Stray Kids Celebrate Stadium Tour Milestone and 'KARMA' Album: How Far Can Their Roots Grow?

At the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, Stray Kids gathered on the morning of the 22nd to mark the release of their fourth full-length album, 'KARMA', and share their journey with the press.

The title track, 'CEREMONY', fuses powerful trap EDM with Baile Funk rhythms, delivering a message of triumph after overcoming countless challenges through patience and hard work. The song celebrates not just success, but the long, arduous road that led them there.

Changbin explained, “We wanted to capture the positive results and achievements we've built up over time in this album. That’s why we named it ‘KARMA.’ The sports concept came from our first-ever stadium tour, and looking out at the audience during those shows, the feeling reminded us of a victory ceremony.”

When asked to compare Stray Kids to a sport, the members reflected, “Each of us has our own position on the team, and we move toward victory from our respective places. In that sense, we’re like a baseball team. Sometimes, we feel like we’re in a relay race, always running forward, or even in a high jump, always striving to go higher.”

Bang Chan added, “Faker appears in our music video. Just as there are many different games in esports, our music is also very diverse. I think that’s something we have in common with esports.”

Known as a self-producing group, Stray Kids participated in the creation of all 11 tracks on the album, continuing a tradition that began with their debut song, 'District 9'. Despite facing countless external opinions and inner conflicts, the group has remained steadfast, carving out their own path. Their new album weaves together their solid philosophy and growth story across a variety of genres.



Han shared heartfelt words with the members, saying, “If we started as a branch, I think we’ve now become a tree with deep roots. We’ve grown up so much together. I hope we continue to be that kind of presence for each other, staying healthy and together for a long, long time.” The members exchanged similar sentiments, creating a warm and touching atmosphere.

This year, Stray Kids proved their growth and shattered records with their largest stadium tour to date. Despite the hectic schedule of touring and recording, Bang Chan reflected, “Even when we were busy, we packed our equipment and recorded whenever we could. Thinking back on those moments, we all put our hearts into this album. There’s a warmth I can’t quite describe.”

Felix added, “During this stadium tour, we wanted to give people around the world happy, unforgettable memories, and show a festival-like energy with new performances. We worked hard so that fans who waited a long time could have a memorable experience. Meeting STAYs all over the world made us truly happy.”

Changbin, a passionate soccer fan, shared his excitement: “I especially loved visiting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Son Heung-min plays. I couldn’t help but record videos on my phone and brag to my friends. It was truly an honor.”

Felix also expressed gratitude for Faker’s appearance in their music video, saying, “Faker made the shoot so much fun, and we’re really thankful and amazed. If we get the chance, we’d love to meet him as a group and learn from him.”

Photo Credit: Xportsnews, Park Ji-young
 

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Myung Heesuk. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.