CONTENT:
1. Profile
2. Career
3. Facts
Profile
Birth Name: Christopher Chahn Bahng
Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
Debut: Mar 25, 2018
Height: 171 cm, 5' 7"
Weight: 123.5 lbs (56 kg)
Body Measurements: 38-32-14
Nationality: Australian
Sister: Hannah Bang
Brother: Lucas Bang
Languages: English, Korean, Japanese
Groups: Stray Kids, 3RACHA
Nicknames: Channie, Kangaroo, Koala
School: Newtown High School of the Performing Arts
High School: Cheongdam High School
Blood Type: O
Eye Colour: Blue
Hair Colour: Light Brown
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Pets: Berry (dog)
Bang Chan, born Christopher Bang on October 3, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea, is the leader and a prominent member of the popular K-pop group Stray Kids. He has one younger sister named Hannah and a younger brother named Lucas. His father, a swimming coach, and his mother, a piano teacher. At the age of 8, Bang Chan and his family moved to Sydney, Australia. In Sydney, he attended Cheongdam High School and later Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, both of which helped him develop his musical and performing skills. While in Australia, he also went by the name Chris Bang.
In 2010, at the age of 13, Bang Chan took a significant step towards his dream of becoming a musician by participating in the JYP Entertainment Global Audition held in Sydney. Stray Kids was initially created through a survival reality show called "Stray Kids," which aired on Mnet from October to December 2017. Bang Chan played a pivotal role in the formation of the group, as he was chosen by JYP Entertainment's founder, Park Jin-young, to lead the team. His ability to communicate fluently in both Korean and English was also a valuable asset for the group. Stray Kids officially debuted on March 25, 2018, with their extended play (EP) titled "I Am NOT." The group, consisting of eight members—Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N—has since gained international recognition for their powerful music.
Stray Kids, with Bang Chan as their leader, made a strong debut in 2018 and received several prestigious rookie awards, including:
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) - Best New Male Artist
Seoul Music Awards - Rookie of the Year
Gaon Chart Music Awards - New Artist of the Year (Album)
Bang Chan and Stray Kids have achieved multiple music show wins.
M Countdown (Mnet) - "Miroh," "Back Door," and "Thunderous"
Show Champion (MBC) - "Miroh" and "Back Door"
Music Bank (KBS) - "Back Door"
Stray Kids, led by Bang Chan, have achieved impressive album sales and chart performances both in South Korea and internationally.
"GO生" (GO Live) - Over 200,000 copies sold on Hanteo Chart
"IN生" (IN Life) - Peaked at No. 2 on the Gaon Album Chart
"NOEASY" - Peaked at No. 1 on the Gaon Album Chart
Bang Chan and Stray Kids have also received year-end awards and accolades, which honor the most successful artists and releases of the year.
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) - Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10 (2019, 2020)
Golden Disc Awards - Next Generation Award (2019), Best Performance Award (2021)
Some of the key musical influences that have shaped Bang Chan's style include hip-hop, R&B, and pop music. Among the K-pop artists, Bang Chan has cited BIGBANG, 2PM, and Rain as some of his major influences. Internationally, Bang Chan has expressed admiration for musicians such as Eminem, Post Malone, and Coldplay. Bang Chan is a part of a music production trio within the group called 3RACHA, alongside members Changbin and Han. The trio is responsible for creating the majority of Stray Kids' music, including their titles, b-sides, and mixtapes. Bang Chan has demonstrated his versatility as a songwriter and composer by exploring various genres and styles in Stray Kids' music, ranging from hip-hop and EDM to pop and ballads. Bang Chan's lyrics often tell stories and convey meaningful messages, touching on themes such as self-discovery, growth, and the struggles young people face.
Bang Chan collaborated with fellow Stray Kids members Lee Know and Hyunjin on a dance performance video for the song "Miroh." Bang Chan worked closely with Woojin during his time in Stray Kids. They collaborated on several songs, including "Hellevator" and "District 9." Bang Chan and Seungmin collaborated on a cover of "Congratulations" by DAY6. As part of Stray Kids' SKZ-RECORD project, Bang Chan has collaborated with different members of the group on various songs and covers. With the release of songs like "God's Menu," "Back Door," and "Thunderous," he has showcased a more intense and captivating stage presence. He has also displayed his emotional range in performances of slower, more introspective songs like "Levanter" and "Blueprint." Adding a new feather to his cap, on September 4, 2021, Bang Chan appeared in the 14th episode of the "Loud" program, where he worked with the other members of the 3Racha production team and "JYP team" members. They performed a version of "Back Door" with revised lyrics by "Loud" participants. A notable milestone was the release of the "Red Lights" music video on September 13, 2021, in collaboration with Hyunjin. The duo also penned the lyrics for the song, which featured on the Noeasy album.
