Stray Kids on Grammy's new Asian Pop category: We've never set awards as our goal
South Korean boy band Stray Kids have shared their thoughts on the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, saying their creative
South Korean boy band Stray Kids have shared their thoughts on the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, saying their creative journey has never been driven by awards or chart records. Speaking at the press conference for their latest EP This & That in Seoul on Thursday, members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and IN were asked whether the addition of a dedicated Asian pop category at the Grammy Awards had changed how they viewed the music honours. Read Full Story Responding to the question, Hyunjin mentioned that the group’s priorities have remained the same since debut.
“Throughout our activities as SKZ, we have never once set award results or records as our goal,” he said. Expanding on the group’s philosophy, Seungmin explained that Stray Kids’ music has always been rooted in personal experiences rather than external expectations. “We talk about the music we like or performance-related topics. Rather than always looking outward, we create music and write lyrics based on stories that come from within our hearts,” Seungmin said, adding, “In that sense, instead of trying to cater to external perspectives, we are continuing to capture the stories we want to tell.” While the members welcomed the growing global recognition of Asian music, they stressed that their focus remains on authenticity and storytelling.
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions following the Recording Academy’s introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which has sparked conversations about representation and the increasing global influence of Asian artists. Since debuting in 2018, the eight-member group has built its identity around self-produced music and deeply personal storytelling, with many of its albums exploring themes of youth, identity, ambition and self-discovery. The members said that philosophy continues to guide their work as they enter a new chapter with This & That. Released on Friday, This & That marks Stray Kids’ latest Korean comeback and arrives after another successful year for the JYP Entertainment group, which has continued to expand its global fanbase through chart-topping releases and international tours.
In 2025, the K-Pop boy band set a new milestone on the Billboard charts, as their album DO IT debuted at No 1 on the Billboard 200. Ends
The BriefWire