Profile of Stray Kids: A Self-Producing Powerhouse Carving Their Own Path (2024 updated)

Stray Kids is an 8-member boy group under JYP Entertainment. Formed through the 2017 survival show of the same name, they defied expectations by actively participating in creating their music and performances, a rarity for rookie groups. 

They officially made their debut on March 25 with the EP “I Am Not”. At the time, the group consisted of 9 members, but former member Woojin left in October 2019 due to undisclosed personal reasons.

Biography of Stray Kids  

• Group name: Stray Kids
• Debut date: 25/03/2018
• Company: JYP Entertainment 
• Total member: 8 (previously 9)
• Members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N 
• Former member: Woojin
• Fandom name: STAY
• Signature slogans: “Stray Kids everywhere around the group”, “You Make Stray Kids Stay”

Special information about Stray Kids

The group’s name “Stray Kids” was not defined by JYP Entertainment but conceptualized by the members themselves. It originally referred to a lost child who wants to chase their dreams and later evolved to represent the idea of finding a way together out of the ordinary

Stray Kids’ defining characteristic is the group’s direct involvement in their music and performances. Unlike many K-pop groups where producers and choreographers dictate the creative direction, Stray Kids actively participate in writing, composing, and arranging their songs.

This self-production is spearheaded by the producer trio 3RACHA, consisting of Bang Chan (CB97), Changbin (SpearB), and Han (J.One). From hard-hitting rap verses to soaring vocals and catchy melodies, 3RACHA injects Stray Kids’ music with a distinct and powerful energy.

Stray Kids Fandom

STAY, announced on August 1, 2018, is the official fandom name of South Korean boy group Stray Kids.

“STAY” has two meanings: a place where people who are wandering (Stray) can stay (STAY), and the reason for the existence of Stray Kids, as the letter ‘r’ in ‘Stray’ in the group name is interpreted as “reason”. The fans are the reason why and where Stray Kids can stay, hence the slogan: “You make Stray Kids STAY”.

Official SNS channels of Stray Kids

• Youtube: Stray Kids/JYP Entertainment
• Instagram: realstraykids
• Twitter: @Stray_Kids
• TikTok: @jypestraykids

Summary of Stray Kids’ Albums (Not including Japanese releases, compilation albums, digital singles, solos, and OSTs)

• Pre-debut Mini-album: Mixtape (08.01.2018)
  • Title song: Hellevator
• 1st Mini Album: I am NOT (26.03.2018)
  • Title song: District 9
• 2nd Mini Album: I am WHO (06.08.2018)
  • Title song: My Pace
• 3rd Mini Album: I am YOU (22.10.2018)
  • Title song: I am YOU
• 4th Mini Album: Clé 1: MIROH (25.03.2019)
  • Title song: MIROH
• Special Album: Clé 2: Yellow Wood (09.06.2019)
  • Title song: Side Effects
• 5th Mini Album: Clé: LEVANTER (09.12.2019)
  • Title song: Levanter
• 1st Studio Album: GO LIVE (17.06.2020)
  • Title song: God’s Menu
• Repackage Album: IN LIFE (14.09.2020)
  • Title song: Back Door
• 2nd Studio Album: Thunderous (23.08.2021)
  • Title song: Thunderous
• Special Single Album: Christmas EveL (29.11.2021)
  • Title song: Christmas EveL, Winter Falls
• 6th Mini Album: ODDINARY (25.03.2022)
  • Title song: MANIAC
• 7th Mini Album: MAXIDENT (07.10.2022)
  • Title song: CASE 143
• 3rd Studio Album: 5-STAR (02.06.2023)
  • Title song: S-Class
• 8th Mini Album: ROCK-STAR (10.11.2023)
  • Title song: LALALALA

Stray Kids Awards

Soon after their debut, Stray Kids won 6 rookie awards at Korean artists ceremonies such as the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), Golden Disc Awards (GDA), Seoul Music Awards (SMA) and Asia Artists Awards (AAA). 

Ever since, the group also secured bonsang awards (mostly in the physical sales category) at various other ceremonies, even securing wins on international playgrounds, such as the Billboard Music Awards (2023), MTV Europe Music Awards (2020), MTV Video Music Awards (2023), People’s Choice Awards (2024), and so on. 

Stray Kids is known as a powerhouse in terms of physical sales and international fandom, selling millions of copies for their albums and amassing impressive streams on platforms such as YouTube and Spotify. 

Controversies

Despite their impressive achievements, Stray Kids hasn’t been immune to controversy. Here’s a look at some of their most notable “scandals”:

• Greeting Etiquette Misunderstanding: During a livestream, Bang Chan, known for his open communication with fans, commented on how he greeted a junior group only to be ignored by them. As a result of this remark, IVE got criticized due to netizen’s speculations. In the end, Bang Chan had to issue an official apology for the escalating situation, adding that his remark has nothing to do with IVE 
• Discriminating lyrics: Back in 2021, it was discovered that a song written by Han back when he was 13 years old included various discriminating words against the mentally handicapped, Southeast Asian, plus-sized people, and even included the Korean version of the n-word. He has since apologized, stating that he wrote ignorant lyrics during his immature days. 
• Former member departure: When former member Woojin left the group suddenly, various rumors of discord between the group members and malicious speculations against Woojin started to emerge. While most have been proven as baseless, Stray Kids have no interaction with Woojin, who has since debuted as a soloist following his departure.  
• School violence: In 2021, Hyunjin was accused of school violence by an alleged former classmate, drawing intense criticism. At the time, JYP Entertainment stated that they would carefully verify the truth, leading to him going on a hiatus from February to June. In the end, it was revealed that Hyunjin personally met the victim to apologize and posted a handwritten letter as apology. Meanwhile, many of the male idol’s former classmates spoke up in his defense, and his homeroom teacher even sent a message to the media, speaking in Hyunjin’s favor.