Mnet Accused Of Snubbing Stray Kids, Manipulating Fans, And More

Mnet is receiving criticism from STAYs for allegedly snubbing Stray Kids, using the group’s popularity to manipulate fans, and more.

On October 29, Mnet announced this year’s list of nominee for the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards. Stray Kids is one of several popular K-Pop groups who did not receive nominations. ASTRO, CIX, Dreamcatcher, EVERGLOW, GFRIEND, (G)I-DLE, KARD, LOONA, The Boyz, and more were not nominated this year.

you’re telling me stray kids gave us THIS RANGE in 2020 and mnet still decided to snub them for mama…#MAMAVOTE #StrayKids @Stray_Kids pic.twitter.com/W46gTiW2OV

— ☁️ abbie ☁️ (@oiichanlix) October 29, 2020

Groups/artists that deserved a MAMA nomination but Mnet decided to forget about them.
Apink, Stray Kids, Sf9, Pentagon, Golden Child, The Boyz, ONF, Gfriend, Ha Sungwoon, Park Jihoon, Kim Wooseok OnlyOneOf, AB6IX, Dreamcatcher

— *loulou* (@0Louiselouise2) October 29, 2020

Despite their talent, popularity, and record-breaking music, Stray Kids have not been nominated for a MAMA award since their debut year. In 2018, they were nominated for MAMA‘s “Mwave Global Fan’s Choice” for “My Pace” as well as “Artist of the Year”. They won the award for “Best New Male Artist”.

Can we sit and TALK? Mnet did not invite SKZ to MAMA for 2 years; ESPECIALLY this year when they broke all these records; then today SMTM; THEN Mnet following FAN ACCS having 100 followers but not SKZ; THEN Chart accs being biased; shady; not updating for SKZ…

— Fuck Mnet pinned (@B1SRACHA) October 30, 2020

In addition to allegedly “snubbing” Stray Kids at MAMA, fans are accusing Mnet of using Stray Kids as a form of clickbait for Season 9 of the rap competition show Show Me the Money. Many viewers felt deceived by the show’s editing and advertising.

why put changbin and wooseok as the headline if they didnt make it what the fck mnet????????

— ☾⋆ (@lixiezone) October 30, 2020

mnet after they use changbin in their teaser as a clout: pic.twitter.com/GTNa0nSZwX

— kim | ALL IN ♛ (@pyxelmin) October 30, 2020

Rapper Changbin appeared as a notable contestant, but he was eliminated in the Rapper Selection Round early on in the show.

Fans who are upset by this turn of events are voicing their frustration on social media. Shortly after Changbin’s elimination, “mnet” became a top trending topic on Twitter.

something's up with mnet tbh, god's menu not being nominated for soty? stray kids not being nominated for any award at MAMA? changbin being eliminated from smtm? like i'm sorry but someone's definitely setting this up

— ##lia✰彡 (@minsungfairy) October 30, 2020

I stopped watching smtm as soon as Changbin is eliminated. Really hate the way it is edited and the way mnet is using the idols for their ratings and views. I'm really okay with the result but the evil editing.. sigh

— 김승민해 (@skzseungmin22) October 30, 2020

mnet not following skz but follows everyone in the kpop industry, mnet not inviting skz in mama, mnet using skz for clickbait. mnet do you have any excuses for your actions or you’re just going to admit that you’re skzphobic? 🎤🎤

— sandra. (@skzfifthwin) October 30, 2020

Even so, STAYs are discouraging their fandom from taking their discontent too far. There is a fine line between criticism and hate comments that these fans are urging others not to cross.

eventhought ChangBin and Wooseok got eliminated from smtm9 that doesnt give you a reason to leave hate comments under the producers posts. they messed up and that's it. chill tf down.

— lau🌸 BLASE SMTM9 WINNER (@khxphxp) October 30, 2020

um i really hate how this needs to be said after we constantly mentioned this before the show even started but PLEASE don't spam hate under the IG posts of the producers… please don't send hate to justthis (in regards to changbin and skz), pls don't embarrass skz…

— madiha ✶ jilix au 📌 (@myungbug) October 30, 2020

not ig stays blowing this out of proportion uhm it's "fuck mnet" not "send hate to the producers on smtm through their socials"

— maci (@J1S0UP) October 30, 2020