JYP Entertainment Under Fire For Its Treatment Of Stray Kids
The Idol Star Athletic Championship (commonly referred to as ISAC) is scheduled to return this year after being temporarily canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Netizens are conflicted about the return of the iconic broadcast, as they both enjoy the entertaining, chaotic moments but are also concerned about their idols’ health.
Stray Kids is one of the groups slated to attend this year’s ISAC, with filming taking place from July 30th through August 1st.
Fans are voicing their displeasure with the new schedule, pointing out how full Stray Kids’ schedule already is. The group has recently held their MANIAC world tour from June 28th through July 14th in the United States.
After a short break, Stray Kids will fly to Japan to hold more concerts on July 26th and 27th.
With ISAC filming, Stray Kids will only have a two-day break before filming from July 30th through August 1st.
Shortly after, member Lee Know will resume being an MC on MBC‘s Music Core (August 8th), and all the members will perform at additional events on August 10th, 11th, 14th, and 20th.
Given Stray Kids’ popularity, fans had been mostly excited to see the group so active, especially since there had been a reasonable rest period without the inclusion of ISAC.
Unfortunately, not only is ISAC dangerous, but some of Stray Kids are already showing signs of injuries from their tour, including Hyunjin‘s confirmed injury that prevented him from using his arm.
Fans believe it would be incredibly unwise for Stray Kids to participate in an athletic competition with injuries while they are already tired, especially since the group won’t have much time after ISAC to rest before performing again.
i think div1 doesn't realize felix, jeongin & lee know JUST had covid which can take a while to fully recover. Felix has his back issue. Hyunjins hand. Chan never sleeps anyway…. like they don't need a schedule jam packed. Let them rest!
— 🏝pam❀ #SSD📌 (@slvttracha) July 23, 2022
skz's health is the most important. i hope jype do something about their schedule 😭 it's sooo hectic, let them rest please 😭
— i.n (@skzgugma) July 23, 2022
If you do not schedule proper rest and breaks for your body, your body will eventually do it for you and it’ll most likely be at the most inconvenient time. I need Div1 to let them rest and heal properly, but I also need them to know that it’s okay to take breaks too.
— ☁︎ (@stayindust) July 23, 2022
Fans are comparing the schedule to when Stray Kids competed in ISAC after pre-recording for their “Levanter” promotions, which left the members sleeping throughout the broadcast.
this also happened back in 2019 when skz had to go film for is@c literally after levanter prerecording (which started SUPER EARLY) and they were visibly super tired there (the members were literally asleep in a few events) plz just let them rest 😭
— 멍 ✦⋆͛ (@dailyseung2) July 23, 2022
In hopes that JYP Entertainment will protect their artists’ health, fans are trending both “#LET THEM REST” and “#Let Stray Kids Rest” on Twitter.
I mean it’s trending in America😭
Both
Let them rest
Skz on ISAC pic.twitter.com/6BiN8YlhaO— 🔩☻ americano chowa chowa chowa ☻🔩 (@hyunjinandme08) July 23, 2022
“let them rest” & #LetStrayKidsRest is trending rn … div1 are u seeing this??? pic.twitter.com/Kc0ADHNMqk
— trisha (@sujshalee) July 23, 2022
At this time, there is no further word from JYP Entertainment about Stray Kids’ upcoming schedules.
