In an emotional and historic moment, Stray Kids took home their very first MAMA Daesang (grand prize) at the 2025 MAMA Awards, held on November 29 at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. The group won Album of the Year, marking a major milestone in their career.
Leader Bang Chan was visibly overwhelmed as he addressed the audience:
“Since our trainee days, we always dreamed of being on the MAMA stage. To now receive a Daesang here feels unreal. I want to tell our members they’ve done an amazing job. We’ve been through so much together, and we’ve comforted and supported each other along the way. Sharing our music and performances with fans around the world has truly been a blessing.”
He continued by expressing gratitude to everyone who supported their journey:
“We’ve got so many people to thank—J.Y. Park PD-nim, all the JYP family, our staff, our families and friends, and of course, our fans, STAY. You are our strength. We want to gift this big award to you. Thank you.”
Seungmin, another member of the group, reflected on their path:
“The road we’ve walked hasn’t been easy. We’ve faced so many crossroads and made countless difficult choices. But that’s how the eight of us came this far. I want to thank our members. From the beginning, we carried each other’s dreams equally on our shoulders. And none of this would’ve been possible without STAY supporting us from behind and in front.”
Seungmin also addressed the recent tragedy in Hong Kong, where a devastating fire in the Tai Po district claimed over 128 lives:
“We offer our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. We hope our music and presence can bring some comfort and encouragement, even just a little. Just like our name, Stray Kids, we often feel lost too. But we want to be remembered as a group that stood by you in moments you loved—without regrets.”
The awards ceremony was held under a somber tone, following the fire that cast uncertainty over the event’s continuation. While the red carpet was canceled, the main show went ahead as planned, with adjustments made to honor the mourning period in Hong Kong.
Stray Kids’ heartfelt speeches and raw emotion resonated deeply with fans and the industry alike, cementing their position not just as global K-pop stars, but as resilient artists who have weathered challenges to reach new heights.
Sources: Daum