Stray Kids attended this year’s Met Gala in New York City as ambassadors for the fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger. While the event is considered one of the biggest nights in fashion, the boys’ experience highlighted deeper issues of racism.
Videos from the red carpet show the photographers directing the group in a disrespectful manner, telling them to “stand straight” and that they “look crooked.” Things escalated when the photographers began mocking the members’ facial expressions and making overtly discriminatory comments. One said they had “never seen so many unemotional faces” while others joked that the group was “going to start performing.”
Perhaps the most offensive moment was when a photographer shouted “arigato” (thank you in Japanese) at the Korean group. Leader Bangchan, who is Australian, quickly gathered the members and guided them off the carpet following the rude remarks.
The incident sparked outrage online, with many condemning the racist undertones in the photographers’ behavior. Comments defended Stray Kids, saying other American celebrities don’t face the same disrespect when posing seriously. Fans drew comparisons to past racism experienced by BTS and other K-pop artists, highlighting this as an ongoing issue in the international media.
Amid the controversy, Stray Kids is preparing new music, including a collaboration with Charlie Puth set for release this week. The group will also drop a full album in July after an eight-month hiatus. While the Met Gala should celebrate style, Stray Kids’ experience underscores the deeper discrimination that Korean artists still face on the global stage.
