Stray Kids Bang Shan Biography: Profile, Net Worth 2025, Background and Career

Profile:

Full Name: Bahng Christopher Chan (Korean: 방찬; Bang Chan)

Stage Name: Bang Chan

Date of Birth: October 3, 1997

Nationality: Australian (born in South Korea)

The dynamic and multi-talented leader of Stray Kids, a well-known K-pop group signed to JYP Entertainment, is Bang Chan. He is well-known for his adaptability, leadership, and innovative skills, and he has played a significant role in the group's international success.

Background:

On October 3, 1997, Bang Chan was born to Korean parents in Seoul, South Korea. His family moved to Sydney, Australia, when he was a little child, and he spent the majority of his early and teenage years there. By fusing Eastern and Western cultural ideas, this migration provided him a distinctive Korean-Australian identity that subsequently influenced his artistic creations. His passion of sports, especially swimming, was cultivated by his father, a swimming coach who ran a swimming club in Sydney. His inventiveness was also fostered by his exposure to Australia's diverse surroundings.
Of his three siblings, Chan is the oldest. His younger brother, Lucas Bahng, is less visible, while his younger sister, Hannah Bahng, is a YouTuber and budding musician. Since returning to South Korea, Bang Chan has lived far from his family, yet he still has a strong bond with them and frequently mentions in interviews how much he misses them.
Bang Chan, who was raised in Australia, developed his dancing abilities at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, where he studied ballet and modern forms. He developed a love for music at a young age, driven by a desire to amuse and uplift others and influenced by musicians such as Drake. In 2010, he went to a local audition in Australia at the age of 13 to try out for JYP Entertainment. He made the audacious choice to return to South Korea by himself in order to follow his dream of being a singer after passing with flying colors.

Career:

Bang Chan's career is evidence of his talent, leadership, and tenacity. He has nearly ten years of experience in the K-pop industry, with many noteworthy turning points.

Early Trainee Years (2010–2017): Bang Chan had one of the longest training stints among Stray Kids members, lasting seven years, following his April 2011 signing with JYP Entertainment. He adopted the moniker "Chris" during this period and formed strong bonds with fellow trainees who went on to make their stage debuts in bands such as TWICE, GOT7, and DAY6. He was adamant even though he saw peers make their debuts before him.
Along with other trainees Han Jisung (J.ONE) and Seo Changbin (SPEARB), Bang Chan established the hip-hop duo 3RACHA towards the end of 2016. He started making his own mixtapes and posting them to SoundCloud under the stage name CB97. In January 2017, they released their debut untitled mixtape, "J:/2017/mixtape," which laid the groundwork for their future work and displayed their unadulterated skill.
Creation of Stray Kids (2017–2018): In 2017, JYP Entertainment and Mnet co-launched the survival series Stray Kids. In contrast to other K-pop survival programs, Bang Chan had the exceptional chance to personally choose his trainees, creating the group's personality from the ground up. He created the group's logo and chose eight additional members: Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N., and Woojin. Their journey was chronicled by the show, which culminated in their January 2018 pre-debut EP Mixtape.
Stray Kids made their formal debut with the EP I Am Not on March 25, 2018. As the group's leader, Bang Chan assumed the responsibilities of rapper, dancer, vocalist, and producer. His leadership was commended for its devotion and selflessness, traits that became essential to the dynamic of Stray Kids.
Ascent to International Notoriety (2019–Present):
With later albums like I Am Who and I Am You in 2018, Stray Kids' fame skyrocketed, but their 2019 EP Clé 1: MIROH—which sold over 100,000 copies in South Korea—marked a sea change. The majority of the songs written and produced by Bang Chan and 3RACHA combined pop, EDM, and hip-hop to create a unique sound.
Their debut studio album, Go Live, became a "million-seller" in 2020 as it reached the top of the Gaon Album Chart and received platinum certification. Bang Chan's production skills and lyrical depth were on full display in hits like "God's Menu," "Back Door," and "Thunderous." As the third K-pop album to reach the top of the Billboard 200, the 2022 EP Oddinary solidified Stray Kids' supremacy on a global scale.
Bang Chan has worked on projects outside of Stray Kids, including writing and producing music for artists such as NiziU, JO1, and Show Lo, as well as soundtracks for movies like Deadpool & Wolverine and anime like Tower of God. I Hate to Admit (2020) and "Eternity" (2024), the latter of which features his favorite dog, Berry, are two reflective tunes from his solo album, which was released through Stray Kids' SKZ-Record and SKZ-Replay platforms.
With more than 208 songs attributed to him by February 2025, Bang Chan was a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) as of February 2023. His impact goes beyond music; between 2021 and 2023, he hosted JYP's "Every Dream Matters!" initiative, which supported youngsters who were near death.

Net Worth 2025:

Bang Chan is expected to be among the wealthiest members of Stray Kids in 2025, with a net worth of between $5 million and $8 million. He makes money from a variety of sources:
Music Career: He makes a substantial amount of money from album sales, streaming fees, and concert tours in his capacity as the leader and main producer of Stray Kids. His income has increased as a result of the group's worldwide popularity, which includes sold-out dome tours and number-one albums.

Songwriting & Production: KOMCA pays him royalties for his more than 208 registered songs.
Endorsements: Bang Chan's lucrative deals were further enhanced in January 2025 when he was appointed a brand ambassador for Fendi.
Solo Projects: He adds to his financial assets with his solo releases and partnerships outside of Stray Kids.

Fun Facts and Personal Experiences:

Bang Chan's family and pets are still close in Australia, and he has a King Charles Spaniel named Berry, who has made an appearance in the music video for the song "Eternity."
Hobbies: He likes to travel, play sports, and make others laugh. Along with being a huge admirer of Drake, he looks up to his father and Cristiano Ronaldo as role models.
Nicknames: In reference to his Australian heritage, his Stray Kids members call him "Kangaroo" and "Koala."
Philosophy: Bang Chan has revealed that his leadership style is characterized by his preference for the happiness of others over his own. "The moment you accept that you're a good leader, it means you're not a good leader," he stated in an interview with Teen Vogue in 2022.