Stray Kids Drop "Star, Light (STAY)" on Their 8th Debut Anniversary

Eight years is a long time to keep pointing the way. On March 25, the exact date Stray Kids made their debut in 2018, the group releases their 8th anniversary digital single "Star, Light (STAY)" (별, 빛 (STAY)) at 1 PM KST, a release that doubles as both a milestone marker and a direct message to their fandom.

JYP Entertainment confirmed the release alongside the unveiling of an online cover image. The artwork centers on the group's Nachimbong, their compass-shaped official light stick, reimagined among a field of stars to depict "the moment when light turns into direction." Each of the eight members, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N, contributed their own star design to the illustration. The result is one of the more intentional pieces of K-pop promo art in recent memory: handmade, symbolic, and specific.

The title itself lands on two levels. "별, 빛" translates to "Star, Light," while the bracketed "STAY" calls directly to the group's official fandom name. The single arrives as a thank-you, a love letter to the people who have been there since debut day.

The Streak Behind the Gesture

The anniversary gift comes off the back of an extraordinary run. Stray Kids' 2025 album Karma debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 313,000 first-week units, their seventh straight chart-topping debut in the US and the most consecutive No. 1 albums by any K-pop act, surpassing BTS. Their November 2025 mixtape Do It extended the record to eight, making them the first act across all genres in Billboard history to debut their first eight charting albums at No. 1.

That weight gives "Star, Light (STAY)" some context. This is not a stopgap. It's a pause point from a group at the peak of their commercial run, choosing to mark eight years with something small and sincere rather than a campaign cycle. The single may also offer the first sonic preview of a full-length album already teased for 2026, following a cinematic teaser last year that ended with the message: "The next historical chapter begins."

STAY in Our Little House

Stray Kids will perform the single live at their sixth official fan meeting, "Stray Kids 6TH FANMEETING STAY in Our Little House," held across four dates at Incheon Inspire Arena: March 28 and 29, and April 4 and 5. All tickets for offline attendance have sold out. Fans unable to attend in person can access the March 29 and April 5 performances through paid livestreams on the Beyond LIVE platform.

The group's momentum heading into 2026 extends well beyond music. Stray Kids confirmed a major world tour earlier this year, while individual members have been building significant brand portfolios: Changbin was named Autry's first global brand ambassador in February, and Hyunjin partnered with GUESS in March.

"Star, Light (STAY)" drops March 25 at 1 PM KST (midnight ET).