Stray Kids became the first generation 4 K-pop group to be on the cover of their digital version of the September US edition cover of Billboard.The eight-member group did an exclusive interview with the American magazine and a special photoshoot. In fact, Billboard will be releasing an exclusive physical collector’s zine, filled with never-before-seen content from the group, just for STAYs.However, fans are not pleased by any of this and have waged a war against Billboard for a disrespectful and offensive interview with the MANIAC singers.From insulting Hyunjin to unfairly comparing them to BTS and insulting Stray Kids' fanbase, Billboard is under fire for quite a few things, more of which is detailed below.Stray Kids v/s Billboard: Fans are not happy about being “teens and tweens” and comparison with BTSbillboard@billboardWith a No. 1 project, two mega-labels behind them and eight undeniable personalities, @Stray_Kids are positioned for superstardom — and sound ready for the challenge. Read the cover story: blbrd.cm/BGeXt9nPurchase the collector's edition zine: blbrd.cm/Ra5BCHm5525018823With a No. 1 project, two mega-labels behind them and eight undeniable personalities, @Stray_Kids are positioned for superstardom — and sound ready for the challenge. 🌟Read the cover story: blbrd.cm/BGeXt9nPurchase the collector's edition zine: blbrd.cm/Ra5BCHm https://t.co/qAAjjv6RynBillboard misfired multiple times in their exclusive interview with Stray Kids. They began by referencing member Hyunjin’s past bullying controversy, which fans deemed was unnecessary and insensitively written.For the unversed, Stray Kids' visual Hyunjin was accused of school violence last year in February following which the member went on a four-month hiatus to reflect on his behavior and he also rendered a public apology upon his return.💘Kai⤮@_PopUpCloud_@hmmm81002920 the article mentioned kwj and the hj hiatus, it also brought up S multiple times which was compleatly unnecessary2387@hmmm81002920 the article mentioned kwj and the hj hiatus, it also brought up 🐝☕️S multiple times which was compleatly unnecessaryFans felt that bringing up Hyujin's past controversy diminshed the group's achievement.Hyunjin 현진 Central@HHJCentral@billboard @Stray_Kids This article is supposed to be about the achievements and success Stray Kids has achieved over the past year. The mention of DISPROVEN allegations against one of the members is highly irresponsible and sickening. Do better as a journalist.80781572@billboard @Stray_Kids This article is supposed to be about the achievements and success Stray Kids has achieved over the past year. The mention of DISPROVEN allegations against one of the members is highly irresponsible and sickening. Do better as a journalist.Not only that, Billboard also disrespected their sold-out MANIC world tour date at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, also name-calling their fans as “teens and tweens,” reducing their incredible and diverse fanbase to nothing.Jacki 💚🖤💗🤍@happyjackii@theastays @billboard For real 🥲 I flew across the country to see them for VIP… never would I have imagined I would be spending that kind of money on men I’m 30. According to Stayville demographics, 67.3% of us are over the age of 19. Who do they think are buying all of these albums?464@theastays @billboard For real 🥲 I flew across the country to see them for VIP… never would I have imagined I would be spending that kind of money on men 😹 I’m 30. According to Stayville demographics, 67.3% of us are over the age of 19. Who do they think are buying all of these albums?MAXIDENT 🔀@strycircus@billboard the part new stays can take away is that they're HOME and these guys have always, always got our back. and there is always something else to their music.and ANYONE can be a stay. age doesn't matter, there are stays younger than 'tweens' and grandma stays and we're all welcome.41@billboard the part new stays can take away is that they're HOME and these guys have always, always got our back. and there is always something else to their music.and ANYONE can be a stay. age doesn't matter, there are stays younger than 'tweens' and grandma stays and we're all welcome.STAYs also found the comparison with BTS unfair.The article compares Stray Kids to their seniors BTS stating that the Gen 4 group would have been more successful if BTS were not promoting as actively and the fact that the Butter singers are now on a break from group activities should allow the group to grow further and become more popular.hyune’s mommy@cinnasungsStray kids are not “filling a void” left by anybody. They’re not “replacing” anybody. They’re just stray kids and that’s it. They’re not anybody else95243628Stray kids are not “filling a void” left by anybody. They’re not “replacing” anybody. They’re just stray kids and that’s it. They’re not anybody elseThe Billboard article also makes a ridiculous comparison between the two stalwart groups’ music. While they credit BTS for paving the way and making K-pop more mainstream in the U.S., the article also states that Stray Kids has experimented with different genres and are not the “standard boyband fare”.Both ARMYs and STAYs are confused by this unwarranted comparison between the two groups, which they felt was unrequired and pointless.STAYs are also upset because the article is dismissive and almost puts down their incredible achievements, implying that they are not as successful as BTS.Wyannnn | MUDDY WATER ENTHUSIAST@wyannerssIt sucks so much because Stray Kids is more than a “replacement” for another group. They are more than whatever that BS article was trying to portray. I’m not surprised that