Catching strays, as some would say.
32 minutes ago
Stray Kids members are receiving heated backlash after attending a state-organized event.
Stray Kids | @Stray_Kids/Twitter
On April 3, KST, a state luncheon celebrating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France was held at the Blue House. Many prominent political figures, as well as Korean celebrities, were in attendance.
Stray Kids was the only K-Pop group to attend this event, and the members were seen interacting with the high-profile politicians, including French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife.
와 용복이 멋있다 ! pic.twitter.com/02ZRu7EESz
— 꿀호떡 (@lfy0915) April 3, 2026
Stray Kids’ Hyunjin and Felix pictured with French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. pic.twitter.com/rT8Gx4PDC9
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) January 23, 2026
The group’s appearance at the event has been met with scathing criticism from international fans. A lot of French fans of the group took issue with Stray Kids associating with the President and the First Lady, pointing out their regressive politics, especially regarding women’s rights and Islamophobia.
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and seeing them using our Kids to clear their disgusting reputation is a big ❝ no ❞ to me and shouldn’t be celebrated at any cost.
free my Stray Kids, genuinely. I’m so mad right now, seriously.
— 👑 pic.twitter.com/TNZ2OKJNlm
— fan,, SKZ Bubble 🫧 (@0325bubble) April 3, 2026
For STAY who are not French, here’s how Brigitte Macron spoke about the feminists who came to protest against this comedian accused of rape. pic.twitter.com/cZF0SgclU2
— ❀ (@bahngmeret) April 3, 2026
macron is a raging islamophobe and his wife is a islamophobic pedophile. I would eliminate myself before I attend a meeting with him
— mary 🍉 (@HUHFEATHOPE) April 3, 2026
Some fans came to the group’s defense, arguing that they were sent there by their label to simply represent their country and couldn’t act freely.
they can’t even take pictures with other celebrities and you think they’re able to talk about politics?
their company has been censoring and controlling skz as well as using them as political propaganda since 2019 so maybe do some research before saying such ignorant statements https://t.co/EgAKJBl396
— dia (@d1ament_) April 3, 2026
However, others countered stating that if K-Pop idols could rub shoulders with politicians in this manner, they can also speak up on important issues. Otherwise, the argument sounded hypocritical.
skz posing with those vile politicians dsn’t make them have the same opinions but it does make them look real shitty, they can’t speak up about politics but can have dinner with politicians and do these kinda events is very hypocritical, call them out wo picking nd choosing
— dibs (@dibsondiva) April 4, 2026
“B-b-but kpop idols can’t speak about Palestine … its political” https://t.co/DWpsZW752c
— ً (@jihadbian) April 3, 2026
what happened to k-pop isn’t political?? it sure looks like it is. groups can attend summits with racist presidents and politicians but can’t speak about a genocide https://t.co/sABpUzkaBf
— 7th year: mary 🍉 (@ItsSundayDriver) April 4, 2026
tired of skz being associated with horrible people. “but the company!” the company can’t be an excuse all the time these are grown ass men.
— ezra⁵ ⋆˙ ⚓︎ (@str4yez) April 3, 2026
Finally, many fans also expressed concern about how K-Pop idols like Stray Kids were actively being used to whitewash images of politicians.
twitter is the only place where well articulated sentences get misinterpreted.
you can say “idols shouldn’t be used as props at presidential events” and somebody will say “so you’re racist and think they should be ashamed of their country?”
no bitch that’s a whole new sentence
— ⌞oat⌝ (@irinocat) April 3, 2026
These are the last posts of M4cr0n…. Proves my point and all french stays points btw when we say kpop idols are used to make us like these politicians 💀💀 https://t.co/Qtq6gpreAo pic.twitter.com/D1wOGtYqHg
— Don ฅᐢ..ᐢ₎♡ (@lixboo96_) April 3, 2026
Stray Kids