GQ put out a Chan solo interview today (9/16/21) where he talks a lot about his trainee period and upbringing. I’m dropping some highlights here because it’s a cool read.
(...) He auditioned for JYP Entertainment at 13, entering their training program only to watch the friends he made debut (...) while he remained stuck and frustrated in the practise rooms for seven years. To this day he’s unsure of what made him stay. “That’s something that I ask myself as well, I’m still very intrigued by the fact they kept me here,” he ponders. “Trainees come and go, they get cut by the company or they leave by themselves but I had no thought of leaving, they had no thought of kicking me out. I think the company found potential in me, and I felt potential from the company as well. It was a two-way thing.”
As a youngster, he remembers frequently moving from suburb to suburb in Sydney. The eldest of three, he describes himself as “a very curious child. You know how there’s a saying of “curiosity killed the cat”? Yeah, well, with my curiosity, I got into a lot of trouble.” His parents enrolled him in taekwondo and soccer, and, aged seven, he found an affinity with swimming, his winning swathes of medals leading his father to set up a swimming club.
Music was a constant throughout childhood, it was, he says, “always there”. His mother recalls him spontaneously breaking into little dances in the street as a toddler, bemusing passers-by, and it was her wide-ranging love of pop—Air Supply, ABBA, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra—that instilled his own. He joined the school choir and took part in his class music shows, recognising his love of music and entertaining was something worth pursuing more seriously.
During difficult periods in his idol training, when he often felt what he calls “lost”, he questioned that decision. “I did think, ‘Maybe being an idol is not the right path for me, maybe I should have just kept swimming, maybe I should have become a soccer player’,” he says. “When I’d get really tired, I always thought, ‘I took a ten hour trip. I said bye to all my friends and family, I said bye to a lot of things to come here, am I going to go back?’ And that motivated me to keep going. I didn’t want to regret it.”
(...) Leading a K-pop group bears no resemblance to fronting a band and relishing the spotlight. Rather it tasks the bearer with being a dependable rudder and anchor for the group. Growing up, Bang Chan would naturally canvas friends’ opinions on what they should do when they hung out, endeavouring to see everyone had a good time. He was also a school prefect—“I wasn’t the best prefect,” he laughs—while home life presented its own challenges with two siblings, aged nine and seven years younger than him. “We kinda had it rough back then, it was tough,” he says. “And because Mum and Dad would be so busy working, I’d take care of the kids. Taking responsibility came without me knowing.”
(...) In some respects, he says, three years as an idol hasn’t changed him all that much. “I’m still the person that tries to think of others first and be aware of my surroundings. What has changed is the physical stuff—performance, stage presence, producing, singing, rapping, my body structure” (...)
The more he writes and produces, the more progress he sees in the quality of his work, then chastises himself for pointing this out; “I don’t know if I have the right to say this myself, because I still have a lot of improving that needs to be done.” He’s someone who struggles to compliment himself, habitually raising others as he downplays himself. “Maybe it’s because I’m expecting myself to be better so I’m pushing myself harder.” Bang Chan slowly inhales, thinking. “Another reason could be, well, I don’t think I actually, really love myself. It’s not like I hate myself but because I’m still trying to search for the real person that I am, I’m still awkward. It’s funny, because I’ve never thought of helping myself out. That’s done by the members right now, they acknowledge the stuff that I do and compliment me because I don’t compliment myself. That’s something I’m really thankful for.”
The independence afforded to Stray Kids has made Bang Chan prolific as a writer and producer but he seeks out, as he has for years, the trust and creative friction within 3RACHA to continually challenge himself. The classical piano lessons which he took from the age of five (and guiltily recalls hating) drilled into him discipline and structure, which is a boon and a burden. “It gave me limits with my own music and sometimes when I’m working, I’m like, ‘Can I go a little further? Maybe? But, ah, I need to match this to what music is supposed to be like’. Changbin and HAN have helped me so much. Sometimes we clash but [we find] a centre point where we all agree, then something new comes out and we break stuff. With them I’ve realised I can have fun with music.”
