On November 29, Stray Kids appeared at the 2025 MAMA held at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong, delivering an outstanding performance and achieving a historic win for “Album of the Year (Daesang)” for their fourth album KARMA, marking the group’s first Daesang since their debut in 2018, as well as winning Fan’s Choice – Top 10 Boy Groups.
Stray Kids’ leader Bang Chan revealed in their Daesang acceptance speech the hardships the group faced, saying: “The road wasn’t easy… Thank you to our fans for giving us the strength to keep going. We will continue to give you energy around the world.”
On the same day, the group delivered a full 10-minute stage performance combining CREED + Chk Chk Boom + 신선놀음 (DIVINE) + CEREMONY (Hip Hop Version), which was watched by over 500,000 people online.
A Korean netizen wrote: “One of the most touching acceptance speeches recently. Did this group go through ups and downs? It wasn’t a special speech, but calmly covered important points, and finally said what they wanted to say for a long time. You can feel the sincerity, which truly makes you want to congratulate them. Expressing emotions without stuttering, and connecting it to the Hong Kong fire with comforting and encouraging words is touching. They really earned my admiration. I support them, congratulations, congratulations.”
Another added: “Congratulations!!!! I know how hard they’ve worked, which makes it even more commendable.”
However, with Stray Kids’ Daesang win, previous controversy surrounding member Hyunjin resurfaced. A netizen on The Q forum referenced a school bullying and violence scandal, saying: “For the first time in K-pop history, a member with a school violence scandal wins the Daesang.”
Hyunjin’s alleged scandal emerged in February 2021, when he was accused of “school bullying and sexual harassment” by a former high school classmate (Seoul Performing Arts High School). The victim claimed Hyunjin “pushed her, insulted her, and grabbed her chest and thigh” in 2018 (at age 18). No solid evidence was provided, but text messages and indirect testimonies were shared.
At the time, Stray Kids’ company suspended Hyunjin for one month for investigation. Later, the victim admitted to “exaggeration” and revealed she didn’t recall details accurately. Hyunjin reportedly met the alleged victims, and the situation ended with a “mutual apology.”
