Arena Homme+ Korea Feb 2026 Cover : Stray Kids I.N – English Translation
“I really love performing at festivals. Through festivals, I want to introduce Stray Kids to even more people and experience a wider variety of stages. I want to challenge...
“I really love performing at festivals. Through festivals, I want to introduce Stray Kids to even more people and experience a wider variety of stages. I want to challenge myself with all kinds of festivals—even ones in completely different genres, like EDM festivals.”
Q. How was today’s shoot?
I.N: I really enjoyed it. I like photo shoots in general—taking photos itself is fun for me.
Q. This shoot was done together with Bottega Veneta, and you’re also active as a global ambassador. Do you approach standing on stage as a singer differently from standing in front of the camera as the face of a luxury brand?
I.N: Honestly, there isn’t a big difference. Whether it’s on stage or in a photoshoot, what matters most is showing who I am. That mindset stays the same.
Q. The concept of this shoot required a strong, intense mood, especially with the use of space. What kind of charm did you focus on highlighting?
I.N: First of all, I tried to show a wide range of poses by experimenting with different approaches. I felt facial expressions were especially important, so I looked into the camera with a slightly stronger, more intense expression.
Q. When you smile, you look endlessly bright, but when your smile fades, the mood completely changes—almost like Jekyll and Hyde. Do you hear that a lot?
I.N: Yes, I hear that a lot from fans too (laughs). In the past, it actually caused quite a few misunderstandings. People would say I looked cold when I wasn’t smiling, ask if I was angry, or even say I looked scary. But now, as someone who performs on stage, I’m satisfied because that contrast works as a strength.
Q. Sometimes you need an intensity on stage that feels almost untouchable—so it’s become a real weapon for you.
I.N: Exactly. I think it’s a huge advantage.
Q. Being chosen as a brand ambassador means there’s a point where your image creates synergy with the brand. What aspects of yourself do you think align well with Bottega Veneta?
I.N: When people think of Bottega Veneta, the first thing that comes to mind is the craftsmanship of its leather weaving. Many people think of bags first, but the clothing ranges from casual to classic and is incredibly diverse in style. When I wear those different looks, I think the contrasting sides of my image help express the brand’s identity. It feels a bit awkward to say that about myself, though (laughs).
Q. You also took part in the 50th anniversary campaign celebrating Bottega Veneta’s Intrecciato, alongside many international stars. Seeing the final result must have felt special.
I.N: It felt incredibly special—and honestly, a bit unreal. I’m just a kid from Busan, so suddenly being included in a campaign with so many global stars felt amazing and surreal at the same time (laughs).
Q. I guess that means you’ve truly become a star. In that sense, when do you personally feel that you’ve really become one?
I.N: These days, when you say the name Stray Kids, there are very few people who don’t recognize it. Even if they don’t know our songs well, they know Stray Kids—and even if they can’t name all the members, they still know the group. Moments like that really make me feel how deeply our name has settled in people’s minds. Honestly, though, becoming famous hasn’t drastically changed my daily life. I live pretty comfortably. I’m grateful when people recognize me, but it’s also fine if they don’t. I believe I only need to shine on stage.
Q. Becoming an idol was once your dream—and now you’ve achieved it. Does that mean the dream is complete, or has it continued to expand?
I.N: It feels like a dream that’s been fulfilled, but maybe out of ambition, it keeps expanding. At first, I thought just debuting would be enough. Then after debuting, I wanted more people to know us. After that came the dream of touring, and then wanting to do a world tour. It keeps growing step by step. I find it interesting how doing what you love naturally makes your dreams grow bigger.
Q. So what is the next dream that has expanded for you right now?
I.N: I really love festival stages. Through festivals, I want to introduce Stray Kids to even more people and experience a wide variety of festivals. I want to challenge myself with festivals in completely different genres too—even EDM festivals. I also have dreams related to fashion, but my top priority is still music.
Q. As the group has grown, individual activities have increased as well. Are there any areas where you personally want to grow or challenge yourself further?
I.N: I want to challenge myself more musically in different ways, and I’d also like to explore fashion more. I love clothes, so I want to show many different sides of myself.
Q. What about creating your own fashion brand someday?
I.N: I don’t think I really have talent in fashion creation, so I’ll stick to expressing myself through different looks instead (laughs).
Q. You’ve put in a lot of effort to reach where you are now. Is there something you personally feel you’ve truly worked hard at, even if others might not notice?
I.N: Even though I’m the youngest, I’ve tried to protect the team and be a stabilizing presence. Just because you’re a team doesn’t mean everything is always perfect. Whenever issues came up, I tried to play a mediating role—that’s just my personality. When there’s a problem, I want to help solve it. Honestly, the older members take such good care of me, and thanks to that support, I was able to do my part too.
