The K-pop supergroup reflects on their growth and the pressures of success during their world tour
Category: Arts & Culture
In the world of K-pop, authenticity is often a rare commodity. Yet for the eight-member boy group Stray Kids, it’s at the very heart of their music and artistry. As seen in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the members, which include Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N, discuss their creative process and the pressures that come with their rapid rise to stardom.
Stray Kids, signed under JYP Entertainment, have spent the last seven years crafting their unique sound, with members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han forming the production trio known as 3Racha. This self-sufficiency in music production allows them to showcase their authenticity as a group. "[Producing our own music] allows us to highlight both our authenticity as a group and our strengths," Changbin shared during a Zoom call from Seoul.
Currently, Stray Kids are in the midst of their record-breaking Dominate World Tour, with the North American leg grossing about $76.2 million, making it the highest-grossing K-pop tour in that region, according to Billboard. The group is now preparing for an equally ambitious European tour, which follows the success of their latest album, Karma.
The title track of the album, "Ceremony," embodies the spirit of triumph and resilience, celebrating the group’s achievements. Bang Chan described the song as catchy and energetic, emphasizing its message of karma: "If you do good, you get good stuff in return." This theme resonates deeply with the group, as they strive to maintain positive relationships with their fans and within their team.
As they navigate the pressures of success, the members have also noticed a shift in their relationship with their fans, known as Stays. Seungmin remarked, "We can’t ask every one of them exactly when they became Stay — some of them have been with us since debut and keep showing up, [but] others we were able to meet for the first time in the new cities during the tour." This connection fuels their motivation to keep creating and performing.
Stray Kids have made a name for themselves not just through their music but also through their live performances. The recent tour featured a live band, a choice made to provide a more authentic sound experience for their audience. Felix noted, "We wanted Stays to hear our sound very natural, very loud and very strongly." This commitment to authenticity extends beyond their music to their stage presence and interactions with fans.
As they prepare for the European leg of their tour, the group reflects on the lessons learned from their North American shows. "We did learn a lot from the tour, and there are some things that we thought we can improve on and some things that we did that we really liked," Felix explained. The members are eager to surprise their fans with new elements in their upcoming performances.
Self-care is also a priority for the group as they juggle the demands of touring and creating music. I.N shared that he focuses on building stamina through workouts, and Hyunjin finds joy in visiting art museums in each city, drawing inspiration from the art he encounters. This balance of work and personal interests helps them maintain their well-being.
With their growing success, Stray Kids are aware of the pressures that come with being at the top of the charts. Han acknowledged, "As our concert scale grows, there’s obviously more pressure that builds. But since so many people are ahead to the tour and what we do, we work hard to meet those expectations." Fortunately, the camaraderie among the eight members allows them to share the burden and support one another through the challenges.
As they continue to evolve as artists, Stray Kids remain committed to their original sound and style, regardless of changing trends in the industry. "We want to keep that fun, energetic vibe in our music always," Hyunjin stated. The group aims to be a long-lasting entity in the K-pop scene, rather than a fleeting project.
Looking ahead, the members are excited about what the future holds for them. They hope to keep performing and connecting with their fans, all the mientras maintaining the authenticity that has defined their career. "We want to be perceived as an artist with a sound that people can instantly recognize as Stray Kids," Seungmin expressed, underscoring their desire to be remembered for their unique musical identity.
As Stray Kids prepare to release Karma and continue their world tour, they are not just focused on their success but also on the message they wish to convey through their music. They embody the belief that hard work and authenticity will lead to good things, both for themselves and their dedicated fanbase.
With their new album and upcoming performances, Stray Kids are set to solidify their place in the K-pop industry, reminding fans and newcomers alike of the power of authenticity and connection in music.