Two years after our first interview with the group, we found Stray Kids at the Stade de France, just before their second show of the weekend.
If you were not already convinced of the magnitude of the K-pop in France, the two consecutive concerts of Stray Kids at the Stade de France should have put the chip in your ear! While the South Korean group had started its world tour
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A few hours before going on stage for their second date, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and In gave us an exclusive backstage. The eight members tell us their tips to stay in shape throughout a tour, give us an overview of their creative process and confide in their friendship.
Konbini | You are in Paris for your two concerts at the Stade de France – yesterday and today! How would you describe the feeling of performing in front of so many people, so far from South Korea?
Bang Chan | I did not know that the Stade de France was so large! It’s the biggest stadium in France, isn’t it? The first thing that came to my mind is: “Do we really have the right to happen here?”. But this is something that the Stays have made possible, and we are very honored to be able to play here, in front of so many people. Yesterday, the energy was incredible and it was so fun – we are impatient for tonight! Whenever you come to Paris, it’s simply incredible.
Seungmin | Paris is probably the city we have visited the most with Stray Kids. It’s crazy that we can perform in such a large stadium, and I am very grateful – it is thanks to all fans of France! Next time, I hope we can go to an even larger room! [Rires]
Or you could make four dates at the Stade de France! [Rires]
Stray Kids | Wow ! [Rires]
You have been on tour for almost a year! Bang Chan, how do you do to stay in good physical and mental condition throughout a world tour?
Bang Chan | I think that’s what we try to do above all: stay healthy. Because, honestly, making a three -hour concert is quite trying for the body. Of course, we do not show it on stage, but we do our best to stay in shape. We also have two physiotherapists who take care of us and help us if something is wrong – which is really essential. And then, we’re all going to the gym! Fortunately, on the mental level, we all love each other a lot, and if one of us does not feel very well, we cheer him up!
This tour shows how impressive success you have achieved. Lee Know, if you could meet Stray Kids before your official debut, what would you like to say to yourself and to other members?
In | “You are not tired?” [Rires]
Lee Know | I would say: “There will be a lot of challenges and ups and downs, but we will have to overcome them despite everything, so let’s make our best to defeat all obstacles!”
Changbin, in which environment you generally feel the most inspired to create music?
Changbin | It doesn’t really help me if I try to force myself to create something. Generally, inspiration comes very suddenly and naturally, when I am on tour, on the plane or in my hotel room. I really try to take advantage of it and take note of all the inspiration that comes to me. Often the concept of song comes first, then the lyrics and the melody!
Hyunjin, you share your paintings on social networks a lot! How does music influence your creativity as a painter? Do you want to connect these two art forms?
Hyunjin | Painting helps me a lot to empty my mind, and I think I just do it to get rid of all the thoughts that come up on me. I do not especially make the link between these two art forms, but if I have the opportunity in the future, I would like to work on an album cover! When I listen to music, some colors come to my mind, and I think that if I manage to connect these elements well, I could create a beautiful work.
It would be great!
Hyunjin | Yes, even if I think it would still be a challenge!
Han, you said in an episode of “2 kids show” that when you compose songs, you often have the impression that they end up being different from what you had planned at the start. Did that recently happen to you?
Han | In recent times, I haven’t had much time to produce my own songs, but I worked with 3racha instead. At first, the production process did not always take place as planned, which sometimes left me embarrassed or confused. But with more experience, I learned to create according to what I imagine! Recently, we created a piece of rap and we had a lot of fun testing different things.
Felix, is there something that you particularly want to express through your music lately?
Felix | Yes, absolutely. We always want to share a feeling of positivity through the music that we play in concert and the music that we continue to create. I think that’s what is really important. Thanks to that, we hope that the stay will always be able to remain connected to us, no matter the distance that separates us. We always try to maintain this very strong link!
Seungmin, you recently released the song “Goodbye”, written by Bang Chan. How did you prepare to record this song to draw on these emotions?
Seungmin | I try to soak up differently from each song on which I work. For “Goodbye”, I really wanted to invite the people who listen to him to dive with me in the song, to be part of the story. It was a little difficult at first, but I think I ended up getting there.
It is a very beautiful song.
Seungmin | It is thanks to Bang Chan!
Bang Chan | No, I can’t sing it, Seungmin saved it!
You celebrated your 7th anniversary as Stray Kids! In, what lesson do you think you have learned other members over the years?
In | One day, after a concert, I ate with Changbin and I shared my concerns. I was wondering if these moments would be the last that we would spend together: “What if these moments did not last forever?”. At that time, Changbin told me not to worry. He reassured me and stated that our fans would always be there, just like us, Stray Kids. These are words that really marked me!
You have forged a very strong relationship. How do you take care of your friendship?
Bang Chan | Oh, we are not so close! [Rires]
Clearly not! [Rires]
Felix | I think that since our beginnings, we have always given great importance to our friendship. We respect each other and work as a team. And I have the impression that it was this teamwork that has also brought us closer. It was done very naturally!
In | We know each other very well. And since we really understand, you can work together easily. We also try to discuss a lot. I think it’s the best way for us to maintain a strong relationship!
