Stray Kids Members Discuss How They Resolve Conflict, Not Drinking, Future Goals, And More

In a recent survey by News1, industry professionals voted for Stray Kids as the best new male artist of 2018. Following this, News1 sat down for an interview with a group at the end of the year.

After debuting on March 25, 2018, Stray Kids received a total of five rookie awards so far at the 2018 Soribada Best K-Music Awards, 2018 MBC Plus X Genie Music Awards, 2018 Asia Artist Awards, 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards, and 2019 Korea First Brand Awards.

Regarding this, the leader Bang Chan shared that it is an honor and said, “We are thankful just by people knowing about us, so we want to thank everyone for allowing us to receive five awards.”

Changbin added, “We always wanted to receive a rookie award, and we did anticipate it to some extent, but there was also uneasiness. We want to be the best rookies, but what if people don’t see us that way? What if we are not acknowledged? There was that kind of uneasiness, so we tried to work even harder.”

The members were asked what the difference is between the real professional world and what they had imagined as trainees. Han responded, “When we were trainees, we thought of the professional world as being cool but difficult. However, now that we have actually debuted, there is nothing too difficult. Although we are physically tired, because we aspired for the stage so much, we are able to enjoy it. Whenever we have hard times, the members talk it out and resolve what is difficult. It is a time for us to grow.”

Bang Chan continued, “It is definitely a different world. Although we have not promoted for a long time, as we experienced music shows and such directly, it is new and gives us a lot to learn from. It is still awkward, but it is such a good experience that I want to remember every day clearly.”

Born in 2000, members Hyunjin, Han, Felix, and Seungmin turned 20-years-old (by Korean reckoning) in 2019, meaning they are now legal adults in Korea. When asked what they want to do now, Hyunjin replied, “As I am becoming an adult, I want to put lots of thought into everything I do and act more maturely. What I want to do personally is to travel.”

Felix commented, “There is nothing I specifically want to do after becoming an adult, but I am looking forward to what I am like as an adult.”

Han wants to go watch a movie late at night with the other members born in 2000, while Seungmin wants to freely make mobile payments (small purchases added to the cell phone bill). “Until now, when I sent [mobile] gifts to my friends for their birthdays, I got verification numbers sent to my parents to do. I like that I can do it myself now,” he shared.

On the question if the members who are legal adults drink, Bang Chan explained, “We made a promise, so we have not been drinking. Our members promised with each other to not drink for a year after our debut because we think it is the time to focus on our promotions.”

The group was then asked how they resolve conflict. Changbin said that they tend to talk it out. Hyunjin revealed, “On Sunday nights, we have a talk time. Even if it gets long, we just keep on talking nonstop. We usually just talk about what we want to, and we also share about our everyday lives, interests, and memories, and this makes us even closer.”

Stray Kids is a team of members that were put together by the leader Bang Chan. When asked to describe him, Changbin commented, “He is not a completely perfect person, but he is a person who works to be the most perfect person of our team members. I think he can think of himself more. He tries to sacrifice.” Felix added, “He always looks over us and gives us lots of feedback. He gives us helpful tips about dancing, singing, and rapping, and he takes on the role of bringing out our potential. We believe and follow his lead for our teamwork. Thanks to him, we feel like a family.”

To end, the members shared their goals for 2019. Woojin remarked, “As we make music ourselves, we hope our musicality can be acknowledged.” I.N shared, “We became a lot closer over a year, and I hope we can become even closer in 2019 and that our album will do well.”

“2018 was very much an adventure. I think we really grew a lot. We still need more experience. We want to impress STAY (Stray Kids’ fans) next year also so we do not disappoint them,” Bang Chan continued, and Changbin concluded, “We want to grow and improve our performances and music. Visually, as we are young, we hope to become more mature. We want to become mature as people and humans, and personally, I want to be a person who is calm and thinks deeply.”

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