The K-Pop universe just witnessed a moment of pure magic as Stray Kids‘ beloved maknae, I.N, took the stage as a special guest at J.Y. Park‘s solo concert, ‘HAPPY HOUR,’ in Tokyo! This extraordinary encounter between a living legend and a global top artist, I.N J.Y. Park, sent a wave of euphoria through the Kanadevia Hall on February 5th, elevating the concert’s energy to dizzying heights.
A Legendary Duet: I.N Shines Bright ✨
“Finding an artist who embodies both the ballad sensibilities of 2AM and the powerful performance of Rain wasn’t easy, but I found him!” With these captivating words, J.Y. Park introduced I.N, who was met with an explosion of fervent cheers from the adoring crowd. I.N then joined J.Y. Park for a breathtaking joint performance of 2AM‘s “This Song” and Rain‘s “Switch to Me (duet with JYP).” I.N enchanted everyone with his soft, alluring vocal tone and showcased his spectacular dance skills, perfectly capturing the vibrant essence of New Jack Swing.
Heartfelt Moments and a Birthday Surprise 💖
Demonstrating his full artistic prowess, I.N shared his heartfelt emotions, saying, “I’m a fan of senior artists like 2AM and 2PM (produced by J.Y. Park PD), and I absolutely loved ‘This Song’ when I was young. It feels incredibly surreal and truly grateful to sing this song alongside PD-nim.” The warmth continued as the band started playing “Happy Birthday,” and a surprise cake and gifts, specially prepared by J.Y. Park for I.N‘s birthday on February 8th, appeared on stage. I.N beamed with joy at the unexpected event, expressing his gratitude to both J.Y. Park and the delighted audience. This entire moment was a testament to the beautiful bond within the JYP family and the genuine care shared amongst them.
Stray Kids: Reigning Supreme in the Global Music Sphere 🎶
Stray Kids kicked off 2026 with a spectacular array of achievements on global streaming platforms, particularly Spotify. Their first full-length repackage album, ‘IN生’ (IN Life), surpassed an astonishing 1.5 billion cumulative streams, while the title track ‘God’s Menu’ from their first full-length album ‘GO生’ (GO Life) soared past 500 million cumulative plays. These milestones mark them as the first 4th-generation K-Pop boy group to achieve such consecutive records. Adding to their incredible journey, their “largest-ever” world tour concert film, ‘Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience,’ which premiered on February 6th (local time), dominated the global box office during its first weekend in February, grossing a phenomenal $19.1 million across 61 regions worldwide.
Exciting Global Engagements & Fan Connections 💎
Riding this wave of success, Stray Kids is set to continue their worldwide impact, gracing the stages as headliners at major international festivals:
- ✨ The Governors Ball Music Festival in New York, USA, on June 6th.
- ✨ Rock in Rio in Brazil on September 11th.
But that’s not all! They are also eagerly anticipating connecting with their beloved fandom, STAY, at their sixth official fan meeting, ‘STAY in Our Little House,’ with a total of four captivating sessions at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 28th, 29th, April 4th, and 5th. Prepare your hearts for these unforgettable encounters!
This heartwarming exchange between a legendary mentor and his radiant protégé truly embodies the beautiful lineage of K-Pop artistry. It’s moments like these, rich with genuine connection and pure talent, that remind us why we’re so deeply devoted to this fandom universe.
Editor: Chloe Jung ✨
