Chapter 8: The Hardships of Fame

Becoming a part of Stray Kids was a dream come true, but with it came challenges I hadn't expected. The fame that came with our debut was overwhelming at times. Everywhere we went, there were cameras, fans, and people who wanted a piece of our time. As exciting as it was to see how much people loved our music, it also came with a lot of pressure.

One of the hardest parts of fame was the lack of privacy. There were times when I just wanted to be by myself, to have some space, but that wasn't always possible. We had schedules that were packed with activities—interviews, rehearsals, meetings, and performances—and even in the small moments of downtime, there was little time to recharge. It felt like we were constantly in motion, always working, always in the public eye.

But the toughest part wasn't just the lack of privacy. It was the constant scrutiny. We were no longer just ordinary young men; we were public figures, and people had expectations of us. There was this pressure to maintain a certain image, to always be on our best behavior, to be perfect in every way. I remember feeling like I couldn't make any mistakes, like every move I made was being watched. It was a lot to handle, and at times, I felt like I was losing a part of myself.

But despite all the hardships, I found a way to cope. I learned that the only way to stay grounded was to rely on the people around me—my fellow members. We were all in this together, and we supported each other through the tough times. We became each other's pillars of strength, and that made all the difference.

I also learned to focus on what truly mattered: the music, the performances, and the connection we had with our fans. The love and support we received from STAYs (our fans) made all the challenges worth it. It was that connection, that sense of being understood, that kept me going.

Fame wasn't easy, but I came to realize that it wasn't about perfection—it was about staying true to who we were as a group, and as individuals. We weren't perfect, but we were real, and that was enough.