Lalalala Explained

"Lalalala" is a song by South Korean boy band Stray Kids, taken from their eighth Korean-language extended play Rock-Star. It was released as the EP's lead single on November 10, 2023, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. A drift phonk and Afrobeats track, the song was written by 3Racha, Versachoi, Cubeatz, and Luis Bacque about celebration of life and how to enjoy it. "Lalalala" peaked at number six on the Circle Digital Chart, became the group's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 90, as well as first top ten on the Billboard Global 200.

Background and composition

"Lalalala" was written by 3Racha, an in-house production team of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, and co-composed with Versachoi, Kevin Gomringer and Tim Gomringer from Cubeatz, and Luis Bacque in November 2022, and intended to be included the group's third studio album 5-Star as the lead single, but it was replaced by "S-Class". During the recording session, the group felt the song is suitable for being a lead single and performing on stage. Therefore, the song was outtaked from 5-Star, which included "Item" instead.^[1]

On October 6, 2023, Stray Kids announced their eighth Korean-language extended play Rock-Star set to be released on November 10, 2023.^[2] The EP's track list was revealed on October 9, marking the second track "Lalalala" as its lead single, as well as the rock version.^[3] The song was first previewed on the EP's mashup video on November 6.^[4] The song's Korean title "Korean: 락 (Korean: 樂)" (pronounced rak; means "pleasure") is a word play with "rock", expressing the meaning of "although you will feel any emotions in life, you hope the last emotion you choose will be pleasure".^[5] Musically, "Lalalala" is a drift phonk^[6] and Afrobeats track with "harsh" electric guitar, "lively" drums, and "thumping" bass, talking about celebration of their life,^[7] pushing through all kinds of pain to find joy and release through music.^[8]

Commercial performance

In South Korea, "Lalalala" debuted at number 33 on the Circle Digital Chart for the issue dated November 5–11, 2023,^[9] and rose to number six the next week, Stray Kids' first top ten and highest peak on the chart. The song first entered the Billboard Japan Hot 100 dated November 15 at number 33 and ascended to number eight the next week.^[10] In Europe, "Lalalala" peaked at number 44 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 74 on the French Top Singles.^[11]

The song landed at number ten on the Billboard Global 200 and number six on the Global Excl. US, dated November 25, 2023, making Stray Kids their first top-ten entries and highest peaks on both charts, surpassing "Maniac" (21 and 15, respectively). The song earned 44.7 million streams and 9,000 digital sales worldwide.^[12] In the United States, "Lalalala" entered Billboard Hot 100 for the first time at number 90 with 3,000 downloads and 6.1 million streams in the United States, becoming the seventh South Korean group to do so, following Wonder Girls, BTS, Blackpink, Twice, NewJeans, and Fifty Fifty, as well as the second boy band after BTS.^[13] Additionally, "Lalalala" was the fourth song to top the World Digital Song Sales after "", "Maniac", and "Case 143".^[14]

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Lalalala" was uploaded on November 10, 2023, concurrently with the EP Rock-Star release,^[15] preceded by one teaser video.^[16] Directed by Bang Jae-yeob,^[17] the visual depicts clash of inside emotions, and pleasure ultimately wins at the end.^[1] It shows Stray Kids' dance performance in different sets: shipwreck, a bank robbery, an army, and a white background,^[18] and alternate with gigantic smoke-like creature attempts to attack both Stray Kids and a marching band of young boys during performing. At the end, the group and backup dancers salute to the marching band through a portal.^[19] Teen Vogue chosen the music video for "Lalalala" is one of the best K-pop music video in 2023.^[20] The music video reached 100 million views in January 2024.^[21]

Live performances

Stray Kids promoted and performed "Lalalala" at several domestic music programs from November 10 to 19: Music Bank,^[22] Show! Music Core,^[23] Inkigayo,^{[24] [25]} and M Countdown.^[26] The group performed the song and "S-Class" at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on November 19.^[27] "Lalalala" was also performed at several award shows and year-end music festivals, including Asia Artist Awards,^[28] KBS Song Festival,^[29] and SBS Gayo Daejeon.^[30]

Accolades

Billboard named "Lalalala" number 11 in their list of The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2023, writing that it speaks "to pushing through all kinds of pain to find joy and release as they do through music and to 'just feel the rock.'" Nylon named its remix the "Best Rock Remix" in K-pop of 2023.^[31]

