Why? (Stray Kids song) explained

Why?
Cover:Stray Kids - Why?.png
Type:promo
Artist:Stray Kids
Released:April 12, 2024
Studio:
  • JYPE (Seoul)
  • Jisang's (Seoul)
Genre:Rock
Length:3:48
Label:Epic Japan
Composer:
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Hong Ji-sang
Lyricist:
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • D&H
  • Yohei
Misc:-->

"Why?" is a song by South Korean boy band Stray Kids. It was released as a promotional single through Epic Records Japan on April 12, 2024. The song serves as the theme for Japanese television drama Re: Revenge – Yokubo no Hate ni (2024).

Background and composition

On March 23, 2024, the second teaser of Japanese television drama Re: Revenge – Yokubo no Hate ni was revealed, alongside an announcement that Stray Kids would perform the theme of the drama, titled "Why?", making it the group's first Japanese drama series theme.[1] The song became available for digital download and streaming platforms on April 12, after the first episode's premiere.[2]

"Why?" was written by Stray Kids' in-house production team 3Racha, consisting of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, alongside D&H (Purple Night) and Yohei for Japanese lyrics, and Hong Ji-sang for composition and arrangement. A rock track with the image of "dystopia", the song expresses the feelings of moving forward to a goal without worrying about one's surroundings despite encountering obstacles.[3]

Live performances

Stray Kids debuted the performance of "Why?" at the group's fanmeeting SKZ Toy World in April 2024 at Kyocera Dome, Osaka and Belluna Dome, Saitama.[4] [5]

Credits and personnel

Personnel

Locations

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[6] 25
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[7] 26
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 39
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[9] 2

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousApril 12, 2024Epic Japan[10]
South KoreaJYP[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Stray Kids、フジ系「Re: リベンジ」で日本ドラマの主題歌初担当 . March 23, 2024 . . March 23, 2024 . ja.
  2. News: Stray Kids: 日本ドラマ初! 新曲が「Re: リベンジ-欲望の果てに-」の主題歌に . March 23, 2024 . . March 23, 2024 . ja.
  3. News: 赤楚衛二主演「Re: リベンジ-欲望の果てに-」Stray Kidsの主題歌入り映像公開「心に刺さりました」 . March 23, 2024 . Cinema Café . March 23, 2024 . ja.
  4. News: Stray Kids、日本で初のオフラインファンイベント開催 2日間で9万人動員「一生STAYだけを見て生きていたい」 . April 8, 2024 . Modelpress . April 8, 2024 . ja.
  5. News: Stray Kids、日本初のオフラインファンイベントで16万人が熱狂! back numberらの楽曲をカバー . April 29, 2024 . Kstyle . April 29, 2024 . ja.
  6. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of April 17, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. April 17, 2024.
  7. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-04-22 . . April 18, 2024 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20240418044812/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2024-04-22/p/3/ . April 18, 2024.
  8. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. April 22, 2024. April 19, 2024.
  9. Stray Kids Chart History: World Digital Song Sales. Billboard. April 23, 2024.
  10. Web site: Stray Kids、フジテレビ系木曜劇場『Re:リベンジ-欲望の果てに-』主題歌、New Digital Single「WHY?」の配信がスタート! 各配信ストアでの配信キャンペーンも開催! . Stray Kids Japan Official Website . April 16, 2024 . ja . April 12, 2024.
  11. Web site: Stray Kids . Stray Kids . [OST] WHY? ]. . April 16, 2024 . ko . April 12, 2024.