K-Pop Spotlight: Stray Kids
Masks off everyoneโStray Kidsโ newest mini-album ODDINARY is finally out and itโs time to embrace the maniac within. To celebrate the new release and their upcoming fourth anniversary, we caught up with the group to talk about their new album and single, MANIAC, and the challenges and fulfillment that come with accepting your most authentic self. As a little bonus, we also asked the members to design their own Tumblr blogs (just in case you needed some inspiration). Check out our full interview below!
Tell us about your new mini-album ODDINARY in three words or less, but thereโs a catchโyou canโt use the words odd or ordinary.ย
Bang Chan: MANIACS ARE BACK!
Changbin: Inner side, volcano, control.
Hyunjin: Super Power song.
HAN: Abnormal, freaky, potential are the three words that I think describe it best. We tried to describe the energy that explodes from our music in a different way this time, by slowly showing control over this energy.ย
Felix: Maniac, unique, and dark.
Seungmin: Interesting, fascinating, capturing hearts.
I.N: Mania, abnormal, conceptual.ย
Stray Kidsโ music and concepts often encourage young people to be their most authentic selves regardless of other peopleโs opinions. How doesย ODDINARYย fit into that narrative, and what do you hope your fans take away from it?ย
Bang Chan:ย This might not apply to everyone, but I feel like many people have experienced moments where theyโre told to act normal (yep, Iโve been through that). We wanted to emphasize that โstandardsโ donโt matter and that you have the authority to let out the โoddnessโ thatโs been sealed inside you all this time.
Changbin:ย ODDINARY is a compound word that combines โordinaryโ and โodd,โ meaning that everyone has a normal and slightly weird side. Listeners will be able to experience the everlasting honesty and truthfulness that Stray Kidsโ music has always displayed, with the more crazy side that Stray Kids have.ย
HAN:ย I hope that STAY and all listeners will be able to follow their hearts, rather than being confined by the judgment of others. I hope everyone also looks forward to the upgraded version of us.ย
Seungmin:ย Whatever situation may come, I hope that everyone is able to live in their most honest, unique way with versatility while never forgetting who they truly are. I hope our music can become a small strength.ย
Lightning round! Youโre customizing your own Tumblr blog. Pick an aesthetic and a personal tag!
Bang Chan: Ooftโฆ itโs hard to pick just one because my preferred aesthetics change depending on my mood. But if I had to pick one, it would be cyberpunk. The lights got me, and Iโm a fanatic for futuristic stuff.
Lee Know: I want to decorate it using a clean, white tone.
Changbin: I want to use the tags #straykids, #stay, #stage, #music, which all mean a lot to Stray Kids.
Hyunjin: Vintage Tumblr, with #lovestay
HAN: I would like to decorate it like #black #chic to show a lot of calm yet cool atmosphere! I want to use the tags #black #chic #skz #loveyou #STAY.
Felix: #ํ๋ณต์ด #felix ๐โโฌ๐
Seungmin: #Seungtage. I really like vintage furniture and aesthetics, so I would like to decorate it using an organized brown tone.
I.N: Iโm into vintage aesthetics these days, so I think Iโll go with vintage.