A Quiet Moment in the Studio

So here's a little update from one of K-pop's most beloved faces — Felix (Lee Yong-bok) of Stray Kids gave fans a peek behind the curtain this week, sharing photos from the set of his ongoing campaign with bubble tea brand Gong Cha Korea. And honestly, the images are doing a lot of heavy lifting in terms of charm.

Posted on his Instagram on the 28th, the photos show Felix seated at a table inside what appears to be a clean, softly lit studio set. He's dressed in a crisp white shirt paired with a red striped necktie — a sharper, more polished look than fans might be used to seeing from him. One hand rests lightly under his chin, the other on the table, and the whole vibe is calm, composed, and quietly confident. Camera equipment and set pieces are visible in the background, giving the photos that authentic behind-the-scenes feel fans love.

He kept the caption simple but warm: "Much love @gongcha_korea" — which honestly says a lot about how comfortable he's become in this brand partnership.

Who Is Felix, Exactly?

For anyone newer to the Stray Kids universe, here's a quick rundown. Felix is a 25-year-old Korean-Australian artist born on September 15, 2000, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He debuted with Stray Kids in 2018 on their first mini album I am NOT and has since become one of the group's most recognizable members — known for his deep, distinctive voice, powerful dance performances, and, of course, his freckles (more on that in a moment).

Stray Kids is an eight-member boy group consisting of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. The group has built a massive global fanbase known as STAY, driven by their high-energy performances and a self-producing ethos that sets them apart in the K-pop landscape.

Within the group, Felix holds the roles of main dancer and rapper — but what's really interesting is how much he's expanded his musical identity beyond those roles in recent years.

More Than Just a Face in the Group

Felix has quietly been building an impressive solo résumé. On Stray Kids' digital album SKZ-REPLAY, his track Deep End showcased a softer, more emotional side — leaning into his lower vocal register in a way that surprised a lot of listeners who primarily knew him as a rapper and dancer.

Then there's Unfair, his contribution to the group's SKZHOP HIPTAPE HOP project, where he didn't just perform — he co-wrote and co-composed the track. The result was a smooth, low-key piece that felt distinctly his own.

He's also made his mark through collaborations. TWICE's Nayeon featured him on NO PROBLEM from her solo album IM NAYEON, where his deep-toned rap added a contrasting texture to her bright sound. He also appeared on Japanese artist LiSA's ReawakeR, delivering a weightier rap style that matched the track's intensity. And alongside fellow Stray Kids members Han and I.N., he contributed to GENIE, an anime OST with a warmer, more gentle tone.

On the group front, his recent discography includes Stray Kids' mini album ATE, the digital single Mixtape: dominATE, their fourth full-length album KARMA, and the DO IT SKZ IT TAPE project — along with Japanese releases GIANT and Hollow, which have helped cement the group's strong foothold in the Japanese market.

The Person Behind the Performance

What's really made Felix stand out — even beyond the music — is who he seems to be as a person. He's been a regular donor to Save the Children since 2020, and in 2023 he became the youngest-ever member of their prestigious Honors Club. In 2024, he participated in a UNICEF public service campaign focused on children's rights and charitable giving.

And then there's the fan story that basically broke the internet at the time: at a fan signing event, some fans asked if they could see his freckles without makeup. Without hesitation, Felix wiped off his makeup right there and said, simply, "For you." That moment went viral for good reason — it's the kind of genuine, unguarded interaction that builds real loyalty.

He's also known for baking cookies and brownies for members and staff, which — if you needed more evidence that he's genuinely that guy — there it is.

The Gong Cha Partnership Gets Bigger

For those unfamiliar, Gong Cha is a Taiwan-origin bubble tea chain with a massive presence across Asia, the United States, Australia, and beyond. It's one of the more globally recognized names in the beverage space, which makes the Felix partnership a pretty natural fit — a Korean-Australian artist with a global fanbase representing a brand with a similarly global footprint.

Felix first began working with Gong Cha in 2025, and the partnership has since grown. In 2026, his role was extended and elevated to global ambassador, with campaigns running across key markets including South Korea, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The brand has been leveraging Felix's reach to boost awareness in all of those territories simultaneously.

This week's behind-the-scenes post is part of that ongoing collaboration — and based on the fan response, it's safe to say the strategy is working. Posts like these, where Felix lets fans into the actual process of making the campaign content, tend to resonate deeply with STAY, who appreciate that kind of authenticity.

So between the music, the charity work, the baking, and now the global brand campaigns — Felix is keeping busy, and clearly doing it all with that signature low-key warmth. Keep an eye on his socials, because if this shoot is any indication, there's more Gong Cha content on the way.

This article is based on reports from Topstarnews, Maeil Business, Naver News.