There's no K-pop group quite like Stray Kids. 

From embedding their heart and soul in every song they create to executing some of the most magical live performances you'll ever see, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N are something special. 

And, it’s not because of their singing or dancing—which they’re rightfully known for—but their sincerity that makes this group of ‘stray kids’ work so well. 

The group centres around making sure everyone belongs, forging connections with their fans (or STAYs) that run deep. You hear it in the music they perform but most especially, in the shows they work hard to put together. 

Stray Kids just wrapped up their MANIAC world tour that made every single show across North America and Asia feel like reuniting with family. ¹

“I enjoy being on stage, I enjoy seeing each and every STAY’s smiles, I enjoy the whole atmosphere and I enjoy being there with the people who I love the most,” Bang Chan tells Bandwagon. “It’s a very comfortable place and I think that is one of the key reasons why I can express my genuine emotions and feelings.” 

Every night of their tour, the members never fail to deliver heartfelt (and often tearful) spiels sharing their appreciation for the journey they’ve gotten to take with everyone there and how they found home in STAY. There are always a lot of feelings—good feelings. It’s heartwarming to see two groups of people clearly made for each other.

“As much as we love performing and singing on stage, not only did we create our music for STAY, but STAY also chose to be with us anywhere. This brings us closer like friends and family.  We’re always willing to understand one another through music and much more,” says Felix. 

“It still puts in me in awe to think about how we are receiving love from all around the world. It makes me want to work even harder on our performances in order to make up to everyone’s expectations,” adds Changbin. 

“I’m so proud and extremely happy. When we’re performing and watching STAY from on stage,  watching how happy they look also makes me so happy – I feel overwhelmed with all the happiness,” says I.N.

[스키지기]
SKZ는 STAY와 함께할 때 비로소 완성되죠💗
꿈만 같았던 공연, 함께해 주셔서 감사합니다⋆。°✩

Stray Kids can only be completed by STAY💗
Thank you for being our dream⋆。°✩
#StrayKids #스트레이키즈 #2ndWorldTour_MANIAC #MANIAC #MANIAC_SKZ #YouMakeStrayKidsStay pic.twitter.com/0xoHs6pqTK

— Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) February 22, 2023

Every show across their tour comes as a product of hard work and genuine passion. As they perform their hearts out, Lee Know says they want everyone to leave immediately wanting to relive the entire experience. 

“We want everyone saying ‘Now this is what I call a concert!’, and later on after everyone goes home we want everyone to think: ‘That was crazy, I have to go again’,” he says.

And, they’ve undoubtedly succeeded. From their incredible live band to the endless fan service, Stray Kids know how to put on quite the show—and of course, they think so too. 

“Thanks to the band that performed with us during the concert, not only was the audience able to experience a much more lively and exciting performance but as the performers, we also were able to really immerse ourselves into the stage. I definitely felt like the depth of our expression expanded. I was filled with so much happiness this entire tour,” shares Seungmin.  

“It was such a memorable, fun experience. Thanks to the live band, the venue’s energy was at another level. Compared to our other performances the band really helped to expand the scope of energy and really packed the performance with power,” adds Han. 

#StrayKids #스트레이키즈#2ndWorldTour_MANIAC#MANIAC #MANIAC_SKZ #YouMakeStrayKidsStay pic.twitter.com/8TGFQCSx8c

— Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) April 3, 2023

With their MANIAC tour—a happy memory that I.N shares will stay with him forever—now over, it’s time for the group to pour all their might into a new project: their latest album, 5-STAR. 

Aptly named, the record reflects their unique and distinctive identity and represents the very best of what makes Stray Kids Stray Kids—or “Special Kids”, according to Lee Know.

Born out of the mind of the group’s very own members, the album dives deeper into their stories and artistry. “I’m a firm believer in the importance of lyrics, and especially because I love poetic lyrics I always try to write lyrics that make the listener want to think about them again,” says Hyunjin.

Featuring 12 tracks, 5-STAR sees the group venture into new sonic paths and expand their musical horizons. It’s admittedly a challenge, but one they’re willing to take again and again because, in true Stray Kids fashion, they’re never one to be complacent. 

“Since this is our third full album, we tried our best to focus on showing something new for the listeners. To show something a little different is important because we then have a chance to expand our spectrum and show the listeners that we are capable of doing this and that. Which is very challenging to be honest, but it is a challenge that we are always willing to accept,” says Bang Chan. 

“In order for us to be able to share a track there’s a long process that takes place, but the fact that we feel joy and excitement with each step just proves how much we value and enjoy STAY listening to our songs,” adds Seungmin.

¹This interview previously mentioned Europe as part of Stray Kids' recent world tour. It has since been amended. Stray Kids held a showcase tour in 2019 which included numerous cities across Europe, and are set to return to the region to headline Lollapalooza in Paris this July.