Just two months ago, Stray Kids said Advertising sign The band's 2024 would be “very different from what we've done so far,” with the four-time Billboard 200 chart-toppers' latest trip to New York already proving that to be the case.
Sitting inside a recording studio owned by their American label, Republic Records, the charisma, honesty and slight terror of the K-pop senses shone through in a relaxed, candid conversation to recount their Met Gala debut, the collaboration which was just released with Charlie Puth. , and the anticipation surrounding their upcoming projects.
Reflecting on their Met Gala experience, the members expressed how their initial apprehensions eventually turned into pure excitement. “We did not know Anything for the Met Gala,” Stray Kids frontman Bang Chan shares in his endearing Australian accent, before adding, “It was a really good experience.” Felix shares that “it was an honor and a pleasure for us to show what our team's color looks like” with their look, courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger, marking a major milestone to attend one of fashion's most prestigious nights as they mingled with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Baz Luhrmann and Jennie from BLACKPINK.
Moving on to their first original English single, their collaboration with Charlie Puth on “Lose My Breath” is highlighted as an experience for their team to learn and share their years of experience in combining musical styles. “We had a lot of freedom to express our views,” notes Han, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project that involved Bang Chan, Changbin and himself writing and composing alongside Puth. For the purely pop affair, Hyunjin says his ambition is to “show that Stray Kids can do this kind of song” as a testament to their versatility and willingness to explore different musical landscapes.
While SKZ spoke with nervous excitement to Advertising sign Just hours before the release of “Lose My Breath,” the band's anticipation for their potential new future projects was also palpable.
While the details remain under wraps, Bang Chan hinted at the exciting prospects: “If there is it was a new album, it's definitely very new, very different but very authentic and authentic.” The tour – which may or may not have been broken by Tommy Hilfiger himself – is also important, and when Lee Know mentions how “there are countries we haven't been to yet”, he seems to be hinting at a truly extensive world trip.
As Stray Kids continues to break barriers and captivate audiences around the world, the kids themselves remain grounded and committed to constantly improving and elevating the art. Like 'Lose My Breath', their upcoming projects all promise to showcase an evolving and maturing sound to confirm their status as breakouts on the global music scene. Read the full conversation from Advertising signchats with Stray Kids below.
Welcome back to New York, Stray Kids. It's great to have you back and we have to congratulate you on your Met Gala debut. Overall, how was the experience?
Bang Chan: A lot happened, but I mean it was a really good experience. We had a good time.
Felix: It was a huge honor because it was our first time as a team and we went with Tommy Hilfiger to the Met Gala. As is Chris [Bang Chan’s birth name] he said, it is a great honor but also a pleasure for us to show what our team's color looks like. It was incredible.
Bang Chan: Because we didn't know Anything for the Met Gala! So we walked in, and then once we walked in, we walked up the stairs, and then there was Anna Wintour, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Chris Hemsworth. So we said, “Hi,” and then Chris said, “Oh, I know you guys! You two Aussies—oh come here guys!” He took great care of us. Buzz was there too.
Felix: Baz Luhrmann was also there. So we had a nice chat with him. It was very nice, very nice.
Bang Chan: Ben Simmons, the basketball player, who is actually from and born in Australia, was there. There were many.
It was amazing to see all eight of you there, but I'm curious how you got eight invites to the Met Gala and how you coordinated on the red carpet with your reveal as eight?
Bang Chan: A big thank you to Tommy.
Felix: Yes, thank you very much.
Bang Chan: But at the Met, Tommy had a little idea. Because we have to reveal what was underneath, right? So we kind of rehearsed how we should show what our outfits were. We did exactly what we were told to do. it was ok.
I think it was more important than you think. But let's move to the present with “Lose My Breath.” What is the significance of this being Stray Kids' first original English single?
Bang Chan: It's kind of exciting when you think about it. But one thing I wanted to point out is that I am very, very grateful to the members because they all recorded their parts on the spot and very well. English has improved, I don't know why, but yes. [Laughs] Well, I am very grateful to the members, but we worked on the song here [in this New York studio], I think it was like the opposite room. But we had fun because, you know, Charlie Puth is very talented musically, so we learned a lot from him. It was a great experience.
