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  • Music Rewind 2025: The Year Of Stray Kids’ ‘DIVINE’ KARMA

    Every time we think Stray Kids have reached a new peak, they’re on their way to reach a new one, breaking records and making history. Stray Kids’ growth has been unstoppable since their debut, and this year they reached the much-feared seven-year mark without a sweat, making 2025 their biggest year yet. From completing their biggest world tour yet, to having one of the most impactful comebacks of the year, releasing impeccable songs and collabs, Stray Kids were everywhere all around the world more than ever before!

    The 5th Fanmeeting: SKZ 5’CLOCK

    In Stray Kids’ fashion, for the fifth year in a row, they hosted their fifth fanmeeting: the 5’Clock fanmeeting. With the concept of a sleepover, Stray Kids filled the INSPIRE Arena in Seoul for three days on a row around Valentine’s Day. Fanmeetings always feature new performances, but it’s also about bringing back older, fan-favorite songs. This time, they brought back ‘I Am You’ and, even more surprisingly, ‘Voices’ with the original choreography. ‘DLC‘ and ‘Astronaut‘ were also part of the setlist for one of the three days. Even better yet, we got the live debut of their 2024 b-side, ‘Bounce Back,’ along with a choreography, and the first live performance of ‘Cover Me‘ – featuring some of their most heavenly vocals.

    The highlight of the fan meeting last year was, by far, the real-life-sized SKZOO. So, of course, they were brought back this time around and were just as iconic. Plus, this year, we got the bonus of Stray Kids going around with bear versions of their SKZOOs. But it wouldn’t be a fanmeeting without fun games and challenges. The list is lengthy and includes many iconic moments, but here are our highlights: the ‘NEMO NEMO’ challenge with Lee Know, Seungmin, and I.N, the ‘AS I TOLD YOU’ challenge with Hyunjin, Han, and Felix (in the form of a Bbokkari plushie), ‘WHIPLASH’ with Bang Chan, Lee Know, and Han, ‘Home Sweet Home’ with Changbin and Han, ‘Shanghai Romance’ with Lee Know, Changbin and Hyunjin, and several versions of ‘Kissing You.’ The most memorable challenge of last year also made its comeback: Lee Know doing the ‘Loveable’ challenge, along with Bang Chan and Han. But truly nothing beats the reveal of the long-awaited ‘My People’ by Bang Chan and Changbin, a song that ended up being even better than we could’ve ever imagined from the snippet we had heard in that one 3RACHA VLive back in early 2020.

    However, the actual showstopping part of this fanmeeting goes, hands down, to the Stray Kids members switching their solos from the first part of the dominATE World Tour and b-sides in HOP. Felix performed ‘Hold My Hand,’ adding the fun element of a toy guitar. Logically, the maknae on top himself, I.N, took over ‘Youth’ and even used one of the dances from ‘Hallucination’ during the dance break. In exchange, Lee Know killed it by performing ‘Hallucination.’ Changbin performed ‘As We Are,’ showcasing his incredible vocals and adding his own rap verse. ‘So Good’ was covered by Bang Chan – but with a mullet before his hair got long, no, we haven’t forgotten. Han did an excellent job with ‘Railway’ and even revealed part of his side tattoo on the third day. And Hyunjin showcased yet another set of skills in ‘Unfair.’ But if there’s a single one performance to keep from the fanmeeting, it’s Seungmin’s take on ‘ULTRA.’ The extra layers of vocals and the evil PuppyM in the background with laser eyes: absolute cinema.

    This year’s fanmeeting came with many surprises, but its setlist would also serve as a huge spoiler for the tour’s setlist change, and little did we know, this would be the last time the solos were performed.

    Mixtape: dominATE

    With the first half of the tour behind them, Stray Kids had set to change things up for the remaining legs of the DominATE World Tour – and that included, of course, new songs. They announced Mixtape: dominATE would be released just a few days before their seventh anniversary. Unlike their other mixtapes, this one featured more than one song: the Korean version of their Japanese title track, ‘GIANT,’ and four brand-new sub-units.

    ‘Burnin’ Tires’ is a fun, energetic song that combines the wit and charisma of Changbin and I.N., while Han and Felix teamed up for ‘TRUMAN’ – a rap-heavy track that showcased their immense talent and versatility as songwriters and idols. We got a second sub-unit, ‘ESCAPE,’ featuring Bang Chan and Hyunjin, with influences similar to their first sub-unit, ‘Red Lights,’ but even more intense. And finally, Lee Know and Seungmin delivered an incredibly meaningful and heartwrenching ballad with ‘CINEMA.’ It was the first taste we got of what the first half of the year would be all about for Stray Kids: the dominATE World Tour.

    The Second Part Of The dominATE World Tour

    Stray Kids embarked on their biggest tour yet, the dominATE world tour, last year following the release of ATE, touring across Asia and Australia. In January, they concluded this leg of the tour with two dates in Hong Kong. After a break from the tour, Stray Kids finally began their first tour in Latin America on March 27th in Chile, a leg that saw them fill some of their biggest stadiums to date. They went to Brazil (both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo) and Peru, and finally to Mexico. For the occasion, they mixed up the setlist a bit, rearranging the order and adding the unit songs, as well as ‘Walkin On Water,’ ‘GIANT,’ ‘Cover Me,’ among others. And for this leg of the tour only: ‘I am You.’

