Stray Kids - Rock Star Intro Video (Uncut: 1.5 Hours)

Thank you for the in-depth analysis. I truly appreciate your take on things and seeing you appreciate the boys and their hard work. Looking forward to hearing your analysis of the full album. Have a great day! <3

thank you so much for this reaction/analysis, it was lovely !! if you're still down for the album reaction, i would for sure love to see that !! :)) i hope all is well in your world, Max !!

ash

I just wanted to add to the other comments to watch Chan’s Room. I think you’d get a kick out of episode 100. It is full of craziness and literal non-stop laughter. You will get to see them create a song…not a serious song, but still very beautiful, despite the fun lyrics. Han is in pain from laughing so much. It’s just a fun episode where you get to see them let their hair down, relax and have fun. So excited for the listen through. I think you’ll enjoy the album. Make sure to listen to the color-coded videos so that you can read the lyrics while you listen. It’ll give you more understanding of the song, and you can see how truly talented they are with their word usage. With Social Path, you’ll get an small insight into Chan. There are also a few places where you can learn more of what he’s been through, Zach Sang had a great interview with him where he mentions a little of it. You can also see him vulnerable a few times, in concert clips when he’s giving his ment…there are some recent ones where his emotions get the better of him, that have brought all of us STAYs, to tears. You can get a sense of the pressure that he’s had, what’s he’s been through, how the kids saved him after being kinda alone for years…emotions all culminating to that point in time, performing in front of thousands. As a mom, just imagining all that he and all of them have been through, and what they’ve accomplished…both breaks your heart and fills you with pride.

Vikki

Oh, yes, that would be so great! I think it also reveals so much about their dynamic as a group because they're so comfortable and you can see all the others' shenanigans in the background will 2 members speak.

Lilian B.

There’s an interview Chan did for Australian Vogue in 2021 that I think you’ll find fascinating — it goes a little into his more hidden layers/insecurities/compulsions/backstory and might add more context to how you see him: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/bang-chan-dynamic-leader-of-stray-kids-is-just-enjoying-it-all-profile My read on Chan is that he’s so conscious of the camera and audience that he’s never going show 100% of himself — i think he reserves that for stray kids and his personal circle. To an extent he’s been most open and vulnerable on channie’s room (esp in the old days) and during certain concert ments, but there’s always an element of him being incredibly reluctant to showcase anything he perceives as imperfect or lacking (from actual work to parts of his own personality) (Although we get really did get some interesting snippets of vulnerability on channie’s room - like when he discussed his relationship with anger issues/his dad, it was really special that he felt comfortable enough to share it, but i can’t see that happening anymore as Stray kids gets bigger and more under scrutiny)

Rebekah

Chan is so interesting to me, because you don't always get the biggest insight into him when watching group stuff because he tends to step back and let the kids shine, or just enjoy watching them or be in leader mode- all of which are key parts of his character but his ability to move between personas is interesting. I'm not sure if he holds back his full personality, I think he's just an ultimate professional and is always hyperaware of the audience he has so he reveals different parts at different times. When he did Chan's room he was incredibly open with Stay. He told us a lot of things about his thoughts, emotions, things he was sometimes struggling with or even angry about. There were times he went live when very sleep deprived and a little delirious, when he just came out of surgery, when he was sick or low or grieving, even in his childhood bedroom with his sister shouting from the doorway- he was always aware that he was on camera, but he developed a way of speaking to Stay in almost a coded language where he could say things without saying them officially, and sometimes tell fans off- he was not afraid to straight up say if he thought Stays were behaving in a way he didn't approve of. Chan is incredibly smart, and incredibly professional. He managed to cultivate a close friend-like relationship with fans whilst always being a professional in the industry who would smartly use his influence to support other artists who might be having a difficult time, mentor or boost younger artists, and be an incredibly social and respected figure among the kpop industry. He's indicated he has some OCD-type traits, a sort of need for control and order, and that he can get emotional and overwhelmed at times (they call it being sensitive) but he's been on a huge journey of growth. He suffered some very bad mental health when he was younger, and I think the amount he has opened up since Stray Kids started is huge. Stray Kids is absolutely everything to him, and they seem to have been really good at helping him to get the chance to relax and just be Chan now they're older and more secure. I think he is still learning how to relax and not be the perfect trainee maybe, but within that situation he's been very open- just always with an awareness he is in the role he is. Tbh, you would probably enjoy checking out some Chan's room episodes at some point. I hope you enjoy the album, the songs are all so good :D

