Stray Kids’ “Controversial” Daesang Win At “2025 MAMA Awards” Hit With Backlash

Stray Kids‘ latest Daesang win during the MAMA Awards on November 29 has sparked heated reactions from international netizens.

The JYP Entertainment boy group were awarded one of the four major awards of the night, the “Album of the Year” trophy. This year, amid their ongoing tour, Stray Kids released their fourth studio album titled Karma.

The release achieved numerous digital and physical successes. Karma broke the highest single-day streams by K-Pop album in 2025 on Spotify with over 18.26 million streams. Meanwhile, Hanteo Chart reported that the album sold over two million copies on the first day of release.

Despite these achievements, international netizens did not agree with Karma being awarded “Album of the Year” by Mnet. Many claimed that the album did not have enough domestic success.

Not a single song from the album has entered Melon and got Daesang Album of the Year. Live with this fact https://t.co/8f0Cg1TAlB

— Binacolum🌕 (@kpop_stanAlw) November 29, 2025

The award that sparked tears among the Stray Kids members on November 29 sparked heated backlash among netizens instead.

Like this tweet if you have never listened to this album https://t.co/DjeWsKLyzR

— sira (@bxsira) November 29, 2025

Is it just me, or have I never heard this album?

— 🧣 (@corneil_ri) November 29, 2025

Album of the year used to mean something …damn

— nana (@soundofnana_) November 29, 2025

undeserved, their music is trash

— ؘ (@jwfobic) November 29, 2025

Some netizens even suggested one of the biggest reasons Stray Kids won over other nominees, such as SEVENTEEN, was their attendance and performance at this year’s MAMA Awards.

In conclusion, if you come to the event, you win https://t.co/Egubjs7V0w

— han's (@hansolvcmine) November 29, 2025

No 1 not winning? Just because they couldn't attend? LMAO !! MAMA be less predictable please! https://t.co/JbJBaU0CAM

— Jane😺 (@13dandlIons_17) November 29, 2025

Stray Kids