    They later played the Shizuoka Stadium ECOPA in Japan for four days, before kicking off the North American leg of the tour, where they played 13 shows in 10 different cities across the United States and, for the first time, Canada. The last leg of the tour was the long-awaited European leg, six years after their showcase tour in summer 2019. They became the first K-Pop act to perform at the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and the act to sell the most tickets in France, selling out two shows at the Stade de France, the biggest stadium on their entire tour. They also toured in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid, and eventually wrapped up the tour in Rome.

    The DominATE World Tour remained iconic, full of energy and passion for music, right up until the very last day, and easily earned its place in K-Pop history. Stray Kids were the first Korean act to perform in several of these stadiums, but that was far from being their only milestone. It was estimated that the tour would bring a total of 2.2 million people worldwide, making it the South Korean tour with the most attendees per date and breaking records for attendance and revenue in Latin America, North America, and Europe. When Stray Kids announced this would be their biggest tour yet, they surely hadn’t expected to break every record out there.

    The Fourth Japanese Mini-Album: Hollow

    In the midst of having one of the biggest tours in K-Pop history, Stray Kids found the time to release music. Indeed, Stray Kids released their fourth Japanese mini-album on June 18th. It featured five songs: ‘Hollow,’ ‘Parade,’ ‘Never Alone,’ ‘just a little,’ and ‘宿命’ (translated to ‘Fate’). This mini-album explored vulnerability through the title track, ‘Hollow,’ while also delivering powerful anthems about finding your place, like ‘Parade’ and ‘Never Alone.’ It also included songs written solely by Han and another one by Changbin. Hollow was a breath of fresh air that everyone needed.

    And everyone in Japan agreed with the pure genius behind this mini-album. Stray Kids, once again, topped both the Oricon Albums Chart and the Billboard Japan Hot Albums. With 523k copies sold in its first week, Hollow broke the record as their most sold album during the first week, and became the most sold album in its first week in 2025 by a non-Japanese artist. As of now, with over 700k copies sold, Hollow is certified platinum in Japan.

    The Fourth Full-Length Album: KARMA

    As much as the tour broke records and Hollow took over every playlist, the biggest shake Stray Kids would cause in 2025 was yet to come. After months of hints and not-so-subtle spoilers, in the midst of the European leg of their tour, the announcement finally dropped: Stray Kids were making a comeback on August 22nd with their fourth full-length album, KARMA.

    KARMA consisted of nine brand-new songs, plus the festival version of its title track, ‘CEREMONY.’ The album was directly influenced by the tour, as seen in songs like ‘In My Head’ and ‘Half Time.’ It was grand, full of confidence like in ‘BLEEP,’ and they experimented with staples of their music, pushing the boundaries further in tracks like ‘CREEP’ with its heavy hip-hop influence and ‘Phoenix’ where they brought back EDM into their music. But KARMA was also not afraid to be vulnerable and introspective, yet comforting, as in tracks like ‘MESS,’ ‘Ghost’ and ‘0801.’ It offered a time capsule of this new peak Stray Kids reached, while also honoring their roots and lengthy journey, making KARMA a jewel in their discography.

    The star of the show, though? ‘CEREMONY.’ It celebrated Stray Kids’ artistry, their journey, their bound, and their love for music all in one song that can’t help but give you a boost of energy and confidence. The song earned six wins in Music Shows, including a double crown at MCountdown, making it their first song to win first place on every music show. It’s also the most-viewed K-Pop boy group music video of 2025. They went on to perform the song, along with ‘Thunderous’ and ‘God’s Menu,’ at the Public Culture Exchange Committee Launch in front of the president and the culture minister. ‘CEREMONY’ is all about Stray Kids owning their history, celebrating every step that got them where they are, and becoming even more of a part of it in the process.

    KARMA made some massive noise – unsurprisingly – topping the music charts in over 10 countries, earning them a gold certification in France and the United States, and a three-million-copy certification by KOMCA. It earned Stray Kids their seventh consecutive number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making them the first act in Billboard history to do so with their first seven entries. Thanks to KARMA, Stray Kids became the group with the most number-one albums this century. It only made sense for KARMA to earn Stray Kids their first MAMA daesang for Album of the Year, the first JYPE act to do so, and a week later, it also won the daesang for Album of the Year at the Asian Artists Awards.

    The World Tour Finale: dominATE: celebrATE

    The grand finale of the World Tour came two months after the release of KARMA, as a celebration of the release and a final tour performance, this time in South Korea. Stray Kids sold out the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium for both dates, October 18th and 19th, marking their first-ever stadium concert in South Korea. They performed the unit songs for the first time in Korea, as well as the Korean version of ‘GIANT.’ Additionally, they performed for the first time live KARMA b-sides: ‘BLEEP,’ ‘Half Time,’ and ‘In My Head.’

    The show served as the perfect closure to Stray Kids’ biggest era yet, but it also opened the doors to what was next. Because one thing about Stray Kids is that they’ll drop spoilers during their concerts, so when they turned up on the second day with outfits with the words ‘DO IT’ and ‘IT TAPE’ on them, we knew something was coming. And indeed, even before Stray Kids stepped off the stage, the trailer for DO IT dropped, and was afterwards premiered for everyone in the stadium.

