Stray Kids share an exclusive image and tell us about becoming the first K-pop group in history to perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

I am standing on the pitch of the Citi Field baseball stadium in New York, watching tens of thousands of STAY (the name for Stray Kids’ fans) rush down to their seats. There is an impatient-yet-relieved rustling to the proceedings, as they have been waiting for an hour for a blisteringly hot (and wet) NYC thunderstorm to move through the area. Luckily the downpour passed by, and forty thousand fans are currently filling up the stand and the baseball field- they photo cards and plushies jangling as they go. 

I’m reminded of just under a year ago, when I was on set for Stray Kids’ Rolling Stone UK cover shoot in Milan. I’m having a quiet moment, away from the whole production, with Stray Kids’ leader Bang Chan. I suggest that the group could easily do a stadium tour. He responded humbly “we’re not quite there yet.” Almost a year on, and Stray Kids are part way through their <dominATE> world tour that spans 34 cities across the globe. This weekend, they became the first ever K-pop group to perform at the 60,000 capacity Tottenham Hotspur stadium- joining the likes of Beyonce, Guns N Roses and Lady Gaga who have also performed there- selling out two nights.

The last time I saw the incredible octet, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin and I.N, we were backstage,  before they went on-stage to perform in front of a huge crowd at British Summer Time, Hyde Park. It was one of their first concerts of such magnitude. I remember them admitting there were some nerves, but there was also had a calm confidence that only comes from rigorous rehearsing and hard work. In a beautifully captured moment on film- Changbin, Hyunjin and I.N were standing silently in a row backstage, listening to the overwhelming wall sound coming from the Hyde Park crowd as they sang SKZ songs. It’s a candid, almost personal moment, where, for a few seconds, you can see a mix of sheer disbelief and pride in their faces, realising that they have truly made it. The group didn’t let the moment overwhelm them, and they took it in their stride. Not only did they ace their London show, but the experience clearly fuelled the craving for more mega-moments such at that one. The group has continued the course and the trajectory of their dream- keeping their heads down, getting into the studio and working on new music- scoring their sixth number one album on the Billboard 200. It’s not just the music they’ve kept their promise on from our interview last year. The gym gains they chatted about have also been paying off. You just need to see the Tiktok fan-cams of a flexing Hyunjin and I.N, or a sleeveless HAN and beefed-up Bang Chan on this tour.

Stray Kids’ music is made for stadiums and for tens of thousands of fans chanting back at them as Seungmin is belting out a high-note during songs such as ‘Cover Me;’ Felix going baritone for ‘God’s Menu’ or Changbin is is treating us to some supersonic rapping whenever he gets the chance to go full flight in a song. The energy on the <dominATE> tour is full of their trademark noisy joy, brotherhood and camaraderie, all set to their big-hitting songs such as ‘Chk Chk Boom’ ‘Maniac’ and ‘MIROH.’ There’s definitely a sense of work hard/play hard when the group are on stage. HAN showed off his British accent and Lee Know’s shoe flew off during a particular exuberant bit of choreography during S-Class, which led to plenty of boisterous teasing from the rest of the group (ever the professional, Minho of course finished the dance perfectly- sans sneaker.) The <dominATE> tour is a true Stray Kids’ party- full of technically complicated choreography, strong vocals and a lot of love poured out to the crowd. The show was full of streamers, fireworks and even a parade of giant inflatable SKZOO (their animal alter ego) and floats that carried the group around the periphery of the pitch with the Kids waving at their fans. It was like a super-charged Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. <dominATE> was a pure celebration with their fans on all that they had achieved so far (though leader Bang Chan is definitely not finished yet.)
After such a huge year, we thought it was high time for a catch up with our favourite K-pop cover stars, before they headed over to the mainland to complete the rest of their European leg of the tour. 

I’m not sure you remember Bang Chan, but at the end of the RSUK photoshoot in Milan, I said I could see you performing in stadiums already. You humbly joked ‘not quite yet’ and here you are! How does it feel getting to this milestone? You also mentioned you need to love yourself a bit more, and you seem to be doing that on stage on this tour, and really enjoying the moment. Do you feel different as a group and within yourself a year on in any way? What has helped you get there?