He also credits his bandmates with helping him “realise who I am as I slowly find the path”. Yet Bang Chan turned a significant emotional and artistic corner this year on NOEASY, instilling songs such as ‘The View’ and ‘DOMINO’ with acceptance, confidence and a renewed hopefulness. Perhaps he’s further along his path than he realises. “I think that’s right,” he muses slowly, thinking aloud. “During Kingdom, (...) especially ‘God’s Ddu-Du-Ddu-Du’ stage, I felt good because Stray Kids [as an identity] felt so good on me. And just imagining myself this free and excited about everything—that made me feel like, ‘That’s who I really am’.”
(...) “Like, 20 years from now, I have no idea what’s going to happen. So, as long as I do what I’m supposed to do, I believe that the universe will package my future for me,” he says, serenely. Maybe he’ll still be taking to the stage with Stray Kids or maybe not, but he remembers having had a dream set in the future and it was one that made him happy. “It was kind of a funny dream... of townhouses, like a little village," he says, "but we had eight houses, and each of us were living there in our own house and just having a really, really great time.”
Full article: Meet Bang Chan: the Australian-raised leader behind one of K-Pop's most innovative boy bands
The K-Pop idols are the first artists in history to debut at number 1 with seven consecutive albums on the Billboard 200 chart
Stray Kids are arguably the hardest working act in the music world right now and it’s clear the musical juggernaut has no plans of slowing down. As they wound down their gargantuan dominATE stadium world tour, the octet still found time to release their new album KARMA, forged from late night writing sessions in hotel rooms around the globe, crafting the album in-between sound checks and performing to tens of thousands of STAY each night. Their incredible work ethic paid off and earned the K-Pop idols their seventh consecutive debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart- the first artists in history to achieve such a feat. Lead by their incredibly driven leader Bang Chan, the group, consisting of Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin and I.N, continue to explore things sonically with KARMA.
Anchoring the centre of the album is ‘Half Time’ with all the markings of a classic maximalist Stray Kids’ song. The track has a melody that playfully hops around, plenty of percussion and American football sound effects woven in (should we start manifesting a Super Bowl halftime show now?) Having a song with the strong sonic DNA of the group allows them to branch out in a kaleidoscope of musical genre directions for the rest of the album. Their whimsically bonkers lead track [‘CEREMONY’] has live-performance-crowd-pleaser written all over it. A particularly successful experiment has come in the form of punk-rock. ‘In My Head’ has a noughties skater punk-pop, Greenday or Blink 182 rocky-angst to it, which suits the group’s sound well, full of crashing guitar riffs and existential lyrics. ‘MESS’ continues the forlorn mood with a sweeping rock ballad of longing. 3RACHA (the production and sub-unit, comprising of Bang Chan, HAN and Changbin) continue to refine their RnB prowess, with the really accomplished rap track ‘CREED’ full of production depth, cranking sound and a more mellow rap style. For all the exploration, like the message that runs through a stick of seaside rock, Stray Kids make sure to continue reflecting their journey. ‘Phoenix’ and ‘Ghost’ both follow the group’s journey of overcoming trials, hurdles with determination and drive- key pillars and manta of Stray Kids.
September is a busy time for the Kids. The Sunshine Twins HAN and Felix have celebrated their birthdays this week and Seungmin’s birthday falls a week later on the 22nd.The first month of autumn also marks the beginning of fashion week season, so we expect to see several members to migrate to Europe for their solo brand ambassador obligations before they flock back together to their award-winning, record breaking formation. Several members of the group are now installed at luxury brands: Bang Chan for Fendi; Lee Know for Gucci; Hyunjin for Versace; Felix for Louis Vuitton; Seungmin for Burberry and I.N for Bottega Veneta. Amongst all the work, the group also don’t forget to have plenty of fun whilst travelling the world together in close quarters, whether Seungmin is sticking a kiwi-fruit sticker on Hyunjin’s newly buzzed head or Changbin continuing his bold quest to be king of Aegyo, the group have made sure to share the more playful side of their tour on social media. During their incredibly busy schedule of travelling the world making music and making history, Stray Kids found a little bit of time to talk to us about the new album and core memories formed on tour.
