Stray Kids () was a 2017 reality show created by JYP Entertainment and Mnet. It was a male idol debut project with the concept of winning the "trainees versus JYP" survival. It was broadcast on Mnet from October 17 to December 19, 2017, on Tuesdays at 23:00 (KST) timeslot for ten episodes.
Background and concept
In late July 2017, it was reported that JYP Entertainment (JYPE), was set to premiere a new season of their 2015 reality show Sixteen - which debuted Twice - in the second half of the year. However, it was revealed the next month that the agency would launch a male idol debut project with a completely different concept from Sixteen. The show began airing in October 2017 and the line up of the group was finalized in December, with the group having their official debut showcase in March 2018.
Rather than individuals surviving to become a team, the team was pre-selected and trainees would perform self-composed songs, working towards the goal of debuting together. They were judged based on individual abilities and teamwork through unexpected missions, aiming to win the "trainees versus JYP" survival. The show also featured the behind-the-scenes look at the daily lives of trainees and their yearly showcase held in August.
On September 21, JYPE revealed the show's title, Stray Kids, along with its logo and social media channels. The first image teaser featuring the nine members was unveiled on October 9.
"Hellevator" On September 26, 2017, a music video teaser of a song titled "Hellevator" was uploaded online. The full version was scheduled to be released on October 3 but was pushed back to the 6th. The song, co-composed and co-written by 3Racha, was later released as a digital single on November 1.
Members
Bang Chan, Seo Chang-bin and Han Ji-sung are part of a pre-debut group called 3Racha. The trio released several self-composed mixtapes that were uploaded online.
Elimination
Lee Min-ho and Lee Felix were eliminated from the group on the fourth and eighth episode respectively, but were later brought back in the ninth episode.
Episodes
Episode 1 (October 17, 2017) In the first episode, JYPE decides to determine the new debuting group by having two teams compete - a female trainees' team named 2team, with members selected by the agency, and a Male Project Team—created by long-time trainee Bang Chan. Both teams receive compliments after performing at the trainee showcase, but Park Jin-young ultimately picks the Male Project Team, consisting of members Bang Chan, Kim Woo-jin, Lee Min-ho, Seo Chang-bin, Hwang Hyun-jin, Han Ji-sung, Lee Felix, Kim Seung-min, and Yang Jeong-in, as the winner due to their teamwork.
Episode 2 (October 24, 2017) The first mission is revealed; the nine members of the Male Project Team are challenged to compose their own song, as well as perform it, to determine if they can debut altogether without eliminations. One week prior to their performance, the members living outside the dorms move in. After they settle in, the group goes to the arcade to spend some free time. At the JYPE Training Center, the group selects the track they will use for the mission evaluation and starts practicing. On the day of the evaluation, the group announces their name, Stray Kids, and their song titled "Hellevator." After the performance, Park praises the song's lyrics, arrangement and melody, but mentions that the key is too high for male singers. He also notes that there are members who did not meet Park's standards and expectations, which leads to an elimination round.
Episode 3 (October 31, 2017) Min-ho, Jeong-in and Hyun-jin are at risk of elimination. After giving criticisms, Park re-arranges the members' parts in "Hellevator." For the next mission evaluation, they are tasked to divide the group into three teams for "3:3:3" stage performances. The members decide their own teammates: Min-ho picks Felix and Chang-bin, Hyun-jin picks Seung-min and Chan, and Jeong-in picks Woo-jin and Ji-sung. Five days prior, the teams spend a day off. Min-ho's team have a picnic at Hangang Park, Hyun-jin's team goes to a bowling center, and Jeong-in's team heads to a karaoke room. During the episode, the behind-the-scenes filming for the music video of "Hellevator" is also shown.