For years, Stray Kids were the underdogs.
The loud ones. The “noise music” boys. The self-producing rebels nobody in the mainstream industry knew how to handle.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth STAYs don’t always want to admit:
Stray Kids are no longer the overlooked group fighting for scraps.
They’re one of the biggest acts in K-pop right now.
So why does the fandom still move like they’re battling the world alone?
Let’s talk about it.
The Underdog Narrative That Never Died
Back in their rookie years, the struggle story made sense.
• Survival show origins
• Harsh criticism for their sound
• Constant comparisons
• Awards season snubs
• “Too loud” “Too different” “Too self-produced to be polished”
Fans had to defend Stray Kids every single comeback. Supporting them felt like being part of a mission.
But fast forward.
✔ Million-seller albums
✔ Billboard 200 No. 1s
✔ Headlining major festivals
✔ Global tours selling out
✔ Brand deals and international recognition
That’s not “underrated.” That’s top-tier.
Yet the fandom energy is still: “Nobody respects them.”
And that mindset? It’s starting to clash with reality.
Success Changed Stray Kids — And Some Fans Don’t Like It
Here’s the real tea: Stray Kids’ music has evolved, and not everyone is comfortable saying it.
Early SKZ:
- Raw
- Chaotic
- Angry
- Experimental to the point of being messy
- Songs that felt like emotional breakdowns in beat form
Now?
- More structured production
- Bigger choruses
- Stadium-ready anthems
- Cleaner mixing
- Songs designed for global stages
They didn’t “sell out.”
They leveled up.
But some fans secretly miss when it felt more underground, more niche, more “this is OUR group.”
The irony?
The same people who prayed for their success sometimes feel weird now that the whole world is watching.
The Self-Producing Label — Blessing or Pressure Trap?
Stray Kids’ identity is built on 3RACHA. That’s powerful.
But let’s be honest about something rarely discussed:
Fans use the “self-produced” title as both praise and pressure.
Every comeback comes with:
“They made this themselves!”
“Real artists!”
“Not like other idols!”
That sounds supportive — until it turns into expectations like:
- They can’t experiment “too much”
- They can’t release something simple
- Every song must be deep
- Every concept must be meaningful
- Every lyric must be analyzed like literature
They’re artists, yes.
But they’re also young men growing, changing, and trying new sounds.
Sometimes music can just be fun. Not every track needs to carry the weight of a generation.
Are Fans Protecting Them… or Suffocating Them?
Here’s the controversial part.
STAYs are known as one of the most protective fandoms. And that comes from love. But sometimes that protection turns into:
⚠ Over-defending
⚠ Attacking critics instantly
⚠ Treating any neutral opinion as hate
⚠ Acting like Stray Kids are constantly under attack — even when they’re dominating
When a group reaches this level, criticism comes with the territory. That’s not mistreatment. That’s fame.
Shielding them from every conversation doesn’t make the space healthier. It just makes the fandom look insecure about their success.
And Stray Kids?
They don’t perform like insecure artists. They perform like kings of their lane.
The Truth: Stray Kids Won
Not in a “competition” way — but in a growth way.
They proved:
- Self-producing groups can go global
- Loud, unconventional music has a market
- You don’t need to follow trends to create them
But holding onto the “we’re still fighting to be seen” storyline does something strange:
It keeps fans stuck in the past while the group is already living in the future.