Published: September-26-2025, 18:45 EDT

Stray Kids have become one of the most dominant K-pop acts in the world, breaking records in touring, sales, and international recognition. Yet, despite their soaring success, the group continues to reject the label of “success,” preferring instead to focus on growth, creativity, and their bond with fans.

The group’s relentless schedule—including a world tour, new music releases, and even a Marvel film cameo—has highlighted both their work ethic and their unique approach to artistry.

Relentless Work Beyond the Tour Stage

Most artists wind down after a lengthy tour, but Stray Kids took a different path. Following their sold-out DominATE world tour, which included two historic nights at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the group quickly returned with a new album, Karma.

This marked their second album within a year, alongside an EP and a 12-track mixtape titled Hop, featuring solo projects from all eight members: Bang Chan, Changbin, Felix, Han, Hyunjin, I.N, Lee Know, and Seungmin.

Their presence extended beyond music stages, with a cameo appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, where they also contributed the soundtrack song Slash. These ventures propelled Stray Kids to the position of the fifth best-selling global act last year, behind only megastars Taylor Swift and Drake.

Creativity and Teamwork at the Core

Unlike many of their K-pop peers, Stray Kids are deeply involved in writing and producing their own music. Han, who has accumulated more than 170 production and writing credits at just 25, explained that the group’s output is fueled by teamwork.

“We split up the parts as much as we could and shared the work among the members,” Han said. “Whenever we had time to record demo tracks, we gathered and worked on finishing songs as a team.”

This collaborative spirit is evident on Karma, which spans diverse sounds—from the Brazilian funk-inspired Ceremony to the pop-punk textures of In My Head, echoing bands like Good Charlotte and Avril Lavigne.

Songs That Speak to Struggles and Strength

Among the album’s tracks, Bleep stands out as a bold response to critics, incorporating the Korean slang term for a censor’s “beep.” Hyunjin called it his favorite, noting: “The lyrics feel bold and refreshing, and there’s something very satisfying about the message it holds.”

The song carries additional weight considering member Felix’s recent legal action. According to court filings in California, Felix sought to unmask an anonymous social media user accused of spreading defamatory claims. He stated the posts caused him “severe mental distress, physical distress and humiliation.”

Such incidents highlight the darker side of K-pop fame, where rival fan groups sometimes target artists. Still, Stray Kids emphasize resilience and connection over negativity.

Humor, Connection, and the STAY Community

Fans know Stray Kids not only for their music but also for their humor and candid interactions. Their YouTube content features playful antics—from I.N dressing as a grandmother to Seungmin being dunked in a pool by Changbin.

On social media, the group maintains intimacy with their fanbase, known as STAY, through late-night livestreams and hotel-room Q&A sessions. This approach extends to live shows, where Stray Kids blur the line between artist and audience.

At their London performances, they invited fans into dance challenges, karaoke sessions, and even projected fans’ names across stadium screens during the ballad Cinema. “The tour reminded us just how precious STAY is to us,” I.N reflected.

Breaking Records in the West

The DominATE tour not only drew huge crowds but also set financial records. With 1.2 million tickets sold and $182 million in box office revenue, the group achieved unprecedented success for a K-pop act in the U.S. and Europe.

Karma added to this momentum, debuting at number one on the U.S. charts. In fact, Stray Kids became the first group in history to achieve seven consecutive number-one debuts with their albums.

Despite these milestones, the band resists labeling themselves as “successful.” Leader Bang Chan explained: “Successful is a really strong word. I don’t have the confidence to judge if we are indeed successful or not. What I can say is that we’re still very hungry to achieve more milestones.”

Global Goals and Inspirations

Looking ahead, Stray Kids remain ambitious but grounded. They have already drawn from British grime influences in past work and have expressed admiration for Coldplay and The 1975. “Listening to their music always makes me feel so emotional and inspired,” Seungmin said.

When asked about major career targets, from Glastonbury to the Super Bowl, the group shifted focus to longevity. “Our biggest goal is to be a group that stands the test of time,” Seungmin noted.

That determination is echoed in Half Time, a rap track referencing their renewed seven-year contract with JYP Entertainment. As Felix declares in the song: “This game isn’t over, it’s way too vast. They don’t know what’s coming next.”

A Band Just Getting Started

Stray Kids’ trajectory illustrates both their artistic independence and their ability to connect across cultures. From topping charts to reshaping the boundaries of K-pop in the West, the group has redefined what it means to be a global act.

Yet, for all their accomplishments, they remain cautious about embracing the word “success.” Instead, they emphasize persistence, creativity, and the enduring bond with STAY. For Stray Kids, the journey is only beginning.

