When it comes to band mottos, Stray Kids' couldn't be more fitting: "Stray kids Everywhere All Around The World." The K-pop group's first 2022 EP, ODDINARY, sold over 1.6 million copies and topped album charts in the US, South Korea, Finland and Poland (and charted in the top 10 in several more countries).
Now, they're taking their mantra literally with the 2nd World Tour "MANIAC." Following three shows in their native Seoul April 29 through May 1 and four in Japan earlier this month, the tour resumes June 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The latest leg of the tour will see Stray Kids hit eight cities in the United States before returning to Tokyo's Yoyogi National Stadium 1st Gymnasium for a pair of shows on July 26 and 27.
Beyond their impressive accomplishments, the group's eight members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N — have taken initiative with their careers in a way many of their peers haven't. With in-house producing group 3RACHA (consisting of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and HAN) and songwriting involvement from the rest of the group, Stray Kids are largely responsible for their own sound.
The appeal doesn't end there. Between EDM and trap-laced beats, fiery performances and the rawness they exhibit to their fandom, there's something truly unique and refreshing about the group. In an era of music where fans crave authenticity and relatability, it's no wonder their fans — known as STAY — well, stay.
Hustle has always been a part of the group's brand since they were formed on a reality competition show in 2017. And with the recent drop of their latest Japanese EP, CIRCUS, on June 22, Stray Kids are only continuing to expand their diverse discography — and their global appeal.
Ahead of Stray Kids' first show in Newark, GRAMMY.com checked in with the guys to discuss the show, their creative process, team bonding, and more.
You're gearing up for your U.S. tour after performing in Seoul and Japan. How does it feel to finally be able to perform live for your international fans again? Is there anything you're particularly looking forward to or that you've improved on since last tour?
Lee Know: We made so many great memories the last time we visited the States. I'm sure we'll be able to make great memories this time as well!
Hyunjin: Because this is our first tour in a while, we really put a lot of effort in to show our more matured performances. We're so happy that we can meet so many STAY.
Felix: It's been a long two and a half years since we've seen our STAY from overseas. As much as we've all waited, we've prepared our MANIAC tour to the best we can. Now we can't wait to meet and show everyone the next level of Stray Kids.
You released a Japanese EP on June 22. How would you say the sound of this EP differs from your latest Korean album, ODDINARY? When you're making music in Japanese, is there a different artistic process?
Changbin: I don't think the difference in language results in a difference in the creation process. The only difference is that there's a translation process that's added, but everything else is basically the same as when we work on a Korean language album. While ODDINARY definitely had this maniac vibe, our Japanese album this time feels more unrestrained.
HAN: There isn't much difference between creating tracks in Korean and in Japanese. However, the difference between ODDINARY and our Japanese Mini Album, CIRCUS, is that while ODDINARY focuses on displaying Stray Kids' musicality and the authenticity of our ideas, CIRCUS focuses on storytelling, showing our colors, and how 'chill' and 'young' we are. While, of course, there are definite differences between the two, the two also have different listening points.
Your sound has evolved so much over the years. ODDINARY shows so much diversity genre-wise, with EDM, rock, and even trap influences. What inspires your music the most? Do you ever feel nervous about releasing songs that may differ from the trends in the industry?
Bang Chan: First off, I think inspiration comes from a variety of things. Sometimes from the members, STAY or just random daily things. It's always different. Secondly, as people who write music however we want, we just enjoy making music that we enjoy whether it be trending or not.
Seungmin: I have to say that our endless interest and exploration of music, as well as our love for trying out different things, gives us the most inspiration. While testing out new waters can feel a bit awkward and new, we don't fear this change — especially because we might even be able to influence the fast-changing modern day trends.
You guys are very involved in songwriting and producing. Why is it important to you to have creative control over what you release? How has your creation process changed or evolved, if at all, over the years?
Bang Chan: Lyric writing and producing has always been a very important process to us. Because if we're going to be the ones recording and performing our songs, we should be the ones who make them. Putting in more emotion and sincerity into the whole production. Especially because we want to express certain messages to not only STAY, but to everyone out there.
