Written by: Bagmita Gogoi, Tinsukia, Assam

Edited by: Raj Nandini, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Discover the groundbreaking collaboration between Stray Kids and LiSA with their electrifying new single ‘Social Path,’ released as part of their latest Japanese EP.

Stray Kids, the 4th generation K-pop leaders, have joined hands with the legendary Japanese singer-songwriter LiSA to create a captivating new song titled Social Path. It was released on August 30, 2023, through Epic Records Japan, as the second single from their third Japanese Extended Play Social Path / Super Bowl -Japanese Ver.-. On the release day, Bang Chan, the group leader, gave STAYs an assignment to write a 3-page essay to celebrate their new release, which brings us to this article.

Through this collaboration, both Stray Kids and LiSA artistically embrace and express their love for anime and music. 

_{Picture Credits: @realstraykids (Instagram)}

Eight is fate and that is what Stray Kids stands for

The octuplets, namely, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Seungmin, Han, Felix, and I.N, have garnered attention for their genre-breaking music style and powerful performances. Their grappling visuals take the audience by surprise every time they try out a new look. The self-producing group has their very own production unit called 3RACHA, consisting of Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin. The DANCERACHA unit consists of Hyunjin, Lee Know, and Felix, whereas the VOCALRACHA unit consists of Seungmin and I.N.

_{Picture Credits: Sony Music Entertainment Japan}

The group recently won the 2023 VMAs for Best K-pop for their song “S-Class.” Stray Kids also became the first and only fourth-generation group to receive the Prime Minister’s Commendation at the 2023 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, marking their place in the history of K-pop.  

LiSA – the Queen of J-pop 

Risa Oribe, better known by her stage name LiSA, is a Japanese singer-songwriter. In 2010, she made her major debut in the anime series Angel Beats as one of two vocalists for the fictional in-story band Girls Dead Monster. LiSA’s music has appeared in popular anime shows such as Sword Art Online, Fate/Zero, and Demon Slayer, with her singles being featured in the top ten of the Oricon weekly charts. Several of LiSA’s songs, such as “Crossing Field”, “Gurenge,” and “Oath Sign,” have been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

_{Picture Credits: Billboard Japan}

Lyrical Interpretation

The lyrics of “Social Path” have been very well thought out. The song starts with “Gave up my youth for my future,” alluding to all the sacrifices one must make during childhood to have a better adulthood. This very line encapsulates Bang Chan’s struggle before becoming an idol. He represents his life story through this song. He unleashes his experiences and emotions through the lyrics.

This becomes even more significant when you learn the story behind Bang Chan before he debuted. He spent 7 years training and could only debut after toiling for 7 hard years. This is true for most K-pop idols. They become idols after immense hard work and training, which they must go through for years, almost consuming their youth. One can very well relate it to one’s own life when one works hard, either in school or in life for a better future. The relatability makes it more heart-wrenching and overwhelming, even if it’s an upbeat song. 

_{Picture Credits: Sony Music Entertainment Japan}

“It’s a never-ending night” alludes to the unending darkness one must face before one sees the bright light at the end of the tunnel. The song talks about how one needs to overcome all the temptations that come their way to be resilient in their endeavour. “You’re wrong, Blast furnace crystal, Metals that are getting stronger, it’s getting harder and stronger.” This allusion reminds us not to lose hope and that hard times only make us better warriors with sharpened outlooks on life. 

“I know it’s gonna be lonely, cause everyone keeps turning me down, Countless new surroundings, Cold eyes keep looking me down”. These lines represent times when one is struggling, and they are all alone dealing with all the pressure, hardships, and humiliations. “New surroundings” might refer to new places of work, shifting cities, or even countries, just like in the case of Bang Chan and Felix themselves, who had to leave their country at a very young age. You feel like an alien, even among people you know; nobody believes in you and has lost faith in you. 

The next part of the song alludes to the birth of a phoenix; just as it rises from its ashes, one must overcome the difficulties and rise with a stronger belief and faith in themselves. 

_{Picture Credits: Sony Music Entertainment Japan}

As penned by Robert Frost in his poem “IF,” you never know what your chosen path will offer you at the end of the road, but one must follow it without regrets. Even if it’s not the “Social Path” that has already been built, create your path because it’s your journey. “I see so many people come and go, I see the mirror; it’s only me.”. This line reminds me of how Bang Chan mentioned that all his friends had left—either debuted or left for good—and it was only him left at the end until he found and formed Stray Kids as a group. In the end, the enemy is you; you are your worst enemy.  They emphasize taking that chance because you’ve got only one life to follow your dreams. There is no turning back; the only way is to move forward. 

Contrary to the mood of the beats, the lyrics are sombre and overwhelming. 

MV Interpretation

The music video starts with an intense gaze of Felix reflecting fire in his eyes. The cinematography and animation are wonderful. All the members showcase different fears and troubles. The dark aesthetic creates a mystic vibe. The visuals and costumes are on point and well done. 

The camera focuses on Changbin, who most likely suffers from sleep paralysis. Han is trapped in a glass chamber with chains bogging him down. Lee Know is in the middle of the crowd, feeling an uncomfortable touch. Whereas Hyunjin faces people with paper bags with question marks, indicating the anonymous social media attacks that they face. Seungmin runs from them too. I.N. stands in the middle of the ally, but everyone passes by, ignoring his existence. Bang Chan tries to run away but it’s like the furies get to him and get to his throat, not letting him have a breath. 

The members, led by Hyunjin and Lee Know, pass through the crowd and make their way against the flow of the crowd, making their way. Bang Chan rises from his present position to a newer level of enlightenment. The presence of LiSA in the video is very powerful. She is put on a pedestal and her soaring and enchanting vocals imbue a positive and energetic force into the song. 

The song ends with all of them standing victorious, shunning all their hurdles, burning all the bridges, and overcoming each of their difficult journeys.

Why you should listen to this song?

The song seamlessly merges the elements of K-pop and J-pop, making it even more dynamic and LiSA’s soaring vocals make it even more zestful. Exploring the themes of self-discovery and identity and the essence of resilience, sacrifice, and determination, it serves as an anthem for hope and strength. It is refreshing to see Stray Kids delve into the sonic genre, captivating the audience with enthralling visuals and powerful choreography. 

Let us know if the song felt relatable to you in any way in the comment section below.