Stray Kids has officially launched their comeback campaign by unveiling a new album trailer that showcases a bizarre and surreal concept.
On Wednesday, JYP Entertainment, the group’s agency, released the trailer for their upcoming mini-album THIS & THAT across Stray Kids’ official social media platforms. The trailer presents a surreal scenario where an encounter with Stray Kids opens up a realm of freedom and solace, captivating viewers with its visually striking cinematic narrative.
The video opens with a character entering a mysterious truck, clutching an long play (LP) handed to them by member Seungmin. As the music from their headphones begins to play, the world around them transforms into a fantastical universe populated entirely by Stray Kids. In a bold creative choice, every character – from baristas to chefs, photographers to auctioneers, dancers to bakery staff – bears the face of a Stray Kids member. The peculiar atmosphere is further enhanced by dialogue consisting solely of the words “THIS” and “THAT.” This inventive approach cleverly reimagines the group’s iconic slogan, “Stray Kids Everywhere All Around The World,” reinforcing the message that they’re always present for their fans, regardless of location.
The trailer’s connection to the surprise pre-trailer content “TEST,” which dropped on Monday at 8:00 p.m. (Korean time), has also generated buzz. This video, styled after a YouTube channel hosted by comedian Yoo Byung Jae, follows the members as they explore an abandoned house using first-person camcorder footage. A chilling twist occurs when Yoo Byung-jae briefly morphs into Seungmin. The video concludes with the appearance of a truck bearing a license plate featuring the new album’s title, creating a perfect Easter egg that has sent global fans into a frenzy.
Stray Kids is set to make their first official comeback of 2026 with the new mini-album on August 7. They’ve already set the stage with their digital single “RUN IT,” released on June 24. This track, which embodies their ambition to charge into a broader musical landscape, topped iTunes’ Top Songs chart in 43 regions worldwide, including the U.S., UK, France, Canada, and Brazil, immediately upon release. It also claimed the top spot on YouTube’s global trending music video chart. “RUN IT” will be featured on the upcoming album.
In 2025, Stray Kids made history as the first global act to have eight consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The music industry is now watching with bated breath to see what new milestones they’ll achieve with this latest release.
The complete tracklist of Stray Kids’ new mini-album THIS & THAT will be available on various digital music platforms on August 7 at 1:00 p.m. (Korean time).
Since their 2018 debut, Stray Kids has churned out a string of hits including “MANIAC,” “THUNDEROUS,” “CHICK CHICK BOOM,” “THUNDEROUS,” “LALALALA,” “BACK DOOR,” “GOD’S MENU,” and “CASE 143.” Their popularity has soared not only in South Korea but also internationally, particularly in the U.S., solidifying their status as a global K-pop powerhouse.