K-Town Stars Took Over Met Gala 2024- Here’s What Unfolded

All the members of Stray Kids made their debut at Met Gala 2024 and BLACKPINK’s Jennie attended it for the second time this year.

On May 6, the fashion and entertainment industry witnessed the most extravagant gala that takes place on the first Monday of May every year, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The gala follows a theme every year and this year’s theme of the Met exhibit was ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’. The exhibit theme focuses on how technology can breathe new life into clothes that are too fragile to be worn again. The dress code for the event was ‘The Garden of Time’, inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story of the same name, symbolizing the eternal cycle of creation and destruction. The theme of the exhibit emphasized on the old and the new while the dress code had dystopian undertones based on the J.G. Ballard’s short story.

Ballard’s narrative explores the enigmatic concept of a garden where time flows unpredictably, offering moments of both beauty and decay. Attendees were expected to interpret the theme through costumes reminiscent of flowers, butterflies, vibrant colors and even a touch of dystopia.

The Met Gala has been a platform where fashion meets art, and we K-pop stars have left their impact on the red carpet. Some of the notable appearances over the last few years have been EXO’s Lay, Psy, SuperJunior’s Siwon, CL, NCT’s Johnny and Rose from BLACKPINK among others.

K-pop’s presence at the Met Gala has steadily grown over the years, culminating in Stray Kids’ historic attendance this year as the whole group made their debut at the fashion Oscars.

On the fashion front, Stray Kids exuded sophistication in custom-made suits by Tommy Hilfiger, reflecting their role as brand ambassadors. The brand stayed true to their red, blue and white palette and added botanical details on the outfits of each member. They donned long coats earning them the accolade of “best dressed” by British GQ.

Jennie being the queen of mini dresses turned heads in a cobalt blue custom Alaïa dress which required 200 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. The dress featured an intricately draped hemline with an asymmetrical abdominal cutout, and a one-sleeve shoulder that extended into a floor-length train.She accessorized her look with pearl drop earrings and a gold and pearl waist chain. Jennie’s dress evokes the refreshing blue lake mentioned in the short story.

This was Jennie’s second appearance on the Met Gala red carpet. Last year, she walked the Met in a vintage white mini dress from Chanel.

Despite the colorful spectacle of the gala, the atmosphere soured when paparazzi directed racist comments towards Stray Kids. Insensitive remarks such as “I have never seen such unemotional faces in my life” and the use of “arigato,” which is a Japanese greeting, sparked outrage among fans.

whether you are a fan of stray kids or not, NO ONE should have to be on the receiving end of such racist and vile commentary from photographers
pic.twitter.com/XeYs8weJzP

— kelly⁷ (@y00niverse) May 7, 2024

Swiftly, supporters took to social media platforms to condemn the paparazzi’s behavior, emphasizing the need for professionalism and respect. Fans were quick to call them out and flood twitter with posts and comments on how unprofessional the paparazzi was.

Can anybody spread this?? Are paparazzi always this rude…literally after this he said I bet they’re gonna start performing hello?? #StrayKids_MetGala #StrayKids #MetGala pic.twitter.com/EJJl72oWAU

— SWEATING 4 TAERAE (@VentisWap) May 6, 2024

Fans even went as far as hacking a photographer’s website in protest. Vogue UK also received criticism from fans for publishing an article that included an ex member’s name.

The Met Gala 2024 showcased the intersection of fashion, entertainment, and cultural diversity, with Stray Kids and Jennie making memorable appearances on the renowned red carpet. However, the event also highlighted the ongoing challenges of combating racism and promoting inclusivity in the fashion and entertainment industries.

Written by– Sneha Choudhury

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