Changbin: Ever since a certain point, we've been able to find our unique musical color and apply this to the production process. I believe we're quite lucky that we're able to create the tracks we sing and perform along to, and because we're the ones who know our strengths the best, we're able to shed light onto our team's color.
Do you have a favorite song or B-side that you've released in the last year?
Lee Know: All of the tracks are great, which makes it hard to choose just one. But if I have to choose, I like "거미줄(VENOM)" because of the mood and beat.
Felix: Although this wasn't released last year, I'd have to say that my favorite title track is still "神메뉴(God's Menu)" because it's the first title song that really gave a heads up to everyone who we are and what we're capable of. The beginning of our long journey.
I.N: I like "소리꾼(Thunderous)," because it's the song that well contains Stray Kids' unique colors.
What do you hope fans gain when they listen to your music? Is there any message of appreciation you've received from a fan that resonated with you?
HAN: We mainly focus on unraveling our stories and thoughts into the lyric writing and song ideation process, but whatever song we may be working on, our goal is to provide strength and radiate positivity to those who listen. STAY always mention that they can feel our genuineness when listening to our songs. Words like these are what allow us to approach our music in a more truthful way, pushing us to deliver only our most genuine, authentic hearts.
Seungmin: I hope we're able to have a positive effect on all of those who listen to our music. Like, when people listen to our music in the far future, they'll be able to vividly remember all of the memories from the past. I want to show everyone the awesome power of music! Personally, I feel the happiest whenever I hear from STAY that our music has been a part of their daily lives ever since they've encountered us.
So many songs from your discography are high-energy and have intricate choreography, like "MANIAC." What do you hope the energy is like when you're performing your songs live? Do you have a favorite song to perform live?
Hyunjin: My favorite song is "Charmer." I enjoy performing on stage because I'm the type to really pour my everything in, including all of the explosive energy onto stage.
I.N: I hope that whenever we're on stage, the energy that we radiate gives strength to the people watching our stage, allowing them to enjoy our performances with us. Among our tracks, I think performances for "소리꾼(Thunderous)," "DOMINO" and "神메뉴(God's Menu)" deliver our energy the best, which is why I especially love performing these three songs during our concert.
Stray Kids perform at New Jersey's Prudential Center on June 28, 2022. Photo: JYP Entertainment
What do you guys do to unwind when you're not making music or performing? How do you balance your busy schedules?
Lee Know: I'm able to relieve my stress by working out.
Changbin: I try to find something repetitive to do so that I can balance out my irregular daily life. For example, I keep myself healthy by constantly working out.
HAN: Especially these days, I try to take the time off to look up inspirational quotes that will positively influence our music. Of course, I also spend time by resting and laying down in bed, doing basic workouts, going shopping and stuff. But because nowadays is such an important time in which we can step up, I try to spend my time doing things that will help us grow and mature.
What do you think makes your bond as a group stronger? Have you learned anything from another member of Stray Kids that was important to you?
Bang Chan: For me personally, I feel like I learn something new from the Kids everyday. I mean we're all different human beings, so for us to stay together we always talk things through, chill together and just have fun. So naturally, I feel like the bond can only get stronger and stronger.
Seungmin: I definitely believe in the importance of conversation. No matter what makes us happy, sad or even mad, once we start talking with each other and going towards the right direction together, we'll notice that this has led us to having a greater understanding of each other, further strengthening our relationship! I'm able to be open with all Stray Kids members, which is something I'm quite thankful for.
You guys have accomplished so much as a group, and Billboard even listed ODDINARY as one of the best 50 albums released so far in 2022. How does this sort of recognition make you feel? Outside of these accolades, are there any goals you haven't reached yet or any new ones you've recently set for yourself?
Felix: To be honest, accomplishing the Billboard achievements still makes me wonder if I'm dreaming or if I'm still just not in my reality. Every time I think about it I'm still so surprised that I have to look at the amount of comments our STAY have left just to believe it. Truly it's a huge gift from STAY everywhere all around the world.
I.N: There are still so many countries we haven't been to before. I hope that in the near future, we'll be able to meet and give positive energy to STAY from many different countries.
Hyunjin: I want to create even grander stages with even more STAY. I hope that the eight of us can continue to safely, happily perform together — just like how we are now.
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