Stray Kids' 1st Round Stage:
Before I begin this review, I'd like to briefly touch-up on the fact that Stray Kids are my bias group and therefore, I have an extensive attachment to the concept of this performance due my experience as one of their fans. With that begin said, I'll get onto the review!
First off, before I even begin to comment on the stage itself, I'd like to draw attention to the title of this performance '自神 (스스로 '자', 귀신 '신') - 스트레이 키즈'. The mixture of characters '自神' translate to self '自' (ja) and spirit/god '神' (shin) which in hangul is '자신' (ja-shin) which can mean 'oneself' and 'confidence'. This title directly correlates with message Stray Kids' performance carries - which will be explained later on in this review. This is particularly important, not only because it demonstrates Stray Kids' creativity but also because the theme of the first round was 'TO THE WORLD' which requires groups to present their identity to a wide audience. The manner in which Stray Kids illustrate a complete understanding of the purpose of this round only elevates them; they are not simply embodying a present 'niche' concept, but they are creating one that suits is their identity.
As the performance begins, we can see Stray Kids are shown being controlled by a darker force. I believe that this is a direct reference to 'Side Effects' , a song that received heavy criticism - with people asking them to 'tone it down!' or 'change their concept'. Them being controlled by these 'darker forces' (back-up dancers) symbolize how they were, at first, being swayed by these criticisms which they thought would lead them to the light - success - as shown by Han who seems to be hypnotised by a small light that a 'darker force' (back-up dancer) carries.
These darker forces not only seem to control individual members but they also prevent the members from being connected to one another when they are seen dragging members away into separate sections of what seems to be a maze. There are times at this point where you can see members attempting to ignore these dark forces but they are still influenced by them and fighting them physically - at this point, Seungmin sings 'I threw myself with trust in me, but why am I being swayed?'
The camera pans to a section of the maze where three members are seen separated by blocks and two members are seen standing in a frame, controlled like puppets by the dark clothed back-up dancers. This puppet scene is significant as it shows that Stray Kids are, at this point, completely subject to the darker forces and it controls the manner in which they make choices or perform actions. The lyrics that members sing this point are: 'get out of the way you all! - actually I am - I'm right! - scared'. This shows that whilst the members are presenting an image (refer to the frame surrounding them) of themselves that seem to be showing their true selves, in reality, they are scared(and fighting) because they slaves to the actions of the darker forces - criticism they face.
When Han starts to rap, moving away from the box that the darker forces have placed him in, the camera moves to Felix, who holds a bell and states 'my head hurts'. From this we can infer that they are tired of being swayed by their criticisms. The darker forces that move in the background and suddenly jut out their hands around Felix. This symbolizes the darker forces attempting to prevent him from ringing the bell which Felix's manner of alarming the members that they should not resist the darker forces, but they can embrace them in a manner that defines their identity.
They are not simply resisting these darker forces, they are embracing their criticisms and making them become their identify.
This is very purposeful as when Felix continues to ring the bell, 'Side Effects' becomes 'Gods' Menu', the very song that took Stray Kids' criticisms of being 'construction music' and 'noisy' and exemplified them to the point where they became the defining factors of the track. This choice is undeniably significant as despite being an quintessential embodiment of every musical criticism Stray Kids faced, God's Menu is their most sucessful track. Their choice to perform a mash-up of these tracks brings forth Stray Kids' playful use of irony.
As God's Menu begins, the member unite all together on a platform (now joint) as below them, a white curtain - perhaps symbolic of the spreading of their identity - is seen consuming the darker forces. The Stray Kids members take centre stage and they are no longer subject to the darker forces, but they dance in unison to them. This implies that they aren't actually fighting the criticisms they were once faced with, but they are standing alongside them and performing with them - using them to shape themselves.
When the introduction finishes, Han is seen surrounded by the back up dancers with a screen that states 'EVIL' displayed behind him. In this shot, the back up dancers are not in unison with Han, they are behind him and sneaking around. When the camera moves up and comes down, the display behind them states 'LIVE' and in this shot, we can see that Han and the back-up dancers are playfully teasing the screen. This again references that if Stray Kids fight their critics and separate themsevles from it, that it is negative influence towards them. This shows that if Stray Kids want to 'LIVE' , all they have to do is embrace their criticisms. Furthermore, at the end of this sequence, the back-up dancers lift Han, preventing him from falling, This impersonates the ironic success of God's Menu, in which their criticisms lead to their way to becoming sucessful, elevating them from the ground.
Again Stray Kids demonstrate excellent use of parallelism (EVIL - LIVE) when in the next shot, we see Bang Chan, and a back-up dancer (whom I respect very much for his incredible performance) mirroring each other as Bang Chan stands upon the top of a platform and below, the back up dancer mirrors his movements. At this point Bang Chan sings that they are 'one of a kind' which implies that Stray Kids and the darker forces are one body that forms an identity.
Next, Seungmin rushes towards the platform and free falls, where the back-up dancers 'darker forces', catch him. This shows that Stray Kids trust that the darker supposed 'EVIL' forces will catch them, showing how deeply rooted criticisms are in heir identity. This message is once again mirrored when Stray Kids are shown connected and controlling the back-up dancers. Their control isn't one of complete restriction but of being joint together (by a red string).
After this scene, the camera shows Felix with the bell 'fighting' the darker forces - yet unlike before, the darker forces do not physically touch him and it's almost like they are dancing instead of fighting. This shot continues to where 'Side Effects' begins merge with 'Gods' Menu' and Changbin is seen being elevated by the darker forces - showing the audience that these criticisms that have become a part of their identity have helped them reach new heights.
The performance ends with the back-up dancers 'darker forces' bowing down to Stray Kids, which demonstrates their respect towards Stray Kids, one that would not have been possible if Stray Kids had not danced alongside them. This almost seems to ironically play off the fact that Stray Kids' haters became their fans during God's Menu.
In my personal opinion, I believe that this performance is the performance that truly embodies the concept of the first round which was to present the group's identity TO THE WORLD. This performance wasn't simply a 'concept', a disposable one time display - it was a passionate, genuine, visual manifestation of Stray Kids' group identity. People may argue that this 'mashup' was too chaotic as a criticism, but after all... that is a defining trait of Stray Kids' identity, as suggested this stage and Stray Kids previous songs 'Back Door' and 'God's Menu'.
Thank you for reading!