Bang Chan's fluency in English has played a crucial role in building a strong connection with Stray Kids' international fans, known as STAY. He often serves as the group's spokesperson during interviews with English-speaking media outlets, ensuring that the group's message is clearly conveyed to a global audience. He frequently incorporates unique accessories, such as chains, harnesses, and layered jewelry, to elevate his stage presence and complement the group's powerful performances. Off-stage, he often opts for comfortable clothing, such as oversized hoodies, sweatpants, and sneakers, while still maintaining a stylish and fashionable appearance. He has experimented with various hair colors and styles, ranging from bold shades like red and blue to more natural tones like brown and black. Some of his signature accessories include beanies, bucket hats, and layered necklaces.
Bang Chan frequently hosts live broadcasts on the V Live platform, where he interacts with fans in real-time. These broadcasts, known as "Chan's Room," provide fans with an opportunity to ask questions, share their thoughts, and get to know Bang Chan on a more personal level. Bang Chan also interacts with fans through fan community platforms, such as the official Stray Kids fan cafe and the Bubble messaging app. Occasionally, Bang Chan participates in Twitter Q&A sessions, where fans can ask questions using a specific hashtag.
Further enriching his artistic portfolio, Bang Chan added his personal touch to the Stray Kids' brand by handwriting the group's logo. His leadership role extended beyond music and into TV show hosting. He co-hosted two episodes of After Club School with Jamie (15 &) on June 12 and July 17, 2018, and later joined Felix to host KCON NY in New York on June 23-24, 2018. Venturing into the realm of dance, Bang Chan choreographed and published a video of the dance routine to 2PM's "My House" on March 23, 2020. He continued to flex his musical muscles with the release of a piano-backed heartfelt ballad "인정하기 싫어" on May 30, 2020, followed by the song "Chance" alongside Felix on July 20, 2020. Bang Chan's talent as a lyricist shone in the song "We Go" from the album IN Life, released on September 14, 2020. The song was a collaborative effort with Changbin and Han. This collaboration continued into 2021, with the release of the music video for "Maknae on Top" on January 15, which also featured I.N.
In August, he got the opportunity to interview Ryan Reynolds for the release of the movie "Free Guy". During the interview, they discussed the film and the upcoming Noeasy album. Bang Chan also attended the film's premiere in South Korea and shared a review. June 2021 saw Bang Chan, Changbin, Felix, and Seungmin collaborate on the vampire-themed "Up All Night". Shortly after, on June 27, he lent his voice to Brandon Urie's role in Taylor Swift's "ME!" alongside Tzuyu of Twice. On July 3, 2021, Bang Chan paired with Lee Know to release the music video for "Drive".
Facts
Bang Chan, often fondly nicknamed as Kangaroo or Koala by his bandmates, is not just a talented singer but a whirlwind of multiple talents that would leave anyone in awe.
Born in South Korea, Chan moved to Sydney, Australia at a young age, embracing a multicultural upbringing. This has allowed him to be fluent in English, Korean, and even some Japanese and Chinese. Don't be surprised if he busts out speaking English with an Australian accent; it's part of his charm!
Bang Chan's journey with JYP Entertainment, the music label that represents Stray Kids, began in 2010 when he passed an audition in Australia. He holds the record for the longest training period among Stray Kids members – seven whole years of honing his skills to perfection. During these formative years, Chan shared a dorm with Shownu of Monsta X and trained alongside prominent K-pop groups such as GOT7, TWICE, and DAY6, fostering lasting friendships.
Music isn't his only forte. Known for his athletic prowess, Bang Chan's love for sports is quite evident. In fact, he broke his school's swim carnival record for a 50-minute freestyle swim at just 8 years of age. This passion for sports would perhaps explain his alternate career choices of being a kangaroo (a humorous nod to his Australian upbringing), actor, or athlete if he wasn't in Stray Kids.
A surprising fact about Bang Chan is his appearance as a zombie in TWICE's debut music video for "Like OOH-AHH". This isn't his only cameo though; he also appeared in Miss A's 'Only You' music video, flaunting his dynamic persona.
When it comes to his personal life, Bang Chan is the proud owner of a King Charles Spaniel dog named Berry, who often becomes a topic of discussion during his VLIVE sessions. Despite his bustling schedule, he manages to find time for hobbies, with sports topping the list. He is also a fan of the girl group LOONA and the K-pop band Dreamcatcher, proving his versatile taste in music.
Beyond his music and personal life, Bang Chan is known for his dedication to Stray Kids. As the leader, he takes on multiple roles, including music editing and choreography matching. His bandmate, Changbin, once referred to him as the busiest member of the group.
Chan's journey of becoming a successful K-pop idol hasn't been easy, but his motto – "Just enjoy~" – reveals his positive attitude. With an unflinching passion for music and a deep dedication to his band and fans, Bang Chan continues to create waves in the K-pop industry.
In the words of Bang Chan, just enjoy the ride!