bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

The Korea Times

By Lee Gyu-lee
Stray Kids have established themselves firmly as the most successful K-pop group on the global stage since BTS, captivating a devoted fan base with their dark and experimental albums.
As the group carves out a niche, the secret to their global success lies not just in genre-defying music, but also in the ability to connect deeply with fans across diverse cultures.
Stray Kids released their new album, ATE, on July 19, and the album and its lead single “Chk Chk Boom” have already achieved significant success, further enhancing the group’s global stardom.
The new mini album topped the Billboard 200 chart, leading the group to land on the Billboard Artist 100.
This marks the fifth consecutive time the group has reached the Billboard 200’s top spot since first making the chart in May 2022 with Oddinary, and leaves them just short of BTS’ record of six consecutive weeks at number one.


“Chk Chk Boom”, a Latin-style track with a hip-hop rhythm, reached 49th place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This marks the group’s highest ranking on the platform’s main chart since their debut in 2018.
The album features eight tracks, with contributions from the group’s producing unit 3RACHA, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. Additionally, member Felix co-wrote the lyrics for one of the tracks “Runners”.
Critics say the group’s self-produced, high-quality music greatly contributes to their popularity.
“It’s true that Stray Kids are incredibly talented. And because they have exceptional skills, the performances they create on stage are of a very high standard. And their music content consistently meets or exceeds a certain level of quality,” South Korean pop culture critic Ha Jae-geun says.
“As a result, I think this naturally led global audiences to discover the charm of Stray Kids.
Another pop culture critic, Kim Hern-sik, noted the group’s ability to produce their own music and performances makes their work distinct from other K-pop groups.

“Stray Kids make and execute all their decisions themselves. They create everything on their own, from lyrics, composition and arrangement to choreography,” he says.
“Because they create their own songs and dances, the message they’re trying to convey comes [across] much more naturally and effortlessly.”
The members say they tried different styles of music with the new album, yet made sure they approached it with their own unique colours.
Going forward, Stray Kids need to create more mainstream content
Ha Jae-geun, pop culture critic
“We aimed to show a different side of Stray Kids this time. While we previously delivered fiery and radiating energy, this title track is to be more restrained and subtle, yet not boring, and it still features our charm and style,” Han said during the album’s showcase in July.
Changbin added: “We have confidence we’re making our own irreplaceable music. With this as a base, we continue to reflect and improve, and I think many people love us for this side of ourselves.”
The group show a wide variety of styles of music, with songs such as the rock-infused song “LaLaLaLa” and electronica-infused “S-Class”.
Kim says the diversity of the group’s music draws audiences with different tastes.

“They have presented various musical styles, from EDM, hip-hop, acoustic to alternative rock … The mood of their music ranges widely, including playful and mischievous tones, lyrical and soft ballads, as well as empowering anthems,” he says.
“While they initially focused on dynamic performances with powerful energy, their performances are now more restrained and aesthetic, which is also interesting.”
All eight members recently renewed their contracts with their label, JYP Entertainment. As Stray Kids follow in the footsteps of K-pop juggernaut BTS on the global music charts, the group hold high hopes for their future career.
Despite the group’s popularity overseas, they have underperformed at home. “Chk Chk Boom” is ranked 29th on Melon, South Korea’s largest streaming site, and 64th on another platform, Genie.

Ha notes that Stray Kids still fall short of securing as broad a fan base as BTS did while making their mark on the global music industry.
“Compared to BTS, Stray Kids’ popularity is somewhat less widespread. While BTS appealed to a much broader audience, Stray Kids’ fans are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic, but many others are less familiar with them,” he says.
“Going forward, Stray Kids need to raise their recognition and appeal to the general public to expand their audience and popularity … To achieve this, they also need to create more mainstream content that the general public can easily listen to and enjoy.”
Read the full story at The Korea Times.


Style Edit: At Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva, Tudor presented new Black Bay models and the Pelagos Ultra – with an in-person visit from ‘King of Asian Pop’ Jay Chou

I’m a Cannes-going Chinese showbiz producer. It’s fun – except when it isn’t

Massive North Korean phishing attack used K-pop and horoscope lures: South Korean police

K-pop songs with a ‘French touch’? How new songwriting camp brought 2 countries together

K-pop, Mandopop and other Asian pop

How K-pop group Stray Kids sang and danced their way to global success

South Korean K-pop group Stray Kids onstage at Seoul Festa 2022 in Seoul, Korea. Photo: AFP

K-pop stars Stray Kids have found global fame with their wide range of musical styles, and thrilled fans with their live performances. Now, they just need to equal that success in South Korea. Photo: AFP

Stray Kids onstage at Seoul Festa 2022 at Jamsil Stadium, in Seoul, Korea. Photo: AFP

Stray Kids arrive for the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, New Jersey, in September 2023. From left: Changbin, I.N, Han, Felix, Lee Know, Seungmin, Hyunjin and Bang Chan. Photo: AFP

Stray Kids attend a red carpet event in Osaka, Japan, in November 2022. Photo: AFP

Global K-pop stars Stray Kids in UK festival debut ahead of ‘comeback’ album ATE’s release

Stray Kids perform live at British Summer Time Hyde Park in London on July 14, 2024.  “This is a career highlight,” the popular K-pop group said. Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Stray Kids perform live at British Summer Time Hyde Park in London. Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Stray Kids members on stage at British Summer Time Hyde Park in London. Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

K-pop singer and actress Lee Hye-ri on why her new film role, in Victory, was ‘intense’

Lee Hye-ri at the 2024 New York Asian Film Festival. Photo: Chris Kammerud

Lee Hye-ri at the 2024 New York Asian Film Festival, where Victory, in which she has the lead role, had its world premiere and the actress won the Asia rising star award. Photo: Raymond Tisch

Lee (front) in a still from Victory. Photo: Mindmark & Annapurna Films

Lee in a still from reality series Agents of Mystery, currently on Netflix. Photo: Boram Park/Netflix

Lee after receiving the rising star Asia award at the 2024 New York Asian Film Festival. Photo: Rom Choi

Lee in a still from the 2021 K-drama My Roommate Is a Gumiho.

Lee in a still from the 2022 K-drama May I Help You.

A still from Victory. Photo: Mindmark & Annapurna Films

Lee (second from right), Park Se-wan (right) and Park Beom-su (second from left) at the 2024 New York Asian Film Festival. Photo: Chris Kammerud

2 years of NewJeans, and the girls thank fans for their K-pop success – ‘Love you all!’

The members of K-pop girl group NewJeans reflect on their two years in the industry since their debut. Photo: courtesy of Ador

NewJeans have achieved rapid success. Photo: courtesy of Ador

NewJeans continue to receive love from Japanese terrestrial broadcasters. Photo: courtesy of Ador

The group’s recent fan meeting at the Tokyo Dome, in Japan, was a display of their rising popularity. Photo: X/@newjeanscloset_

NewJeans during a ceremony in Seoul at which they were appointed honorary Korea tourism ambassadors. Photo: AP

Lifestyle

K-drama

Bands

Entertainment

Culture

Music

K-Pop

Stray Kids are making fans around the world with their genre-defying music. Can the 8-member K-pop group do the same at home in South Korea?


K-pop group Stray Kids have found global fame with their wide range of musical styles, and thrilled fans with their live performances. Now they just need to equal that success in Korea.


South Korean celebrities

Fame and celebrity

Korea Times