Stray Kid’s treatment at the MET Gala sparks controversy, talks of racism

Thanks to a series of videos on TikTok and Instagram, it came to the attention of many fans that Korean-Pop group Stray Kids received rude, racist comments from photographers at last night’s MET Gala, such as comments about the member’s heights and faces. In addition, when the group’s leader Bangchan motioned to the members that it was time to leave, a photog can be heard screaming “How do you say “RUN!” in Korean?”, “Arigato!” (which is JAPANESE), and jokes about catching COVID.

Just saw this video of stray kids at the Met Gala and the level of disrespect from the paparazzi is actually crazy😤. The paparazzi out here acting like the group doesn’t understand english and proceeds to be racist. I hope skz had fun though 💃 pic.twitter.com/POnzuRz5Ao

— the official kpop waltz (@KpopWaltz) May 7, 2024

These three journalists caused the upset and anger of Straykids fans with their racist words at the Met Gala.
This is the moment when Chan tries to get the boys away from this place as soon as possible.
As a fan, I write a few words for these reporters: pic.twitter.com/tl9DMC9cKB

— Kiki (@seemlyking) May 7, 2024

No formal comments have been made by those in charge of the MET Gala, but the controversy has gotten some coverage in Western media such as Billboard, and Korean message boards like PannNate.

EVEN BILLBOARD TALKED ABOUT THE RACIST COMMENTS SKZ RECEIVED AT THE MET GALA OMG ?!?)?!?!!!? pic.twitter.com/tEyToo4H6c

— spy ✰ (@aydomino_) May 7, 2024

SOURCE: Twitter users aydomino_, seemlyking and KpopWaltz.

OP: Mods, I hope sourcing twitter users is okay… the only western media source I’ve seen cover the racism at the event is a banned one, so… I tried!