American Publication Slammed Over “Tone Deaf” Article About Stray Kids

A recent article by the American publication, The Seattle Times, has sparked fury among Stray Kids fans for its allegedly xenophobic tone.

Stray Kids | JYP Entertainment

On May 25, the news outlet published a review of the JYP Entertainment boy group’s latest concert at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Though the article appeared to praise Stray Kids’ performances overall, some sections have ticked off many readers.

SEATTLE IS ROCKINGGGG #dominATE_Seattle pic.twitter.com/63DfBkoA4x

— Nobel💋♥️ (@NobelKnowBell) May 25, 2025

In one of the early paragraphs, the writer mentioned that the group was “practically grown in a lab,” while comparing the reach of American pop music with that of K-Pop.

K-pop might not be quite as ubiquitous as American pop music, but it’s growing fast and is incredibly popular with Gen Zers. Stray Kids in particular were practically grown in a lab to appeal to Generation TikTok’s anemic attention spans. With eight members, the pace of each song performed on Saturday was frenetic, as the performers traded the spotlight constantly, each getting their literal 15 seconds of fame at a time — often not even that long.

— The Seattle Times

This particular section has caused significant outrage against the publication among K-Pop fans, who felt that it was a “tone-deaf” and “xenophobic” way of presenting the point.

Am I too woke or is this kinda xenophobic https://t.co/z25lOvfLj5 pic.twitter.com/WI1dcPNfr6

— 𐙚᭄ (@_lyneho) May 26, 2025

this journo has been writing for them for TWELVE YEARS and doesn't realise how this sounds?? the world is not kind enough to its racial minorities for this to be anything except demeaning https://t.co/ySTcgstH8J pic.twitter.com/xrtr1t92Xf

— els 🧸 ₊˚⊹ 合༄.° (@starlightseung) May 27, 2025

yeah this is definitely not xenophobic or condescending in any wahy https://t.co/j7mJkMVfAU pic.twitter.com/yoFv1s5NFs

— ⋆°•★⋆ blue mænie ⋆★•°⋆ 🍉🫐🍓 (@blueeme21) May 26, 2025

you're fucking gross https://t.co/0nCDcIp6ic pic.twitter.com/S25pDU2f8G

— nyx🍉 (@twominiverse) May 26, 2025

Some also criticized the writer’s description of Stray Kids’ songs as one big hook.

Despite their popularity, talent and undeniable aura, eight members really is a lot to balance, and the end result was that a lot of Stray Kids’ songs felt like an all-out assault on the senses. At times, it also raised the question: If an entire song is a hook, does it even have one?

— The Seattle Times

Fans felt that this critique was unwarranted and called out the publication for it.

What a shameful article! I’ve never read something like that. It seems like the person who wrote it didn’t even try to research anything about the group. There are so many lies and absurd statements here that it shocked me. @seattletimes should be ashamed to post this https://t.co/jDOB6cnYNd pic.twitter.com/sRco8HdLXa

— Juju 𝜗𝜚 (@hyunbylix) May 26, 2025

this is an unprofessional article that clearly shows the journalist’s narrow view of kpop. stray kids have experimented with more than 40+ genres in their music and they self-produce their entire discography. to dismiss their songs as being just the « hook » is so icky. https://t.co/NRmGSenmf9

— bibi❣️is seeing skz ⋆｡°✩ (@honeyyhyunee) May 26, 2025

Way to fail, Seattle Times. Here's hoping your tone deaf article doesn't make them second guess coming back this way. This isn't just some bubblegum pop with no depth, and the audience isn't just teenagers. https://t.co/eLLgQVw5XW

— Author Miranda K. Darq: Words that Scorch (@mkdarqchylde) May 27, 2025

what on earth is this? seriously? this article completely disrespects stray kids as a group and as artists- it's clear that whoever wrote this must quite dislike them, maybe even k-pop as a whole. https://t.co/jztwgUiLWD pic.twitter.com/4SIJURHmat

— pasta man (seeing skz) (@noeasyness) May 26, 2025

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