Ixaala

I was about to mention that. It's like a fake documentary but they pretend to be their pre-debut selves in 2017 and you can see how much they've changed- Chan especially, and their dynamic, but also some of the somewhat messed up stuff they went though. It was really informative whilst also being very fun to watch.

Ixaala

Can you please watch their latest idol human theatre? They reveal some things about their predebut days that I(and all stays) didn't know about. It's pretty cool and I'd love to see your perspective on it https://youtu.be/zkF6yuYlSMk?si=dGNO27xPKq3pRf-U

Janeta Cherry

Where I think you can see Chan’s personality is when he’s directly interacting with stays; in his lives and when he’s on stage at their concerts. He used to do Chan’s Room every week, and there you could see his kindness, his sassiness, his humor, and sometimes you could also see him lose his patience or be irritated. He also did a few tiktok lives and he was even more natural then, because unlike Chan’s Room, these were spontaneous and less formal, so I guess there would be less pressure on him (because everyone would wait for Chan’s Room every Sunday, whereas his tiktok lives were impromptu, so less people could watch). So yeah, I think maybe even just a compilation could help you get a clearer idea of what his personality is like when he isn’t in ‘work’, leader or hyung mode.

Pauline

loved your reaction to this!! for biggest nerd I would prob say han hahahaha

You are absolutely correct when you say that if they added another production member it would be Hyunjin since Hyunjin has now written and produced (with Chan) 2 full SKZ tracks, 3 unit songs and several solo songs. Chan and the others have talked about how happy Chan is that Hyunjin has taken an interest in producing. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hyunjin lives in the 3Racha dorm, I think that was intentional and I think we will see more of him contributing to writing and producing SKZ tracks.

I was so so hoping you would react to this intro! I really enjoyed the serious vibe, and especially hearing from seungmin about his process bc im a singer myself. Its so true what he said about strategizing how he’s going to sing different lines in advance of recording. That shows he has great control of his vocal ‘instrument,’ if he can choose different techniques from his repertoire for each moment of the song Similarly, i loved hearing jeongin talk about how recording blind spot was a really productive challenge for him. That is so awesome to hear that he was able to learn really targeted vocal techniques for this project. And it aligns with the message of the song, about how much hard work happens behind the scenes Also, this was the plot twist of the century to hear you say that leeknow is open with people. I love that you said this, because ive agreed in the past when you said he seemed emotionally closed off, but it seems like humor is the vehicle through which he is able to be open. I also loved seeing him look straight in the camera and saying that improving himself brings him the most joy. Thats pretty badass tbh Also love how 3racha each discuss music in such a different way. It makes them fit so well as a unit that plays to their unique strengths Loved this reaction as always, and id be so psyched for an album listening party

em499

Here’s an album playlist🤟https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKRHPEnUdq05_Qm2ofHPxsQPQk33PPyjF&si=59uSFePrqYhLoU2c Also quickly pulled up Stray Kids Songwriting Credit Stats Chan- 180 songs (1st highest in 4th gen, 3rd overall*) Changbin- 152 (2nd in 4th gen, 11th overall) Han- 148 (3rd in 4th gen, 12th overall) Hyunjin- 24 Felix- 22 Seungmin- 20 I.N- 19 Lee Know- 17 And all 8 members were in the top 35 most credited idols of 4th gen the last I saw. *Note that the entire top 10 are 10+ year idols and SKZ are only in their 6th. Your boy Han holds the record for youngest idol to have 100+ songs to their name (21yo) and is the youngest member of the Korean Copyright association (3racha are the only 4th gen members). Chan is the youngest in the top 10 most credited idols and Changbin get severe middle child treatment because he breaks a “youngest” record just for their maknae Han to steal it shortly after😭 3racha slays but they’re all in the mix bc 17 songs is still more than a ton of groups most involved member. Gotta love the ambition and real musical interest and talent they all have.

