Ate (EP)

Background

Work on Ate began in October 2023, a month before the release of the preceding EP Rock-Star. On January 1, 2024, Stray Kids posted a video outlining plans for the year, including one album and one special album. News outlets and analysts predicted a mid-2024 release, with some specifying June or July. On May 9, StarNews reported a July 19 release date for a new Korean-language album, though JYP Entertainment stated the date was not confirmed and would be announced later.

Members Han and I.N were seen in SoHo, New York City during music video filming in May. An article in W Korea in early June also mentioned July 19. On June 18, the group's web series SKZ-Code included parody commercials for a fictional fortune cookie brand named Ate. The next day, JYP announced the EP title Ate and a July 19 release date, accompanied by a trailer showing the band experiencing bad luck after opening a fortune cookie.

The trailer confirmed the lead single "Chk Chk Boom". The title is a word play on the past tense of "to eat", internet slang for "nail it", and the number of group members, eight.

Music and lyrics

Ate runs 23 minutes and 21 seconds across eight tracks. Stray Kids described the EP as something they had not done before, involving challenges and firsts while remaining genuine and authentic. Member Han explained that the EP conveys restrained and latent energy and expanded the genres of B-side tracks for diversity. The opening track "Mountains" is a rap-rock song with introspective lyrics about overcoming obstacles.

"Chk Chk Boom" is a Latin-styled hip-hop and reggaeton track about confidence in aiming at a target, including some Spanish words. "Jjam" is a hip-hop track using peanut butter and jelly sandwich imagery and Korean slang meaning "not fun". "I Like It" is a drill and drum and bass track about enjoying a fling without love pressures. The English-language "Runners" is a cyberpunk-inspired drill and drum and bass track about perseverance.

"Twilight" blends jazz and bossa nova, depicting regret over losing a loved one. "Stray Kids" is a drum and bass song chronicling the group's musical journey and referencing earlier songs. The EP closes with a sped-up EDM "Festival" version of "Chk Chk Boom".

Release and promotion

Ate was released on July 19, 2024, with pre-orders starting June 19 in five versions: Ate, Chk Chk, Boom, Accordion, and Letter. A 3D animated vending machine-styled promotional itinerary was revealed on June 20, followed by a flyer-styled track listing and digital cover artwork of a metallic dental model with Stray Kids-shaped grills. Teaser images and videos were posted in four sets: the first showed members in black, white, and denim; the second featured portrait backgrounds with cane, metallic accessories, and red lights; the third depicted a drained swimming pool with sand and cacti; the fourth showed members with tooth gems, nail arts, and bold accessories against a structure of beast's fangs.

Two tracks, "Mountains" and "Stray Kids", were teased in the "Unveil: Track" video series and included in a mashup video set in a CD factory. The EP was introduced via the video Intro: Ate the day before release. Four music videos were released: "Chk Chk Boom" co-starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in Deadpool and Wolverine costumes; "Mountains" and "Stray Kids" for the fan club anniversary; and a Ghostbusters-inspired "Jjam" on August 7. Members appeared on shows including The King of Mask Singer, LeeMujin Service, Radio Star, Amazing Saturday, MMTG, Heat Eaters, and Knowing Bros. Bang Chan and Felix hosted a radio show on Apple Music 1, and a pop-up store ran in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.

Commercial performance

On its release date, Ate sold 1,654,332 copies on Hanteo Chart, becoming Stray Kids' fourth album to reach that milestone. In South Korea, it debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart, with 2,654,572 copies of the standard version and 199,840 of the Nemo format. It sold 2,723,327 CDs and 210,794 Nemo copies in July, surpassing 3 million cumulative copies by early August. The EP received a three-million certification in April 2026.

Internationally, it topped the French SNEP Top Albums for two non-consecutive weeks, Belgian Ultratop Albums in both Flanders and Wallonia, and Greek Top Albums Sales for seven consecutive weeks. It reached number two in Australia, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland. In December 2024, it received gold certification from SNEP. In the United States, Ate entered the Billboard 200 at number one, making Stray Kids the first musical group to top the chart with five consecutive charted albums.

It sold 232,000 album-equivalent units, including 218,000 pure copies, the largest sales week by a Korean act. The EP topped Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, and World Albums charts. Four tracks entered World Digital Song Sales. JYP reported in October that Ate became the best-selling Korean-language pure album in the US as of September, and the RIAA certified it gold.