Stray Kids has been blazing their trail in K-Pop with aggressive beats, ferocious rap lines, and power-packed performances thanks to hits, like MIROH to Thunderous and CASE 143.
It’s no wonder this 4th-generation group took the second spot on Spotify’s Wrapped 2022 Top 10 Boy Groups, after BTS.
This Is Stray Kids
Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. are the eight members who make up Strays Kids today.
The group, most known for producing their own songs , has been especially busy this year with three album releases — ODDINARY in March, MAXIDENT in October, and now they have a new comeback, SKZ-REPLAY.
But what makes this group album hits different for STAYs are the tracks featuring solos and sub-units that the members have participated in, from the lyrics to the music. It includes brand new songs as well as well-loved songs released during the group’s web series, SKZ Players.
The title track, FAM (Korean ver), written and composed by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han (3RACHA), is fun and upbeat, and was actually unveiled during Stray Kids’ MANIAC world tour during the encore of their Seoul stop.
A Very Different Debut Line Up
This may come as a surprise to many – although the group was formed through a music survival program, Stray Kids’ leader, Bang Chan, actually had a hand in choosing the group members.
During an interview for the group’s Japanese album, All In, JYP Entertainment’s head honcho, Park Jin-young, shared that with Stray Kids, the company decided to try a different debut method. Straying from tradition, the entertainment company entrusted Bang Chan with the decision on which members would make the cut, instead of deciding on their own. And the rest as they say is history — with a whole lot of earworm-y K-Pop tunes.
Think you know Stray Kids?
Before you hop off to listen to Stray Kids’ latest comeback, SKZ-REPLAY, let’s see how well you know the group with our quiz.
#1. When did Stray Kids debut?
The group debuted on March 25, 2018 with the album, I am NOT, and the title track, District 9. #2. How many members from Stray Kids aren’t born in Korea?
NGL, this is a trick question. While you might know that both Bang Chan and Felix are from Sydney, Australia, only Felix was born and raised there. Bang Chan (who also goes by the name, Chris) was born in Korea, but his family moved to Australia when he was really young, and he returned to Korea in 2010 as a trainee.
#3. We know him as Felix, but the Stray Kids’ rapper and dancer also has a Korean name. What is it?
Felix is also known as Lee Yongbok, which means dragon luck. Members Hyunjin and Seungmin, have nicknamed him “Feelbok”, an amalgamation of his English and Korean names.
#4. Stray Kids’ sub-unit 3RACHA is behind many of the group’s hits, like Back Door, Christmas EveL, and MANIAC. What are the stage names of the members in 3RACHA?
Fun fact: 3RACHA was formed in 2017, a year before Stray Kids did, when members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han were still trainees.
#5. What are Stray Kids fans known as?
Stray Kids fans, unite! Known as STAY, the fandom name is a play on the group’s name. In a 2020 interview with Z100 New York, Felix explained, “The reason why it is STAY – from Stray Kids we take out the “r” from Stray, and it becomes Stay. The “r” is the reason why STAY is here with us.”
#6. Which Hollywood actor is a STAY?
It all started when the group paid homage to Ryan Reynolds’ iconic Deadpool character in their mash-up performance of God’s Menu and BLACKPINK’s DDU-DU DDU-DU on Mnet’s Kingdom: Legendary War music survival program in 2021. The actor first reacted to the performance video. After that Ryan and Bang Chan did a virtual call together and even sent each other gifts – Ryan sent a bottle of gin from his own label, Aviation Gin, while Bang Chan reciprocated with a signed album.
#7. Which Stray Kids song was pre-released before the group’s debut?
As a teaser to the Stray Kids survival reality program on Mnet, the music video for Hellevator (written and composed by 3RACHA) was released on October 6, 2017. The track was then released as a digital single, and would also make an appearance in the group’s pre-debut album, Mixtape, along with six other tracks – all written and composed by the members during their time on the show.
#8. What language was the title track, FAM (Korean ver), on the SKZ-REPLAY album originally sung in?
According to Lee Know, the original FAM song can be found on the group’s Japanese ALL IN album. But because it’s so well-loved by STAYs, the group decided to include a Korean version of it in SKZ-REPLAY.
#9. Which member took two years to work on his solo song?
Hyunjin shared that he started working on his solo song, Love Untold, with Bang Chan, two years ago. Fun fact: On the other hand, Felix said he only took three days to work on his.
Results
The Results:
0-3: Perhaps you’re just dipping your toes into the K-Pop universe. So why not get familiar with Stray Kids by listening to their hits on the This is Stray Kids playlist?
4-6: You know them, you’ve probably even listened to some of their songs on K-Pop ON! (온). This is a sign that you have the potential to be a true STAY.
7-9: It’s official – you’re a true STAY. Now, it’s time to get comfortable and jam to the latest album, SKZ-REPLAY. reward yourself with the Stray Kids playlist marathon.
The Results:
0-3: Perhaps you’re just dipping your toes into the K-Pop universe. So why not get familiar with Stray Kids by listening to their hits on the This is Stray Kids playlist?
4-6: You know them, you’ve probably even listened to some of their songs on K-Pop ON! (온). This is a sign that you have the potential to be a true STAY.
7-9: It’s official – you’re a true STAY. Now, it’s time to get comfortable and jam to the latest album, SKZ-REPLAY. reward yourself with the Stray Kids playlist marathon.