You guys are so into your music, and Charlie Puth is so into his music too. How did you find the balance behind the scenes to work together?
Khan: Since it is a partnership, the way we work can be different and there have been conflicts. But in the end, we were very open and Charlie was also very open with ideas. We had a lot of freedom to express our opinions and tried many things. So we balanced it from the beginning. it was very smooth. And with all these ideas that we get from each other, we developed the parts that we wanted to show each other and the parts that we wanted to get closer to and finally finished the project.
Changbin: I was really excited. There's the Charlie that I know on social media or videos or YouTube or whatever, and I think it was even more than I've seen on YouTube or social media, so that was pretty cool. It was cool. He's so talented musically and it's something that I, myself, want to learn from and want to have to be that flexible when making music.
What are your goals or hopes for this song?
Hyunjin: Since it's a pop-type song that we haven't done before, I want to show that Stray Kids can make this kind of song — I want to show the world, MEI, everybody that we can make music like this. We also have a show, and I want everyone out there to see what kind of show we have in store this time.
Because it might be a sound that people don't expect from Stray Kids, how do you think or hope to introduce something new to the fans?
Felix: This whole pop genre is very different from us, but so is Chris hyung he said, we are able to perfectly record the song and the lyrics through our own feelings and emotions, which means we are really able to express what the song is about. And since we all have experience making music and showing fans our style, I think fans will really enjoy “Lose My Breath” as it is.
Bang Chan: It might not sound like a Stray Kids song, but it's our voices after all, we also wrote the lyrics, melodies and everything. But I don't know what people will think! I hope they can get a hint of Stray Kids in the whole platter.
I have a theory that “Lose My Breath” is the first taste or connection to the “special album” you teased at the top of the year...
Bang Chan: Hmm… I think of it as a side quest. “Lose My Breath” might just be a side quest…
IN is smiling, though!
All: [Laugh]
Bang Chan: What I can say is: If There was a new album, um, it's definitely, very new, very different but very original and authentic. Because the messages we want to say through music are all gathered inside.
What is the message you want to share when it comes to “Lose My Breath”?
Seungmin: We just want to appeal that we can, all our members can sing the pop genre. From the moment we started recording, everyone is used to singing [in] like a very strong tone, but this time we try to, what is the word in English? We tried to erase and compress — compressed into our natural voices. We tried to tone it down and record with a sound that naturally fits the pop genre. I think this is a big difference compared to the last album — I think STAYs will like it.
Bang Chan: It's funny because I don't usually get a chance now to talk about what we did and everything, but definitely, with “Lose My Breath,” we tried a lot of different vocal techniques while recording the song. I hear it especially with Seungmin. Changbin too. Everyone played their part so well.
Mr. Hilfger shared that you are preparing a 40 date world tour. Can you share or confirm anything about the tour or preparations?
Bang Chan: He screwed it up on TV…and he screwed it up for us too. [Laughs] It would probably be a tour? But we're still in the preparation process, so we don't know what's what or how it's going to turn out…
Seungmin: Lee Know wants to say something!
Lee Knows: There are countries we haven't been to and even foods we want to eat on tour. Touring means we get to see a lot of STAYS. I think that's what I'm looking forward to the most. It is really important to have the opportunity to meet different STAYERS in different parts of the world. But we haven't started choreographing or developing the plans for the scene yet.
You're currently on this single, but what's next for Stray Kids in the near future? Or what message do you have for fans as you begin this new chapter?
Bang Chan: [To their team member in the room] How much can we say?
Stray Kids Team Member: The less you talk, the better!
Stray children: [Laugh]
Bang Chan: Well, we don't want to raise your expectations too much, but when we get back [to Korea], it will be the end of May. We have some preparations for, say, a tour. If there is an album, rather the album. Probably festivals. I mean, you know, if. I don't know if it's true or not,
Khan: Nothing is 100% real. We don't know what's going on.
Bang Chan: Lollapalooza is something we really look forward to. The one in Paris was amazing, there were a lot of people in the audience, and now we're going to Chicago.
IN: We want everyone to look forward to 'Lose My Breath', but there's a lot of stuff coming up and I hope you don't very amazed at things to come.
