Stray Kids: The Legacy of dominATE and the Meteoric Rise into 2026

After making history with their largest world tour to date, Stray Kids enters 2026 under the sign of maturity and innovation. The group—composed of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N—is not resting on its laurels. They are already crafting the next chapter of their global dominance.

1. The "DO IT" Phenomenon: The MV That Closed 2025

Released in late November 2025, the track "DO IT" (from the mixtape/EP of the same name) served as the perfect bridge into this new year.

• Unprecedented Reggaeton Energy: With this track, 3RACHA explored rhythmic and brighter sounds, proving their versatility once again. The music video, featuring industrial visuals and razor-sharp choreography, saturated social media instantly.

• Viral Success: More than just an MV, "DO IT" dominated global charts and allowed the group to maintain a record-breaking engagement rate during the transition between two major eras.

2. Retrospective: The dominATE Tidal Wave (2024-2025)

It is impossible to discuss their current success without mentioning the dominATE World Tour, which concluded just a few months ago.

• A Stadium Conquest: Between August 2024 and July 2025, the group traveled the globe, selling out iconic venues like the SoFi Stadium and holding historic dates across Japan and Europe.

• The Grand Finale in Incheon: The final encore, "dominATE: celebrATE", in October 2025 marked their first-ever solo stadium concert in South Korea—an emotional milestone for the eight members and STAYs alike.

3. 2026: The New "Step Out" and Upcoming Projects

As of April 2026, the excitement is at an all-time high. The group recently celebrated their 8th anniversary with the moving single "별, 빛 (STAY)" and unveiled their roadmap for the year.

• New Album and a New Tour: JYP Entertainment has confirmed that a new full-length studio album is in the works for the second half of 2026. This project will be followed by a brand-new massive world tour, with details to be revealed very soon.

• High Fashion Ambassadors: The members continue to reign over the luxury world. Whether it’s Hyunjin for Versace or Felix for Louis Vuitton, they perfectly integrate their status as fashion icons into their musical projects.

• Expansion of the SKZOO Universe: In 2026, SKZOO characters are traveling everywhere with global pop-up stores, strengthening the bond with fans worldwide.

4. Why is Stray Kids Unstoppable?

The secret to their longevity lies in their authenticity. In 2026, as they enter their 9th year, their greatest strength remains their cohesion.

• Total Autonomy: The music remains in the hands of Bang Chan, Changbin, and HAN, ensuring every track possesses that unique "SKZ" soul.

• Loyalty and Community: Through content like "Kids Room Returns" and constant social media interactions, they maintain an organic connection with an audience that never stops growing.

In Summary: Stray Kids in 2026 is...

• The Radiance of "DO IT": The single that brilliantly closed the previous era.

• Anticipation for the New Album: The major project scheduled for the end of the year.

• A New Tour Era: Following the success of dominATE, the world is waiting to see how they will shatter their 2025 records.

• The Anniversary Single "STAY": A love letter to fans celebrating an 8-year journey.

Stray Kids has achieved the hardest feat of all: lasting and growing while staying true to themselves. 2026 is shaping up to be the year of all records for the self-produced kings of K-pop.

Which song from the dominATE era do you miss the most? Share your concert memories in the comments!