Stray Kids

Stray Kids (스트레이 키즈) is an eight-member South Korean boy group under JYP Entertainment. The group takes its name from the reality survival show that introduced its members in 2017, and officially debuted on March 25, 2018 with the EP I Am Not, following a pre-debut mixtape release in January of that year. The group originally had nine members, but Woojin left in October 2019 for personal reasons, leaving the current eight-member lineup: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N.

From their earliest releases, Stray Kids stood out for writing and producing much of their own material through 3RACHA, the in-house unit made up of leader Bang Chan alongside Changbin and Han. Early hits like “District 9” and “My Pace” set the tone for a sound built on genre experimentation, and the group’s 2020 single “God’s Menu” became a signature track that introduced their self-described “mala” sound, referencing the spicy, layered intensity of their production style.

Stray Kids’ commercial breakthrough accelerated with the 2021 album Noeasy, their first million-selling release, and continued through Oddinary, Maxident, 5-Star, and Rock-Star. Signing with Republic Records for U.S. promotion in 2022 helped the group cross into the American market, and starting with 5-Star in 2023, Stray Kids became the first act in history to send eight consecutive releases to number one on the Billboard 200.

The group’s discography includes the studio albums Go Live, Noeasy, 5-Star, and Karma, alongside a long run of chart-topping EPs. Signature tracks such as “Thunderous,” “Maniac,” “Case 143,” “S-Class,” and “Chk Chk Boom” have become staples of their live shows, which are known for elaborate choreography, strong visual concepts, and high-energy stage direction.

Stray Kids has also built a significant presence outside music, appearing at the Met Gala, performing at Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes in Paris, and partnering with brands including Tommy Hilfiger and Pepero. Their world tours, including Maniac, dominATE, and later legs supporting Karma, have sold out stadiums on multiple continents, and the group has picked up international honors at the Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and iHeartRadio Music Awards alongside a growing list of Korean daesang wins.

Backed by their devoted fandom STAY, Stray Kids has become known both for their self-produced, boundary-pushing sound and for their consistency at the top of global charts, cementing their place as one of the defining groups of K-pop’s fourth generation.