Stray Kids' third Korean-language studio album 5-Star was first announced via a trailer on April 28, 2023, and set to be released on June 2.[1] The album's Solar System-styled track listing was posted two days later. Out of 12 songs, "S-Class" appears as the second track and is marked as the lead single.[2]JYP Entertainment described that the song "captures Stray Kids' newness and challenge itself throughout the song," as well as "overflowing with confidence."[3] In an Esquire Korea interview in May, member Hyunjin described the lead single as "a unique and special feeling that Stray Kids is good at."[4]
The song was first teased via the mashup video uploaded on May 26: "This is Seoul Special City / A special star rises among the hidden stars."[A][5] Member I.N revealed via the first episode of the album's documentary series Intro "5-Star" that it was around seven or eight nominated tracks for the lead single.[6] "S-Class" was released alongside its parent album 5-Star on June 2.[7]
"S-Class" was described as a primary hip hop track with the elements of boom bap, old school, and pop, written by 3Racha—an in-house production team of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—and co-composed Chae Gang-hae and Restart, who are also in charge of arrangement with Bang Chan. In an interview with Dispatch, Changbin and Han told that "There are various genres, but it is difficult to decide on one genre. After all, is not 'S-Class' a genre unique to Stray Kids? The genre is Stray Kids." In the second verse, the song's BPM and beats have suddenly changed to a 90's old-school hip-hop arrangement.[8]
The song expresses Stray Kids' confidence and "emphasiz[ing] their specialness,"[9] containing the messages "the most eccentric among the unusual kids, and the brightest among the special kids,"[10] as well as comparing themselves as a "most special star in the sky."[11]NME's Crystal Bell described the song as "a mishmash of seemingly incongruous parts fused together by 3Racha's shapeshifting production prowess;" it was mixed between "booming rap, thrumming bass, sultry electro, '90s hip-hop, sparkling pop and grimy club."[11] Writing for Nylon, Steffanee Wang called the song "sounds like listening to three different songs at once. In a good way."[12]
An accompanying music video for "S-Class" was uploaded on June 2, 2023, in conjunction with the single release.[13] It was directed by Bang Jae-yeob[14] and preceded by two teasers.[15][16] Described as a "blockbuster movie", the music video shows Stray Kids surrounded by cloaked figures when a massive team of soldiers burst into action, killing an octopus monster at the indoor swimming pool with the boyband leading the way. The dance performance parts were additionally shot at a docking platform installed in the middle of Han River, a neighborhood setting, an underground chamber, and a bank after hours. Some parts also referred to the group's previous music videos of "God's Menu" and "Thunderous".[17][18][19] The music video became the tenth music video to reach 100 million views on August 8,[20] and the fifth to reach 200 million views on June 2, 2024.[21]
^Kim, Young-jin (June 1, 2023). "스트레이 키즈 "신보 '★★★★★', 자신감 담긴 앨범"" [Stray Kids "New Album '★★★★★', an Album Full of Confidence"]. Asia Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 1, 2023.
^Park, Hye-jin (June 3, 2023). "[D-eye] "음악을 갖고 논다는 것"…SKZ가 구축한 특★한 K팝" [[D-eye] "Playing with Music"… Special K-Pop Built by SKZ]. Dispatch (in Korean). Retrieved June 3, 2023.
^Lee, Seul (June 2, 2023). ""별난 놈" 스트레이 키즈, 'K팝 최고' 선주문 513만 장 증명할 '특' (쥬크박스)[종합]" ["Special Guy" Stray Kids, 'S-Class' to Prove 5.13 Million Pre-Orders for 'K-Pop Best' (Jukebox) [Comprehensive]]. Xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved June 2, 2023.
^Kim, Soo-jung (June 2, 2023). "[일문일답]'선주문 513만장' 스키즈 "'특', 스테이 기 살려줄 노래"" [[Q&A] 'Pre-Order 5.13 Million Copies' SKZ "'S-Class', a Song That Will Save Your Stay"]. Nocut News (in Japanese). Retrieved June 2, 2023.
^Park, Se-yeon (June 2, 2023). "스트레이 키즈 정규 3집 선주문 513만장 'K팝 새 지평'" [Stray Kids' 3rd Studio Album with 5.13 Million Pre-Orders, 'K-Pop New Horizon']. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 2, 2023.
^Son, Jin-ah (May 29, 2023). "스트레이키즈, '특' MV 티저 공개…예측 불가 서사" [Stray Kids, 'S-Class' MV Teaser Released… An Unpredictable Narrative]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved May 29, 2023.
^Lee, Nam-kyung (May 30, 2023). "스트레이 키즈, 신곡 '특' 두 번째 MV 티저 공개…중독성 강한 사운드" [Stray Kids Released Second MV Teaser for New Song 'S-Class'… Addictive Sound]. MBN (in Korean). Retrieved May 30, 2023.
^Kim, Ye-seul (June 3, 2023). "한계 넘어 새 길로… 더 '특'별해진 스트레이 키즈" [Beyond the Limits on a New Path... Stray Kids Became More 'S-Class']. Kuki News (in Korean). Retrieved June 3, 2023.
^ abIm, Shi-ryeong (June 9, 2023). "'뮤직뱅크' 스트레이 키즈, 압도적인 점수로 1위 "겸손하게 활동할 것" [TV캡처]" ['Music Bank' Stray Kids, No. 1 with an Overwhelming Score "I Will Work Humbly" [TV Capture]]. Sports Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2023.
^Kim, Bo-young (June 3, 2023). "(여자)아이들, '퀸카'로 '음중' 2주 연속 1위…화려한 활동 피날레" [(G)I-DLE, Won for 2 Weeks in a Row on 'Music Core' with 'Queencard'… Colorful Action Finale]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved June 3, 2023.
^Kim, Hyun-jung (June 10, 2023). "[음악중심 가수 라인업] 태용·스트레이키즈·경서·김도아 출격" [[Music Core Line Up] Taeyong · Stray Kids · Kyoungseo · Kim Do-ah Participation]. Gukje News (in Korean). Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^Oh, Yoon-joo (June 4, 2023). "'인기가요' (여자)아이들, 에스파·아이브 제치고 1위…스트레이 키즈 컴백 [종합]" ['Inkigayo' (G)I-DLE Beats Aespa and IVE to Win… Stray Kids Comeback [Comprehensive]]. Mydaily (in Korean). Retrieved June 4, 2023.
^Jeong, Ji-won (June 11, 2023). "'인기가요' (여자)아이들 트리플 크라운 1위, 음방 10관왕" ['Inkigayo' (G)I-DLE Triple Crown, 10 Music Show Wins]. Joynews24 (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
^Park, Se-yeon (June 8, 2023). "스트레이 키즈 '엠카' 1위 "특별한 선물 감사"" [Stray Kids' 'M Countdown' Wins "Thanks for the Special Gift"]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2023.
^Song, Oh-jung (June 16, 2023). "'뮤직뱅크' 스트레이 키즈, 출연 없이 1위 [TV캡처]" ['Music Bank' Stray Kids Wins Without Appearance [TV Capture]]. Sports Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 16, 2023.
