I.N

I.N of Stray Kids: The Maknae Who Grew Into a Vocal Powerhouse

Stray Kids‘ I.N is the group’s maknae (youngest member) and one of its steady vocal presences, performing under JYP Entertainment as part of the eight-member boy group. Born Yang Jeong-in on February 8, 2001, in Busan, I.N started out singing trot at church before finding his way into K-pop — and today he’s known as much for his unique, old-fashioned vocal tone as he is for his growing list of fashion ambassadorships. Here’s a full look at I.N’s journey, from trainee days to global brand campaigns.

I.N’s Journey to Stray Kids

I.N auditioned for JYP Entertainment during a local audition stop in Busan and was accepted on his second try, joining the company in 2016 as the second member of the future line-up. He was officially revealed on October 13, 2017, ahead of Mnet’s survival show Stray Kids, where his gentle vocals and boyish charm quickly made him a fan favorite. He debuted with Stray Kids as the group’s youngest member on March 25, 2018, alongside the mini album I Am Not, and later completed a degree in applied music at the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA).

I.N’s Role in Stray Kids

As part of the Vocal Racha unit alongside Seungmin, Han, and Lee Know, I.N brings a warm, distinctive tone shaped by his early trot-singing background — a quality that gives his ballads and bright pop tracks alike a slightly old-fashioned, comforting texture. Within the dorm, he’s often described as the member who still needs a little extra help from his hyungs, with Hyunjin famously stepping in the most. Fans know him by nicknames like “Desert Fox” and “Our Maknae,” and his representative animal is the fennec fox.

I.N’s Solo Discography and Recent Highlights

I.N released his solo debut, “Maknae on Top,” through the group’s SKZ-Player series in January 2021, followed by “Hug Me” in 2022 and “Untitled” in 2023. In December 2024, he co-wrote and released the original song “Hallucination” for Stray Kids’ album Hop. In 2025, he teamed up with Lee Know and Seungmin for the drama OST “Start!,” and with Han and Felix for “Genie,” while also pairing with Changbin on the punk-inspired unit track “Burnin’ Tires.” That same year, Billboard ranked him ninth on its K-Pop Artist 100 chart, reflecting his rising individual profile.

I.N’s Fashion Ambassadorships and Philanthropy

I.N has become one of Stray Kids’ most visible members in the fashion world, named Brand Ambassador for Bottega Veneta in January 2025 and Global Brand Ambassador for Damiani that May. He’s also built a reputation for generosity, becoming the youngest member of the Green Noble Club after donating ₩100 million to ChildFund Korea in 2024, and giving another ₩100 million to Samsung Medical Center for pediatric cancer treatment on his 2025 birthday. Between his evolving voice, his warmth off camera, and his growing brand presence, I.N continues to prove there’s much more to Stray Kids’ maknae than his age.