Stray Kids ‘THIS & THAT’ Mini Album: Release, Tracklist, Charts & Reception
Stray Kids returned on August 7, 2026, with their eighth-track mini album THIS & THAT, released at 1 PM KST (midnight Eastern Time in the United States). The album marks the group’s first new release in approximately nine months, following the SKZ IT TAPE project “DO IT” from November 2025.
The mini album’s title track, also called “This & That,” represents a stylistic departure from the group’s previous singles, favoring a more relaxed and approachable sound. Member Changbin described the direction: “This time we went in a different direction -a little more chill and relaxed. Like the title, we wanted to express the confidence of being good at this and that”. He added that the group “took out some of the more unfamiliar, rougher sounds and tried to make the song easier to approach”.
Speaking at a press event in Seoul on August 6, 2026, the eight members appeared in coordinated suits to discuss the album’s creation. Changbin expressed excitement about the comeback: “It’s been so long since our last comeback that every part of the schedule feels exciting”.
Table of Contents
Tracklist and Production
Full Tracklist
| # | Track Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RUN IT | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 2 | This & That (Title) | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 3 | After You | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 4 | FARMING | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 5 | I Do | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 6 | Way Out | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 7 | Back Then (그날) | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
| 8 | This & That (Festival Version) | Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN |
Source: Tracklist confirmed by multiple outlets including Omelete, Popline, and HMV Store
All eight tracks were written and produced by 3RACHA, the group’s in-house production unit comprising members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. This continues Stray Kids‘ reputation as a self-producing group.
Han explained the group’s creative philosophy: “There’s always the safe option of carrying over what worked before. But we choose a new path every time because that’s what keeps the process fun”.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
According to the members, the title track took the longest to complete among the eight songs. They were extremely careful during the process of arranging the hook lyrics. The song title originated during a break when members shared snacks and exchanged phrases like, “Everyone, eat some of this, eat some of that,” which naturally led to the chorus melody.
The music video for the title track, featuring a Korean aesthetic, was filmed over five days -three of which took place on location in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. The members shared: “It felt like filming outdoors for the first time in a while instead of a set. There was a unique romance to location shooting outside Seoul”. The choreography underwent multiple revisions until the members achieved a satisfying result.
B-Side Highlights
- “RUN IT” -The pre-release single, described by the group as one of the songs that best captures Stray Kids‘ identity
- “FARMING” -Inspired by the online meme “aura farming”
- “After You” -A refreshing, bright track worked on in Los Angeles
- “I Do” -Featuring a 2000s pop music vibe
- “Way Out” -Features lyrics in multiple languages
- “Back Then” (그날) -Written by Han, inspired by a television drama
- “This & That (Festival Version)” -An upbeat remix for live performances
Chart Performance and Streaming Popularity
Pre-Release Performance
The pre-release single “RUN IT” debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart across 43 regions, including the US, UK, Brazil, and France, while topping YouTube’s worldwide music video trending list.
Spotify Pre-Saves
On August 4, 2026, THIS & THAT achieved over 1 million pre-saves on Spotify. This made Stray Kids the first and only K-pop artist with multiple albums exceeding 1 million pre-saves. The album also placed No. 4 on Spotify’s Global Countdowns chart with approximately 766,900 pre-saves On July 12, 2026.
Historical Billboard Context
THIS & THAT follows the SKZ IT TAPE “DO IT,” which made Stray Kids the first artists in the world to debut eight consecutive releases at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Industry observers have noted that THIS & THAT may bring the group back to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
International Reception
Global Media Coverage
The album received coverage from major international outlets including:
- The Korea Times -Featured the album in a comprehensive report on the group’s return
- Yonhap News Agency -Confirmed the August 7 release date and world tour announcement
- Aju Press -Reported on the album’s genre-fluid nature and 3RACHA’s involvement
- Forbes -Noted the album’s potential to top the Billboard 200
World Tour Connection
The comeback comes days after Stray Kids launched their “Stray Kids World Tour ‘RUN IT'” with five sold-out concerts at KSPO Dome in Seoul on July 25, 26, 29, and August 1-2, 2026. The group will also headline STRAYCITY in September with dates in Bogota, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. They are scheduled to appear at Rock in Rio in Brazil in September 2026.
Critical Reception
Press Coverage and Critical Analysis
Aju Press reported that for Stray Kids, THIS & THAT represents a shift in mindset: “The message around ‘THIS & THAT’ is not that records no longer matter. It is that the group does not want records to decide the shape of its music”.
