Stray Kids
In August 2017, JYP Entertainment (JYPE) officially announced their new reality survival show aiming to launch a male idol debut project. More details and teasers were released in the next two months, including the show's title—*Stray Kids*. Prior to its premiere on October 17, JYPE released Stray Kids' first music video for a song titled "Hellevator", which was later released as a digital single. Two members, Lee Know and Felix, were initially eliminated from the group, but all nine members ended up in the final line-up.
Stray Kids at a fan event in the COEX Live Plaza in January 2018.
Along with the launch of Stray Kids' official website, JYPE announced the release of the group's pre-debut extended play (EP) titled *Mixtape*. It contains seven tracks co-written and co-composed by the members, including "Hellevator" and other songs that they performed during the show. The EP, along with the performance video of its second track titled "Beware" (Korean: Grrr 총량의 법칙), was released on January 8, 2018, while the performance video of "Spread My Wings" (Korean: 어린 날개) was uploaded online a week later. It debuted at number 2 on Gaon's Album Chart and *Billboard*'s World Albums chart.

On March 5, JYPE announced the debut showcase of the group titled Stray Kids Unveil (Op. 01: I Am Not), which was held on March 25 at Jangchung Arena. They officially debuted the next day with the release of their EP titled *I Am Not*, along with the music video of its title track titled "District 9", while the music video of "Grow Up" and performance video of "Mirror" were released on March 31 and April 23 respectively. *I Am Not* debuted at number four on Gaon's Album Chart and sold over 54,000 physical copies in March.

On April 14, Stray Kids performed at KCON Japan 2018, the group's first overseas performance since debut.

On July 12, JYPE announced the group's second showcase titled Stray Kids Unveil (Op. 02: I Am Who), which was held on August 5 at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace. Their second EP named *I Am Who*, along with its title track "My Pace", was released the next day.

On October 4, JYPE announced the group's third showcase titled Stray Kids Unveil (Op. 03: I Am You), which was held on October 21 at Olympic Hall, and followed by the release of their new album EP *I Am You* the next day.

### 2019: Showcase touring, *Clé* series and Woojin's departure

Stray Kids started the year with the continuation of their showcase tour Unveil Tour "I Am..." in the Asia-Pacific, starting on January 19 in Bangkok. The group also hold the national promotional tour Hi Stay Tour in Korea in Busan, Daejeon and Incheon in March and the Finale in Seoul was hold in Olympic Park on April 20.

On March 5, JYPE announced the group's third comeback on March 25, 2019 with the release of their fourth extended play *Clé 1: Miroh*, in commemoration of the first anniversary of the group's debut. The group earned their first music show win on 4 April on *M Countdown* for the album's lead single, "Miroh." On June 19, the group released their first special album *Clé 2: Yellow Wood*, along with title track "Side Effects" (Korean: 부작용) between the American leg and the European leg of their first world tour.

Stray Kids released a digital single titled "Double Knot" on October 9 and also announced their *District 9 Unlock World Tour* starting from November 23–24 at Olympic Hall, Seoul, South Korea, with their fifth extended play *Clé: Levanter*, initially announced for release on November 25. However, on October 28, JYPE announced that Woojin had left the group due to personal circumstances, and the release of *Clé: Levanter* was delayed to December 9 as a result. On November 13, the group released the music video for "Astronaut," their first single without Woojin and as an eight-member group. On December 9, Stray Kids released *Cle: Levanter*.

Stray Kids hold the Japanese showcase Hi Stay on December 19 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo with 8,000 audience. The group released the digital single titled "Mixtape: Gone Days", the first single of *Mixtape Project* on December 26.

### 2020: Japanese debut with *SKZ2020*, *生* series and *All In*

Stray Kids released the first English version of "Double Knot" and "Levanter" as the digital single *Step Out of Clé*, along with "Double Knot" English version music video on January 24.

Stray Kids made an official Japanese debut on March 18 with compilation album *SKZ2020* in Japan and South Korea, with the new record of previous songs and including Japanese version of "My Pace", "Double Knot" and "Levanter" (風) that released as single before

Stray Kids released the *Mixtape Project* second digital single titled "Mixtape: On Track" (바보라도 알아) on March 26.

On June 3, Stray Kids released their first Japanese single album titled "Top". It was used as the theme song for the anime *Tower of God*. A Korean version was released on May 13, and an English version on May 20.

On June 1, Stray Kids released their first studio album titled *Go Live* (GO生) with the title track "God's Menu" (神메뉴), and included the Korean versions of "Top" and "Slump" and previously released singles “Gone Days" and "On Track". *Go Live* became the group's best-selling album, debuting atop the weekly Gaon Album Chart, and sold 243,462 copies by the end of the month to take number 5 on the monthly Gaon Album Chart. The album then received its Platinum certification from the Gaon Chart for selling more than 250,000 copies on August 2020, becoming the group's first album to do so. The lead single "God's Menu" became the group's first single to appear on the weekly Gaon Download Chart, debuting at number 144.