Bang Chan: Getting to this milestone is definitely thanks to our lovely STAY and all the members’ hard work. Honestly, I don’t feel there has been a big change in the group because our mindset  has never changed, and we are still very determined to improve in the areas where we need to grow. But if there is one thing that I have to point out, it is that our love for each other and for STAY has definitely become deeper and stronger than before. Honestly, that might be the key reason we have come this far. (But it’s not enough, for sure)

There is a really amazing video of you (Changbin) Hyunjin and I.N listening to the crowd singing your songs before you went on at BST Hyde Park. You seemed really emotional and shocked at that moment. Can you explain what you felt at that moment before you went on at Hyde Park, about to perform to such a big crowd, and hearing them chanting your songs? How have the crowds vary from country to country own this tour? Do any stand out in particular for this tour?

Changbin: Hearing the crowd singing along right before our performance amazed and excited me. I truly want to thank everyone who waited for us. Every moment was memorable, especially since some of the countries we visited were new to us, the whole experience felt like a gift. I really appreciate all the energy the fans showed during our performances; it was just as fun for us, too.

How does it feel to now be doing stadium tours in front of so many fans? On this tour, Seungmin, there are times where you take a moment, looking out at the crowd, taking it all in and reflect. Are you quite a reflective person? From the tour so far, are there any moments that really stand out to you, emotionally?

Seungmin: I like to stay in the moment and take in everything around me. Sometimes, a moment feels so special that I wish it wouldn’t end—but instead, I try to crave it into my memory forever. I tend to reflect on myself a lot; I guess that’s just who I am, even if I don’t mean to be.

One of the most memorable moments for me was seeing a mother and a baby in the audience. They came closer to my side of the stage, and I got to hold the baby’s tiny hand. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, and I hope the baby will remember it too.

You have your duet songs, ‘Truman,’ ‘Burnin’ Tires,’ ‘ESCAPE’ and ‘CINEMA’ on the set list. It felt like a special moment of the show. How come you decided to put the duo songs in, and how does the energy change when you’re performing these songs? 

Bang Chan: I like how all four of the unit performances are very different and each has its  own colours. For Hyunjin and I, we have done a duet before (Red Lights) so we naturally bring out our signature vibe on stage.

Hyunjin: It seems like many people enjoy the unit combination of Bang Chan and me, so we composed a strong yet refined song. I like how it represents a different side of ‘dominATE’.

Lee Know: The album celebrating our seventh anniversary includes our unit song. Each unit tried to capture the emotions and experiences we have felt so far in our own unique colours, and we included the song because we wanted to share it with the audience during our concert

Seungmin: When we perform ‘CINEMA’, the concert venue with STAY instantly transforms into a romantic movie theatre. This song was inspired by the very moments on stage during this tour, so every time we perform it, I feel really touched and create many unforgettable memories.

Changbin: Through different combinations of unit members, I believe we can showcase new and unique performances. Our unit stage, in particular, has a more energetic and fun vibe that the audience can sing along to.

I.N: We wanted to showcase the different musical colours of Stray Kids, which is why we decided to create unit songs. Each unit brings a different energy and performance style, making the experience more enjoyable for the audience.

Felix: Compared to listening and watching online, the performance brings a different  kind of vibe that fans love to see. It truly showcases our songs and expression more clearly. 

HAN: We included unit songs to showcase new combinations of members, fresh songs, new synergies, and new sides of ourselves. Having unit stages adds more variety and introduces a new flavour that’s enjoyable both visually and musically, so I was satisfied with it.

HAN, you have strong emotional attachments to the songs you write . Obviously, your discography is too big to have every song on the setlist. Are there any that you have missed performing this time around, and why? If you could add one more song to this show’s setlist, what would you add? And what’s your favourite to perform on this tour and why?

HAN: Although I truly love and cherish my songs, as a performer, I understood that they didn’t quite match the theme of this concert, so I was totally fine with not including them. I personally like calm and minimalistic songs, and I knew they wouldn’t really suit the overall vibe of our tour <dominATE>.

Lee Know, last time we met, it was backstage at British Summer Time Hyde Park and you were just about to go onstage! So much has happened since then, in the space of a year. Have you got any particular highlights from this past year? STAY really loved your solo track and music video ‘Youth.’ How was that to film, and also to get such a great response.

Lee Know: ‘Youth’ is a song about truly embracing youth itself. The music video felt like we were going back to childhood, like playing a bingo game. We had a lot of fun, and it still brings a smile to my face when I think back on it.

Have you got any new pre-show rituals or habits you do before you go on stage? Or any new funny things you have been doing on this tour?

