Stray Kids
Stray Kids (Korean: 스트레이 키즈; RR: Seuteurei Kijeu; often abbreviated as SKZ) is a South Korean boy band formed by JYP Entertainment through the 2017 reality show of the same name.[1] The group is composed of eight members: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. Originally a nine-piece group, member Woojin left due to undisclosed personal reasons in October 2019.
For the South Korean reality show with the same name, see Stray Kids (TV program).
Stray Kids
2017–present
3Racha
Stray Kids released their pre-debut extended play (EP) Mixtape in January 2018 and officially debuted on March 25 with the EP I Am Not, followed by other two I Am series EPs, I Am Who and I Am You. Their Clé trilogy EPs were issued in 2019, consisting of Clé 1: Miroh, Clé 2: Yellow Wood, and Clé: Levanter. The group's first studio album Go Live was released in 2020, becoming their first platinum-certified album by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). That year, Stray Kids also made their Japanese debut with the compilation album SKZ2020 through Epic Records Japan.
In 2021, Stray Kids' second studio album Noeasy became their first million-selling album. After signing with Republic Records for promotions in the United States in 2022, the group released the EPs Oddinary, Maxident (both in 2022), and Rock-Star (2023), and their third studio album 5-Star (2023), all four of which topped the US Billboard 200 and entered the UK Albums Chart. 5-Star was certified five-million in album sales by the KMCA, making them just the third group to achieve this in Korean history. As of October 2022, Stray Kids has sold over 10 million albums across both Korean and Japanese releases.[2] In 2023, they featured on Time's Next Generation Leaders list.[3]
History
2017–2018: Formation, debut and I Am series
In August 2017, JYP Entertainment (JYPE) officially announced their new reality survival show with the goal of launching a male idol debut project. More details and teasers were released in the next two months, including the show's title, Stray Kids.[6][7][8] Prior to its premiere on October 17, JYPE released Stray Kids' first music video for a song titled "Hellevator", which was later released as a digital single. Two members, Lee Know and Felix, were initially eliminated from the group but returned to the final nine-member line-up.[9][10][11]
Endorsements
In February 2018, before Stray Kids' official debut, the nine members were announced as new models for Jambangee Jeans for their spring collection.[172] In June, they were selected as an exclusive models for Ivy Club for the 2018 fall semester.[173] The next month, Stray Kids partnered with Minute Maid Sparkling and were selected as promotional models for CGV "Youth Brand Festival" five days later.[174] On September 19, Stray Kids began endorsing Lotte Duty Free, and on October 16, Stray Kids became new models for the Korean sportswear brand Pro-Specs.[175] In June 2019, Stray Kids was chosen as the newest ambassador of Talk Talk Korea Contest,[176] and on June 18, they were appointed as honorary ambassadors by the Korean Culture and Information Service under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[177][178]
In November 2020, Stray Kids was chosen to become Shopee Indonesia's brand ambassador for the 11.11 Big Sale and 12.12 Birthday Sale.[179][180] On February 1, 2021, Stray Kids was chosen to become new models for Clio Cosmetics.[181][182] In June 2021, the group was chosen to become an endorser of the Japanese clothing brand Wego[183] and as ambassadors for the Korea Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai.[184] In September, the group was chosen to become new models for the cosmetic brand Nacific,[185] and the group's sub-unit Danceracha (Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Felix) appeared in campaigns for Italian brand Etro's unisex Earthbeat sneaker.[186]
In 2022, Stray Kids became muses for the clothing brand Mahagrid's 2022 Summer T-shirt Campaign,[187] as well as ambassadors for Philippine clothing brand Bench.[188] The brand held a fan meeting on January 20, 2023, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.[189] The group served as models for Lotte Duty Free again in September 2022, together with Super Junior.[190] In 2023, Stray Kids were selected to be Samsung Galaxy mobile phone accessories brand SLBS' exclusive models, and launched "Star to Galaxy" campaign, to collaborate with the group's character SKZoo for a special Z Flip using eco-friendly material and space theme,[191] as well as Indonesian milk product Ultra Milk's brand ambassador.[192] In fashion industry, Stray Kids were selected to be Asian ambassador of Tommy Hilfiger for 2023 Fall campaign,[193] as well as Hyunjin for Versace as global ambassador and Felix for Louis Vuitton as house ambassador.[194][195]