K-pop supergroup Stray Kids recreated an ephemeral city built on music and energetic choreography called STRAYCITY on Friday (Sept. 25). The event took place at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City, where they wrap up this weekend the Latin American leg of their tour. The result was a grand celebration attended by approximately 60,000 fans (according to Ocesa), symbolizing the bonds of friendship between South Korea and Mexico.
The return of the group — made up of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N. — to the iconic stadium came 17 months after their debut in the Latin American country at the same venue. And they didn’t come alone: STRAYCITY, a concert designed in a festival style, also featured performances by the South Korean-Japanese band Nexz, as well as Mexican acts Renee and Andrés Obregón, who opened the show.
“We’re back in Mexico after a year. Did you miss us? ¡No manchen!” said Bang Chan, mixing Korean with Mexican slang, with the help of an interpreter.
“This is the venue we visited on the last tour, and over there it says ‘living is incredible,’” added Hyunjin, pointing to a slogan displayed on one of the stadium’s structures. “I even took a picture of it.”
Thousands of Nachimbongs — Stray Kids’ official light sticks — illuminated the stands, creating a warm vibe. Fans who didn’t have one of those improvised by using their phone lights to join in. The STAYs — as Stray Kids’ fans are known — performed some of the choreographies along with the group, as the stadium roared to the rhythm of hits like “TOPLINE,” “S-Class,” “Bounce Back,” “MANIAC,” “DOMINO,” “Thunderous” and “DIVINE.” Each track was synchronized with the moves of the dancers accompanying the idols.
The setlist also included “Walkin on Water,” “God’s Menu,” “Chk Chk Boom” and a rock version of “LALALALA.” On the stage, three massive towers that emitted flames lit up in perfect coordination with the fans’ Nachimbongs, creating an immersive atmosphere that elevated every moment of the show.
Among the STAYs in attendance was a very special guest: South Korean president Lee Jae-myung, accompanied by first lady Kim Hye-kyung, who held her Nachimbong high and cheered with the fandom. The South Korean head of state concluded a successful official visit to Mexico this week with a stop that was pure K-pop, featuring one of his country’s most representative musical groups.
“Live footage from Stray Kids’ Mexico City performance commemorating the Korea-Mexico summit,” the South Korean president wrote on X on Friday, sharing a video of the performance. “You can truly feel the great power of K-pop, which showcases Korea, the nation of strong culture, to the world.”
President Lee and the first lady were joined by Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Mexico’s secretary of Culture, who attended with 10 children from vulnerable communities. These kids were gifted tickets to the show, as announced a day earlier by Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum.
“Looking at this atmosphere, it seems like no one wants to go home tonight,” Bang Chan told the crowd. “Do you guys not want to leave either? Let’s see how much longer we can go.” He then paused to give some recommendations on how fans should take care of each other and help anyone in need.
With 90 minutes of electrifying performances and a live showcase of their biggest hits, STRAYCITY became the largest concert Stray Kids has ever held in Mexico to date, according to organizers. Stray Kids will return to the GNP Seguros Stadium on Saturday (Sept. 26) for the second night of STRAYCITY, officially concluding their Latin American tour after stops in Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.