Ceremony! scope="col"

Year	Award	Result
MAMA Awards	2024	Song of the Year		[32]
		Best Dance Performance – Male Group
MTV Video Music Awards	2024	Best K-Pop		[33]

Show Champion	November 15, 2023	[34]
Music Bank	November 17, 2023	[35]
Show! Music Core	November 18, 2023	[36]

Credits and personnel

Personnel

• Stray Kids – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Bang Chan (3Racha) – lyrics, composition, arrangement, all instruments
  • Changbin (3Racha) – lyrics, composition
  • Han (3Racha) – lyrics, composition
• Versachoi – composition, arrangement, all instruments, programming
• Cubeatz (Kevin and Tim Gomringer) – composition, arrangement, all instruments
• Luis Bacque – composition, publishing
• Nickko Young – arrangement (rock version), guitar (rock version)
• Lee Jae-myung – bass guitar (rock version)
• Lee Kyeong-won – digital editing
• Goo Hye-jin – recording
• Lee Tae-sub – mixing
• Dave Kutch – mastering

Locations

• JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – original publishing, sub-publishing
• Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI) – original publishing, sub-publishing
• JYPE Studios – recording, mixing
• The Mastering Palace – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[37]	64
Hong Kong (Billboard)[38]	21
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[39]	8
Latvia (LAIPA)[40]	5
Lithuania (AGATA)[41]	12
Malaysia (Billboard)[42]	17
Malaysia International (RIM)[43]	11
Netherlands (Global Top 40)[44]	21
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[45]	8
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[46]	41
Singapore (RIAS)[47]	10
South Korea (Circle)[48]	6
Taiwan (Billboard)[49]	14
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[50]	1
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[51]	78

Monthly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
South Korea (Circle)[52]	46

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
South Korea Download (Circle)[53]	51

See also

• List of Music Bank Chart winners (2023)
• List of Show Champion Chart winners (2023)
• List of Show! Music Core Chart winners (2023)