KARMA is your seventh consecutive number one on the Billboard 200 chart, breaking a record as the first act to do so in the chart’s 70 year history! When you first formed as a group, did you ever think you would be breaking these kinds of records? How does it feel to have sold out so many stadiums for your tour all around the world?
Seungmin: We never imagined this when we first debuted, and even now, it still feels like a dream. Performing the music we love in front of so many fans in huge stadiums is truly incredible. We’re so grateful for all the support from STAY, and we sincerely hope moments like this continue for a long time.
Is there any memory or milestone when you first started out that you always will remember? It may feel very small now, but at the time seemed huge at the time.
Hyunjin: One moment I’ll never forget is when we first released “God’s Menu”. It’s one of our earlier songs that got a really positive reaction from the fans and public. I think it was the first time we truly felt a sense of accomplishment. Looking back now, it might seem small, but at the time it meant so much to us.
You’re used to achieving your goals. Have you got any milestones that you would like to achieve? Like playing at a certain festival, or with an artist, or a particular place?
HAN: If I ever get the chance, I’d love to perform on a stage like YUNGBLUD. I’ve always been a fan of his music, and the energy of his performances is something I really admire. It would be amazing to share the stage with him someday.
‘CREED’ and ‘CEREMONY’ continue with your experimental songwriting style with progressive rap and hip hop and ’In My Head’ has a Noughties Emo-punk/Greenday vibe to it. What genres have you enjoyed experimenting with the most for this album?
Changbin: I’d say it’s the song “Phoenix”. It was a really fun challenge because we tried to combine drum and bass with EDM in a single track, experimenting with new sounds and energy.
What would you say is essential or a trademark that makes a Stray Kids song?
I.N: I think our music has hooks that make people want to sing along to it at least once. Catchy lyrics and distinctive melodies are definitely some of our signature traits.
‘In My Head’ has a really strong emo-pop-punk style. The lyrics deal with feeling frustrated. Do you often get frustrated? What gets you frustrated and how do you solve it/clear your mind?
Lee Know: I see frustration and feeling stuck as natural things that come when you’ve been working hard. When that happens, I try to relieve it through exercise or other ways to clear my mind.
Do any songs make you super-emotional when you perform them live?
Felix: The song “Stray Kids” really makes me emotional. When I perform it, I can’t help but think back on our journey as Stray Kids and all the moments we’ve shared so far, which makes me really immersed in the feelings of the song.
The lyrics for ‘0801’ seem very connected to STAY. Was that the intention? Can you explain more about the song? What’s the significance of the numbers ‘0801’ in the song title?
Bang Chan: 0801 represents the 1st of August which is the “birth date” of our fandom, STAY. A song completely dedicated to STAY, I really wanted to express how we will always stand by them and that we will also be their strength when needed. A special little birthday gift for STAY because they have done so much for us.
You have just finished your dominATE world tour, do you have a particular favourite memory with another member from this tour?
Bang Chan: We can get extremely busy when we’re on tour but for 3RACHA, our producing team, it can get even more hectic because we have to make or fix projects on the go. But as veterans of our roles, we were able to make a lot of songs such as “CREED” for the album KARMA, all possible in the hotel room.
Felix: I have a fun memory of playing computer games with the members while preparing backstage for the concert.
Changbin: I went for a walk around Europe with Seungmin. It was really nice and refreshing to explore a new place together.
What do you like doing with your free time? Have you picked up any new hobbies or interests since being on tour?
Hyunjin: I usually spend my free time drawing or visiting exhibitions. Drawing in new places gives my art a fresh perspective, and it’s also fun to see artworks I don’t normally get to see.
HAN: While on tour, I started going for walks, and now I think I’ve picked up a hobby of strolling around or enjoying a good matcha latte at a nice café.
Lee Know: I really enjoyed running around and exploring the countries we visited on tour. It felt so refreshing!
Is there anything that another member used to do on tour/travelling that you miss?
Seungmin: I hope Changbin’s loud talk and actions never go away. They keep things lively and there’s never a dull moment!
I.N: During the tour, I often went swimming with Hyunjin, and now that we’re back in Korea with less time to swim, I really miss those moments we spent in the pool together.
