Stray Kids opens up about their relationship with each other, behind-the-scenes stories, and more in their latest video 'INTRO: ATE'

Stray Kids will release their comeback album ATE on July 19, 2024, along with its title track, Chk Chk Boom. On July 18, they dropped their latest video, INTRO: ATE, on JYP Entertainment's official YouTube channel. In the video, the members opened up about their feelings for each other and shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes of the creative process of ATE.

The video opened with Stray Kids leader Bang Chan sharing that he and Han cried while writing the lyrics for their forthcoming album, ATE. A montage shot of all eight members followed Bang Chan, where they mentioned giving their all into creating their new album. Bang Chan added that they created 15 to 20 demos for the album's title track before selecting Chk Chk Boom.

Changbin mentioned how they began from scratch several times during the process and kept questioning if this was the right album for them to release. As the video continued, the members became more open and honest, expressing their hope to remain Stray Kids and perform for fans for a long time. Changbin added,

"They have become the people I can't live without. I feel that more these days. We know each other so well and our trust has gotten stronger over the years"

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Stray Kids shares stories about creating each song for ATE and changing their music style

Chanbin elaborated on how they tried incorporating mainstream pop music into their classic Stray Kids music while creating ATE. However, the band would scratch out everything and start from square one, thinking that the songs weren't of their fans' standards. He mentioned that the group worked hard to create a different album with a wide spectrum of music for their fans to enjoy.

Seungmin recalled seeing the 3RACHA (sub-unit of Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin) struggle a lot while they worked tirelessly on writing and composing the songs for ATE. Meanwhile, Hyunjin shared his apprehensions about creating different music and often wondered why they needed to change their music style.

Stray Kids leader Bang Chan explained how they follow a deadline process while writing songs. However, every time they submitted 4 to 5 demos for the title tracks, they felt they could do better and kept making new demos and submitting them.

"If I were to explain the process, we have a deadline for the title track. During that time, we around four or five demos and submit them. I've mentioned that we have been working on this album since last year. I think we had about four of those deadlines. So we had one submission then and thought we could do better, so we submitted another one. We thought we could do better again and submitted even more."

Stray Kids members elaborated on what inspired them to write the album's B-side track, Runners. Felix shared that when the group performed at the 2023 MAMA Awards, they started their performance by running towards the stage, and the scene stayed with him.

Bang Chan added that they are always running towards their goals, even if they may fall or stumble; hence, they wanted to capture this essence in a song to prominently showcase their "never giving up" attitude.

Here is the full tracklist of ATE:

1. Mountains
2. Chk Chk Boom
3. JJAM
4. I Like It
5. Runners
6. 또다시밤 (twilight)
7. Stray Kids
8. Chk Chk Boom (Festival ver)

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In other news, the group headlined the British Summer Time at Hyde Park on July 15, 2024. The MANIAC group performed in front of 65,000 fans. Additionally, on July 12, they headlined the I-DAYS Milano music festival and performed in front of 80,000 spectators.

Meanwhile, all members of Stray Kids renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment for the second term on July 18, 2024.