"Why?" is a song by South Korean boy band Stray Kids from their second Japanese-language studio album Giant (2024). 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).
| "Why?" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Stray Kids | |
| from the album Giant | |
| Language |
|
| Released | April 12, 2024 |
| Studio |
|
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 3:48 |
| Label | Epic Japan |
| Composer(s) | |
| Lyricist(s) |
|
Background and composition
editOn 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] and later was included on the group's second Japanese-language studio album Giant (2024).[3]
"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.[4]
Live performances
editStray 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.[5][6]
Credits and personnel
editPersonnel
- Stray Kids – lead vocals, background vocals
- D&H (Purple Night) – Japanese lyrics
- Yohei – Japanese lyrics
- Hong Ji-sang – composition, arrangement, computer programming, electric guitar, keyboards, vocal direction, recording
- Goo Hye-jin – recording
- Lee Tae-sub – mixing
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Locations
- Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. – publishing
- JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – publishing
- JYPE Studios – recording, mixing
- Jisang's Studio – recording
- 821 Sound Mastering – mastering
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan (Japan Hot 100)[7] | 25 |
| Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[8] | 26 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 39 |
| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] | 2 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | April 12, 2024 | Epic Japan | [11] | |
| South Korea | JYP | [12] |
References
edit- ^ "Stray Kids、フジ系「Re: リベンジ」で日本ドラマの主題歌初担当". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "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". Mantanweb (in Japanese). March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "Stray Kids、1年9ヵ月ぶりの新フルアルバム『GIANT』詳細公開". RBB Today (in Japanese). October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ "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」". Cinema Café (in Japanese). March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "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」". Modelpress (in Japanese). April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ "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". Kstyle (in Japanese). April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of April 17, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-04-22" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Stray Kids Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ "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 (in Japanese). April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Stray Kids (April 12, 2024). "[OST] WHY?". Melon (in Korean). Retrieved April 16, 2024.