Tag: I.N (Stray Kids)

[Review] Burnin’ Tires – CHANGBIN & I.N (Stray Kids)

Posted in KPOPTagged , , 2 Comments

It has been a year since Stray Kids released their single album, Mixtape: dominATE. But 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 is tomorrow, now would be a timely moment to begin reviewing the tracks on the mixtape. The lead single is the Korean version of their 2024 Japanese single GIANT (which I have yet to review, but will do later this month). Alongside GIANT are unit tracks, with this post focusing on CHANGBIN and I.N’s Burnin’ Tires. Links to the reviews of the other unit tracks (as they are released) are below the music video.

Burnin’ Tires earned a nomination and emerged as the winner for Best Electronic Song in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. And I am here to tell you why. Burnin’ Tires blends punk rock, synths, and rap into a super dynamic, fast-paced track. The resultant mix definitely drives (ha!) the song forward and heightens the excitement as the song progresses. That electric guitar that comes through at the end was undoubtedly super cool and just feels perfect at the end of the song that gets your adrenaline pumping. Both CHANGBIN’s and I.N’s delivery of Burnin’ Tires gives the song some grittiness and texture as the instrumental literally zooms ahead. Their delivery is also lively and energetic, which adds to the dynamic and excitement already mentioned. Their chemistry also gives Burnin’ Tires a fun edge, as well. I must also commend CHANGBIN’s rapping throughout the song, super dynamic and intense – earning him a nomination for Best Rap Performance in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. To me, Burnin’ Tires was the standout track from the mixtape and has remained so even after a year.

Keeping to the fast-paced nature, the pair compete against each other (and a bunch of other people) after discovering a competition for 10 quintillion won. The pair race to the goal, but this is reimagined as a virtual road race, a fight scene, and then a dance battle. They eventually win (as shown in the post-ending scene), with the pair earning a speeding ticket along the way. I also liked the inclusion of parkour scenes and the teasing scenes between the pair.

With such an upbeat and dynamic track, it makes sense for this unit track to have some choreography. While the stage does involve both CHANGBIN and I.N running around (makes perfect sense), they do get into a motorcycle formation with the dancers and pull off some dance moves alongside the electric guitar at the end. I also enjoyed the little skit they have at the end of their performance – it adds to the fun and playful energy.

Song – 10/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.5/10

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

[Album Review] 合/HOP (1st SKZHOP HIPTAPE/Mixtape) – Stray Kids

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Stray Kids is nominated for Best Male Group and Best Stage Presence in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. CEREMONY is also nominated for Best Dance Performance (Male Group) and Best Concept, while Hollow is nominated for Best International Song (Japanese). Individual members and units are also nominated for various song categories. Support Stray Kids, CEREMONY and Hollow by clicking here today to vote.

As alluded to last week, Stray Kids’ first mixtape (branded as SKZHOP HIPTAPE), 合 (HOP), is the final 2024 album that I will be reviewing for the time being. This means I can still review other 2024 albums I have missed in the future, but for now, I will shift my focus to 2025/26 albums. Anyhow, Stray Kids’ HOP features the title track Walkin’ On Water, solo songs that the group had performed as part of their Dominate World Tour, and two additional tracks (one of which is a collaboration with EPIK HIGH’s TABLO). It dropped back in December 2024.

The mixtape has some really great songs from the group and individual members. If you want to get to know Stray Kids more, then this mixtape is a good way to do so. Following the release of HOP, the group went on to release their Mixtape: DOMINATE single album, their fourth Japanese mini-album Hollow, their fourth studio album KARMA (with CEREMONY as the lead single), and their second mixtape DO IT (featuring the lead singles DO IT and DIVINE).

HOP Album Cover

1. Walkin On Water (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Walkin On Water. (8/10)

2. Bounce Back – Personally, I felt Bounce Back could have been a better title track, showcasing what the group has to offer across the board. Bounce Back combines old-school hip-hop and rock to create a cool diss track. It carries intensity and powerful energy from the start, making you want to stick around. Impressive rapping and nice vocals (for a hip-hop number) bring Bounce Back to life, courtesy of the members. (9/10)

3. U (ft. TABLO of EPIK HIGH) – Previously, TABLO from EPIK HIGH made an appearance in Stray Kids’ music video for MEGAVERSE. This time around, TABLO returns to collaborate with Stray Kids in U. This song is much more emotional than usual, showcasing the group in a different light. Both the group and TABLO’s delivery throughout the track pack a lot of emotion, with CHANGBIN (in the second verse) and TABLO (in the bridge) hitting hardest with their rapping for me. I also enjoyed the drum and bass in the instrumentation, as well as the soft vocals, which add to the emotional heft of U. (9/10)      

4. Walkin on Water (Hip Version) – See my review for Walkin on Water above.

5. Railway – Click here for my full review of BANG CHAN’s Railway. (8.5/10)

6. Unfair – Click here for the full review of FELIX’s Unfair. (7/10)

7. HALLUCINATION – Click here for the full review of I.N’s HALLUCINATION. (9/10)

8. Youth – Click here for my full review of LEE KNOW’s Youth. (8/10)

9. So Good – Click here for my full review of HYUNJIN’s So Good. (8/10)

10. ULTRA – Click here for my full review of CHANGBIN’s ULTRA. (8/10)

11. Hold my hand – Click here for my full review of HAN’s Hold my hand. (10/10)

12. As we are (그렇게, 천천히, 우리) – Click here for my full review of SEUNGMIN’s As we are. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

Stray Kids’ teaser image for HOP.

