Global star Cha Eun-woo (of ASTRO) is set to release his highly anticipated second solo mini-album, ‘ ELSE ‘, on November 21, 2025, proving that his mandatory military service will not halt his artistic evolution.
The release is spearheaded by the title track “SATURDAY PREACHER,” the teaser for which hints at a compelling dual-concept and a bold shift in his musical identity.
The Dual Persona of “SATURDAY PREACHER”
The teaser for “SATURDAY PREACHER,” released on November 19, immediately captured attention by showcasing a sharp, dual-sided charisma:
The Vibe: The song features an intense, funky disco sound that perfectly embodies the electrifying atmosphere and raw energy of a Saturday night. This marks a distinctive musical direction for the idol, known primarily for soft ballads and his K-drama OST work.
The Visuals: The teaser emphasizes contrasting aesthetics, a thematic continuation of his concept photos. Viewers see Cha Eun-woo transition between two distinct personas: one, the polished look of a clean shirt contrasted with a rugged leather jacket; and the other, a casual outfit accessorized with wound-like makeup. This visual dichotomy—the clean vs. the fierce, the vulnerable vs. the strong—suggests the album will explore “the other” or “something different,” as hinted by the album title, ‘ELSE’.
Early Performance: Fans who attended his fan meetings in Seoul and Tokyo prior to his enlistment were treated to an early live performance of “SATURDAY PREACHER,” further building anticipation for the full studio release.
The ‘ELSE’ Album and Post-Release Schedule
The mini-album ‘ELSE’ is designed to provide a continuous musical presence for Cha Eun-woo even while he is fulfilling his national duties. All four tracks on the album were recorded before he began his service.
- Tracklist: The album includes four tracks: the title track “SATURDAY PREACHER,” along with the B-side tracks “Sweet Papaya,” “Selfish,” and “Thinkin’ Bout U.”
- Collaborators: Notably, 2AM member Lim Seul-ong participated in writing lyrics for both the title track and “Sweet Papaya,” adding depth and experience to the project.
Cha Eun-woo (Credit: YouTube)
Release Timeline (KST):
- November 21, 1 PM: Full mini-album ‘ELSE’ and the “SATURDAY PREACHER” Music Video release.
- November 24: Performance Video for “SATURDAY PREACHER.”
- November 28: Music Video for the B-side track “Sweet Papaya.”
Career Continuity Despite Military Enlistment
Cha Eun-woo began his mandatory military service on July 28, 2025, having been accepted into the Army Military Band.
Despite this being a time of hiatus for many artists, he took deliberate steps to ensure his continued connection with fans through music:
- Pre-Enlistment Work: He completed the recording for all four songs on ‘ELSE’ before entering the military, ensuring a smooth release schedule.
- Farewell Activities: Before his enlistment, he concluded a successful fan-concert tour, ‘2024 Just One 10 Minute: Mystery Elevator’, and held solo fan meetings “THE ROYAL” in Seoul and Tokyo, allowing him to personally bid farewell to his global fanbase (Aroha).
In a separate, fascinating development highlighting the talent in the Lee family, Cha Eun-woo’s younger brother, Lee Dong Hwi (whose real name is also Lee Dong-min, like Cha Eun-woo’s), has recently gained the spotlight.
Lee Dong Hwi, a researcher for the AI startup Unbound Lab and a graduate of China’s Fudan University, appeared at the “AI Summit Seoul & Expo 2025” as an AI expert.
This synergy between the two brothers—one releasing a bold new album while serving, and the other creating technological solutions to protect his celebrity sibling—underscores the multifaceted, innovative nature of the Lee family’s impact on the entertainment and tech worlds.
Stray Kids continues to solidify their position as one of K-pop’s leading global acts as their latest album, ‘KARMA’, demonstrates exceptional staying power on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
The album’s consistent performance has led to the group breaking multiple charting records, underscoring their steady and growing international influence.
Re-Entry and Chart Durability
In the most recent chart week (which corresponds to the chart dated November 22, 2025, U.S. local time), the album ‘KARMA’ re-entered the Billboard 200 chart at a high position of #42.
This re-entry marks a significant achievement in terms of chart durability:
Stray Kids (Credit: YouTube)
- 12 Consecutive Weeks in the Top 100: ‘KARMA’ has now spent 12 consecutive weeks in the Top 100 of the Billboard 200.
- Top 50 Presence: The album spent 8 of those 12 weeks inside the Top 50, illustrating its consistent commercial appeal in the competitive U.S. market.
New K-Pop and 4th-Gen Milestones
The sustained success of ‘KARMA’ has resulted in two major, new records for the group and the industry:
- Longest-Charting 2025 K-Pop Album: ‘KARMA’ is the first 2025 K-pop album to remain in the Billboard 200 Top 100 for 12 consecutive weeks.
- Longest-Charting 4th-Gen Boy Group Album: The album surpassed Stray Kids’ own previous release, ‘5-STAR’ (2023), to become the longest-charting 4th-generation boy group album to spend 12 straight weeks in the Top 100 of the Billboard 200.
Broader Context of ‘KARMA’s Success
These longevity records build upon the album’s incredible debut:
Historic Debut: ‘KARMA’ initially debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release in August 2025. This marked Stray Kids’ seventh consecutive album to debut at No. 1 on the chart, setting a historic record for the K-pop industry by becoming the K-pop act with the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, surpassing BTS’s record of six.
Commercial Power: The album’s ability to not only debut strongly but maintain a presence on the chart for three months demonstrates a robust and engaged international fanbase (STAY) who continue to support the group’s sales and streaming figures.
Stray Kids’ performance with ‘KARMA’ is a clear indicator of their expanding global reach and their status as a dominant force in the current generation of K-pop.