    SKZ-IT TAPE: DO IT

    DO IT was a release that followed a similar pattern to HOP, which was fully named SKZ-HIP TAPE: HOP. This time it was SKZ-IT TAPE: DO IT. The special mixtape dropped on November 21st, merely three months after the release of KARMA. This time it included four songs, two of which were title tracks. ‘DO IT’ was a fun track that brought back the reggaeton influence we had already seen in ‘Chk Chk Boom,’ but with a more sultry side. The song was at the forefront of the release and earned them a double crown in Show Champion.

    Meanwhile, ‘DIVINE’ was all about Stray Kids mixing many influences to give us ultimately an incredible song, filled with 90s Hip-Hop influence and incorporating Korean traditional culture in it too. ‘DIVINE’ had its live debut at none other than the MAMAs stage. ‘Holiday’ and ‘Photobook’ are not to be forgotten, though. These are some of the best songs we’ve gotten from Stray Kids in 2025. ‘Holiday’ is a seemingly fun yet quite vulnerable and emotional track about feeling burned out. ‘Photobook’ is a heartfelt song full of nostalgia and beautiful melodies inspired by band music.

    Even before its release, DO IT made history, reaching over one million pre-saves on Spotify. On its release, DO IT went head-to-head with the WICKED: For Good Soundtrack on the Billboard 200 to know who would dethrone Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl on her seven-week streak at the top. And, well, Stray Kids made history once again, extending their record as the first act to have eight consecutive number ones with their first entries. It tied them with U2 as the third group with the most number ones on the chart, behind legends like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.

    Solo Activities, Collabs & More Music

    You would think that, with such a packed year and so many achievements, there would be nothing to add, and yet… From fashion shows to collaborations with big brands, Stray Kids was everywhere. Despite releasing one album, one mini-album, and two mixtapes, Stray Kids also ventured into other aspects of music. There were unit OSTs this year: Lee Know, Seungmin, and I.N for Resident Playbook with ‘START!,’ and Han, Felix, and I.N for Genie, Make a Wish with ‘Genie.’ Stray Kids was also the first K-Pop group to collaborate with DJ Snake on the main single of this album: ‘In the Dark,’ following their meeting in 2023. And SKZOO had their own collaboration with Tamagotchi and ZOOTOPIA 2. Past all the group activities, each member left their own mark in the industry this year – here are the highlights.

    The year started with a bang when Bang Chan was announced as the new ambassador of Fendi, leading him to attend two of Fendi’s Fashion shows in Italy. On the last occasion, he filmed a music video for his original solo song, ‘Roman Empire.’ Bang Chan also reached second place as the idol with the most writing credits under KOMCA. In June, Lee Know was announced as the new brand ambassador for Gucci, leading to his appearances on the covers of two magazines.

    Changbin participated in the writing and featured in the title track of 2PM’s Jun.K’s comeback, ‘R&B Me.’ In addition to continuing to be a brand ambassador for Versace and Cartier and attending their shows, Hyunjin also became a brand ambassador for Givenchy Beauty. At the 2025 AAA, he won the Best Choice award, reflecting his status as an icon. In 2025, Han wrote a song for NEXZ, the B-side ‘Run With Me,’ full of his color and personality. He later got invited to a variety show along with NEXZ’s Hyui. In October, Han released his first solo OST: ‘Updraft,’ and one of the songs he wrote for Stray Kids, ‘Collision,’ went viral in South Korea. He was also the cover star of Nylon Japan, modeling for NARS Cosmetics.

    Felix will never beat the most employed person allegations – he would need an entire section for himself if we were to recap every single collab he has done in 2025 alone. He kicked off the year by featuring in LiSA’s ‘ReawakeR,’ the opening title for the second season of Solo Leveling nominated for Best Collaboration at the Asian Pop Music Awards. Felix continued to be an ambassador for Louis Vuitton, but in August, he also became a brand ambassador for Hera, who released two lip colours inspired by him, including ‘Brownie Boy.’ One of his biggest collaborations this year was becoming the first K-Pop idol to serve as an ambassador for Gong Cha. And he also became the new host of Fridge Interview. No one deserved the award for Grand Presence of K-Pop at the 2025 AAA quite like him.

    On the music side, Seungmin continued his Song by. series until reaching episode 10, and went viral with his cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER.’ He also released a SKZ-RECORD, ‘Goodbye,’ written by Bang Chan. Additionally, he released two solo OSTs: ‘My Destiny’ for The Potato Lab, and ‘All I Want Is You’ was released as the first OST for Would You Marry Me. In the fashion world, he was announced as the new Burberry brand ambassador after being revealed as one of the faces of the Burberry Festival campaign. Meanwhile, I.N became a brand ambassador for two massive brands this year alone: Bottega Veneta and Damiani. Even outside of music, there was no getting away from Stray Kids – and believe us, we didn’t want to.

    Content & More Content

    Stray Kids always find time to shower us with content, and 2025 was no different. They’ve been releasing their vlog series continuously, alongside the usual SKZ-Talker and SKZ-Talker Go content, as well as the Rachalog series with new trios. There were several SKZ-CODE episodes released this year, including Snow Kids World, which brought us back to the first-ever episode from 2021. The most important content they released, though, was, of course, the 2025 version of the 2 Kids Room series, covering every single pair as they had previously done in 2023.

