The Impossible Stray Kids “Circus” Shot 

I have watched and enjoyed Circus so many times, and not once realised there was a whole plot 🤦‍♀omg

My theory is that the boys of darkness represent a Stray Kids where they conform to industry standards and are performers but are performing without SKZ’s “maniac” nature because they aren’t being true to themselves. The checkered boys were not perfect enough to be accepted into the “Circus” aka the strict industry standards, but they’re bombastic maniacs and still want to perform. So they sneak in and perform anyway. Then, they give the boys of darkness a matchbox that says STAY-and they use it to ignite the fireworks. The checkered boys and the boys of darkness then leave the tent and perform to the thunderous (*wink*) “applause” of the fireworks, which also represent STAY. They have united and are still at the circus, performing, but have left the confines of the big top. This is SKZ.

My theory is that the *checker boys* wanted to be part of the circus but didn’t get accepted by the *boys of darkness’s* boss. So they decided to sneak in and prove him (or her we never know 👀) wrong and show that they fit in perfectly. They blow up the circus to represent that they’re the one’s in control and that they can do whatever they want, now that they literally blew up the circus and started new. The *boys of darkness* probably agreed to the idea and helped them rebuild the circus again, I think they rebuilt it because you can’t see the other actors and performers in the last few shots. So yeah that’s my theory I hope it makes sense :) (and the ball was because they got kicked out (literally) and represents that the circus team doesn’t want them there)

Stray kids slays at the dance moves and Jordan slays at judging I’m famous now

I think this MV was portraying a message along the lines of STAY allowing Stray Kids to break down their barriers and unapologetically be themselves. When I was first watching this video, it seemed to me that the checkered boys represented a part of SKZ that was generally meant to be hidden, hence the reason they performed after the darkness boys when nobody was around. Later on, the checkered boys throw the darkness boys some matches that say "STAY" on them, so to me, it seems that they were saying "STAY is the catalyst that will allow us to break down the circus so we can all perform together." Then, they light the match and blow up the place, giving the two groups the opportunity to perform together rather than separately

His video's is like a subject. We're learning about editing, theory and dance lol. The best reaction, you're videos was filled with everything ❤️

The best theory about this video I saw was that the darkness boys represent SKZ under company control and the checkered boys are them free. If you look, the matchbook they use to blow the place up has "stay" on it, like they're using the fans to destroy any creative constraints placed on them and they can just perform as they want. Hope I explained that well haha

Stray Kids are S tier group, they slay at dancing, singing, rapping, they're a full blown visual attack, their music is so catchy and their music videos are so insanely creative

SKZ visuals are crazy and so is rhein singing and rapping. SKZ are my second ult kpop group and every member was fire I love changbins rap and the MV itself is a master piece and don't even get me started on Felix wearing that harness.

Stray kids Music Videos are definitely on another level, like always. Whether its their story-telling, editing or music itself. Have to agree, These boys and their creative team is super talented.

I literally live for this dude’s reaction to Stray Kids 😂😂😂 Edit: Ayo 600 likes? Yasssssss, Oaur Naur Way! DAD CAME BACK WITH THE MILK- Edit 2 : Nvm it was mom, WITH CHAN’S LAPTOP- oh wait it’s his phone 🥲