[Review] HALLUCINATION – I.N (Stray Kids)

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged , 7 Comments

With news that Stray Kids will be making a comeback soon with their fourth studio album, KARMA, I thought I would start on the many reviews I have not posted for Stray Kids – the solo tracks from their Hop mixtape and the unit tracks from their Mixtape: Dominate album. First up is I.N’s solo single from Hop, HALLUNCINATION. For the other reviews of Stray Kids’ solo songs from the Hop mixtape, see the links below the music video.

HALLUCINATION ended up being the solo track that stood out the most to me. It was just an unexpected track from the youngest member of Stray Kids, or any member of Stray Kids for that matter. But the unexpected can be intriguing at times, and that is what I felt about HALLUCINATION. The more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed it. There is an abundance of percussive textures throughout the track that just give HALLUCINATION so much character and style. This, alongside the hooks, made HALLUCINATION catchy, as well. The song makes good use of I.N’s vocals, which brought maturity and sensual energy to the song. I was particularly impressed with the way he launched back into the song following the instrumental break. There was so much oomph behind that note. However, the song’s main weakness was the vocal processing. It brought texture to the song, complementing the instrumentation well. But it was so thick, and this became a constant distracting thought each time I listened to the song. I wish that HALLUCINATION let up at certain moments to give us reprieve. I’m sure it wouldn’t have compromised the quality and final result of HALLUCINATION.

For this review, I will be combining the music video and performance aspects of my review together. HALLUCINATION, as a mature and sensual sounding song, gave I.N a unique opportunity to do something different. He took full advantage of the opportunity, making it a key asset (and drawing point) of the release and adding to the intrigue of this particular solo release that I mentioned earlier. What came about is a sensual and bold image of I.N. From the wet look, to the stylish skirts and cropped outfit, and to the body waves in the performance, I.N definitely showed a whole new side to himself in this release.

Song – 9/10
Music Video/Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

I.N’s HALLUCINATION | SEUNGMIN’s As We Are | FELIX’s Unfair | HAN’s Hold My Hand
HYUNJIN’s So Good | CHANGBIN’s ULTRA | LEE KNOW’s YOUTH | BANG CHAN’s Railway

[Review] Gone Away – HAN, Seungmin & I.N (Stray Kids)

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged , , , Leave a comment

The final side track that I will be reviewing separately from the upcoming album review for NOEASY is Gone Away. This side track is performed by the three remaining members who have yet to appear in a unit track, HAN, Seungmin and I.N.

Gone Away is a beautiful ballad. It too takes us on a different direction from the other tracks on the album, but it isn’t a new direction for Stray Kids, who have put out ta few heartfelt songs in the past. Due to the nature of ballads, the vocals of all three members were on display throughout Gone Away. Seungmin, the group’s main vocalist, takes my pick for outstanding members as his voice resonated the greatest for me. HAN and I.N did a great job themselves. HAN manages to surprise me every time he sings. Every time he sings, I forget that he is one of the rappers on their team. I.N vocals are extremely pure, and this aspect of the youngest members’ vocals are definitely highlighted in Gone Away. For the instrumentation, the piano and classical elements really helped concentrate more of that emotive side of the song. I also liked how Gone Away‘s instrumentation builds and progresses. The change up for the bridge was probably my favourite bit in the whole song, as it allowed the members to add some power behind their delivery and give the ballad the peak it needed, whilst also allowing HAN (and Seungmin to a lesser extent) to add some emotional rapping to further this peak. Overall, the trio presents with a stunning ballad that sounds so good.

The song is about letting go someone who loves someone else. In this video, the three members are all interested in the same girl (though at different points in time). I.N wants to confess to the girl by buying flowers. HAN becomes shy when she enters the store and buys the top she was looking at to gift to her. Seungmin is staring at her lovingly while on their field trip and pulls the blanket up on her while she naps away. But each realises that she is with someone else, so each member makes the decision to not pursue her. I liked how the members are shown to be older at the end, reminiscing over the memory. It is a bittersweet moment for them, but it was what felt right and ultimately a decision made with the best interest of their crush in mind. I feel the acting from the three members in this video was really good, with Seungmin standing out, particularly during his closeups around the campfire.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.7/10