It has been over a year since Stray Kids released their single album, Mixtape: dominATE. Despite being a big fan of Stray Kids (I acknowledge I give them a lot more attention than any other group), I have yet to review any tracks from their Mixtape: dominATE. As the one-year anniversary has just passed, now would be a timely moment to review the tracks on it. The lead single is the Korean version of their 2024 Japanese single, GIANT (which I have yet to review but will do later). Alongside GIANT are unit tracks – this post focuses on Lee Know and Seungmin’s CINEMA. Links to the reviews of the other unit tracks (as they are released) are below the music video.

CINEMA is a rock ballad that opens with dramatic drumming and follows through with atmospheric vibes from the electric guitars. From there, the song slowly builds, introducing other band instrumentation to the backing, allowing the rock ballad profile to proliferate and intensify. Both Lee Know and Seungmin sound breathtaking and amazing throughout CINEMA. We all know Seungmin as the main vocalist of Stray Kids and as someone who can captivate audiences with his vocals. But Lee Know completely surprised me. The song showcases his improved vocals since his debut, and his ability to hold his own alongside a main vocalist is pretty remarkable. Both convey a hopeful, uplifting tone throughout CINEMA, delivering beautiful melodies and their vocal ad-libs and harmonies at the end give the track so much impact.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, CINEMA‘s music video depicts the pair’s journey to ‘the stadium’, where they perform CINEMA. We see snippets of them penning the song together and making the physical journey to ‘the stadium’. Despite their car breaking down, which also tests their relationship, the pair supports each other in their efforts to realise their goals and dreams to perform. The storyline can definitely be seen as a representation of Stray Kids’ journey thus far with the rest of their group and their fans (more on this soon). The idea of the final destination being called ‘the stadium’ might also be a reference to their world tour, where they have performed in stadiums across the globe, highlighting their success and where they are at in the present. The most abstract aspect of the music video is the post-apocalyptic setting, which, in my mind, represents starting from nothing. Both Lee Know and Seungmin acted well in the video, as well.

I am not factoring their stage performances of CINEMA into the final rating (as there isn’t a choreography for this release), but I really enjoyed the idea of their fan names at each leg of their world tour scrolling across the screen in an ‘ending credits’ type of fashion. Again, this highlights the importance of STAYs in their journey of being Stray Kids.

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 10/10
Overall Rating – 10/10

Burnin’ Tires – CHANGBIN & I.N | Truman – HAN & FELIX
ESCAPE – BANGCHAN & HYUNJIN | Cinema – LEE KNOW & SEUNGMIN