CB97

Bang Chan — known in his solo and production work as CB97 — built his reputation not as a peripheral creative but as the architect behind much of Stray Kids' sound. As leader, sub-vocalist, and lead dancer of one of K-pop's most self-produced groups, he operates at the intersection of performance and behind-the-scenes craft, a combination that has made him one of the more distinctive figures to emerge from the JYP Entertainment system.

Debut & Formation

Born Christopher Chahn Bahng on October 3, 1997, Bang Chan trained at JYP Entertainment before becoming a founding member of Stray Kids following the group's 2017 reality competition series. Within that structure, he took on the role of leader and co-founded 3RACHA, the in-house production unit responsible for writing and producing a significant portion of Stray Kids' catalog. The group name draws on the trio's individual monikers — CB97 being Bang Chan's own, derived from his initials and birth year.

Music & Discography

Under the CB97 handle, Bang Chan functions primarily as a producer and lyricist, contributing to work that spans K-pop, hip-hop, electropop, R&B, and electronic dance music — a range that reflects the deliberately genre-resistant approach 3RACHA and Stray Kids have pursued. His creative output sits at a remove from the more polished, committee-driven production model common to the industry; the material tends toward harder textures and self-written lyrics, characteristics that have defined Stray Kids' sonic identity across their discography.

Activities

Beyond the studio, Bang Chan maintains a visible public presence through regular live-stream sessions with fans, and his profile as a fashion figure has grown alongside the group's commercial expansion — he has attended Fashion Week events as a representative of the Stray Kids brand. His work is released through JYP Entertainment in partnership with Republic Records, reflecting the group's positioning within the global market.