Honestly, trying to keep track of stray kids members age feels a bit like a full-time job these days. One minute they're the "rebellious kids" of JYP Entertainment, and the next, they're the elder statesmen of the fourth generation. It’s wild. If you’ve been following them since the survival show days in 2017, you probably remember them as actual teenagers. Now? They’ve grown into this massive global powerhouse, and their ages tell a pretty interesting story about how they’ve stayed so cohesive while the industry shifts around them.
As of early 2026, the age gap between the oldest and youngest is just about three and a half years. That’s relatively tight for an eight-member group. But in K-pop years, that small gap is the difference between being the "reliable leader" and the "protected maknae."
Why the Stray Kids Members Age Gap Actually Works
The leader, Bang Chan, was born on October 3, 1997. He’s currently 28. He’s basically the glue. Then you’ve got I.N, the youngest (the "Maknae on Top"), who was born on February 8, 2001. He’s 24. While a four-year difference might not seem like much in the real world, in the high-pressure environment of a K-pop dorm, it’s a lifetime.
What’s fascinating is how the group is structured into these little "age pockets." You have the 97-98-99 line (the hyungs) and then the massive 2000-line explosion that basically defines the group's chaotic energy.
The Elder Line: 1997 to 1999
Bang Chan (October 3, 1997) is the oldest. At 28, he carries a level of responsibility that most people his age wouldn't touch. He didn't just join the group; he built it. He’s the one who chose the members, which is why the chemistry feels so authentic.
Lee Know (October 25, 1998) is 27. He’s the group’s main dancer and resident "weirdo" (in the best way possible). There’s a specific kind of maturity he brings—often through tough love—that balances out Bang Chan’s more soft-hearted leadership style.
📖 Related: Why Leonardo DiCaprio at 30 Was the Biggest Gamble of His Career
Changbin (August 11, 1999) is 26. As one of the primary producers in 3RACHA, his age puts him right in the middle of the leadership and the younger members. He’s the bridge. He has the authority of a "hyung" but the playful energy that lets him mess around with the younger guys without things getting awkward.
The Famous 00-Line: A Statistical Miracle
If you look at the stray kids members age breakdown, the year 2000 is where the magic happens. It’s incredibly rare to have half of a group born in the exact same year.
- Hyunjin: March 20, 2000 (25 years old)
- Han: September 14, 2000 (25 years old)
- Felix: September 15, 2000 (25 years old)
- Seungmin: September 22, 2000 (25 years old)
Think about that. Four members who are all essentially the same age. They went through the same school milestones at the same time. They share a cultural shorthand that makes their interactions feel like a group of college best friends rather than coworkers.
Interestingly, Han and Felix were born only one day apart. It’s one of those "only in K-pop" coincidences that fans love. This 00-line is largely responsible for the group's "middle-child" energy—competitive, loud, and incredibly supportive of one another. Because they are all the same age, the power dynamic is flat, allowing for a lot of creative friction that results in their best music.
The Baby of the Group
I.N (Seo Jeong-in) was born on February 8, 2001. At 24, he is the only member born in 2001. While he’s matured significantly—he’s no longer the shy kid who struggled during the survival show—his status as the youngest is still a core part of their brand. The members still treat him like their little brother, even though he's arguably one of the most professional and stoic members of the pack.
👉 See also: Madison Beer Explained: Why Her Visuals Are Actually About Creative Control
The "International Age" vs. "Korean Age" Confusion
We should probably talk about the age system change. Back in June 2023, South Korea officially moved to the international age system for administrative purposes. Before that, you were "one" the second you were born.
For a while, fans were confused. "Wait, is Bang Chan 26 or 27?" Now, it’s much simpler. Everyone just uses their actual birth date to calculate age. It has helped streamline things for international fans, but within the group, the "hyung/dongsaeng" (older brother/younger brother) hierarchy is still strictly based on birth year, not the specific day. Even though Han is only a few days older than Felix, that dynamic still exists under the surface.
Why Does Their Age Even Matter?
You might wonder why people obsess over stray kids members age. It isn't just about birthdays or wanting to send gifts. It’s about the "K-pop Clock."
In South Korea, male citizens are required to perform military service. Usually, this happens in the late 20s. Since Bang Chan is now 28, this is a topic that comes up often in the fandom (STAY). However, Bang Chan and Felix are Australian citizens, which changes the math for them entirely.
The ages of the Korean members—Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Seungmin, and I.N—give us a roadmap of what the next few years might look like. We’re entering a phase where the group’s "maturity" is moving from their music to their literal life stages.
How to Keep Track of Their Birthdays
If you're trying to stay on top of things, here is the chronological order of their birthdays throughout the year:
- I.N: February 8
- Hyunjin: March 20
- Changbin: August 11
- Han: September 14
- Felix: September 15
- Seungmin: September 22
- Bang Chan: October 3
- Lee Know: October 25
Notice how clustered they are? The end of the year is basically a non-stop party for this group. From August to October, six out of the eight members celebrate their birthdays. It’s a chaotic time for their social media managers, for sure.
The Evolution of "Kids" into Men
The name "Stray Kids" was originally meant to represent lost children finding their way. As they hit their mid-to-late 20s, that name has taken on a more metaphorical meaning. They aren't kids anymore. They are producers, fashion icons (looking at you, Versace and Louis Vuitton), and world-touring veterans.
Their age has actually become an asset. They have enough "youth" left to pull off high-energy choreography like God's Menu or S-Class, but they have enough "maturity" to handle the business side of the industry. You see it in their lyrics—there's a shift from "we're going to break the rules" to "we've built our own world."
Practical Insights for Fans
If you're a new fan (a "baby STAY"), don't get too hung up on the numbers. The group's dynamic is surprisingly horizontal despite the age-based culture of Korea. Bang Chan’s leadership style is very "leader as a peer," which makes the age gaps feel almost non-existent.
💡 You might also like: Benicio Del Toro and Wife: The Mystery of Hollywood’s Most Eligible Bachelor
What to do next:
- Check their official Bubble or Instagram during the August–October "birthday season" for special lives.
- Watch their "2 Kids Room" series on YouTube if you want to see how the different age lines interact one-on-one. It’s the best way to understand the 00-line chaos versus the Hyung-line's calm.
- Keep an eye on official JYPE announcements regarding the Korean members' future plans as they navigate their late 20s.
The story of Stray Kids isn't just about how old they are; it's about how they've used those years to build something that actually lasts. Whether they're 24 or 28, the "Stray Kids" spirit seems pretty ageless.