Source: BBC –Stray Kids downplay global fame: ‘Success is a strong word’

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For many aspiring K-pop stars, the road to fame is long, difficult, and full of pressure. Seven young women sit in a room, their hearts racing as they await their fate. All are between the ages of 14 and 20, with striking beauty, perfect skin, and glossy hair. Their faces reflect a mix of excitement and anxiety as they wait to find out who will make it into South Korea’s latest K-pop group.

For these girls, this moment represents the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. As the global K-pop industry continues to soar in popularity, many young hopefuls, both in South Korea and internationally, dream of reaching this stage. But achieving K-pop stardom is no easy feat.

A Grueling Path to Success

Months or even years of intense training await those who aim for the coveted title of K-pop idol. These young trainees spend their days perfecting their singing, dancing, rapping, and performing skills, all while adhering to strict exercise and diet routines. For many, the sacrifices are immense: formal education is put on hold, and some girls leave their families behind to live in dormitories, chasing a dream in an industry known for its rapid rise and fall.

“In the idol world, 18 is very old… if I miss this opportunity, I worry if there will be another place other than this company that would accept me,” says 18-year-old Ah-In Lee, one of the seven finalists at MZMC, a K-pop agency preparing to launch a new group.

Exclusive Insight into the Final Week of Training

CNN’s Kyung Lah was granted rare access to MZMC’s final week of training before debuting its first-ever group. MZMC founder and CEO, Paul Thompson, an American producer with years of experience in K-pop, estimates that thousands of girls auditioned for the program. Of the 30 who were selected as official trainees, only seven remain.

The final selection process at MZMC is part of the larger K-pop phenomenon, where agencies not only train and manage artists but oversee nearly every aspect of their lives— from their public appearances and social media presence to personal routines. While some critics compare this system to the Motown label of the 1960s and 70s, Thompson says it’s still thriving in South Korea due to the level of investment involved.

The Pressure of Perfection

One of the key elements of a K-pop idol’s career is their physical appearance. In a culture that has long valued beauty standards such as fair skin, slender bodies, and sharp features, K-pop stars are expected to adhere to these ideals. “Nobody wants to idolize someone who reminds them of yourself. You want to look up to someone perfect,” says Thompson, acknowledging the high expectations that come with the job.

However, the pressure to meet these standards can take a toll. Amber Liu, a former K-pop idol, openly admits to developing unhealthy habits, including starvation, to conform to the industry’s beauty expectations. For these young trainees, managing their weight is an ongoing challenge, with some of them tracking their calorie intake and making sacrifices in their diet.

“I have to eat while lessening the amount of food and calculating the nutritional value and calories. That’s a bit difficult,” says Lee, adding that physical appearance is one of the most important aspects of being an idol.

Thompson defends the agency’s approach to training, saying that while the trainees are given healthy meals, the focus is on maintaining a “visual aesthetic” for the group. But for the girls, the pressure remains constant, with some considering plastic surgery to enhance their appeal.

Striving for Stardom Amidst Intense Scrutiny

For the seven remaining trainees at MZMC, the pressure only intensifies as they near their debut. Once a group is formed, the road to fame is still fraught with challenges. Less than 1% of K-pop groups achieve the global success seen by industry giants like BTS and Blackpink. The girls know that public scrutiny will follow them at every step, and even small missteps can lead to backlash.

“There are certain things like that, we train the girls to be aware,” Thompson explains. “If you’re going to do these things (like dating or drinking) when you’re older, you have to be more private about it.”

The loyalty of K-pop fans is intense. Many fans fund albums, attend concerts, and even organize charity events in support of their favorite idols. But this devotion also comes with high expectations, including demands for idols to remain ‘perfect’ in every aspect of their public lives.

Mental Health and the Price of Fame

The stress and pressure of training, as well as the scrutiny that comes with being a K-pop idol, can take a toll on mental health. Seoyoung Yun, a 16-year-old trainee, experienced a panic attack after enduring months of eliminations and intense training. Fortunately, she was able to take time off to recover before returning to the program.

Despite the mental and physical challenges, the dream of stardom remains a powerful motivator. The global success of K-pop, including BTS’s Grammy nominations and Blackpink’s Coachella performance, has made it one of South Korea’s most influential cultural exports.

For the seven girls at MZMC, the chance to break into the global K-pop scene is just one step away. By the end of that day, their fate is sealed: VVS, the new group, is born, and the trainees officially become part of the growing K-pop wave.

“We will achieve a certain level of success. We will find the right fan base and the right people that will enjoy our music,” Thompson says confidently, though whether the group will reach the heights of Blackpink or BTS remains to be seen.

For these girls, their journey to K-pop stardom has only just begun.

Source

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