'Emotionless faces', 'Robots' - Stray Kids face 'racism' from paparazzi at Met Gala 2024; STAYs express anger
Stray Kids became the target of alleged racist and inappropriate remarks, and the video of paparazzi making such comments has since gone viral.
Updated : May 07, 2024 05:46 PM ISTStray Kids became the target of alleged racist and inappropriate remarks, and the video of paparazzi making such comments has since gone viral.
Stray Kids at Met Gala 2024
Korean idols Stray Kids made their red carpet debut and scripted history as the first K-pop band to attend the Met Gala event. As global ambassadors for a brand, the eight-member group appeared in a custom-made classic red, white, and blue colour palette.
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While fans have been excited to see the group on the red carpet, a viral video has unsettled their fandom, known as STAYs. The group became the target of alleged racist and inappropriate remarks, and the video of paparazzi making such comments has since gone viral.
In the videos circulated on social media, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter), American paparazzi are seen making remarks about the idols' 'emotionless faces', with some even calling them 'robots'. One paparazzo was heard saying, "I've never seen so many emotionless faces before; they look like robots. Now we have to do it again?" (when they turned for pics). Another commented, "How do you say red in Korean, okay, now jump!"
paparazzi being SUPER disrespectful to stray kids wtf pic.twitter.com/v5MiaIFuDt
— roro²⁴ 🍉 seeing purki (@flovestay) May 7, 2024
STAYs have taken to social media to express their anger over the blatant racism the boys faced on such a big stage. What's making them even more furious is that Felix and Bang Chan are native English speakers from Australia, and multiple members speak English fluently.
🇰🇷 BangChan of Stray Kids is being praised by knetz [50k views]
— † (@3rachamixx) May 7, 2024
a thread 🧵
He handled the racism and xenophobia with so much grace and professionalism
"SKZ leader ignores rude reporters at Met Gala and takes members with him"
as he should pic.twitter.com/Xtm32QYIBZ
i admire stray kids’ professionalism and maintaining their composure despite of the nasty remarks from these paparazzi pic.twitter.com/omuFNBYQG9
— 식혀 ❀ (@eighthmixtape) May 7, 2024
This was supposed to be a happy event. We were excited to see Stray Kids take the runway because they are GLOBAL ICONS to have blatant racism, rudeness, and unprofessionalism by so many people in the industry is appalling. This should not have happened.
— ♡ Dae Bang ♡ (@skztinypixie) May 6, 2024
STRAY KIDS DESERVED… pic.twitter.com/a6EX7sECUh
im sorry but kpop stans and locals justifying the disrepair towards stray kids from the paparazzis in the name of “they’re always like this” is insane ????? That’s pure racism how the hell do they get a free pass for that ?
— yastopher🥐 (@folklaris) May 7, 2024
In addition to Stray Kids, BLACKPINK's Jennie was the other K-idol who made her presence felt at the grand event. She too garnered mixed reactions from fans and critics alike for her custom-made blue mini-dress.
jennie and stray kids pic.twitter.com/1YgC0kdQnT
— ْ (@jnsource) May 7, 2024
Stray Kids at Met Gala 2024:
The group's leader, Bang Chan, donned a classic navy three-piece wool suit embellished with red piping and a gold floral pin on the lapel. Felix opted for an all-white silk suit intricately embroidered with flowers, perfectly in line with the "Garden of Time" dress code.
Hyunjin showcased a red double-breasted suit adorned with gold crested buttons, while Lee Know chose a double-breasted blazer featuring red buttonhole details on the lapels.
Rappers Changbin and Han coordinated in matching button-ups featuring a translucent classic Tommy Hilfiger Ithaca stripe, highlighted with a gold floral button at the top. As for I.N and Seungmin, they were attired in satin suits paired with cotton shirts.