The key Stray Kids moments to know before their concert in Singapore

Ahead of the Stray Kids concert in Singapore on 28 September, why not take a nostalgic trip down memory lane? From the survival show that put them on the map even before their debut, to being the first K-pop group to attend the Met Gala at full strength, we look back on all of the group’s top career moments.

Pre-debut survival show

Play

The male idol debut project titled ‘Stray Kids’ commenced in October of 2017, and subsequently led up to the debut showcase on March 25, 2018. Current members Lee Know and Felix were initially eliminated from the survival show, but returned to the final member line-up.

The group’s talent was apparent from the get go, after their digital single “Hellevator” was released. The track was co-written and co-produced by Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who are also collectively known as 3RACHA.

Debut in Japan

Stray Kids made their Japanese debut with the compilation album SKZ2020, which included previously-released tracks such as “MIROH” and “YAYAYA”, but also the Japanese versions of tracks like “Levanter”, “My Pace”, and “Double Knot”.

Shortly after, they released their first Japanese single “Top”, which topped the Oricon Singles chart in Japan.

Competed in Kingdom series

Kingdom: Legendary War was a competition programme that brought together the biggest K-pop boy groups of the time. Besides Stray Kids, Ateez, The Boyz, BtoB, iKon, and SF9 also participated in the series.

Play

The team came in at first place, after performing their song “Wolfgang”, which was specially produced for the finale performance.

Play

But winning’s not their only achievement from the show. In fact, during one particular round, Stray Kids performed a mashup of their own song “God’s Menu” and “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” by BLACKPINK, with a Deadpool-themed storyline and corresponding costumes.

Play

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were among the pool of people commending Stray Kids for that particular performance. The seed was sown, it seems, as the two actors featured in Stray Kids’ most recent music video titled “Chk Chk Boom”, which came out in July 2024.

Promotions in the U.S. and Billboard acclaim

As the group’s fanbase continued growing, they signed with Republic Records in 2022 to expand their activities in the United States. After, they dropped several EPs: Oddinary, Maxident, Rock-Star, Ate, as well as a full length album 5-Star, which spanned the course of 2022 to 2024. All five albums opened at first place on the US Billboard 200, which is no doubt a feat in itself.

Met Gala 2024

Stray Kids made history when they showed up at the Met Gala and made a grand entrance. Being the first K-pop boy group to attend the Met with all eight members present and dressed in Tommy Hilfiger, they were the showstoppers of the night in their matching overcoats which were then taken off to reveal tailored suits in the brand’s signature trifecta of colours, red, white, and blue.

Stray Kids have been part of several Tommy campaigns, including the fall/winter 2023 “Always Together” campaign, and subsequently the one for spring 2024. Members Lee Know and Felix were also present at the Tommy Hilfiger spring/summer 2025 show in New York.

Brand ambassadorships

Individually, Hyunjin and Felix were appointed as brand ambassadors for different brands. Hyunjin was announced as the Versace global ambassador and face of Versace back in July 2023. Fast forward to August 2024, the idol was with Donatella Versace at the Palazzo Versace in Milan, where he was fitted for four special tour looks created by the Italian fashion designer.

Hyunjin is also Cartier’s new brand ambassador, and was seen donning the Trinity, Love and Panthère collections in the official image drops.

Fellow member Felix is also linked to one fashion house—he’s been repping Louis Vuitton as house ambassador since August 2023. The star was seen at the LV Cruise 2025 show in Barcelona, after his runway debut at the Maison’s Women’s fall/winter 2024 collection earlier in the year during Paris Fashion Week.

Awards

The South Korean boyband received international awards such as Best K-Pop at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), and the Top K-Pop Album Award for their album 5-Star at the Billboard Music Awards. Within the K-Pop scene, they’ve also clinched the MAMA Awards and Golden Disc Awards, among many others.

This article was originally published in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.