"Case 143" is a song recorded by South Korean boy bandStray Kids and the lead single from the group's seventh extended playMaxident, which was released on October 7, 2022, throughJYP Entertainment andRepublic Records. Written by3Racha, Raphael of Producing Lab, and Daviid and Yosia of 3scape, "Case 143" is anelectrohop andpop track, likening the confusion one feels when falling in love to an unsolved "case", referencing the number 143, a code for "I love you". The accompanying music video, directed by 725, premiered on the same day. The Japanese version was released on December 15.
On September 6, 2022, Stray Kids uploaded a trailer to announce that they would release the seventh EPMaxident.[1] The track listing of the EP was revealed on September 13, appearing "Case 143" as the first track and thelead single.[2]JYP Entertainment described that the track conveys a theme the group never do before as the lead single,[3] later confirmed that it is about love.[4] On September 17, themashup video, providing sneak peeks of all the EP's tracks, including "Case 143", premiered at the "Seoul Special (Unveil 11) ofManiac World Tour.[5]
The first music video teaser for "Case 143" was uploaded on October 3, previewing the music video's worldview,[6] while the second on the 4th depicts parts of the song and performance.[7] The performance video was also teased on October 5.[8] Additionally snippet and choreography were revealed viaTikTok on October 6, showing the members wearing SKZoo costumes.[9] "Case 143" was released alongside the EP and its accompanying music video on October 7.[10]
The Japanese version of "Case 143" first appeared on December 2 on the first line-up setlist ofMusic Station Ultra Super Live 2022, where Stray Kids would participate on December 23.[11] It was subsequently released on December 15 as a standalone digital single,[12] before including on the group's debut Japanese-language studio albumsThe Sound, released on February 22, 2023.[13]
"Case 143" is three minutes and twelve seconds long and was written by Stray Kids' in-house production team3Racha, Raphael from Producing Lab, and Daviid and Yosia from 3scape.[14] Anelectrohop[15] andpop[16] track, "Case 143" compares confused minds when falling in love with a "case" and expresses emotions through the number 143, a code for "I love you".[17] The song was composed in the key ofF♯ minor and 100 beats per minute.[18]
Writing forTeen Vogue, Crystal Bell praised "Case 143" as "full of surprises" and described it as "a love song for someone who gets easily distracted."[16] Bell also wrote forPaper that "This isn't some grand, romanticized love song. It's vibrant, witty, and structurally, a little odd. In other words, it's a Stray Kids song."[19] Rhian Daly ofNME described the song that is "built around an ever-changing rush of sounds, some dark and ominous, others teetering and tumbling."[20]Idology's Squib stated that the song as "the exhilaration multiplied as the tension was further relieved from the incisive spirit that had been present since the pre-debut, which was described as "a bit of a spirited spirit."[21]
"Case 143" experienced popularity in Japan after going viral in the video-sharing applicationTikTok, resulting in the song being voted first place in Best Entertainment 2022's "Best K-Pop" by Japanese websiteModelpress's readers.[22] Several other publications included in their lists of the best K-pop songs of 2022, includingDazed (36th),[23]Teen Vogue (unranked),[24] andSCMP'sYoung Post (2nd).[25]
A scene from the "Case 143" music video, showing Seungmin rewinding while the video was paused.
An accompanying music video for "Case 143" was uploaded, along with the single on October 7, 2022.[26] Directed by 725 of SL8,[27] the music video starts with the heart-shaped monster, utilizingCGI elements, infecting Felix, then all members, so Changbin calls the police officers, who are also Stray Kids. The police officers go to examine the crime scene and try to arrest the monsters and monster-infected Stray Kids. The first has been arrested, but the latter still falls in love. The police officers pull the big plug, and the set collapses. Then, the video is paused, and Seungmin rewinds it back. The falling-in-love Stray Kids put the plug back to stop collapsing, and they break the video as glass to leave it.[28][29][30] The music video surpassed 100 million views onYouTube on March 28, 2023, becoming their ninth music video to reach this milestone.[31]
The performance video was uploaded on October 15,[32] showing the choreography scene shot at the front of car wash and the street.[33] The Japanese version's music video premiered on January 22, 2023. It was produced by Japanese illustrator Kawaisouni!, and serves as a frame-by-frame animated remake of the original music video. Characters made by Kawaisouni!, Opanchu Usagi and Npochamu, also appeared in the music video.[34]
^Lee, Min-ji (September 6, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 10월 7일 미니앨범 발매…7개월만 컴백 [공식]" [Stray Kids, Mini Album Release on October 7… Comeback After 7 Months [Official]].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedSeptember 6, 2022.