Q. Being a team always requires balance and coordination. What do you think gives Stray Kids the strength to stay so united?
I.N: I think of all the members as family. And we’re all heading toward the same goal. Because we share the same dream, we’re able to communicate well and live together like a family.
“On stage, I don’t feel shy at all, but off stage, I’m actually quite shy. I don’t really know why the shyness disappears once I’m on stage—it’s strange. Somehow, I just started enjoying it. I’ve been like that since I was young.”
Q. You’ve been active as an idol for quite some time now. What kind of idol do you think you are?
I.N: Hmm… if I had to say, I think I’m an idol who can make people feel happy when they see me. (Laughs) Even when I’m going through something difficult, I try to stay positive and not lose my smile. A lot of people tell me that seeing me smile makes them feel happy, so I’d like to think of myself as an idol who brings happiness.
Q. Your bright smile is really lovely to see.
I.N: In the past, I used to force myself to smile because I was worried I might look cold. Now it’s become a natural habit. Fans often tell me they feel happy when they see me smile, and that made me realize that smiling is actually one of my strengths. For idols, fans mean far more than just the dictionary definition of the word.
Q. What do fans mean to you, I.N?
I.N: It’s hard to define with just one word because it means so many things, but in the end, I think it comes down to love. Fans listen to our music because they like us and love us. That’s genuine love, really. I can’t sum it up perfectly in one word, but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be love.
Q. Is there something a fan once said to you that has stayed with you for a long time?
I.N: “You’re doing well.” To others, it might sound like an ordinary, everyday phrase, but it really hits me deeply. Sometimes it even makes me emotional. When I feel pressure before going on stage or right before a comeback, hearing those words makes my worries fade a little.
Q. Aside from fans’ support, what gives you the strength to keep moving forward?
I.N: A positive mindset. I wasn’t naturally a positive person to begin with, but during my trainee days, I gradually changed. I worked hard to find ways through difficult situations, and that mindset became my source of strength to keep going.
Q. As you’ve continued forward, there must be moments when you truly feel that you’ve grown. In what way do you feel that growth the most?
I.N: Mentally, I’ve grown a lot. I used to be quite sensitive and fragile, but I’ve become much stronger. I’ve become more positive and brighter over time.
Q. Singers shine the brightest on stage. If you had to pick one moment that still stands out vividly as a shining stage, what would it be?
I.N: An outdoor festival I participated in a couple of years ago. It was around sunset. The sun was still up when we sang the first song, but by the time we finished talking and moved into the second song, the sky had turned into a sunset. That moment felt like a dream. It was exactly the image of a singer on stage that I had always dreamed of. It felt like a rock festival—there was a band behind us, and the members were standing in a straight line on the second floor. It might sound simple, but the air, the temperature, and the atmosphere are still incredibly vivid to me. Ever since then, I’ve loved festivals even more.
Q. So if you get invited to festivals in the future, you’d want to go no matter what?
I.N: Yes, absolutely. There was a time this year when we looked over a list of festivals and discussed availability, and I said I wanted to go to all of them. That memory was just too good.
Q. I.N on stage and I.N off stage feel quite different. Is that true?
I.N: Yes, very different. On stage, I’m not shy at all, but off stage, I’m actually quite shy. I don’t know why the shyness disappears once I’m on stage—it’s strange. I guess I just got used to it and started enjoying it. I’ve been that way since I was young.
Q. What is your daily routine like when you don’t have any schedules?
I.N: I really love staying at home. (Laughs) When I do go out, I prefer going alone. If someone’s with me, I feel like I might not be able to do what I want, so I like being by myself. My alone time is precious. I go for walks or go shopping alone.
Q. If you had to choose one word that best describes you these days, what would it be?
I.N: Happiness. I’m truly, genuinely happy—especially these days. I think it’s because time has passed and I’ve gained a sense of ease.
Q. As one year ends and another begins, what kind of year was 2025 for you, and what do you hope 2026 will be like?
I.N: Last year was incredibly busy. At the same time, it was a year filled with so much love. Through the world tour, we practically traveled around the Earth seven times and received overwhelming love in so many countries. It’s hard to predict what 2026 will be like. Last year was so busy that I’m not sure how this year will unfold, but I hope it will be a year where there’s a lot of new things to show. I hope both Stray Kids and I can present something new.
Q. Last question. What do you think makes a man truly cool?
I.N: I think a man who knows how to sacrifice—for himself or for others—is truly cool. Whether it’s physically or emotionally, someone who has the resolve to commit and make sacrifices.
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