Stray Kids released the repackage of their first studio album titled *In Life* (IN生) on September 14. During promotions, the group received two music show wins: once on MBC M's Show Champion and once on Mnet's M Countdown. The lead single "Back Door" was recognized by *Time* magazine and included it at number 8 in its list of "10 Best Songs of 2020", becoming the only song from a Korean act on the list, and being described as "an artful Frankenstein that’s as catchy as it is complex".

On November 4, Stray Kids released their first Japanese extended play titled *All In* with the lead single "All In" and also included the Japanese versions of "God's Menu" (神メニュー) and "Back Door", and their first Japanese single "Top".

On November 22, Stray Kids held their first online concert titled "Unlock: Go Live In Life" via Beyond Live and was considered as a continuation of their "District 9: Unlock" tour which faced postponement and cancellation due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. During the concert, the group performed the Korean version of their song "All In" for the first time, which was eventually released on November 26 as a digital single.

### 2021: *Kingdom: Legendary War* and *Noeasy*

At the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards, it was announced that Stray Kids would be joining Ateez and The Boyz on the inaugural season of *Kingdom: Legendary War*, a Mnet boy group competition show. BtoB, iKon and SF9 were later confirmed as participants as well. On May 28, 2021, the band released a song for the final round of the competition titled "Wolfgang." The group won the program on June 3, awarding them their own reality show as well as a *Kingdom Week* special show for their comeback.

Stray Kids held and broadcasted the first official fan meeting, "Stray Kids 1st #LoveSTAY 'SKZ-X'" on February 20, 2021 via V Live, and broadcasted their first Japanese fan meeting - "STAYing Home Meeting" - for the first anniversary of their Japanese debut on March 18. The group released a collaboration song with Swedish producer Alesso and Chinese DJ Corsak titled "Going Dumb" for the mobile game version of *PUBG* on March 19.

Stray Kids released the third single for their *Mixtape Project* titled "Mixtape: Oh" (애) on June 26. It was also announced that Hyunjin would be returning to group activities in July after going on a hiatus due to bullying accusations back in February.

On August 23, Stray Kids will release their second studio album *Noeasy*.

## Endorsements

Before the official debut of Stray Kids, the nine members were chosen as new models to endorse Jambangee Jeans in 2018, which was announced on February 13 with the brand's spring collection. On June 26, they were selected as an exclusive model of Ivy Club for the 2018 Fall semester. On July 19, they received for the first set of their CF with Minute Maid Sparkling. Five days after their first CF, they were selected to be promotional models for CGV "Youth Brand Festival" from July 24 to August 31. On September 19, Stray Kids has been chosen as the newest ambassador of Lotte Duty Free. It was announced at Lotte Duty Free official YouTube and Instagram accounts. On October 16, Stray Kids became the new model of the Korean sportswear brand “Pro-Specs”.

On June 17, 2019, Stray Kids was chosen as the newest ambassador of Talk Talk Korea Contest in 2019, and June 18, they were appointed as an honorary ambassador by the Korean Culture and Information Service, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. On November 2020, Stray Kids was chosen to become Shopee Indonesia brand ambassador for the 11.11 Big Sale and 12.12 Birthday Sale. On February 1, 2021, Stray Kids was chosen to become a new model of the brand Clio Cosmetics. On June, the group was chosen to become a new model of the Japanese clothing brand Wego, and was chosen as the ambassadors for the Korea Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai.

## Members

On October 28, 2019, Woojin left the group and terminated his contract due to personal circumstances. On February 27, 2021, Hyunjin went on an official hiatus due to bullying allegations against him, and has resumed the group's scheduled activities starting July of 2021.

* Lee Know (리노) – dancer, vocalist
* Changbin (창빈) – rapper, producer
* Hyunjin (현진) – dancer, rapper
* Han (한) – rapper, vocalist, producer
* Felix (필릭스) – dancer, rapper
* Seungmin (승민) – vocalist
* I.N (아이엔) – vocalist

Notes
Bang Chan, Changbin and Han are also members of songwriting trio 3Racha. All three have participated in the creation of lyrics and composing and are usually credited as the first three lyricists and composers of their discographies. Bang Chan has participated in arrangements.

## Discography

Main articles: Stray Kids discography and songs

* *Go Live* (2020)
* *Noeasy* (2021)

## Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Stray Kids

## Concert tours

### Hi-Stay Tour in Korea

 March 22, 2019
 April 20, 2019