Stray Kids member Lee Know has personally spoken out regarding his future military service, reassuring fans that the group will undoubtedly reunite as a full eight-member team after completing their mandatory national defense duties.
On August 6, 2026, Stray Kids held a press conference at the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their new mini-album THIS & THAT.
During the Q&A session, reporters asked the members about their plans regarding the upcoming military enlistment period for the group’s older members.
Lee Know’s Official Statement on National Defense
As the eldest Korean citizen in the group, Lee Know addressed the question directly with sincerity, emphasizing that military service is a natural obligation for South Korean men while reassuring their global fandom, STAY:
“I believe fulfilling the duty of national defense is only natural. If I am called upon, I will faithfully carry out my responsibilities.
We haven’t discussed specific plans for our team activities during the military hiatus yet.
However, one thing is absolutely certain: we’ll all come back together.
There are so many fans who have loved and waited for us, and I want to repay that immense love they’ve given us.
Please wait for us just a little while. We’ll be back before you know it.”
Lee Know’s statement offers reassurance to STAYs worldwide, making it clear that regardless of how their enlistments are structured in the coming years, Stray Kids remains fully committed to continuing as a complete team long into the future.
Comeback Details and THIS & THAT Release
The press conference served as the launchpad for Stray Kids’ new mini-album THIS & THAT and its hip-hop title track “This & That”, released globally on August 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM KST.
The project follows the remarkable success of their previous release, SKZ IT TAPE ‘DO IT’, which set historic records on global charts, including an eight-week run at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
According to the members, THIS & THAT showcases their expanded musical versatility and justified confidence, capturing their ability to perform everything (“THIS”) and anything (“THAT”).
During the press conference, the members reflected on their achievements and goals for the future:
- Focus on Heart over Records: When asked about potential Grammy Award nominations or chart milestones, Seungmin emphasized that the group never sets strict awards as targets, focusing instead on whether their music genuinely reaches fans’ hearts.
- Gratitude for Fans: Bang Chan and Hyunjin reiterated that all of their achievements are made possible by STAY’s continuous support, promising to continue telling authentic stories through their self-produced music.
World Tour Momentum
Ahead of the mini-album’s official drop, Stray Kids kicked off their massive new world tour with a five-day concert run at the Seoul KSPO DOME across July and August 2026.
With new music released and a global tour underway, the group continues to demonstrate high energy and strong team cohesion as they navigate this pivotal era in their career.
