Review | For Stray Kids, living the ‘ROCK-STAR’ life is worth the challenges

K-pop boy group Stray Kids released their newest EP, “ROCK-STAR” on Nov. 10, revealing the ups and downs of fame. Photo collage by SIMRAH AHMAD, Staff Photographer

What does it mean to be a rock star? K-pop boy group Stray Kids will tell you that being a rock star is to bask in the spotlight while facing pressure and difficult emotions under it.

Since 2018, the eight-member group — consisting of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin and I.N — have made a name for themselves in the K-pop and music scenes as loud and boisterous individuals who are unafraid to challenge social norms, hence the reason for Stray Kids’ name. Their self-written and self-produced music, primarily done by members Bang Chan, Changbin and HAN — the producer team known as 3RACHA —  is the biggest reason why the group is able to express great authenticity through their music.

In “ROCK-STAR,” the band’s latest EP released Nov. 10, Stray Kids answer what it means to be a rock star, exploring the complexities of stardom. The eight tracks on the EP show that being a rock star means being confident, carefree, unapologetic, honest and vulnerable.

The other title for the EP, “樂-STAR,” includes the character, “樂,” from an old Korean writing system called hanja, based on Chinese characters. “樂” means “joy” in Korean and sounds similar to “rock,” spelled “락” in hangul, the modern Korean writing system. The two titles, “ROCK-STAR” and “樂-STAR,” are one of the many examples of how Stray Kids uses word-play with English and Korean, reflecting the group’s Korean roots and their global audience.

The EP opens with the hard-hitting track, “MEGAVERSE.” In their classically noisy and energetic fashion, Stray Kids invites listeners into the incredible world of their music. From the first line of the song, “One, two, three, run along with the gods / Jumping between every verse / The multiverse ain’t ready for our universe,” Stray Kids lets listeners know that their music is top-notch. In the chorus, listeners receive the official invitation to enter their musical universe: “Welcome to the Stray Kids HOT MEGAVERSE.”

Listeners continue to experience the exciting MEGAVERSE in the lead single of “ROCK-STAR,” “락 (樂) (LALALALA).” The song encourages listeners to let go of all worries and enjoy life with its heart-pumping beat and dance-pop sound. Listeners can also enjoy a rock version of the song at the end of the EP, which has the same liveliness as the original version.

In “사각지대 (BLIND SPOT),” Stray Kids starts to reveal the aspects of the rockstar life that people don’t see. “BLIND SPOT” is an uplifting song about resilience and hard work. While people only recognize one’s successes, they do not see the determination and work ethic behind those accomplishments. In the chorus, Stray Kids sings, “Shining, we are the champions / Trying to make a difference / Seems like everything is coming towards the approaching light / I'm still there, in the blind spot.”

“COMFLEX” celebrates imperfections and insecurities. The group declares: “Flexing complexes just COMFLEX.” While others view their personal complexes negatively, Stray Kids views theirs as beneficial, even as sources of confidence. “Too bright, I'm so flashy / Differеnt? No, I'm unique / That's right, I'm so classy / Nobody can stop me.”

“ROCK-STAR” takes a gloomier turn in “가려줘 (Cover Me),” a ballad in which the band expresses their experiences of sadness and loneliness, along with their desire for someone to help them. In the chorus, Stray Kids sings, “On nights when the moon shines this bright / I cry out, hoping for someone to cover that light.” While moonlight reflects the members’ sorrow, sunlight represents the group’s optimism and hope. “During the day, when night finally ends / I accept the warm light shining down.”

In “Leave,” the members sing about the various emotions of a break up. “Oh, baby, please don't hurt me / Don't make me cry / Though I still got love for you / And haven't got over you yet,” Stray Kids sings in the chorus. Even though initiating the breakup is painful for them, they explain that separating is for the best. “This is for the good of each other.”

“ROCK-STAR” ends with the Korean version of Stray Kids’ Japanese rock anthem, “Social Path,” which features Japanese singer LiSA. “Social Path” details the long, strenuous journey that Stray Kids went through to debut as a band and become one of the biggest K-pop groups that has debuted within the last five years. The refrain has the lines “Gave up my youth / For my future / I just want to / Rise up stronger,” highlighting each member’s decision to sacrifice their youth to follow their dreams of making it in the K-pop industry, as well as each member’s motivation to overcome the challenges tagged with making it in the music industry.

Despite the hardships, the band makes it known that pursuing their dreams was worth it. “No regrets, I love this feeling / Down on this road, call it the Social Path,” LiSA sings in the chorus. The song encapsulates the message of the EP as it comes to a close: you can only achieve success if you have the resolve to triumph over obstacles that you will face along the way. 

Throughout Stray Kids’ five-year career, the group has expressed their true selves while also encouraging listeners to embrace who they are. In “ROCK-STAR,” the band continues to do the same. They flaunt their rock-star labels while also showing that being in the spotlight is not easy. At the same time, Stray Kids instills confidence in listeners and shows them that it is normal for their lives to not always be perfect.

“ROCK-STAR” reflects Stray Kids’ impressive skill of releasing music that is both thrilling and refreshingly truthful. The eight members — despite all being in their early to mid-twenties — still maintain their lively, youthful spirit through the EP, reminding listeners why they are called Stray Kids.