    Throughout the year, Stray Kids were invited to several variety shows and series; here are the most notable. We finally got Stray Kids at Dingo’s Killing Voice, where they sang some of their most iconic songs and their best B-sides. We got two new episodes of Idol Human Theater, 3RACHA went head-to-head with Epik High in Epik High, Lee Know and Felix were featured in two episodes of Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, and Changbin and Hyunjin flooded our timelines with clips from Workdol. Outside of variety shows, Stray Kids was also featured in national news several times to celebrate their tour and releases. Even with so many schedules, Stray Kids made sure our entertainment was assured.

    The K-Pop Champion: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year & Other Achievements

    In the past year, Stray Kids went on tour, flew around the world seven times, released the most iconic music, sold out stadiums, topped the most important charts in several countries, and broke record after record. Rolling Stones named their constant record-breaking one of the most iconic moments of K-Pop in 2025. It isn’t surprising either that Forbes ranked them third on its list of the year’s Korean idols, the highest-ranked group. Stray Kids’ music continued to impact and redefine K-Pop this year, and 3RACHA were named the Best Producers by the AAA 2025. They ended the year with 234 credits for Bang Chan, 198 for Changbin, and 191 for Han, ranking 2nd, 6th, and 8th, respectively, among the most credited idols in KOMCA.

    Among all the awards, this year alone, Stray Kids doubled their number of daesangs, remaining the 4th-gen boy group with the most, with a total of 16 awards. The Fact Music Awards gave them two daesangs: Honor of the Year and Record of the Year. They won Grand Honor’s Choice and Grand Record at the KGMA, and Boy Group Best Artist Award at the K-World Dreams Awards. And finally, they won the award for Album of the Year and took their first Artist of the Year daesang at the AAA 2025, merely a week after becoming the fifth JYPE act to win a daesang at the MAMAs: Album of the Year for KARMA.

    So what’s next? With Stray Kids raising the bar year after year, literally anything is possible. But 2026 is already packing out to be another year breaking records and making history – as proved by Stray Kids being the first K-Pop act to headline the Rock In Rio festival in 2026 and becoming the first act since Beyoncé in 2013 to sell out the event in under an hour. 2025 may have been Stray Kids’ biggest year, but we’ve come to know that Stray Kids have no limits to their impact and music.

    What was your favorite song Stray Kids released this year? What’s the most memorable 2025 Stray Kids moment for you? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • 5 Of Stray Kids’ Best Comeback Trailers

    When a comeback is announced, you know Stray Kids are about to shower the internet with content, and nothing quite compares to the emotion and excitement of getting that trailer notification, clicking on the video, and discovering for the first time the concept to announce the music that is about to change your life. Stray Kids have absolutely mastered the art, giving us some of the most beautiful, iconic, fun, and unforgettable comeback trailers. We’re here to look back at the ones that live rent-free in our minds.

    NOEASY

    The experience of the NOEASY trailer is unlike any other. To this day, we’re confident in saying it’s one of the best pieces of content Stray Kids has ever put out. After 11 months without a comeback, NOEASY was one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year, and this was the perfect trailer. Coming off their win in Kingdom and their iconic Deadpool-inspired performance, the trailer for NOEASY has the same funny, action-packed Marvel-like atmosphere, where Stray Kids have to fight the sound monster. It’s full of Easter eggs and witty jokes, and it genuinely feels like the trailer for a superhero movie. While ‘Thunderous‘ as a song may not have followed the storyline, Stray Kids made sure to bring it back for the music video of ‘Christmas EveL‘ and even their 2021 MAMA performance. It simply rewired our brains.

    ODDINARY

    We all remember where we were when Stray Kids dropped the trailer for ODDINARY – probably because most of us were watching the end of the fan meeting live stream in 2022. This trailer gave us Hyunjin with red hair, and that alone puts it in the hall of fame. But even that aside, there are so many elements about this trailer that make it so unforgettable, from the styling to the storyline and cinematography. This trailer gave every member their own special styling, character, and unique imagery. Mixing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Matrix, and Death Note together yielded an obscure, strange, unsettling trailer that would set the perfect atmosphere for the ODDINARY mini-album.

    MAXIDENT

    In contrast to ODDINARY‘s darkness, MAXIDENT was bright and youthful. The trailer is something they had never done before and never did again. Shot in the streets of New York, Stray Kids gave us the ultimate coming-of-age aesthetic, with a gorgeous color palette and a showcase of their chemistry not as a group but as friends. MAXIDENT had a twist at the end, and it introduced, in the most surprising way, one of the most iconic characters in the Stray Kids universe—Heart Tung. MAXIDENT trailer, you will always be famous.

    5-STAR

    There are no words to capture just how iconic the 5-STAR trailer was. It shook the world, and it’s no surprise this is their most-watched trailer. Giving every member their own setting and spotlight, 5-STAR presented all Stray Kids in all their glory—from the fun atmosphere to impressive looks—reflecting their individuality, boldness, and unique personalities. With a trailer like this, the world should’ve known Stray Kids were about to shake everything with their album.

