Stray Kids Unveils New Collaboration: “ESCAPE”
On March 25, 2025, Bang Chan and Hyunjin of Stray Kids released their latest track, “ESCAPE,”as part of the group’s new mixtape, Mixtape: dominATE. This milestone coincides with the K-pop ensemble’s seventh anniversary, marking their original debut on March 25, 2018, with the EP District 9.
Exploring Themes in “ESCAPE”
The music video for “ESCAPE”features a striking industrial aesthetic, immersing viewers in themes of adventure and liberation. Bang Chan and Hyunjin captivate with their intense performances, complemented by symbolic chains representing confinement and high-fashion looks that include luxurious fur coats and leather jackets.
Musical Composition
Musically, “ESCAPE”melds dreamy electric guitar riffs with seductive reggae beats. Notably, both Bang Chan and Hyunjin were involved in crafting the songwriting, enhancing the authenticity and connection to the piece.
Fan Reactions and Interpretations
The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with many taking to social media to praise the duo’s chemistry and dynamic portrayal in the video. Discussions often explore both romantic undertones and deep platonic connections. A notable comment from a fan on X captured attention:
“omegaverse hyunchan wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card.”
Fans expressed that the music video poignantly illustrates how friends can be bound by invisible forces that draw them together. One ecstatic viewer remarked:
“The song and the MV… everything is so incredibly beautiful,”a fan wrote.
Another fan added a nuanced interpretation regarding the themes of separation and reconnection:
“Okay, but am I overthinking to think of Wolfgang and this mv being Chan finding the wolf that got taken and them reuniting no matter what the world tries to do and choosing to face it together- as they are meant to be not chained but linked by love and friendship,”another fan said.
Expressions of awe extended further, as evidenced by this comment:
“This is so… like I need more but I need time to process it… it’s really overwhelming, exciting and beautiful,”another fan added.
Memorable Moments in the MV
One scene that particularly resonated involved an emotional hug between Bang Chan and Hyunjin, drawing tears from fans:
“THIS IS THE PART WHERE I LOST IT,”a fan reacted.
Fans continued to rave about their chemistry:
“The way they hugged and held their hands,”another remarked.
Many highlighted the powerful symbolism of their connection:
“No bc do we understand how insane this was they got separated and they were both miserable during that time, and then Hyunjin’s chain started pulling him towards Chan, both of them desperately running to each other and hugging like that… just wow,”another fan added.
Stray Kids’ Achievements and Upcoming Events
The year 2024 was monumental for Stray Kids, who made headlines as the first K-pop group to attend the prestigious Met Gala as brand ambassadors for Tommy Hilfiger. Their involvement with the brand extended to a Spring-Summer 2025 show during New York Fashion Week, where members Lee Know and Felix made solo debuts.
On July 8, 2024, Stray Kids announced their dominATE World Tour, featuring initial dates across Asia and Australia from August 2024 to January 2025. Because of overwhelming ticket demand, additional shows were added in Latin America, North America, and Europe, covering cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Santiago, and São Paulo.
In December 2024, the group released their mixtape titled Hop, with the lead single “Walkin on Water.”The accompanying music video recorded over 3 million views on YouTube just three hours after its release, showcasing the immense popularity of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—together known as 3RACHA—for their contributions to the track.
Stray Kids’ high-profile performances in 2024 included headlining Lollapalooza Chicago, the I-Days Milano music festival, and showcasing their talents at the American Express presents BST Hyde Park event.