Seungmin and Hyunjin answered the reporter’s questions.
Koreaboo
2 hours ago
Stray Kids have found themselves at the center of a heated debate after responding to questions about BTS‘s recent decision not to submit their music for Grammy consideration.
| JYP Entertainment
At a press conference for their new mini album THIS & THAT, the group was asked about BTS’s widely discussed “boycott” of the Grammy Awards.
BTS’s Decision For This Year’s Grammy Awards Sparks Massive Response
Last month, all seven BTS members announced they would not submit their new album for Grammy consideration. The decision came after the Recording Academy introduced the new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category, which many believe separates Asian artists from the main award categories instead of treating them equally.
| Rolling Stone
When asked about the situation, Seungmin avoided directly addressing BTS’s decision or the new category. Instead, he said Stray Kids focus on expressing the stories they want to tell through their music rather than paying attention to outside opinions.
When we talk about the music we love, we don’t create performances, write songs, or write lyrics based on outside opinions. We focus on what’s in our hearts. Rather than paying attention to outside noise, we’ve continued to put the colors and stories we want to tell into our music.
We’re truly grateful that K-Pop is receiving so much love around the world, and it reminds us once again of the power of music. Realizing that our music can have an impact on so many people motivates us to keep making music that reaches as many listeners as possible.
— Stray Kids’ Seungmin
| IsPlus
When asked specifically about the new Grammy category, Hyunjin said Stray Kids have never made music with awards or records as their goal.
Since debuting as Stray Kids, we’ve never once promoted with awards or records as our goal. It’ll be the same with this album. We’ll show people everything we’ve got and prove ourselves through our music. Our biggest priority is making our fans happy.
— Stray Kids’ Hyunjin
| OSEN
While the members did not say whether they agreed or disagreed with BTS’s stance, Seungmin’s answer quickly became a hot topic online. Many fans felt he purposely avoided the question entirely.
He was asked about point A, he started talking about point Q
They will take racism for granted and allow themselves to be humiliated
— pookie koo (@noungkove) August 6, 2026
Translation: we are spineless western validation hungry losers that want Grammy no matter how xenophobic or racist it is
— rain (@pipiapiprr) August 6, 2026
he said a whole bunch of nothing https://t.co/4rCsn04ZHQ
— ً (@pearlytrivia) August 6, 2026
They’re beating around the bush so much only for the final conclusion to be “yes, we want that Grammy nomination and we don’t give a damn that they created a new category that segregates all Asian artists.” I wonder why they don’t just say it directly? 🤣 https://t.co/BbAprrpl2B
— Ccyellow (@Ccyellow7) August 6, 2026
beating around the bush to not admit they don’t care about the segregation category as long as they get a nomination, even if it’s a useless category 😭 https://t.co/1kCebWRycz
— mas || arirang living legend ver (@yoongovrt) August 6, 2026
Hyunjin’s answer also faced similar backlash.
oh fuck off😭 https://t.co/3M5ExlYBX3 pic.twitter.com/3DDbfDmSox
— boom 🎈 (@boomrants) August 6, 2026
These idols are such hypocrites. OMG. https://t.co/Hgbfs9Q1R9 pic.twitter.com/Y1W2qrdW3w
— isa (@solmerv) August 6, 2026
if you don’t have a goal then why do you submit to the grammys every year? https://t.co/40gQFT3E02 pic.twitter.com/EIJKbEJlbR
— ً (@pearlytrivia) August 6, 2026
Meanwhile, the group also addressed their upcoming military enlistment during the press conference. You can read all about it below.
Stray Kids’ Military Enlistment Update Sparks Upset
Stray Kids