On Tuesday, October 29, the premiere of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, a spin-off of the beloved Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place, showcased merchandise from the K-pop group Stray Kids. A lineup of Disney stars, including Selena Gomez and David Henrie, illuminated the star-studded red carpet at the event.
Among the celebrity attendees was Jason Earles, known for his roles in Hannah Montana and Kickin’ It, along with his wife, Katie Drysen, a popular social media influencer. Fans noticed during an interview with Jason, which made its way onto the internet, that he donned fan-created merchandise featuring Stray Kids’ WeZOO characters.
Specifically, Earles showcased a Dwaekki character pin on his suit, symbolizing the Stray Kids member Changbin. The video quickly gained traction online, sparking excitement among fans who celebrated the K-pop references popping up at unexpected events. They also commended the actor for proudly representing as a STAY, the term used for Stray Kids fans.
Moreover, it was revealed that Jason’s wife, Katie Drysen, is also a major fan of the K-pop group. Prior to the premiere, she shared a post on X, expressing her enthusiasm about the Stray Kids merchandise she planned to wear to the event. Ultimately, she managed to showcase eight different items representing the boy band that evening.
Katie also retweeted clips from Jason’s interview, emphasizing that wearing the Dwaekki pin was a deliberate choice on her part rather than a mere coincidence. The fans’ reactions were overwhelmingly positive:
“Jason Earles being a hardcore stay (thanks to his wife, who I believe is Filipino? lol) and wearing WeZ merch to events is giving me life,”one fan commented.
“Dwaekki everywhere all around the world??”wondered another social media user.
“SKZ plushies are so famous they’re appearing on red carpets at Hollywood premieres lmao,”added another X user.
“Jason Earles being a very serious stay will always make me giggle,”shared a fan.
Many fans expressed their delight over the unexpected appearance of a WeZOO character at the premiere for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
“I swear he is a worldwide treasure. my childhood is embracing my kpop self,”commented an enthusiastic netizen.
“He’s not just wearing Dwaekki merch; it’s FAN MADE Dwaekki merch,”added another user.
“Dwaekki at the Wizards Beyond premiere is ICONIC—we love Jason Earles,”exclaimed another X user.
Essential Information on Stray Kids and Their Recent Work
Stray Kids, an eight-member boy band formed under JYP Entertainment, debuted in 2017 after emerging from a reality survival show of the same name. The group consists of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N.
Originally a nine-member group, former member Woojin departed in 2019 for undisclosed reasons and is now pursuing a solo career. Despite this change, Stray Kids has become one of the leading forces in the K-pop industry, gaining international fame that extends beyond their home country.
The group is celebrated for their dynamic performances, innovative music styles, and captivating choreography. Their hit songs include God’s Menu, TOP, Back Door, MANIAC, Thunderous, and many others. In June 2023, they released their third studio album, 5 STAR, with “S-Class” as its featured track, followed by their ninth EP, ATE, in July of the same year.
This album marked a significant success, with over five million copies sold, reaching the top of numerous music charts across eight different countries. Additionally, the lead single “S-Class” won the award for ‘Best K-pop Video’ at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, prompting fans to celebrate the group’s latest accomplishments.
In other news, Stray Kids headlined the well-known music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 2, 2024. As the group continues to unveil impressive projects and achieve remarkable milestones, their fanbase remains steadfast in their support.
Image Credit: We.com
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