    DO IT

    Similarly to ODDINARY, Stray Kids revealed the trailer for DO IT at the end of a concert—this time, it was the grand finale of their biggest tour yet, the dominATE World Tour. But DO IT has a trailer like no other. Stray Kids fully embrace symbolism and breathtaking artistic choices. With a black-and-white palette, the DO IT trailer gives off horror excellence. It is an aesthetic that Stray Kids had never tried and yet, unsurprisingly, it fits them like a glove. Every frame of the DO IT trailer makes it a simple masterpiece. It took seconds for us to add it at the top of the list of Stray Kids‘ best trailers. We’re counting down the days for the comeback on November 21st to see how this gorgeous, horrific aesthetic translates to the music. One thing we know is that it’ll change our lives.

    Which Stray Kids trailer is your favorite? Which song out of DO IT are you the most excited to listen to? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • From Pro-Dancer To Stray Kids: Retracing Lee Know’s Journey

    Stray Kids’ Lee Know is an idol like no other. His years of experience in the industry as a dancer made him one of the idols with the most mesmerizing dancing and stage presence, tied together with his incredible, versatile, and stable vocals. As soon as he steps on a stage, he shines. He doesn’t stand out from the crowd only because of his skills, but also his journey and the path that ultimately led him to Stray Kids. And we’re here to tell you all about it.

    Early Years

    His determination for dance, to choreograph and perform on stage, was present from the very beginning. Lee Know‘s journey as a dancer started as early as middle school when he took interest in dancing. He later joined the Soul Dance Studio, which he paid for by working part-time jobs, and where he even started to make his own choreographies. Lee Know auditioned for several entertainment companies, and that’s how we got the iconic pre-debut video: his interview with National Geographic during the Cube Entertainment open auditions. And, well, spoiler: he did become the next best thing in K-Pop.

    Joining a Dance Crew

    With his involvement in Soul Dance Studio, Lee Know took part in a dance crew created by the founder of the studio: CUPCAKES. Members of this crew have gone on to become some of the most iconic and well-regarded dancers and choreographers in the industry, such as Bada Lee, and Lee Know was the youngest among them. This crew was beyond iconic, and they even performed at huge events such as the World Of Dance competition in 2016 as special guests – and fun fact, Hyunjin was in the crowd that day. And in the meantime, Lee Know got into college with his own choreography to become a professional choreographer.

    Dancer for BTS

    The most significant break for Lee Know before joining JYP Entertainment and Stray Kids came when he worked as a dancer for BTS. After taking part in CUPCAKES, Lee Know joined BTS’ dance crew at the beginning of 2017. You can still catch him in the front of the performance in ‘Not Today’ stages at music shows. But more importantly, Lee Know joined BTS for the Japanese leg of their Wings Tour in the summer of 2017. It was then that it became clearer than ever to Lee Know that what he wanted more than anything was to become an idol.

    His Trainee Days in JYP Entertainment

    After auditioning for entertainment companies, enough time had passed for Lee Know to believe that he hadn’t been selected until JYP Entertainment called. And thus, practically right out of the plane from Japan, Lee Know joined JYP Entertainment as the last piece to Stray Kids and the main dancer. It meant that Lee Know had about two weeks to complete the entire training process to join the team—and he did, breaking the record for the shortest time to pass all 40 basic JYP moves, all while learning four songs a week. It was a beyond chaotic time, but the fact that Lee Know accomplished all that in only two weeks is a testament to his hard work, determination, and undeniable talent.

    Stray Kids’ Main Dancer

    And that leads us to today. Lee Know plays a major role in Stray Kids as a main dancer. He’s a major force in Stray Kids‘ stage presence, and his leadership in dancing is always noticeable. From helping members learn the choreography, leading rehearsals, and adding his own touches and arrangements to the choreographies, Lee Know‘s mark is all over every Stray Kids performance. Additionally, he has choreographed performances such as his first SKZ-PLAYER, ‘Dawn,’ as well as the Danceracha‘s SKZ-PLAYER, and helped in the design and construction of special stages. His role in the group has also led him to take the stage for solos, blowing everyone away with his performances, technique, and strength —not only as a dancer and performer but as an all-rounded idol.

    Lee Know‘s path was a long one, but it was full of success, hard work, determination, passion, and overflowing talent, which led him right where he needed to be in Stray Kids.

    What’s your favorite Lee Know dancer moment? What’s your favorite performance by him? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • Here’s Why Stray Kids’ Bang Chan Is The Ultimate All-Rounder

    There are very few things Stray Kids‘ Bang Chan can’t do – actually, we’re convinced he can do it all! Bang Chan has talent even in his fingertips, and the way he expresses it is what mesmerizes us every single time. From vocalist to producer, Bang Chan fills absolutely every case for an idol, and even breaks the boundaries and sets the bar higher by redefining what an all-rounder really is. Here’s how he does it!

    Vocalist

    The first thing to know about Bang Chan is that his voice has the power to make an entire song special, unique, and filled with color and power. His voice is perfect for pop music, but it also possesses that distinctive tone that makes it instantly recognizable everywhere. The emotions he transmits through every word make each song hit harder. Songs like ‘Mess’ or even his solo song ‘i hate to admit‘ are true proof of all the emotions he conveys with his voice, his versatility as a vocalist, and the way he makes every song sound exactly like Stray Kids. His range is amazing, his tone is addictive, and his vocals are simply too good.