I think the checker boys clothes are actually patterned like a harlequin. Harlequins are traditionally a type of clown that's known to be a trickster and romantic hero and a servant. The Harlequin usually plays tricks to thwart his master's plans and chase his love interest Columbine. These qualities of the harlequin can all be interpreted as negative qualities of kpop idols. As is pretty commonly known idols usually have a certain image or concept that they have to embody (often a good boy who'd NEVER do something as obscene as uttering a harsh word and has ABSOLUTELY no faults, and has NEVER EVER made a mistake in their childhood) and are banned from dating. The companies managing the idols also have a great influence in the type of music that they perform. I think the checker boys are meant to represent the sides of SKZ that doesn't fit in to the typical kpop mold. This is, I think, is supported by the fact that in the MV the checker boys are breaking in to the tent and are threatening to "burn it down" In juxtaposition to this we have the boys of darkness who are generally more somberly dressed. They wear darker colors and the fashion is more subdued and maybe a bit more formal/businesslike. Their make-up, hair and accesories are also more subdued (almost minimal) compared to the checker boys more colorful and "clownish" accents. This could be representive of the part of SKZ that actually are like the kpop standards, and wants to conform to them. The boys of darkness does seem sort of "lackluster" or out of place because they don't look like they belong in a circus. They simply don't look like circus artists. This I interpret to mean that if you simply follow company guidelines and always follow the insane standards of kpop idols you'll seem disingenuous. We also see a 3rd set of SKZ which I'd like to call the dark checker boys. They appear right before the explosion and the fuse is lit. The dark checker boys might be an amalgam of the checker boys and the boys of darkness and might represent the "real" SKZ who lights the fuse and explodes everything so we can see all the different versions of SKZ giving the best/most amazing show when they're all on the stage together. This could mean that we get the best show/music/performance/idol when fans of SKZ (STAY) and SKZ themselves accept all the differenet aspects of their personality including those that might make them not fit into a ordinary mold. This could also tie back to the title of their album ODDINARY. This has been my TED talk

I love seeing people who are experts in their field react to the genius of Stray Kids, and their team. A fantastic follow up to the Case 143 video.

Jordan calling the members 'Checkered Boys' got me rofling🤣🤣🤣

Stray Kids are Slay Kids.

I take the explosion to be like "blowing up" in popularity. If you look closely, the matches have their fandom name printed on it, so when they're lighting the fuse, it's setting off a chain reaction to reach greater fame. And they're clearly having fun with it, even eventually uniting their stage personas (the boys in black, the performers) and their backstage personas (the checker boys... Which, it you ask me the choice of wardrobe colors has got to be symbolic in and of itself)

It’s so crazy how skz and jyp are making these amazing and really well edited music videos for so many of their songs, even B tracks. I’m learning so much about editing keep up the good work Jordan!

You have one of the best reaction videos on this platform. Keep up the good work. May God bless you.

Your videos make my brain smile❤️🤝Thank You

Finally Jordan reacted to Circus... I've been waiting for this for a long time...

If Jordan doesn't know how it was done, then no one those, not even the Circus editors 😂 At the same time thanking him for reacting to this MARVELOUS music video, as always Jordan being one of the biggest RU-vid Stay

Finally!!!!! 😀😀😀My one of the most awaited video of the year😅 but actually I really waited for this reaction...

Fire is real. Actually one of the boys burned his hand. But it wasn't severe. Anyway, video is fantastic **

Attendance Stays! It's Showtime!

I just became aware of Stray Kids a few days ago. Better late than never. I also just binged all of your SKZ videos and I cannot believe how much I have learned about the plots of their videos. WHAT?!?! Now I am even more obsessed with them!! Thank you for your entertaining and amazing insight into these extraordinary artists!

You could be the 10th member of stray kids (besides Stay being 9th). Your sense of irreverence and fun matches with SKZ guys so well (also the wit and intelligence bubbling under the facade).

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY YOU DID IT THANKYOU I REALLY Really wanted to see your thoughts about this mv ❤️

I just woke up and i felt like watching you ❤️

thanks you for the video, it was very interesting and informative! 😍 The fire was definitely real in places, because several members later had burns on they arms 😒

Actually..In the final part, the "extras" members that are there, are real people that are similar to all the kids, thats why it looks so real, bc they are supporting actors:)

Yes another Stray Kids reaction video 😍

Circus es exquisito como video musical y la canción ni hablar es muy buena, me encanta! Lo he visto muchas veces y nunca vi la transición de Chris omg! Gracias por la reacción son las mejores *-*

So happy you reacted to this, it’s my favorite of the jp releases. It’s so fun to see as someone learning the language.

I love Jordan’s SKZ reactions!

Stray Kids slaying every comeback

I now have way more appreciation for music videos and I can see transitions and techniques I never notices before! Thanks for sharing your knowledge Jordan 😊😊

Thank u Jordan for keep reacting to our boys ❤️❤️ I literally live for ur SKZ reactions 💝💝😭

So happy to see new SKZ analysis from u Jordan! 😍 thank you! ❣️

In the SKZ lore there is clones of the boys in the same timeline, so even if this mv wasn't directly part of the main story it is a fun detail to think about.