Bang Chan: A ritual that I always try to make sure happens is to hurdle up right before we go on stage and do a little war-cry to get ourselves into the game.

Lee Know: Before going on stage, I do vocal warm-ups  and quickly do about 20 squats to get my body ready.

Seungmin: I try to stay calm in a quiet place before the performance because I need to give energy to a large audience on stage.

Feelings are an important part of performing. Does it ever get overwhelming emotionally performing to such a big stage? Who is the most emotional, both on and off stage?

Changbin: Every stage feels touching and profound to me. I think Bang Chan and Felix are the most emotional on stage. In everyday life, members with an F in their MBTI tend to be more sentimental and gentle by nature.

Hyunjin: I consider myself quite an emotional person. I’m very open with my feelings, and I enjoy expressing myself through acting. On stage, I freely express myself through the characters I have chosen.

HAN: Since we started the stadium tour, seeing the massive scale of the venues and countless STAY, I’ve felt overwhelmed right from the very first stage. But I think we always do our best to show the best version of ourselves. On stage, everyone seems to get emotional. Nowadays, at every performance, I feel like we share an emotional connection that goes beyond the music itself.

STAY love how excitable you get performing (we remember your voice cracking when you were shouting out to the crowd at the end of BST!) Felix. Do you think you’re the most excitable on stage? Or is it another member? Who is the most calm and poised? What do you do after the show to wind down, clear your mind and get in calmer space after all the excitement?

Felix: I feel that everyone is excited in their own ways to not only showcase their performance but also as a sign of appreciation to the fans who took the time to watch us. However I do believe that when it comes to hyping up the crowd, I consider myself the hype man.

I.N, STAY and your fellow members have all said how you have grown so much on this tour (Seungmin joked you’re ‘now a man!’ on stage.) How do you think you have changed as an artist and a person since you debuted? Has anything or any members said or done anything that’s stuck with you and shaped/inspired you on your journey?

I.N: If STAY and the members say so, then I believe the changes are exactly as they appear. However, I will continue to work harder and improve in the areas where I am lacking. The ones who always motivate me to grow are our members and STAY. Through the members, I learn to adopt their good qualities as my own, and STAY always motivates me to put in extra effort, aim higher and further.

STAY are drawn to our duality of your intense personality on stage and your calmer dreamier personality when you’re off stage Hyunjin. Do you feel that too? What is your favourite moment on stage for this tour? And what is your favourite thing do when you have downtime at the moment? How’s the art going? Have you added any more hobbies to the mix?

Hyunjin: When I’m in Korea, I like to go to various places, such as pottery workshops or art galleries. These days, I’m also drawn to furniture and small decorative objects, so I often visit those kinds of shops. In my free time, I absolutely love painting and listening to music too. I have never intentionally tried to express this duality, but I think I tend to pursue aesthetic things in my personal life, while on stage, I want to portray a stronger side of myself.

You are away from home for a long time during this time. How do you support each other with the intense world and schedule of being an idol?

Felix: All of us go through intense moments and face the realities of this world. Knowing that I’m not alone on this journey, there will always be others to support each other in overcoming obstacles. 

I.N: It feels like we are becoming more like a family. We try to understand each other better, make more effort, and take better care of one another, which helps us feel more comfortable, just like a real family.

Which member is best to go for comfort and why? 

Felix: Changbin, since he’s in the middle of all our age groups.

Seungmin: Changbin is both emotional and realistic, so he’s someone who comforts others right at the balance between the two.

Which member is best to go to, to lighten the mood and why? 

Bang Chan: I would say anyone to be honest. They all lift me up in one way or another. I mean, they are all funny and we joke around a lot.

I.N: I would say Changbin. Sometimes I think his energy is incredible. With that energy, he doesn’t just make the members laugh, but even our staff. Thanks to him, the atmosphere around us is lifted every time.

Which member is best to go to for advice in a tough situation and why? 

Changbin: The youngest member, I.N. I think he would be good at giving realistic, even brutally honest advice.

Hyunjin: I would want to confide in I.N because he is honest and straightforward. He listens well and has a strong sense of his own opinions, so I feel comfortable around him.

Which member is best at checking in on other members, and noticing if someone needs help? 

Lee Know: I think Bang Chan, as the leader of our group, has gotten quicker at sensing each member’s condition and mood.

HAN: Bang Chan, as the leader, seems really good at noticing the little things.

The Stray Kids <dominATE> World Tour continues in Spain, France and Italy.