    Rapper

    Bang Chan occupies just about every role there can be in Stray Kids, and his incredible vocals have never stopped him from also being a rapper. This is a skill that you can especially see in the 3RACHA discography, but it has continued here and there all throughout Stray Kids‘ discography – and every time we get a new Bang Chan rap, you know it’s going to change your brain chemistry! Whether it’s in English, in Korean, or the most witty showcase of bilingualism, Bang Chan always delivers some of the most iconic lines in 3RACHA songs.

    Songs like ‘Maze Of Memories‘ are proof of not only the amount of aura he adds to songs with his raps, but also the genius he delivers with his lyrics and the rhythms and flows he plays with. And don’t even get us started with his “lazy” raps like in ‘The Tortoise and the Hare!’ One thing about Bang Chan is that his versatility will translate into everything he does – and rap is a big one.

    Dancing

    It is general knowledge that out of the Stray Kids members, Bang Chan was the one who trained the longest – for seven years, to be exact. It may be a given that he would excel at dancing, but Bang Chan‘s skills go way beyond that. Bang Chan has the skills to embody a song with his entire being, with the energy and passion he gives to every song, and the precision in all his moves. Bang Chan was the top trainee for a long time, and for a reason, which has also translated into his years as a member of Stray Kids. He has never stopped growing and surprising us!

    Stage Presence

    Jaw-dropping vocals, addictive raps, and incredible dance moves will give you the performer of a lifetime. It is addictive to watch Chan perform: he is more than a mesmerizing performer, leading the stage with such natural charisma. ‘Victory Song‘ (especially the MAMA 2020 version) and ‘MIROH‘ are only two of the songs that prove just how much he leads Stray Kids even on the stage. ‘CEREMONY‘ is a perfect example of his infectious stage presence and the way he simply commands performances. Every time he steps on a stage, you know that’s exactly where he belongs!

    Songwriting And Producing

    What truly sets Bang Chan apart from most other idols is his creativity. As one-third of 3RACHA, Bang Chan’s input into Stray Kids’ discography is so immense that it is hard to contain in simple words. Setting himself as one of the top three idols with the most credits in KOMCA, Bang Chan has had his hand in nearly the entire discography of Stray Kids, whether it’s as a songwriter, a composer, a producer, or all three at the same time! Stray Kids wouldn’t be Stray Kids if it weren’t for Bang Chan, not just because he put the members together, but also because he shaped their sound, their message, and everything Stray Kids stands for.

    It shines through many of the songs he has done alongside 3RACHA, but his creativity and soul also shine in songs like ‘Gone Days‘ or ‘Youtiful‘ where he is the sole songwriter. His solo songs like ‘Railway‘ bleed with exceptional artistry, and simultaneously, he’s able to create songs that fit perfectly every single member in Stray Kids. His range in terms of his art is incredible, spanning songs like ‘ESCAPE‘ to ‘0801.’ Bang Chan’s art and mastermind talent just cannot be stopped, and every new piece he gives us is another reason why he’s one of a kind in this industry.

    What’s your favorite thing about Bang Chan? What’s your favorite song written by Bang Chan? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • 5 Must-Watch Episodes Of Stray Kids’ Seungmin’s SONG by.

    Stray Kids‘ Seungmin has a honey-like voice that simply can’t ever fail. Whether it’s adding that extra sweetness to Stray Kids songs or having his own take on other artists’ songs, you just know Seungmin and his voice will make every song sound its best. Through the years, he has given us several solo songs, OSTs, SKZ-Players and SKZ-Records, but last year, Seungmin started his most precious series to date: SONG by. The concept is simple: Seungmin covering songs with a live, more often than not, acoustic band. With ten episodes, SONG by. went through different phases, transitioning from a format where Seungmin presented each song to simply singing. However, every single episode was deeply personal, vulnerable, and featured some of the most beautiful vocals we’ve ever heard from Seungmin. If you don’t know where to start with this series, we got you! Here are the ones everyone know about.

    Episode 01: ‘Love Poem’ (IU Cover)

    ‘Love poem’ is an extremely important song in Seungmin‘s journey as a vocalist. One of the most memorable performances he has ever given us is the unit vocal performance during Mnet’s Kingdom: Legendary War alongside BTOB‘s Eunkwang and ATEEZ‘s Jongho. We continue to think about this performance even four years later, and not only every single second of it blew us away, but it marked a before and after in the way Seungmin approached his voice, and how he pushed himself forward. It was a historic moment for our books, yet Seungmin never stopped growing from there.

    Making ‘Love poem’ the first cover of the series was a perfect full-circle moment, where he was able to take on the song on his own, four years later, with even more power, sweetness, and a voice that hasn’t stopped evolving, showing just how much he has evolved as a vocalist and an artist. And, you guess it, Seungmin still delivers one of the most beautiful renditions of ‘Love poem.’

    Episode 02: ‘High And Dry’ (Radiohead Cover)

    The second episode of the series was simply a dream come true. This type of music is not something Seungmin hasn’t been able to tackle too often, but we knew he would do it beautifully. Despite appearing to be a simple song, ‘High and Dry’ is technically and emotionally a highly complex song to sing. To capture the load of emotions Thom Yorke projects in every single note of the original version, creating a powerful and unreplicable build-up, is something that not many have accomplished. And yet, Seungmin‘s take on the song is simply unforgettable.

