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On Thursday, January 1, the South Korean media outlet Chosun reported that Stray Kids will be releasing a new album, Step Out 2026, followed by a tour this coming year. As the news landed on the internet, several fans celebrated the same. However, many fans of BTS were rather angered by the announcement amid the ongoing promotions of the group's 2026 comeback.
On December 31, BIGHIT MUSIC announced that BTS's long-awaited group comeback following an almost 4-year hiatus will be released on March 20, 2026. Following the same, fans have begun preparing for the same. When Stray Kids' album and tour announcement landed, they stated that it was allegedly a move to imitate or sabotage BTS's 2026 comeback.
As many ARMYs continued to criticize Stray Kids for the timing of their comeback announcement, the netizens fought back. They called out the alleged absurdity in expecting other artists not to promote during BTS's comeback promotions. Fans and other netizens pointed out the double standards for BTS and other K-pop artists, and highlighted the unfairness of the situation.
Here are a few reactions from the internet regarding the same:
"Why are armys so fixated with every single group in Kpop? Is every group just supposed to stop their activities just because BTS is returning in 2026???? BTS are not the only TOP group now and yall just need to f*ckin accept that" said a fanWhy are armys so fixated with every single group in Kpop? Is every group just supposed to stop their activities just because BTS is returning in 2026???? BTS are not the only TOP group now and yall just need to f*ckin accept that
More fans and netizens also expressed their reactions to BTS's fans criticizing Stray Kids' album and tour announcement amid the group's comeback.
Oh I'm sorry armys in the qrts, was the entire kpop industry supposed to just stop all activities because BTS is returning? I'm not getting it.
What I'm getting is no artist can do anything in 2026 because BTS is coming back
armys expecting the whole kpop industry to not release any music in 2026 just bc bts will have a comeback💀
quotes are mad at skz for doing their job which is releasing music for the fans
Others also shared their thoughts and opinions regarding the same.
armys mad when stray kids literally has a comeback every year like
some of y’all should just focus on your faves instead of sticking your nose into posts about a grp you claim to hate
my question is why are we pretending like skz has just disappeared off of the face of the earth and then now that they heard that bts is coming back they're announcing sh*t .. and again this is their JOB!!!!
BTS has some good music, but the whole K-POP industry doesnt have to stop what theyre doing just for BTS to come back. 😭🙏 like be so fr, dont hate on a group just cause they decide to post when your faves do
All you need to know about Stray Kids' recent activities
Stray Kids is a South Korean K-pop boy band housed under JYP Entertainment. The members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N., surpassed the Stray Kids reality survival show held by JYP Entertainment and made it to the debut lineup. They debuted in 2017 with their first EP, I Am Not.
In February 2025, the members kickstarted the year with a three-day fan meeting at the Inspire Arena, SKZ 5'Clock. Aroun March, the released their single album, Mixtape: Dominate, which is the fifth edition of the Mixtape Project series. In June, they rolled out a Japanese EP, Hollow, which held a title track under the same name. In August, they released their fourth studio album, Karma, with its lead single, Ceremony.
They also concluded the DominATE World Tour at Incheon in October. Around November, they released their second mixtape, SKZ IT TAPE, with the title track, Do It and Divive. They also featured on DJ Snake's third studio album, Nomad's track, In the Dark. It was also announced that an exhibition titled, We Stay, Together, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of their Japanese debut.
It will take place in five cities across Japan. On January 1, they announced a new project titled Step Out 2026. Therefore, fans and netizens have been eagerly looking forward to the group's upcoming tour and album activities in 2026.
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Edited by Aishwarya Sai
English (US)