Billboard decided to focus on their growth and history as opposed to artistry for a 1st article.4911It sucks so much because Stray Kids is more than a “replacement” for another group. They are more than whatever that BS article was trying to portray. I’m not surprised that Billboard decided to focus on their growth and history as opposed to artistry for a 1st article.Also, fans felt that name-dropping Bangtan was completely uncalled for and puts a strain on the wonderful sunbae-hobae (senior and junior) relationship the group shares with their seniors, BTS members.sak⁷ ᵛ ˣ ᵛᵒᵍᵘᵉ ᵏ #TeamLY@sriyatoppo@fated0613 @yoongesh He wasn't talking about k-pop generations he was talking about generations as in people boomers and genz stuff. I see nothing wrong in what he said. It's bb fault that they compare every k-pop group with bts. They shouldn't have mentioned them.2279369@fated0613 @yoongesh He wasn't talking about k-pop generations he was talking about generations as in people boomers and genz stuff. I see nothing wrong in what he said. It's bb fault that they compare every k-pop group with bts. They shouldn't have mentioned them.Steff 🇵🇷🐇 MAXIDENT@Lee2MyKnow"Stray Kids have become the right boy band at the right time..."Is the Billboard article implying SKZ is gonna be "the face" of kpop now cz BTS has their hiatus? What? Stop comparing other kpop artists. BTS is always brought up, let them breathe. Skz is still doing incredible403"Stray Kids have become the right boy band at the right time..."Is the Billboard article implying SKZ is gonna be "the face" of kpop now cz BTS has their hiatus? What? Stop comparing other kpop artists. BTS is always brought up, let them breathe. Skz is still doing incredibleSTAYs are absolutely unhappy with Billboard’s irresponsible interview with the eight-member group. They have demanded the article be rewritten and republished to rightfully credit the God’s Menu singers and their amazing achievements.Many fans have also canceled their zine edition of the Billboard interview until the rectifications are not made and a public apology is not rendered to the group and their fans.예린 ⤮@meshinyerin@billboard Hi, @billboard @jasonlipshutz @kwaakreportsSTAY appreciate the feature, but we humbly ask you to remove all unnecessary parts on the cover story as it comes off as disrespectful and insulting to bring up unrelated issues and artists not apart of the focused group62@billboard Hi, @billboard @jasonlipshutz @kwaakreportsSTAY appreciate the feature, but we humbly ask you to remove all unnecessary parts on the cover story as it comes off as disrespectful and insulting to bring up unrelated issues and artists not apart of the focused groupbaddie dev 🏁@ikykminhoStray Kids’ Billboard Article as it should’ve been1713473Stray Kids’ Billboard Article as it should’ve been https://t.co/IqyEwuRMbJ예린 ⤮@meshinyerin@billboard Hi, @billboard @jasonlipshutz @kwaakreportsSTAY appreciate the feature, but we humbly ask you to remove all unnecessary parts on the cover story as it comes off as disrespectful and insulting to bring up unrelated issues and artists not apart of the focused group62@billboard Hi, @billboard @jasonlipshutz @kwaakreportsSTAY appreciate the feature, but we humbly ask you to remove all unnecessary parts on the cover story as it comes off as disrespectful and insulting to bring up unrelated issues and artists not apart of the focused groupErika@wpnmosbI blocked billboard because last year they wrote a rude and unprofessional article about BTS. Today, I unblocked as a Stay to read the article about Stray Kids and see that nothing has changed. They won’t apologise, realise or change. Our bands deserve so much better.231I blocked billboard because last year they wrote a rude and unprofessional article about BTS. Today, I unblocked as a Stay to read the article about Stray Kids and see that nothing has changed. They won’t apologise, realise or change. Our bands deserve so much better.⤮@goIfIefleurvery proud of stray kids for being on billboard due to all their hard work, but i can’t help but say it’s very disappointing how the article for it was written especially regarding its content.93552469very proud of stray kids for being on billboard due to all their hard work, but i can’t help but say it’s very disappointing how the article for it was written especially regarding its content.Following the intense backlash, Billboard have since updated the passage about Hyunjin and have reworded their words more sensitively, but that hasn’t eased STAYs anger at all.⤮@goIfIefleura lot of differing opinions so i’d just like to say that it really was not necessary no matter how much y’all wanna say it was okay. the hiatus has absolutely nothing to do with their growth as artists and it was closed up over a year ago. the easiest way to understand87868a lot of differing opinions so i’d just like to say that it really was not necessary no matter how much y’all wanna say it was okay. the hiatus has absolutely nothing to do with their growth as artists and it was closed up over a year ago. the easiest way to understandFans reminded Billboard that they are one of the biggest generation 4 K-pop groups and undoubtedly one of the best K-pop idols actively working right now.The group also successfully wrapped the American leg of their MANIC world tour with many sold-out shows across the country, with a diverse group of fans showing up to cheer for the group.A talented group like them deserves a better exclusive interview and better treatment meted out to them.In other news, Stray Kids will be making their much-awaited comeback with MAXIDENT on October 7 at 1 pm KST (2:30 pm IST).