K-pop superstars Stray Kids released their highly anticipated fourth full-length album 'Karma' on Friday, marking a significant milestone in their career as they reflect on the rewards of their hard work and dedication. The eight-member group unveiled the 11-track project during a press conference held at a hotel in Seoul, where they shared their thoughts on their remarkable journey from uncertain beginnings to global stardom.
Rapper Changbin explained the conceptual foundation behind the album during the media event, emphasizing their desire to reframe the traditional understanding of karma. "We wanted to create an album that interprets 'karma' in a positive way -- as the results of the hard work we've put in together with our fans, Stay," he said, referring to the group's devoted fanbase. The artist opened up about the group's early struggles with self-doubt, admitting that they frequently questioned whether their musical direction was correct during their formative years.
"Looking back on our early years, we often questioned whether the music we were making was the right path," Changbin continued. "But thanks to the trust of our members and Stay, we gained confidence and kept working hard. That's how we overcame hardships, and now we're living a dreamlike moment." His words captured the essence of the group's transformation from rookies to internationally recognized artists who have consistently topped charts and broken records worldwide.
The album's lead single 'Ceremony' showcases the creative talents of 3Racha, the group's in-house production team, demonstrating their continued commitment to maintaining artistic control over their music. Singer Seungmin provided insight into the music video's sports-themed concept, explaining how it symbolizes the group's collaborative approach to achieving their goals. "It can resemble baseball, or even a relay race. At the same time, it also feels like a high jump, where we have to clear an obstacle in our way," he said, drawing parallels between athletic competition and their musical journey.
Seungmin further elaborated on the visual metaphor, noting that it represents the members "doing our best in our own positions and moving toward the same goal." This concept reflects the group's understanding that success requires both individual excellence and team unity, themes that have been central to their identity since their debut in March 2018 under JYP Entertainment.
The release of 'Karma' follows the conclusion of Stray Kids' massive 'dominATE' world tour, which established new benchmarks for K-pop acts internationally. The tour featured 54 shows across 34 cities and made history as Stray Kids became the first K-pop group to perform at 13 major stadiums worldwide. This achievement underscored their growing influence in the global music market and their ability to draw massive crowds in venues typically reserved for the biggest international acts.
Dancer Hyunjin reflected on the tour experience, particularly their first stadium performances, sharing how the scale initially intimidated the group. "It was our first time performing at a stadium, so we practiced with a lot of nervousness," he admitted. However, he described how being on stage transformed his perspective and reinforced his commitment to their fans. "But once we got on the big stage, I thought, 'I need to be so grateful to Stay who are watching and supporting us with so much love from faraway places' and 'I need to work even harder on my performance.'" His comments highlighted the reciprocal relationship between the group and their international fanbase.
The group's stability was further cemented when all eight members renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment last year, demonstrating their commitment to continuing their journey together. Rapper Han spoke emotionally about the bonds that have sustained them through various challenges, using a nature metaphor to describe their growth and evolution as both artists and friends.
"If we started as a mere branch, I believe we have now become a strong tree with deep roots," Han explained, emphasizing how their experiences have strengthened their foundation. "We have matured that much. We want to continue to be a great presence for each other and stay healthy and together for a long, long time." The rapper then lightened the atmosphere by making a large heart gesture toward his bandmates and declaring, "I have a confession to make. I truly love you all," which prompted laughter from the assembled reporters.
When questioned about their specific objectives for the new album, team leader Bang Chan emphasized their focus on artistic expression over commercial achievements. "While we would be grateful and honored if this album achieves great results, our main goal is to introduce our musicality and unique colors to the world," he stated. This approach reflects the group's maturity and confidence in their artistic vision, as well as their desire to be recognized for their creative contributions to the music industry rather than solely for their commercial success.
