Felix: The Muse
In the week leading up to the release of Stray Kids' first ever Rolling Stone UK cover, we're sharing our individual interviews with each member from within the magazine. Next up, it's the muse: Felix
Felix Yongbok Lee has the face of an angel, and a voice that’s as deep as the ocean. His uniquely low register is used in a strategically effective way by 3RACHA in Stray Kids songs for maximum impact. Like Changbin’s rapping, it is one of the pillars of their sound. Insanely popular on TikTok, Stray Kids’ top five videos are all courtesy of the Aussie.
When I check my notes for Felix on the day of the photoshoot, I have underlined the word ‘yapper’ twice. Despite his ethereal looks, Felix is effusively friendly, chatting away to anyone he comes into contact with, and making a special effort to say thank you before the band leave the shoot. It’s little wonder he is known as the group’s ‘sunshine’ — you can’t help but be drawn to him. In tune with his own and others’ emotions, Felix is often on hand to give a much-needed hug or emotional support to other members, and his signature home-made brownies are a favourite in the group, as an instant mood elevator that are always in demand. During the shoot, he and HAN stand in the middle of the group, enjoying a quiet bonding moment as they gently play with the details of each other’s outfits while the others move around them.
As a generous spirit, it was only natural that Felix felt a gravitational pull towards philanthropy. “I really wanted to do UNICEF. I did donate to Laos, but I wanted to give more meaning to it,” he says. As a result, during the lunar New Year holiday, he volunteered for the organisation on a project in Laos that aims to improve nutrition, lower water pollution and improve sanitation. “[Donating] does carry a lot of meaning, of course, but I wanted to do something [different],” says Felix. “I wanted to express that physically, which is why I wanted to go to Laos and experience that moment. I wanted to give out the amount of love that I receive from my fans to those that are in need more than me.”
Communicating with his fans, the STAY, is incredibly important to Felix. “As years go by, we interact with a lot of fans on a daily basis. The amount of diversity in our fandom is huge, and we love them unconditionally, but also through the STAY and the other members and those experiences, I have learned to love myself more and carry more confidence in what I do here on out for my fans and for myself,” he says. “I thank a lot of people, not only around me, but also fans globally for helping me learn to love myself. Even though I am more of a person who loves to give, seeing them being happy is my way of being satisfied. But them showing me love teaches me that I can be more confident in myself.”
Another way in which Felix learns and grows is through fashion. Becoming a Louis Vuitton womenswear ambassador has been a transformative experience for him.
“Wearing all kinds of clothing makes things fun. Not only to express how we feel, but also what we want to wear daily as well. One thing’s for sure, wearing both menswear and womenswear made me more confident,” he says. “The runway that I did for Nicolas Ghesquiere’s 10-year anniversary at Louis Vuitton was one of the most memorable outfits that I have ever worn.
“It was my first time going on the runway, and debuting at this massive 10-year anniversary womenswear show and I’m basically the only guy there — how nervous could I be? When I saw all these tall women walking past, [I’m thinking] ‘What am I going to do?’ In the end, I’m glad I took lessons, even if it was only once, to see how women walk and to study their expressions. It was one of my goals to walk the runway. Him making that dream come true — I’m so grateful to Nicolas. His fashion has inspired me to wear clothing that I hadn’t even imagined I could wear on a daily basis.”
As well as experimenting with his clothing, Felix’s fans have encouraged him not to cover up his freckles, which are not considered a conventional sign of beauty in Korea.
“To be honest, [the] fans are very supportive, and they’re the only reason [we are] the way we are. Thanks to them, I am able to keep my freckles,” he says. “Not only that, Pat McGrath. When she did my makeup, she wanted to keep it natural, and I think people thought that was special. I was really happy that Pat McGrath didn’t cover them up and she loved them! She’s wonderful.”
As Felix bounces around the BST Hyde Park stage, it’s clear that learning to love himself has manifested in how he performs. He’s full of joy, infusing the other members with positive vibes as they look adoringly at him as his energy spreads to everyone in the audience, too.
Taken from the October/November issue of Rolling Stone UK – you can pre-order it here now.