    ‘High and Dry’ is one of those songs that explain why this series exists and is so precious. It allows Seungmin to push his vocals further and explore his voice in a way he has never before, and he delivers. Seungmin‘s take on ‘High and Dry’ is one of the SONG by. episodes that will have you coming back, over and over again.

    Episode 05: ‘Steal The Show’ (Lauv Cover) + ‘Stars And Raindrops’

    In honor of his birthday in 2024, Seungmin released an extra special episode where he sang not one, but two songs. He opened the episode by giving us an outstanding cover of Lauv‘s ‘Steal The Show,’ capturing all the emotion, the warmth, and messaging of the song.

    But what felt even more special was the first performance of his solo song: ‘Stars and Raindrops.’ Before the release of this song, Seungmin had already released solo OSTs, but ‘Stars and Raindrops’ was the first of his songs that he wrote himself. And it changed our lives forever. ‘Stars and Raindrops‘ is a magical song that creates an atmosphere with its instrumental and melodies that is truly unlike anything else out there, all tied together by the beauty of Seungmin‘s voice. And somehow, ‘Stars and Raindrops’ live adds even more texture and beauty to this already perfect song. To have a live performance was yet another dream come true.

    Episode 08: ‘The Giving Tree’ (Lee Seung Yoon Cover) With I.N

    Just as it made sense for ‘Love poem’ to be the first episode, it made perfect sense for the first guest in SONG by. to be the second member of Vocalracha: I.N. In honor of I.N‘s birthday, they collaborated to cover an OST out of one of their favorite K-dramas, Our Beloved Summer. We could never get tired of the way their voices fit each other so perfectly and complement each other to the point of making each other even better vocalists. There is magic every time they sing together, and this episode of SONG by. is one of the most beautiful proofs of it.

    Episode 09: ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’ (Billie Eilish Cover)

    Our last pick is the most-watched SONG by. episode yet, with over 4 million views—and it’s for a reason. ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’ was everywhere, and even though we could never get tired of it, Seungmin‘s take on the viral song felt unique, memorable, and refreshing. Seungmin‘s voice fits sweet pop songs to perfection, and the way he turned ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER‘ into an even more emotional song, with just his voice and a piano to accompany him, is proof of it. It’s no wonder this cover went viral. His voice on the bridge and the last chorus has to be one of our favorite vocal moments in the entire series. Seungmin holds so much beauty and emotion in his voice, and the way he showcases it never fails to amaze us.

    What’s your favorite SONG by. episode? What’s your favorite cover Seungmin has ever done? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • 5 Iconic Things Stray Kids’ Felix Went Viral For

    You know the saying: Stray Kids everywhere, all around the world. Truly, no member has taken that to heart quite as much as Felix. It is a running joke that unemployment is afraid of him, because, indeed, Felix is everywhere. In your favorite bubble tea, in Louis Vuitton campaigns, in your sunglasses, or even doing charity work with UNICEF, Felix will be there. It is impossible to escape him—not that we try; we truly don’t. Felix takes over the world outside but also the world in our screens, and here are the main things he went viral for over the years!

    His Voice

    We cannot talk about Felix‘s viral moments without mentioning his voice. His voice alone and the number of times it had the entire world in a chokehold could be an article on its own. It’s the most noticeable when he performs, takes the center, and the rest of the world seems to shut down—that’s how powerful his voice and his performance are. The most memorable moments have to go to, of course, his iconic verse in ‘God’s Menu.’ That line is still engraved in the brains of everyone. Songs like ‘MANIAC‘ and ‘Victory Song‘ are also perfect examples of just how viral Felix goes just with his voice and his aura.

    Part of the reason his deep voice goes viral every 2-3 business days is also how it clashes with his fairy-like personality and youthful looks. Felix looks and acts like he could never hurt a fly, but he performs and sings like he’s about to destroy the world—it’s impossible not to get obsessed. Even outside of his performances and the music, if we’re talking about deep voice moments that went viral, we cannot possibly miss that one video from the 5-STAR era. Felix simply said ‘thank you’ with his deep voice and thick Australian accent, and it was enough to rewire everyone’s brain. Goes to show how much power this man holds.

    His TikToks

    Despite the many iconic TikToks Felix has given us, putting both of those words in the same sentence will have everyone thinking of the same TikTok—and we relate. The TikTok of Felix dancing to ‘Let’s Groove’ by Earth, Wind & Fire remains to this day the most-watched video on Stray Kids‘ TikTok account with over 100M views, also making it one of the most-watched TikToks by a K-pop group. Everything about it, from the way he dances it, the ‘Thunderous‘ outfit, and iconic long blond hair to his smile—it’s been 4 years, and this TikTok is still as addictive to watch as the first day. And truly, every single TikTok touches, you know it’s about to change your life.

    His Brownies

    Felix‘s history with Brownie is long, and, believe it or not, the lore keeps expanding. It all started during the ‘God’s Menu‘ era when Felix started to bake brownies and give them out to not only the Stray Kids‘ members and the staff but also other idols during music shows. He had already gone viral for it with the vlog he did in 2020, where he baked some, and he became so infamous for his recipe that it earned him the nickname ‘brownie boy.’