Notes and References

1. . November 9, 2023 . Stray Kids [INTRO "樂-STAR"] ]. video . November 9, 2023 . YouTube.
2. News: Ji . Min-kyung . 스트레이 키즈, 11월 10일 새 앨범 '樂-STAR' 발매..5개월 만에 컴백 [공식] ]. Stray Kids to Release New Album 'ROCK-STAR' on November 10... Comeback After 5 Months [Official] . October 6, 2023 . Osen . October 6, 2023 . ko.
3. News: Lee . Seung-hoon . 스트레이 키즈, 신곡명은 '락(樂)'..3RACHA 전곡 작업 참여 [공식] ]. Stray Kids, New Track Is Titled 'Lalalala'.. 3RACHA Participated in All Tracks . October 9, 2023 . StarNews . October 9, 2023 . ko.
4. News: Hwang . Yeon-do . 스트레이 키즈, 신곡 미리듣기 공개...빨리 컴백해 줘요, 현기증 난단 말이에요 . Stray Kids Releases Preview of New Songs... Please Make a Comeback Quickly, I'm Dizzy . November 6, 2023 . AtStar1 . November 6, 2023 . ko.
5. News: Ji . Min-kyung . '컴백 D-1' 스트레이 키즈 "마지막에 남는 건 樂..'헉!' 하고 놀랄 퍼포먼스" . 'Comeback D-1' Stray Kids "What Remains at the End Is Music.. A 'Breathtaking' Performance" . November 9, 2023 . Osen . November 9, 2023 . ko.
6. News: Delgado . Sara . Stray Kids, Dua Lipa, and More Best New Music This Week . November 11, 2023 . . November 10, 2023.
7. News: Juu . Welcome To Stray Kids' 'MEGAVERSE' With ROCK-STAR . November 17, 2023 . The Honey Pop . November 14, 2023.
8. Benjamin . Jeff . Bowenbank . Starr . Lynch . Joe . Oak . Jessica . Unterberger . Andrew . December 28, 2023 . The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2023 . December 29, 2023 . Billboard.
9. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 45 of 2023. Circle Chart. ko. November 16, 2023.
10. News: 【ビルボード】Ado「唱」が通算8度目の総合首位、【#BBMAs】出演のStray Kidsがトップ10にジャンプアップ . [Billboard] Ado's "Show" Ranks Number One Overall for the 8 Weeks, "#BBMAs" Starring Stray Kids Jumps into the Top Ten . November 22, 2023 . . November 22, 2023 . ja.
11. News: Hong . Hye-min . 스트레이 키즈, 빌보드 '핫 100'도 뚫었다..."4세대 최초" . Stray Kids Also Broke Through Billboard's 'Hot 100'... "First in the 4th Gen" . November 21, 2023 . . November 21, 2023 . ko.
12. Trust . Gary . Tate McRae's 'Greedy' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 Chart . November 21, 2023 . . November 20, 2023.
13. News: Ziwei . Puah . Stray Kids score first Billboard Hot 100 entry with 'LALALALA' . November 21, 2023 . . November 21, 2023.
14. Zellner . Xander . Hot 100 First-Timers: Stray Kids Debut With 'LALALALA' From New No. 1 Album 'ROCK-STAR' . November 20, 2023 . . November 20, 2023.
15. News: Kim . Ji-hye . [팝's신곡]"즐기면 그만"..스트레이 키즈, 진정 즐길 줄 아는 '락'스타 ]. [Pop's New Song] "Just Enjoy It".. Stray Kids, 'Rock' Stars Who Truly Know How to Have Fun . November 11, 2023 . . November 10, 2023 . ko.
16. News: Im . Jae-ho . 스트레이 키즈, 타이틀곡 '락(樂)' 뮤비 티저 공개! 상상 뛰어넘는 음악과 퍼포먼스 예고 . Stray Kids Releases Music Video Teaser for Title Track 'Lalalala'! Preview of Music and Performance Beyond Imagination . November 7, 2023 . BNT News . November 7, 2023 . ko.
17. Web site: Stray Kids - LALALALA . bangjaeyeob.com . November 14, 2023.
18. News: Martin . Annie . Look: Stray Kids release new EP, 'Rock (LALALALA)' music video . November 11, 2023 . . November 10, 2023.
19. News: Daly . Rhian . Stray Kids rock out in new 'Lalalala' music video . November 11, 2023 . . November 10, 2023.
20. Tatum . Chyenne . The Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2023: Stray Kids, NewJeans, ATEEZ, (G)I-DLE and More . December 18, 2023 . . December 18, 2023.
21. News: Yoon . Sang-geun . 스트레이키즈 '락' 12번째 1억뷰..4세대 보이그룹 최다 보유[종합] ]. Stray Kids' 'Lalalala' Reached 100 Million Views for the 12th Time... The Most by a 4th Generation Boy Group [Comprehensive] . January 26, 2024 . StarNews . January 26, 2024 . ko.
22. News: Shim . Min-kyung . [뮤직뱅크] 어떤 고민이나 역경이 와도 계속되는 스트레이 키즈 ♪락(樂) ]. [Music Bank] Stray Kids Continues No Matter What Troubles or Adversity They Face ♪ Lalalala . November 11, 2023 . KBS Star Entertainment . November 10, 2023 . ko.
23. News: Lee . Ha-na . '음악중심' 태민 1위 "샤이니월드 고마워"‥스트레이 키즈·에스파 컴백[종합] ]. Taemin Takes First Place on 'Music Core' "Thank You, SHINee World"... Stray Kids and Aespa Comeback [Comprehensive] . November 11, 2023 . Newsen . November 11, 2023 . ko.