Jordan never disappoints

Wow. Unbelievable amount of work on everyone’s part to get that last scene. Thanks for the explanation Jordan. Would not have figured that out. Love your videos. They help me appreciate the MV even more. (Hope you will do another video with Clay soon!)

This detail can get missed if you dont know what to look for: the name on the match box was STAY, which is the Stray Kids Fandom name. Stay's were the fuel to blow up the current k-pop music industry - at least, thats what I'm getting from that one scene.

I always love the dance therapy at the end 😂😂😂

If I'm not mistaken, the fire was real because Lee Know got burned

HEYYY, STRAY KIDS REALISED THEIR NEW M/V OF "THE SOUND"!! I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD REACT TO IT! THE EDITS ARE REAL DEAL! ITS AMAZING

I love the outfits because it also fits the story. The checker boys are like "we aint getting good dance time, we need dance time all the time, blow the place up." Dark boys are like "we have to do our job nothing else" but then 7:17 the dark boys notice the checker boys and they like the forever dance so they join forces. The third outfit is a checker pattern with dark colors, joining both sides.

You know what's funny? I was watching all of Jordan Orne's Stray Kids reactions today...and he just happens to release a new one now! Like what are the chances? Ahaha

THEORY: Skz storyline has these 2 different version of themselves, ordinary (ring master/darkness) and oddinary (checkered). Ordinary grp being the perfect version which society expects them to be and the oddinary version being the ones which are true to themselves even though they are breaking the "rules". That's why the oddinary version (checkered) is setting fire, sneaking in, basically just messing up the whole ordinary stuff. It's like they are saying "We aren't perfect to perform under your society (circus) so we will destroy the norm and do our own thing in front of the world freely"

Okay but you slayed that dancing at the end 🤣

Not fun fact : Lee Know burnt his hand during this mv shoot

How insane is this video?!?! I love everything about this song. I’m so glad you spoke about it, especially after Case143. I was looking forward to it.❤🧙‍♂️🤹‍♂️

Finnally I always waited for Jordan to react to this MV brooo thank you so much .... 😭✨💕💕🥺🥺😍

Let's go Jordan... More STRAY KIDS pleaseeee 😍❤️

Vote for SKZ in MAMA 2022 pls ! They can win a big award for their job this last year !

love your reactions always. thank you for the break down very cool

9:04 i just realized the match box has "STAY" on it-

Thank you!! I love this mv!!

eyy he finally reacted to a stray kids' video! Love the reactions brother!

I need Jordan to explain every single video, otherwise it's just people jumping and dancing to me XD

looking at the lyrics i think i can find a deeper meaning to it. I think the song is themed around the boys of darkness doing the same work and acts as entertainment for the crowds. they do the same acts over and over again and they don’t know anything other than doing their shows for the laughs and giggles of the crowd and seemingly by the way they say they’re in the zone, it seems like a loop they can’t get out of. then the checker boys sneak in and are free spirits backstage and plan to break them free of their endless cycle of acting by burning it down and during the intermission take the center and start performing for no one, symbolizing that they don’t feel the need to perform for other’s entertainment but for their own interests. The boys of darkness see them and hand them matches telling them they can burn it down and they don’t have to do it anymore. then they all dance together :)))). I think the villian here is supposed to be the circus itself, representing the mindset of the entertainment industries (hence the circus being more scary in the beginning than funny). Skz is saying that they’ll break down the loop of the artist making and the audience applauding and then the rest of the world pressuring and hating and the artist being fake about their creations and doing it not for themselves but for the entertainment of others and they’re saying they’re gonna burn it down and make their music for themselves. This loop is very common for k-pop especially because the companies are the decision makers before the idols and the idols have the be perfect in the fans’s eyes, but skz doesn’t have to because they produce their music themselves and have free reign against jay why pee. the circus is a good analogy too because in a circus you laugh and mock at how stupid the clown is, when that clown is actually a person who is just acting the role, but skz is mocking THE MOCKERS 🤯 anyway not sure if this is accurate but it’s something i think that fits. love ur videos and dance therapy jordan ❤

Finally!!! I waited a lot for this. Thanks Jordan

I discover tiny unnoticed elements in their mvs every time I watch one of these. This is soo cool!! Thank you! 🔥😍

I love the nicknames! Cheker boys and the boys of darkness❤😂😂

I always love your analysis on Stray Kids’ video. Thank you❤

You have the best reactions Jordan! SKZ are amazing!