    However, the peak of Felix‘s influence with his brownie recipe was yet to come because during the ‘CEREMONY‘ era, Felix revealed the details of his recipe, with some updates from what we could pick up in his vlog. To say it took over the internet is an understatement. From fans trying out the recipe to people who found out about Stray Kids and Felix through the recipe, his brownies were everywhere—like father, like son.

    His Runway Walk

    We’ve established that Felix is the most employed person you will ever meet. It feels like every brand goes after him, and with good reason. His face card and infectious aura are unparalleled. One of his main affiliations with a brand is, of course, as a Louis Vuitton ambassador. Felix is not only in campaigns and present in every fashion show, but he has now walked twice on the runway. In early 2024, he made his debut at Louis Vuitton’s fashion show as the only man in the lineup and made history. Felix is no stranger to having his looks go viral, thanks to his unique approach to fashion and his ability to break the boundaries of gender, but this was what solidified it all.

    His Personality

    Felix isn’t called the sunshine of Stray Kids for no reason. Indeed, what ties all these different things together is the person behind. It’s all because Felix has a magical, irreplicable aura and works hard at his craft and to put good into the world. Whether he’s performing at a stadium, screaming at the top of his lungs for one more song, displaying his goofy side in Stray Kids content, such as simply playing a UNO game with Bang Chan, or doing ASMR while eating chicken in a live stream, chances are Felix will be the talk of the town. Felix exudes such a vibe of happiness, comfort, safety, and charm beyond words that everything he does will have people falling in love with him. Anything Felix does, you know he will do it with honesty, love, and care, and you will know about it.

    What’s the most memorable Felix moment for you? What’s your favorite Felix moment? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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  • 5 Of Our Favorite Stray Kids’ Seungmin Solo Songs

    5 Of Our Favorite Stray Kids’ Seungmin Solo Songs

    Stray Kids‘ Seungmin’s voice has a unique tone to it. He conveys every emotion in such a beautiful and unforgettable way. Seungmin has always been amazing at what he does, but he has grown to not only be an incredible vocalist but also a mind-blowing songwriter. Between OSTs, solo stages during tours, SKZ-REPLAY, and SKZ-Player, Seungmin has never stopped giving us masterpieces as his solo songs. All his songs feel extremely precious, given how much care and love they are treated and how they showcase his vocals in the most beautiful way. Here are our favorites!

    ‘Here Always’ (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha OST, 2020)

    If we’re talking about Seungmin‘s solo songs, ‘Here Always’ can’t be missed. This 2020 OST was not only his first OST but also his first-ever solo song. Seungmin has the perfect voice for an OST; it’s soft, melodic, distinguishable, and unique. And it was confirmed by the release of ‘Here Always.’ This ballad is subtle yet full of emotions and comfort. ‘Here Always’ is a perfect song, and it makes it even more perfect that Seungmin sings it. It will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

    ‘Stars and Raindrops’ (SKZ-REPLAY, 2022)

    And talking about songs that will always remain special… Before the release of SKZ-REPLAY, Seungmin‘s SKZ-Players were always covers that were already incredibly special to us and a fantastic way to showcase his vocals – no wonder that evolved into SONG by. ‘Stars and Raindrops’ was indeed the first solo song by Seungmin that he had writing credits on. That’s enough to make it special. The truth is that words cannot describe how magical ‘Stars and Raindrops’ is. Seungmin created a unique, luring atmosphere with gorgeous, catchy melodies that make us ascend every single time. There is no getting tired of ‘Stars and Raindrops,’ it is simply too good.

    ‘Phobia’ (I’m the Queen in This Life OST, 2024)

    ‘Phobia’ instantly sets itself apart from the rest of Seungmin’s OSTs. ‘Here Always,’ ‘Close To You,’ and ‘Destiny’ are all absolute masterpieces with their own merit. All three songs have that beautiful soft ballad feel to them that we love and fit Seungmin wonderfully. ‘Phobia,’ on the other hand, gives Seungmin the opportunity to explore his vocals in a different genre: pop-rock. His voice is soothing and comforting, but it also carries so much power, and Seungmin fits a more hard-hitting pop-rock to perfection. The mixture between softness and power encapsulates exactly how versatile Seungmin is and his incredible vocal technique.

    ‘As we are’ (2024)

    Stray Kids gave us unforgettable solo stages in both the 5-STAR Dome Tour and dominATE World Tour. In the case of Seungmin, he performed first ‘Perfume,’ and while that deserves all the praises in the world, we do need to talk about the beauty that is ‘As we are.’ Not only was the song a beautiful way to showcase his vocals, but the stage itself was beyond stunning. On top of that, Seungmin took this opportunity to perform while playing the guitar, making it even more special. ‘As we are’ embodies everything we love about Seungmin‘s solo music. The day ‘As we are,’ and ‘Perfume’ too, get released on streaming platforms, it’s over for all other songs.

    ‘Hold On’ (2023)

    Add Seungmin’s voice to Han‘s lyrics, and you get one of the best songs ever to see the light of day. ‘Hold On’ is the perfect display of all the emotions Seungmin can convey with his voice. ‘Hold On‘ is an unforgettable song for its lyrics and the way Seungmin sings it, tugging at our heartstrings in a way only he can. It’s a unique song that showcases Seungmin‘s incredible vocals and that unique tone that makes every song so pleasant and magical to listen to.

    What is your absolute favorite Seungmin solo song? What type of song would you love to see him do? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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