Stray Kids was formed through JYP Entertainment’s survival show Stray Kids in late 2017. Originally a nine-member group, they debuted on March 25, 2018, with the EP I Am NOT, featuring the title track “District 9.” This marked the beginning of their I Am series, followed by I Am WHO (August 2018) and I Am YOU (October 2018), solidifying their self-produced music style.
In 2019, Stray Kids expanded their global reach with the Clé album series: Clé 1: MIROH (March), Clé 2: Yellow Wood (June), and Clé: LEVANTER (December). "MIROH" won them their first music show award. The group also embarked on their first world tour, performing in Asia, Australia, and the U.S.
In late 2019, Woojin departed from the group due to personal reasons, leaving Stray Kids as an eight-member group. They returned stronger in 2020 with GO LIVE (June), featuring their hit song “God’s Menu.” The repackage IN LIFE (September) further boosted their popularity.
Stray Kids won Kingdom: Legendary War, proving their dominance in the industry. Their second studio album, NOEASY (August), became a massive success with “Thunderous” leading the way. This marked their emergence as a global powerhouse.
Stray Kids’ ODDINARY (March) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making them the third K-pop act to achieve this. They repeated this success with MAXIDENT (October), further solidifying their international fame.
Their third full album, 5-STAR (June), became one of the best-selling K-pop albums of all time. The title track “S-Class” earned them multiple awards. Stray Kids also headlined Lollapalooza Paris and expanded their world tour.
Stray Kids continue to break records with new releases and global collaborations. Their influence in K-pop remains strong as they push musical boundaries and connect with fans worldwide.