24. News: Lee . Hyo-ban . 아이브 'Baddie' 1위→제베원·에스파·스키즈 컴백 (인기가요)[종합] ]. IVE's 'Baddie' No. 1 → ZB1, aespa, SKZ Comeback (Inkigayo) [Comprehensive] . November 12, 2023 . Xportsnews . November 12, 2023 . ko.
25. News: Lee . Se-bin . [TVis] '인기가요' 아이브, 활동 종료에도 1위...레드벨벳·엔하이픈·크러쉬 컴백 ]. [TVis] 'Inkigayo' IVE Takes First Place Even After Activities End... Red Velvet, Enhypen, Crush Comeback . November 19, 2023 . . November 19, 2023 . ko.
26. News: Park . Yoon-jin . BTS 정국, '엠카' 1위 트로피...MC 미연 "따뜻했던 둥지 떠난다" 아쉬운 작별 [종합] ]. BTS Jungkook, 'M Countdown' 1st Place Trophy... MC Miyeon "I Am Leaving My Warm Nest" A Sad Farewell [Comprehensive] . November 16, 2023 . Mydaily . November 16, 2023 . ko.
27. Bowenbank . Starr . Stray Kids Light Up the Stage With 'S-Class' & 'LALALALA' Performances at Billboard Music Awards . November 20, 2023 . . November 20, 2023.
28. News: Mun . Wan-sik . "내 최애 어디 앉았을까?" 아티스트석 200여 가수·배우 함께 즐길 깜짝 퍼포먼스..2023 AAA 미리보기②[★FOCUS] ]. December 26, 2023 . StarNews . December 11, 2023 . ko.
29. News: Jang . In-young . 韓 아닌 日에서 열린 '뮤직뱅크 글로벌 페스티벌'...뭐가 다른가 보니 [종합] ]. December 26, 2023 . Xportsnews . December 16, 2023 . ko.
30. News: Kim . Ye-na . 'SBS 가요대전' 방송사고 또..."뉴진스 노래 왜?" 스키즈 팬덤 '분노↑' [엑's 이슈] ]. December 26, 2023 . Xportsnews . December 25, 2023 . ko.
31. Bell . Crystal . December 28, 2023 . Nylon's 2023 K-Pop Superlatives . December 29, 2023 . Nylon.
32. News: Pandey . Srishti . 2024 MAMA Awards Nominations: BTS Jungkook, SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM And Other Kpop Artists Lead With Most Nods Complete List . October 14, 2024 . . October 14, 2024.
33. Willman . Chris . Taylor Swift Leads MTV VMAs Nominations With 10, as Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and Eminem Also Get a Big Look . August 6, 2024 . . August 6, 2024.
34. Web site: SHOW CHAMPION 500회 TOP5 . . November 15, 2023 . ko . November 15, 2023.
35. News: Park . Soo-jung . 스트레이 키즈, 제베원 꺾고 '뮤뱅' 1위 "스테이 사랑해요" . Stray Kids Beat ZB1 and Won First Place on 'Music Bank', "I Love You STAYs" . November 17, 2023 . Celuv Media . November 17, 2023 . ko.
36. News: Kwon . Hye-mi . '음중' 스트레이 키즈, 정국·아이브 꺾고 1위..."스테이 감사해" . 'Music Core' Stray Kids Beat Jungkook and IVE to Take First Place... "Thank You STAYs" . November 18, 2023 . . November 18, 2023 . ko.
37. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 20 November 2023. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1759. 4. November 20, 2023.
38. Stray Kids Chart History (Hong Kong Songs). Billboard. November 21, 2023.
39. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2023-11-27 . . November 24, 2023 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124041715/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2023-11-27/ . November 24, 2023.
40. Web site: Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 46. nedēļa. en, lv. LAIPA. 20 November 2023. 21 November 2023.
41. Web site: 2023 46-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. November 17, 2023. November 17, 2023.
42. Stray Kids Chart History (Malaysia Songs). Billboard. November 21, 2023.
43. Web site: TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 46 (10/11/2023- 16/11/2023). RIM. November 25, 2023. November 25, 2023. Facebook.
44. Web site: Global Top 40-lijst van week 46, 2023. Dutch Top 40. nl. November 19, 2023.
45. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 20, 2023. November 18, 2023.
46. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. November 23, 2023. Select week 10.11.2023–16.11.2023..
47. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 46 (10 - 16 Nov 2023). RIAS. November 21, 2023. November 21, 2023. https://archive.today/20231121114841/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
48. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 46 of 2023. Circle Chart. ko. November 23, 2023.
49. Stray Kids Chart History (Taiwan Songs). Billboard. November 21, 2023.
50. Stray Kids Chart History (World Digital Song Sales). Billboard. November 21, 2023.
51. Stray Kids Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100). Billboard. November 27, 2023.
52. Web site: Digital Chart – November 2023. Circle Chart. ko. December 7, 2023.
53. Web site: Download Chart – 2023. Circle Chart. ko. January 12, 2024.