Cayt

This series is really what solidified them as one of my ult groups. There’s such a special connection/relationship they have with their music and it’s a pleasure to watch them unfold it. They’ve created something so unique to them and they’re so good at maxing out and utilizing everything they have. You can tell how involved they are through and through because of all the nuance and passion these conversations have. They so obviously regard their music as the truest extension of themselves. It can be so hard to have a strong identity in an industry with so many groups, but it’s awesome that they’ve allowed themselves the space to figure it out and aren’t afraid to take the risk to find themselves instead of conforming to what works for other people. They embrace the challenge of creating/experimenting and “wandering/straying”. And at this point they’re also not blindly taking these risks because they’re so experienced with taking them. It’s a crazy advantage to have. And like them or hate them, they’re memorable. - Also nailed it on how bought in they are. At the end of the day, it started as Chans project, the music is theirs, the concept, the passion, the effort, etc. There’s seems to be an unprecedented autonomy about it for a kpop group. Having so much say is much more pressure and work, but they’re so invested in it because “Stray Kids” is their own little world. - They’re all enthusiastic about each other’s artistic interests and love to help eachother grow and study eachother to help everyone improve. They’re inspired by each other and see each other as mentors. They are their music at their core so theres no room for disconnect. That’s the exciting thing about following them. - As for personalities, interesting how quick you picked up on a shift in Hyunjin. He was actually a lot more outgoing when he was younger, got more reserved when a lot of different things were going on, and now seems to be reverting back somewhat to his younger personality and everyone’s loving it for him. - Han is also about 1000x times more subdued when he’s alone and not trying to make people laugh. He’s very sincere about his music so he gets more serious about it. He does keep to himself a lot more than people expect because they always see him with his brothers, but it’s quite common to see him like this by himself. - Chan is such a fascinating and complex guy and there’s so much to dissect so it’ll be fun to see the evolution of your ideas of him the more you see. Crazy workaholic, doesn’t like to focus on himself at all (which might be where you’re getting the mystery from), and so many people that know him talk about how much pressure he puts on himself to be “everywhere doing everything all at once.” He does get in presenter mode in interview settings a lot of the time which might be where the performer side of him comes out. - And biggest nerd.. hmm. Classic book smarts probably goes to Changbin and Seungmin? But Han casually graduated when he was 14 and watches documentaries for fun😭?? Felix is a huge gamer/technology nerd. Hyunjin is an artsy nerd. Chan is very much a science and music nerd. Han, Lee Know, and Chan are also huge anime nerds and there are many anime references in their songs🫡 And well… I.N slept through exams but they still rub off on him🫶😫They’re all quite bright and nerdy honestly.

Cayt

Definitely would love to see you check out the album !!

mona

thank u so much for your reaction it made my day:) i cant wait for u reacting to the album:)

Lali sk

Max: "Who who you say the biggest nerd in Stray Kids is?" Me: "Han Jisung! Han Jisung!!!"

Heather S.

The whole album is an emotional rollercoaster, as you've probably guessed and the lyrics really tell a lot in conjunction with this album intro. They are also dropping a docuseries for this album, which seems to be a lot of the making of and behind the scenes, which would be great to watch with you as well. No doubt it's going to be both really serious and super chaotic at the same time.

StarlitStreetlight

I’m going to speak for everyone and say we would like (love) to listen to this album with you :)

Pauline

Hey Max I DMed you on Instagram but I’m not sure if you were able to see me message because my account is private.

Elizabeth Gidney