The highly anticipated return of global phenomenon Stray Kids has officially commenced. On June 24, 2026, the eight-member K-pop powerhouse released their new digital single, “RUN IT,” marking their first official release in nearly nine months since the acclaimed SKZ IT TAPE project “DO IT” in November 2025. The release serves as a powerful prelude to their upcoming mini-album THIS & THAT, scheduled for release on August 7, and sets the tone for their massive 2026-2027 world tour.

A Sonic Evolution: The Production Behind “RUN IT”

Produced by the group’s in-house production trio 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han) in collaboration with Versachoi, “RUN IT” is a testament to Stray Kids’ unwavering musical identity and continuous evolution. The track is built upon a foundation of grand brass instrumentation and marching drums, infused with driving world beat rhythms that create a colossal, stadium-ready energy.

The song’s structure demonstrates a mature refinement of the aggressive, experimental sound that first propelled them to global stardom. Fans and music critics alike have noted the sophisticated arrangement, highlighting the seamless transitions between explosive rap verses and melodic vocal sections. The chorus, which powerfully incorporates their iconic motto “Stray Kids everywhere all around the world,” has been widely praised as one of the strongest hooks of the year.

As one dedicated listener noted in an online forum following the release, the track feels like a culmination of their artistic journey: “This seems like the cumulation of all their best works. Since debut, until now. Still best at what they do. ANTHEM. GRAND. One of the best in the industry in doing it right.”

Immediate Global Chart Dominance

The commercial performance of “RUN IT” within its first 24 to 48 hours has been nothing short of spectacular, reaffirming Stray Kids’ position as leading figures in the global music industry. The accompanying music video, which features an intense black-and-white visual narrative, amassed over 9 million views in its first day alone and quickly surpassed 18 million views shortly after. It rapidly claimed the #1 trending spot on YouTube in the United States, while debuting at #2 on the USA Daily Top Music Videos chart and #3 globally.

On streaming platforms, the single made an immediate impact. It debuted at #68 on the Spotify Top Songs Global chart with an impressive 1.87 million filtered streams on its first day, marking the group’s fourth top 10 appearance on the global chart. Unfiltered streams on release day exceeded 2.78 million. Furthermore, the track instantly shot to #1 on both the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart and the European iTunes Song Chart, while also securing high positions on domestic platforms, including #1 on Melon Real Time search and #4 on Line Music Real Time.

Fan Reception: A Return to Form

The reception from STAYs (Stray Kids’ official fandom) has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing “RUN IT” as a return to the group’s most celebrated eras. The track has drawn favorable comparisons to previous powerhouse hits like “God’s Menu,” “Thunderous,” and “LALALALA,” but with a refined maturity that reflects their years of industry experience.

The production quality, in particular, has been a major point of discussion. Listeners have praised the distinct solo parts that highlight each member’s unique vocal and rap colors. “So proud of 3Racha! Big shoutout to Chan and Versachoi for an outstanding production. The solo parts were all highlights… And that insane outro rap from two of the best kpop rappers,” shared one enthusiastic fan.

Another long-time supporter expressed their satisfaction with the group’s musical direction: “Run It is everything I’ve been wanting and more, and it’s gotten me back to Stray Kids finally. I’ve been with them since the survival show. They were known for being this bold group who does their own thing and experiments with their sound fearlessly… Finally. They killed it.”

The Road to ‘THIS & THAT’ and a Massive World Tour

“RUN IT” serves as the perfect launchpad for Stray Kids’ upcoming activities. The single will be featured on their highly anticipated mini-album THIS & THAT, slated for release on August 7, 2026. This new era follows their historic achievements in 2025, where they became the first global artist to consecutively top the Billboard 200 with eight albums.

To support the new music, the group will embark on the ‘Stray Kids World Tour RUN IT’. The tour kicks off with a massive five-night residency at the KSPO DOME in Seoul starting July 25. From there, they will travel across Asia, making history with a performance at the Tokyo National Stadium—the first solo entry by a foreign male artist in Japan. The tour will also include stops in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, and a highly anticipated two-night event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in March 2027.

Beyond traditional tour stops, Stray Kids are set to break new ground in the festival circuit. On September 11, 2026, they will become the first K-pop act to headline Rock in Rio in Brazil, followed by performances at the Straycity music festival series in Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico. With “RUN IT” already dominating charts and thrilling fans, Stray Kids are poised to make 2026 another record-breaking year.