Korea Portal described “RUN IT” as a track that “establishes the sonic territory of the This & That era without overcommitting to any single direction, and it holds up through multiple listens in a way that the group’s more aggressive title tracks sometimes don’t”.
SBS Star highlighted the album’s versatile nature, reporting that THIS & THAT “captures Stray Kids’ versatile sides of handling this and that, along with a justified sense of confidence”.
Grammy Awards Context
During the August 6 press conference, Stray Kids fielded questions about the Grammy Awards amid BTS’s decision not to submit their album for consideration. The group was mentioned as a prominent candidate for the newly established “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category. The members emphasized that they remain focused on their music and fans rather than external recognition.
Audience Response
Fan Reaction
Upon the album’s announcement in June 2026, fans reacted with widespread excitement across social media platforms. The album trailer, which featured members moving through different universes while saying only “This” and “That,” garnered 1.7 million views on YouTube and inspired numerous memes among fans.
The unveil track video for “Back Then” (그날) was uploaded to Stray Kids’ official YouTube channel on August 3, 2026, further building anticipation. JYP Entertainment posted an intro video titled “Stray Kids [INTRO ‘THIS & THAT’]” on the group’s official social media and YouTube channels on August 4, 2026, featuring all eight members discussing the new release.
Global Excitement
Media outlets reported that the album announcement “caused global excitement” and that THIS & THAT “symbolizes the beginning of a new creative period for a band that has managed to constantly evolve without losing its identity”.
Major Achievements and Historical Significance
- Billboard 200 Streak -Following “DO IT,” which achieved eight consecutive No. 1 debuts on the Billboard 200 -a record first achieved by any artist worldwide
- Spotify Pre-Save Record –THIS & THAT surpassed 1 million pre-saves on Spotify, making Stray Kids the first and only K-pop act with multiple albums achieving this milestone
- iTunes Global Domination -“RUN IT” reached No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs charts across 43 regions
- Self-Producing Legacy -All eight tracks produced by 3RACHA, continuing the group’s identity as a self-producing act
- World Tour Integration -The album release strategically aligned with the “Stray Kids World Tour ‘RUN IT,'” which began with five sold-out shows at KSPO Dome
- Global Festival Appearances -Stray Kids performed as headliners at Governors Ball Music Festival in New York on June 6, 2026, and are scheduled for Rock in Rio in September 2026
Why the Album Became Successful
Based on verified reports, several factors contributed to the album’s success:
- Strategic Release Timing: The album follows the historic SKZ IT TAPE “DO IT,” which set a global Billboard record
- Artistic Evolution: The group intentionally shifted toward a more accessible sound while maintaining their identity
- Self-Production: 3RACHA’s involvement across all tracks reinforces the group’s authentic creative control
- Global Tour Support: The album release coincided with the launch of a major world tour
- Strong Pre-Release Momentum: “RUN IT” topped iTunes charts in 43 regions
- Record-Breaking Pre-Saves: Over 1 million Spotify pre-saves demonstrated massive anticipation
Awards Table
As of the publication date (August 6, 2026), the album “THIS & THAT” has just been released and has not yet been eligible for major award ceremonies. This table will be updated as award nominations and wins are announced.
| Award Ceremony | Category | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awaiting nominations | Awaiting nominations | Pending | *2026-2027* |
Ratings & Chart Performance Table
FAQs
When was Stray Kids’ “THIS & THAT” released?
THIS & THAT was released on August 7, 2026, at 1 PM KST (midnight ET in the United States).
How many tracks are on “THIS & THAT”?
The mini album contains eight tracks, including the title track “This & That” and the pre-release single “RUN IT”.
Who produced “THIS & THAT”?
All eight tracks were written and produced by 3RACHA -the in-house production unit consisting of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han.
What is the title track of “THIS & THAT”?
The title track is also called “This & That,” which takes a more relaxed and approachable sound compared to the group’s previous singles.
How many pre-saves did “THIS & THAT” get on Spotify?
THIS & THAT surpassed 1 million pre-saves on Spotify, making Stray Kids the first and only K-pop artist with multiple albums achieving this milestone.
What is the significance of “THIS & THAT” for Stray Kids’ Billboard record?
The album follows “DO IT,” which made Stray Kids the first artists worldwide to debut eight consecutive releases at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
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