Literally makes my day whenever you react to Stray Kids

Just came here to say that we'll be waiting for your reaction to the S-Class, Jordaaaaan it's literally 🤯🤯🤯

Always love your analysis and explanation to SKZ MVs.❤

I was waiting for this video ❤️❤️✨

I love all your reactions for Stray Kids mvs!!! Do it more, please:)

Victon ' what you said'. It's so perfect

Finally. I have been waiting for you so long to react to this video man. Thank you

The thought of all those stray kids in one spot at one time is very headache inducing.

Thank you very much for this video, much appreciated on my beloved Stray kids. 👍

I really like your reactions! Love this MV and it's truly amazing how many details you've pointed out! Thanks!

LETSS GOOOK JORDAN POST A VIDEO AND IT'S STRAY KIDS WOW 🔥🔥🔥 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE STRAY KIDS ON MAMA WE'RE SO CLOSE TO BEAT ONE OF THE GREATEST GROUP IN THE INDUSTRY LET'S GOO STAYYYY

Desde que salió el video de Circus estaba esperando este video la verdad

Thanks for the insight....this is my absolute favorite of their songs. I love everything they have but this one is the leader of the pack. ❤

I love this man 😭😭

I love watching you go through these videos, cuz I love these guys and their music/videos, but then you come in and point out things i didn't even notice and it gets 10x better

I love you Genius ❤ thanks for supporting the kids!!

I love your reactions so much. It's really interesting to hear all about how certain shots were filmed or how the scenes were edited. Thank you ♥️

At this point Jordan’s a stay

You should check out All In!! It's a really good clip and song! It also has the duplicate Stray Kids as well. One 'Team' is FBI/Cops and the other are criminals/robbers!!

Stray kids are full of pakej 🎉always geting us to new creations❤

Ur analysis makes me realize i missed so many good points from the mv

Not my theory, but one I saw on twitter. They checkered boys are the original ring masters (thier makeup consists of clown makeup elements and I.N.'s hair is dyed like Harly Quinn, a clown) and they've been doing the same show over and over again, essentially getting burnt out. The boys of darkness (Stray Kids) are the imposters that come in and quite literally steal the show. Which is why the checkered boys sneak into the show to see what they're doing differently to make the show better. They end up collaborating after the show and the checkered boys found that spark again, they decied to do the show thier own way and not the same one over and over again. This is why you see the checekred boys dancing like more enthusiactially than the boys of darkness and why you see them working together. They are crerating a new show, their own show their new Home, and they are going to get rid of the old one, which is why you see the checkered boys give the boys of darkness the box of matches. They burn down thier old show and celeberate thier new one at the end, as we see them all dance together, and is the reason for all the fireworks/sparks. This isn't my theory, and I am trying to remember everything in it so if I missed anything please LMK and I will fix it! I know I missed some parts, my memory is not the best and I saw this theory when the song first came out.

ive never looked so deep into the mv damn

one of the best 2022 MVs and one of the best KPOP music videos of all time!!!

i love the fact that the match box has 'Stay' on it

This is actually the song that got me into skz

幕は今 開かれる (the phrase they say right before the chorus) actually means "the curtain is now opened" so Bangchan's curtain transition actually makes a lot of sence

Ugh so good

I found your video because of Stray Kids, and it's sooooo interesting! Thanks you so much, I appreciate them even more after this. I really really love their universe. So much details in everything

Very talented boys !

FINALLY! I've been waiting for thisss! T_T

I espiecally LOVE this MV! and the song is a BOP 🎸🎸🤗🤗🤘🤘

I’VE LITERALLY BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS VIDEO

I can't wait for the reaction video to S-Class because reactions for all Stray Kids videos is FIRE and what I live for

FINALLY IVE BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR THIS