^Seon, Min-kyung (September 13, 2022)."'컴백' 스트레이 키즈, 'MAXIDENT' 트랙리스트 공개..타이틀 곡은 'CASE 143'" ['Comeback' Stray Kids, 'MAXIDENT' Track List Unveil..Title Track Is 'CASE 143'].Osen (in Korean). RetrievedSeptember 13, 2022.
^Park, Seo-hyun (September 13, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 신곡명은 'CASE 143'..트랙리스트 공개" [Stray Kids, New Track Titled 'CASE 143'..Track List Revealed].Herald Pop (in Korean). RetrievedSeptember 13, 2022.
^Jeong, Eujene (September 24, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 신보 'MAXIDENT' 개인 티저…'촉촉·카리스마' [N컷]" [Stray Kids, New Album 'MAXIDENT' Individual Teaser… 'Moist Charisma' [N Cut]].News1 (in Korean). RetrievedSeptember 24, 2022.
^Woo, Bin (September 19, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, KSPO DOME 입성 "꿈꿔온 순간, 현실이 됐다"" [Stray Kids, KSPO DOME Entering "The Moment I Dreamed Of, Became a Reality"].TenAsia (in Korean). RetrievedSeptember 19, 2022.
^Kim, Ye-na (October 3, 2022).""스트레이 키즈의 첫사랑은 거대한 사건"" ["The First Love of Stray Kids Is a Huge Case"].AtStar1 (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 3, 2022.
^Oh, Yoon-joo (October 4, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 신곡 퍼포먼스 최초 공개 '美친 강렬함'" [Stray Kids, New Song Performance First Reveal 'Beautiful Crazy Intensity'].Mydaily (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 4, 2022.
^No, Yi-seul (October 5, 2022)."'선주문 224만' 스트레이 키즈, 두번째 월드투어 호주도 매진...멜버른-시드니 추가확정" ['Pre-order 2.24M' Stray Kids, Second World Tour Sold Out in Australia… Melbourne-Sydney Additional Confirmed].Sports W (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 5, 2022.
^"Stray Kidsの日本1stアルバム楽曲＆対面イベント詳細発表、ヒョンジン＆スンミンも楽曲制作に参加" [Stray Kids Japan 1st Album Songs & Face-to-Face Event Details Announced, Hyunjin & Seungmin Also Participate in Song Production].Natalie (in Japanese). January 16, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 16, 2023.
^Binunmul; Mano; Squib; Yemi (November 28, 2022)."Monthly : 2022년 10월 – 앨범" [Monthly : October 2022 – Album].Idology (in Korean). RetrievedJanuary 6, 2023.
^"読者が選ぶ「2022年の"ベストK-POP"」トップ10を発表【ベストエンタメアワード2022】" [The Top 10 "Best K-POP" in 2022 Chosen by Readers Has Announced [Best Entertainment Awards 2022]].Modelpress (in Japanese). December 26, 2022. RetrievedDecember 26, 2022.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (October 7, 2022).""자석 같이 끌려가" 스트레이 키즈, 사랑꾼 된 소리꾼들[들어보고서]" ["I'm Drawn to You like a Magnet" Stray Kids, Lovers become Lovers [Listen]].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 7, 2022.
^Park, Se-yeon (October 8, 2022)."[MK뮤직]사랑노래도 스키즈답게…명불허전 신메뉴 '맥시던트'" [[MK Music] Love Song Is like SKZ Too… New Menu 'MAXIDENT'].Star Today (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 8, 2022.
^Oh, Seung-hyun (October 7, 2022)."'뮤직뱅크' 아이브, 출연 없이 1위…MC 장원영 홀로 소감 [종합]" ['Music Bank' IVE Won Without Appearance… MC Jang Won-young Alone Impression].Xportsnews (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 7, 2022.
^abKim, Hye-mi (October 14, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 슬기 꺾고 '뮤직뱅크' 1위…음반 점수 압도" [Stray Kids Beat Seulgi to Win at 'Music Bank'… Recorded Score Overwhelming].New Inside (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 14, 2022.
