Dispatch: [D-eye] "I will hustle again today"... Stray Kids, the root of top tier

 [D-eye] "I will hustle again today"... Stray Kids, the root of top tier

Enter 2023.06.17. 9:48 am
 
 Edit 2023.06.17. 9:51 a.m.


'When others see us, we are a bunch of troublemakers. It's our job to prove who we are' ('District 9')

In 2018, Stray Kids wanted to prove it. Like the lyrics of 'who we are', it says, they want to establish their own territory. 

In 2023, Stray Kids proved their existence through records. A (common) aspiration of a rookie idol was realized in the K-pop world. 

4.62 million copies in the first week. BTS (3.38 million copies) opened, and Stray Kids rewrote the all-time Initial Chodong record set by Seventeen (4.55 million copies). 

They even chewed up billboards. 'Billboard 200' 3 consecutive 1st place. The one that pierced the ceiling that BTS had built up. Now, the only holders of this record are BTS and SKZ.

The history of K-pop created by Stray Kids. How did they set the first, most, and best records?


◆ Tonight I turn on the light | 3racha's room 

“This is 3racha, a teenage crew. I uploaded again after 2 weeks. No one will be interested, but I will keep hustling!”

In 2017, this is a post written by 'Threeracha'. Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin told their stories even before their debut. He released a mixtape every two weeks. 

‘Hey sister, do you have a boyfriend? It's too rushed. I'm still 18 high school students... '('Wow')

It was fresh in the beginning. We talked about the opposite sex, school, friends, etc. That would be the case, at the time, Sriracha was in his 10s.

'I'm not going to be successful, I'm going to stare at the whole world / I'm going to roll my feet and run. I'm on that Runner's high.' (From 'Runner's High')

It gradually showed the color of 3racha. He appealed to his spirit, passion, and ambition in an intense hip-hop beat. It contains the charm of being raw. 

The change was also seen in music. The spirit of challenge stands out. They tried various beats such as British grime, reggaeton, and boom bap. 

3racha turned on the lights in the recording studio every night. We wrote lyrics together and spit rap. Their 'hustle' became the beginning and essence of SKZ.


◆ Broken Compass | A rookie group that sold 30,000 copies  

It was unconventional from the debut. Bang Chan personally organized the members. The trainees formed the team, recorded the song, and produced it. 

What was the reaction like? It wasn't just welcome. Even so, SKZ's music is challenging and colorful. 

He was noted for his unique way of speaking. At the same time, it was evaluated that the likes and dislikes were divided. Concerns about publicity followed. 

Critic Kim Do-heon said, “There are more songs that contain the unique world of music than easy-listening pop,” and “the entry barrier to the public is high.” 

Is that why? The initial release of her debut album 'I Am Not' was only about 30,000 copies. It was only a year after their debut that they experienced winning first place on a music show. 

'No one has ever sailed where I am floating. I was afraid because it was the first time, but when it all drifts away, we will go against it' (from 'Broken Compass')

Skiz did not bend. Despite the concerns around them, it has not lost its original color. The original song and atmosphere were maintained. 

No, I twisted it more uniquely. Korean traditional music was put on top of the trap (sori singer), and they played with music with witty words (new menu-God's Menu).

◆ District 9 | Stray Kids World 

Challenging songs soon became their color. He crossed various genres and created a unique sound. They built their own world. 
Britain's 'NME' said, "The biggest strength of SKZ is that they experiment while maintaining their own unique style." 

From the beginning until now, it is made by SKZ. After Threeracha writes the song, she discusses it with her members and refines it. Lee Know and Hyunjini touch the choreography. 

I made all the title songs so far. Of the 100 or so songs, none are left untouched except for four songs, 'Booster', 'Phobia', 'Blueprint', and 'Star Lost'. 

Because they make their own songs, their music is free. At the same time, it is evaluated more critically. There are also songs that haven't been released in three years. 

Critic Kim said, "Once you listen to SKZ's music, you won't easily forget it." 

He continued, “They express my passion for music without a complicated worldview.” It is an attractive music”. 


◆ Victory Song | 5 million main characters  

Passion and sincerity led to the expansion of the fandom. I met 320,000 stays in the first half alone. It is not a short-term, but a steady flow of results. 

As a result, SKZ became the main character of 5 million (pre-order) copies in 5 years. This is the achievement achieved by wandering children who sold 30,000 albums. 

In 2020, BTS set the largest Initial Chodong record with their 4th regular album. Seventeen broke that record in 3 years.

Stray Kids broke that record again. The number of pre-orders is 5.13 million. The Initial Chodong record is about 4.62 million copies. This is a new K-pop record. 

It sold 2.39 million copies in one day. Achieved double million selling. Now, they are on the verge of becoming a penta million seller (a total of 10 million album sales).

Compared to the beginning, it is phenomenal. The initial release of the debut album 'I Am Not' was about 31,200 copies. In 5 years, it has achieved more than 150 times. 

The quantum jump was also successful. The previous mini-album 'Maxidant' sold 2.16 million copies in the first week. It more than doubled (113%) in 8 months. 


◆ Untrodden Road | Breaking the K-Pop Ceiling

It also won the third number one on the Billboard 200. On the 12th, Forbes evaluated, "They have established themselves as one of the most successful K-pop groups in American history." 

US album sales were 249,500 copies in the first week. The physical album sold 235,000 copies. This is more than twice the previous work (110,000 copies).

It is also a record for K-pop in the US in 3rd place in Initial Chodong. BTS holds the record of 420,000 copies and 310,000 copies. Skiz was next. 

It's the same as being number one on the 'Billboard 200' three or more times. So far, the only protagonists of this record are BTS and SKZ.

These records mean a lot to the K-pop market. It overturned the expectation that it would be an unprecedented record for BTS. Breaking the ceiling of the music market.

The growth of K-pop was proved by numbers. Critic Kim said, "It became an incident that proved the enormous mobilization power that surprised even the fans."

What kind of charm has fascinated American fans? “The explosive performance and reckless side must have approached attractively,” he analyzed. 


◆ A never-ending story | pinnacle achievements

Admittedly, SKZ is now top tier. The whole world is looking for their music first. Global popularity is expected to accelerate.

With this album as the starting point, it seems that the scale of the North American tour will be expanded. I'm only aiming for the stadium level. The Japan 4 dome tour has already been confirmed. 

In the end, Stray Kids' wandering worked. 'A Bunch of Problem Children' led the K-pop market. Their music, with strong likes and dislikes, became their strength. 

SKZ's wandering continues. They are not yet satisfied. This is why you have to watch their never-ending story. 

Critic Kim said, "I want to see them cruising without losing their individuality like now, but carrying out more bold music activities." 

‘Pile up more/ My packed diaries and records are making new history now/ Unprinted great people/ Accomplishments that mark the pinnacle’ (from ‘Great People’)

Stray Kids again hold the 'Broken Compass' in their hands. So, the 'Great People' I am writing now is their 'story that will never end'. 


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