Bang Chan from Stray Kids: inspirational K-pop leader who spreads positivity among fans
While much has been made about the tough life of K-pop stars, Bang Chan from Stray Kids may have experienced one of the longest journeys on his way to K-pop stardom.
Raised in Australia, the singer, rapper and producer spent years preparing for his K-pop debut and hasn’t slowed down for a minute since getting his big break with Stray Kids.
Yet despite opening up about his long wait and the loneliness he’s experienced, Bang Chan remains one of the most humble and heartfelt stars in the industry, who always takes time to check in with fans and spread messages of positivity.
Here’s what you need to know about Bang Chan’s remarkable journey so far.
His early life
He was born Bang Chan on October 3, 1997, but was also known as Chris Bang. The eldest of three children – he has a sister, Hannah, and brother, Lucas – he moved homes many times during his childhood in Australia.
He took dance classes including ballet and modern dance, and also enjoyed playing sports and watching his dad act as a swim instructor for Special Olympic competitors. But his dream was always to become a singer.
The hardest thing about [training] was when other trainees who were with me would leave the agency. The most painful moments were when I ended up alone
In 2010, at the age of 13, he passed a local audition in Australia for K-pop label JYP Entertainment, which created K-pop superstars such as Wonder Girls, 2PM, Miss A, Got7 and Twice. Despite his young age, he moved to Korea to train at JYP for what would be a seven-year process, where he watched several of his trainee friends debut in groups including Got7, Twice and Day6.
He finally got his chance to shine when he and eight other male trainees competed together on a singing competition reality show titled Stray Kids, which would be the band’s future name. At this point known as Bang Chan, he had helped craft the proposed team.
Through a series of weekly evaluation episodes, JYP Entertainment founder J.Y. Park decided on the final line-up of Stray Kids, ultimately choosing all nine of the show’s members to debut together. Throughout the run of Stray Kids, Bang Chan received support from several of his JYP artist friends including members of Twice and Got7’s BamBam.
His role in Stray Kids
Stray Kids are heavily involved in making their own music, producing nearly every song they’ve released. The group includes a music-producing subunit called 3racha, of which Bang Chan is a member, together with bandmates Changbin and Han. Together, the three have written and produced dozens of songs for the seven EPs Stray Kids have put out in their first two years together.
Despite their impressive output, Bang Chan has said the work creates additional stress for him and his band mates. In an interview last year with live interview series Build, he admitted that “one of the biggest, most difficult obstacles is deadlines because we make our own songs”.
“There’s always a deadline we have to meet, and sometimes we’re not able to meet it and it’s really pressuring.”
Bang Chan is also an artistic jack of all trades in Stray Kids. Not only does he handle many singing parts as lead vocalist, but also serves as a lead rapper of the group and often takes centre stage in Stray Kids’ choreography formations where he’s able to show off his years of dance training.
But perhaps his most important role in Stray Kids is being the team’s leader. Not only is he the eldest member and has spent the longest time training, but he makes a point to always talk about teamwork and the togetherness of Stray Kids rather than trying to take the spotlight.
His image
When Bang Chan would finally make his debut was a hot topic during his lengthy time training under JYP Entertainment. At a press conference showcase for Stray Kids’ debut album, I Am Not, the star opened up about his determination and difficulties during those years.
“The hardest thing about it was when other trainees who were with me would leave the agency. The most painful moments were when I ended up alone,” he said.
“Of those people who left, some have gone on to debut under other labels, and others have changed career paths. However, I met the other members of Stray Kids and happy moments began filling that loneliness. I never knew I’d be able to make my debut with the people I wanted to be with. I’m so happy right now.”
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He shows his determination in other ways, too. Despite his busy schedule and constant deadlines, he frequently communicates with fans on live streams where he shares encouraging messages and words of positivity, while giving music recommendations and cracking jokes. Fans have even made compilations of the positive messages he has shared.
Because he can speak Korean and English, Bang Chan has also been able to earn more international fans for Stray Kids. Not only does he speak in both languages during his live streams, he frequently acts as his bandmates’ translator when Stray Kids hold promotions in English-speaking countries.
In his own words
While the music industry is tough and competitive, Bang Chan has always emphasised the journey, rather than immediate success.
“It really doesn’t matter if we go up those steps or not – of course, it’d be great if we could go up – but the fact that we have a lot of people willing to join us on this journey, that itself is a really big honour,” he told Billboard in 2019.
“Even if it’s just one person, a group of people – even if it’s just you on this adventure we’re going through, we’re just really glad that there are people willing to go with us.”
When responding to fan messages during Stray Kids’ Build interview, the band learned about a social media project called #StaysOpenUp that encourages their fans, known as Stays, to take the messages that Chan and Stray Kids share to heart. Together, fans can open up about their pain and hardships, and support each other.
Bang Chan was visibly touched by the project.
“Of course, we might not be able to reach out sometimes, but the fact that Stays are helping out other Stays is just, for us, really relieving,” he said, “We’re just one big family and that’s really nice.”