^abIm, Shi-ryeong (October 21, 2022)."스키즈, '뮤직뱅크' 1위 차지 "스테이 너무 고마워" [TV캡처]" [Stray Kids Take 'Music Bank' Win "Stay, Thank You So Much" [TV Capture]].Sports Today (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 21, 2022.
^Jeong, Ji-won (October 8, 2022)."'음악중심' 블랙핑크, 불참에도 1위… 슬기·스트레이키즈 컴백" ['Music Core' Blackpink Won Without Appearance… Seulgi·Stray Kids Comeback].Joynews24 (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 8, 2022.
^Lee, Ha-na (October 22, 2022)."'음중' 아이브, 블랙핑크 꺾고 1위..마마무·(여자)아이들·이찬혁 강렬한 컴백[종합]" ['MuCore' Ive Beat Blackpink to Win.. Mamamoo · (G)I-dle · Lee Chan-hyuk Strong Comeback].StarNews (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 22, 2022.
^Kim, Na-yeon (October 9, 2022)."블랙핑크 'Shut Down', 2주 연속 '인기가요' 1위..슬기→스트레이키즈 컴백[종합]" [Blackpink 'Shut Down', 'Inkigayo' 2 Weeks Consecutively Won..Seulgi→Stray Kids Comeback].Osen (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 9, 2022.
^Park, Jeong-min (October 16, 2022)."'인기가요' 블랙핑크, 출연 없이 1위…백호·이채연 솔로 데뷔→박지훈·마마무 컴백" ['Inkigayo' Blackpink Won Without Appearance… Baekho · Lee Chae-yeon Solo Debut → Park Ji-hoon · Mamamoo Comeback].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 16, 2022.
^Park, Jeong-min (October 23, 2022)."아이브, 출연 없이 '인기가요' 1위…이찬혁 솔로 데뷔→5인조 르세라핌 컴백" [Ive, 'Inkigayo' Winning Without Appearance… Lee Chan-hyuk Solo Debut → Quintet Le Sserafim Comeback].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 23, 2022.
^abYoon, Sang-geun (March 30, 2022)."스트레이키즈 '쇼챔피언' 정상 "어제 오늘 2번이나 1등!"[★밤TView]" [Stray Kids' 'Show Champion' Top "Yesterday and today 2 times!"[★Night TView]].Star News (in Korean). RetrievedMarch 30, 2022.
^abLee, Ye-jin (October 13, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 영광의 1위 "스테이 감사해"…마마무·케플러 컴백 (엠카)[종합]" [Stray Kids, 1st Place of Glory "STAY Thank You"… Mamamoo · Kep1er Comeback (M Countdown)].Xportsnews (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 13, 2022.
^abKim, Han-gil (October 20, 2022)."스트레이 키즈, 트레저 꺾고 '엠카' 1위…이찬혁, 뒤만 보고 열창 [종합]" [Stray Kids, Beating Treasure to Win at 'M Countdown'… Lee Chan-hyuk, Showing Only Back and Singing].TV Daily (in Korean). RetrievedOctober 20, 2022.
^"'K-909' 스트레이 키즈, 3팀 3색 스페셜 유닛 무대 방송 최초 공개!" ['K-909' Stray Kids, 3 Teams, 3 Colors, Special Unit Stage Broadcast for the First Time!].JTBC (in Korean). October 8, 2022. RetrievedOctober 8, 2022.
^"[종합] 2022 TMA, 'BTS·임영웅 다관왕 속 K팝 영향력 재조명'" [2022 TMA, 'Re-Illumination of K-Pop Influence in BTS and Lim Young-woong's Multi-Winners'].ET News (in Korean). October 8, 2022. RetrievedDecember 17, 2022.
^Lee, Seul (December 17, 2022)."엔딩은 진짜 Y2K 보아 '넘버원'…코요태→뉴진스 세대 통합 (종합)[KBS 가요대축제]" [The Ending Is the Real Y2K BoA 'No.1'… Koyote → New Jeans Generation Integration [KBS Song Festival]].Xportsnews (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 17, 2022.
^"Mステ『ウルトラSUPER LIVE 2022』、タイムテーブル公開" [M St. "Ultra Super Live 2022" Timetable Announcement].Barks (in Japanese). December 23, 2022. RetrievedDecember 23, 2022.
^"【紅白】Stray Kids「CASE 143」大流行のダンスを披露" [[Kōhaku] Stray Kids Performs the Popular Dance of "CASE 143"].Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). December 31, 2023. RetrievedDecember 31, 2023.
