Stray Kids 2nd World Tour Manic In Singapore

Singapore Indoor Stadium
Sunday

The last time South Korean boy band Stray Kids performed in Singapore during the Kamp Singapore 2019 music festival, they had not even released a full studio album. They also had to share the stage with several other K-pop acts.

What a difference a few years make.

On Sunday, the group had the stage to themselves for a sold-out concert with 9,500 screaming fans. They have also rolled out two albums: Go Live (2020) and Noeasy (2021), with a third scheduled for release on Feb 22.

Formed through and named after a 2017 reality show of the same name, the group are notable for their eclectic approach to music, though detractors call it “messy” and “noisy”.

Still, Stray Kids have remained resolute in their style and have been recognised at major award shows such as the Mnet Asian Music Awards and Seoul Music Awards.

During their concert here, audiences got the chance to know the eight members better.

There is the confident, suave leader Bang Chan, who speaks fluent English; the boy-next-door Lee Know; the fast-rapping Changbin; the sweet and sensitive Hyunjin; the charming but silly Han; the expert dancer Felix; the honey-voiced Seungmin; and shyly adorable I.N.

Here are three highlights from the show.

1. Iconic dance moves in the flesh

Fans who religiously watch the band’s music videos would have noticed familiar choreography in their live performance. For example, when dancing to God’s Menu, the band used the same rapid hand-raising moves featured in the music video.

On Case 143, they also used the slick gesture of holding an “okay” sign to their eyes and looking through the circle formed by their fingers.

When performing the song Thunderous, which uses elements of traditional Korean instruments, they executed the martial arts-influenced jumps from their music video with aplomb. It goes to show that they can replicate their reel dances easily in real life.

Just like in the music video, the group also closed the song Side Effects by dramatically falling to their knees, prompting frenzied screams from the audience.

2. Freestyle segment

Some of a concert’s best moments happen when stars express themselves freely.

Changbin got a chance to rap the self-affirming track Doodle, while Lee Know and I.N. got everyone laughing with their cheesy disco moves on the song Honey. And Hyunjin sang ice.cream – a sweet-sounding number for which he penned the lyrics by himself.

Leader Bang Chan charmed the Singapore audience with the local oldie Singapura, Sunny Island, giving off National Day vibes. Perhaps he is trying to score a chance to perform at this year’s National Day Parade?

3. Recollections of Singapore

It is always touching when idols directly address their fans.

Towards the end of the concert, the members took turns to talk about their personal feelings.

Lee Know recalled that when he visited Singapore long ago, he felt the Lion City was such a beautiful place and he wanted to make sure he would return. “This performance was able to happen because of you guys.”

Han said he was very touched by the video messages and banners created by fans. When he lived in Malaysia, he had also visited Singapore three times, and enjoyed attractions such as the Night Safari and Clarke Quay.

“I had an amazing childhood memory of Singapore. And so when I arrived here this time, it felt like home,” he added.

“I really miss Singapore. And because I am able to perform at the place I missed, I feel something indescribable, but something warm inside my heart right now.”

A day before their show, Hyunjin and Seungmin visited Gardens by the Bay. The latter said: “Today, whenever I stand on the stage, I feel a lot of energy and love. So, thank you again.”