After a recent fan signing event in Japan, Stray Kids and their fans, STAYs, were dragged into a controversy involving SLBS, a prominent phone case brand and the group’s sponsor. Apparently, SLBS conducted a secret auction to sell clothes worn by the Stray Kids members. This sparked significant outrage among fans and raised questions about privacy and consent.
The incident occurred after the artists and their staff had left the venue. Unbeknownst to the group and their management, SLBS auctioned off the clothes worn by the members during the event. The auction was conducted without any prior consent from JYP Entertainment, leading to an uproar when the details came to light.
Fans quickly took to social media to express their discontent, calling for accountability and transparency from both JYP Entertainment and SLBS. They demanded a clear explanation for the unauthorized auction of the members’ clothing, which many viewed as a violation of the artists’ personal and professional boundaries.
@skzshiper SLBS is SO CREEPY💀☠️ #straykids #leeknow #slbs #JYPEBreakSLBSContract #SLBViolationOfTrust #JYPE_RESPECT_LEEKNOW
A rift between SLBS and Stray Kids
SLBS issued a public apology on Twitter. “We sincerely apologize for the incident and to everyone that had been deeply hurt and disturbed by it, including the attendees, fans who had learned about what had happened through social media, and most importantly, the artist, agency, and all interested parties,” SLBS wrote.
The company explained that they held the auction as a surprise, thinking it would be a nice thing to do for the fans. However, the backlash opened their eyes to the fact that it was completely inappropriate. Expressing regret for the oversight, SLBS said all items sold at the auction would be retrieved. Also, they said all buyers would get a refund.
Despite the apology, many fans felt that the brand’s response was insufficient. Fans argued that it did little to address the issue. Furthermore, the apology disappeared after only a few days. Some also noted that Stray Kids didn’t use their SLBS phone cases during their latest live broadcast, hinting at a potential rift between them and the brand. This observation led to calls for JYP Entertainment to terminate their contract with SLBS, reflecting the depth of STAYs’ displeasure and the perceived breach of trust. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Can you believe SLBS? What they did was foul, no doubt about it. Source: X/@Stray_Kids.