K-pop's Stray Kids came to Bangkok
After creating successful Korean boy bands like 2PM and Got7, JYP Entertainment launched their latest group Stray Kids through a TV singing competition. Last year, the nine members — leader Bang Chan and Woo Jin, 21, Lee Know and Chang Bin, 19, Hyun Jin, Han, Felix and Seung Min,18, and I.N., 17 — released the album Mixtape which featured their songs from the show. They later released three albums— I Am Not, I Am Who and I Am You. Their songs usually involve issues about young people.
In addition to their strong stage presence, many members of Stray Kids write lyrics, so they can send their own messages through their songs. With their great music and performance, the guys won several best new artist awards.
MIRROR IMAGE
To meet their fans, the guys flew to Bangkok for their concert Stray Kids Unveil Tour: I am … at ThunderDome. On January 19, the guys opened their show with four dance songs, “Hellevator,” “Beware,” “Awaken” and “District 9.” The group performed 20 songs for more than two hours and the singing and dancing was great throughout. One of best parts was during the song “Who?” when the guys took turns to pair up and dance in front of a large transparent frame. Like they were dancing in front of a mirror, each pair could copy the other’s dancing beautifully.
BRIGHT AND SHINE
The guys really focused on making the show perfect and didn’t interact much with the audience. But after the song “School Life” the guys saw a video created by their fan club Stay which showed that Thai fans had been waiting to meet them for a long time. Fans also held messages that said “I’ll make you shine brighter.” Stray Kids were moved and some members cried.
HAPPY MOMENT
After the video, Han said they had prepared to impress their fans, but it turned out that they were the ones who were impressed by fans. The youngest member I.N. thanked the fans and said the show was like a dream. Bang Chan burst into tears while speaking to Thai Stay. He promised that Stray Kids will do everything for their fans.
MAKING MEMORIES
Since they knew the fans were with them, the guys loosened up and played around with other members and the fans. As the show ended, the guys had big smiles and said in Thai “I’m happy to be in Thailand” and “We love Thai Stay,” making the fans take happy memories home.
A day before the concert, Bangkok Post Learning and other Thai press met with the Stray Kids for a press conference. Here are some highlights.
Do you feel nervous about your first solo concert in Thailand?
Bang Chan: Yes. We were nervous, but our Thai label mates Nichkhun and Bambam told us that Thai fans are great. We don’t have to worry about fans at all. They just want to have fun with us, so we will give our all.
Tell us about the member next to you.
Bang Chan: Han’s rapping is awesome. Having a terrific bandmate like him makes me happy.
Han: In person, I.N. is adorable. But during the performance, he sets the stage on fire and looks masculine. He also has a beautiful singing voice.
I.N.: Seung Min has a soulful voice. He looks like a cute puppy.
Seung Min: Woo Jin’s singing is steady and emotional.
Woo Jin: Lee Know’s dance moves are energetic.
Lee Know: Hyun Jin is good looking and has charisma.
Hyun Jin: Felix has a great voice. I’ve never heard a voice like his before.
Felix: Chang Bin is playful, but onstage, he’s a powerful rapper.
Chang Bin: Bang Chan has strong leadership.
You achieved your goal in 2018 and won a best new artist award. What’s next?
Han: We will produce songs that can move our listeners. We aim to take ourselves to another level.
