Stray Kids will meet with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and South кσяєαn President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday (September 24) as part of the South кσяєαn leader’s official visit to the National Palace — the presidential residence in мєχι¢σ City. President Sheinbaum confirmed the K-pop group’s participation as the two countries work to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
In its report on the event, Billboard commented: “Stray Kids will become the second K-pop group to meet with the president of мєχι¢σ this year, following the global giant BTS. During BTS’ visit last May, the members appeared on one of the balconies of the presidential residence and waved to approximately 50,000 fans waiting for them in the Zócalo, according to figures from the мєχι¢σ City government.”
Although this was initially just a piece of news related to diplomacy, the Mexican president’s remarks that same morning υиєχρє¢тє∂ly sparked a major debate among fans.
Specifically, during her Thursday morning press conference (local time), when asked about Stray Kids’ upcoming appearance, Claudia Sheinbaum said: “The group coming is called Stray Kids. They’re kind of like BTS, but younger.” She went on to elaborate: “I don’t know if they’re boys and girls — they’re young, younger than the members of BTS.”
What seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary comparison quickly became a topic of debate on social media!
Some ARMYs interpreted the Mexican president’s reference to BTS while introducing Stray Kids as a sign of BTS’ particularly strong position in the Mexican market, while also accusing Stray Kids of trying to recreate the moment BTS previously had at the National Palace but failing to do so. Some also interpreted the phrase “like BTS, but younger” in a mocking way.
One comment read: “So after begging and trying so hard to recreate BTS’ moment at мєχι¢σ’s National Palace, Stray Kids are finally going to be there, and even the president is saying, “It’s like BTS, but smaller.” Even they know who they’re trying to copy.”
Another comment stated: “Its so embarαѕѕing guys i REALLY would be incredibly ashamed if our BTS were represented like that like "They're good but not good enough as".”
On the other side, some STAYs argued that these interpretations had gone too far. Saying that the members are younger than BTS is a literal description: Stray Kids’ members are indeed younger than the BTS members. They also pointed out that the group was invited to take part in the official visit while they were already in мєχι¢σ for their STRAYCITY concerts on September 25–26, rather than having “begged” for the opportunity.
One opposing comment read: “They were invited from korean president, its really not that deep, they are copying anyone, nor would they want to”.
Some overly aggressive fans even interpreted the Mexican president’s comparison as implying that BTS are old. One particularly hostile comment read: “Cry more dumbfvck. She called your fav a hag”.
Continuing the discussion, some people pointed out that the Mexican president’s remarks had already made her preference for BTS quite apparent, especially as, immediately after the comparison, she expressed anticipation for BTS’ return to мєχι¢σ in 2027: “And we also expect the arrival of BTS in мєχι¢σ again in 2027”. She also pointed out that South кσяєα and мєχι¢σ are moving forward with plans to establish a K-pop culture center — which some fans viewed as a direct result of the event that saw 50,000 pαѕѕionate fans gather at Zócalo simply to welcome BTS.
The contrast between the president’s apparent lack of familiarity with Stray Kids — to the point that she was unsure whether the group consisted of boys or girls or who exactly they were — further highlighted what some fans saw as an obvious reality: “BTS PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL”. A comment wrote: "You can write your name on BTS building, you can paint your name over BTS graffiti or posters, you can even try to recreate BTS moment...but you can NEVER BE BTS!!!"
Still, some neutral fans believe that supporters of both groups should not let the issue turn into a broader fanwar, as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum herself has previously made controversial statements and taken controversial actions. One example cited by fans was her decision to contact the South кσяєαn president in this May to request additional BTS concerts after demand for tickets exceeded supply, rather than addressing the issue of tickets being resold on the black market.
