Met Gala: Stray Kids faces paparazzi insults; fans fight back
Stray Kids, the first K-pop group to attend the Met Gala with their full lineup, was subjected to derogatory comments from some paparazzi during the Monday event. Decked out in bespoke Tommy Hilfiger ensembles, the group faced inappropriate remarks about their demeanor and assumptions about their language skills. One photographer apparently criticized them for having the most "emotionless faces," while another shouted, "Now, let's do it with feeling!" This has notably ruffled the feathers of SK's devoted fanbase.
'How do you say right in Korean': Paparazzi's disrespect escalated
The disrespect toward Stray Kids escalated when a photographer instructed them to jump, shouting, "Everybody jumps." Another paparazzo wrongly assumed the group lacked English comprehension and asked, "How do you say right in Korean?" In a video shared by an X/Twitter user, a lensman could be heard saying, "How many are there? You all look crooked...that guy is like 20,000ft back..." Another photographer remarked, "I haven't seen so many unemotional faces at one time."
Take a look at the viral clip here
Here's how fans condemned these actions on social media
Fans of Stray Kids have condemned these actions as racist and disrespectful, sparking widespread outrage. A user on X stated, "I am so upset. The fashion industry is still so racist. It's gotten slightly more accepting because of how big K-pop has gotten, but you can tell that people still don't respect Asian artists." Another echoed the sentiment by saying, "Stray Kids deserved better. This was absolutely appalling behavior from the paparazzi."
A historic moment for the K-pop industry: Stray Kids
For the unversed, in previous years, individual K-pop stars like EXO's Lay (2019), BLACKPINK's Rosé and 2NE1's CL (2021), NCT's Johnny (2022), and BLACKPINK's Jennie (2023) have attended the Met Gala. Solo artists PSY and Rain have also been part of this esteemed fashion event. However, this occasion marked an entire group's first presence at the Met Gala, setting a precedent for K-pop groups.
Meanwhile, a quick look at Stray Kids's upcoming projects
Beyond the Met Gala, Stray Kids has been involved in various activities. Tommy Hilfiger revealed that the group is preparing for a 40-city global tour following their successful Manic World Tour in 2023. They are also collaborating with American artist Charlie Puth on a track titled Lose My Breath, set to release on Friday (May 10). The band is scheduled to headline several international music festivals, including I-Days in Milan, BST Hyde Park in London, and Lollapalooza Chicago.
