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2021 Asia Artist Awards: Stray Kids are 1st fourth-gen K-pop boy band to win Daesang

Stray Kids won the 2021 AAA's 'Performance of the Year' Daesang (Grand Prize) for their historic win at Mnet's 'Kingdom: Legendary War' final

The 2021 Asia Artist Awards night was a star-studded event but what also stood out were the performances. The show featured fourth-gen monster rookies, aespa who have captured the world's attention with not one but three consecutive hits since their debut in 2020. The group paid homage to their three songs, 'Black Mamba’, ‘Next Level’, and the 2021 hit single, ‘Savage’ as the group took their first Daesang (Grand Prize) in their career for ‘Stage of the Year,’ becoming one of only four fourth-gen groups to do so.

The group aespa is also the only K-pop group to bag a Daesang so soon after debuting. But the night was special for another fourth-gen group too — a boy band that has dominated everything including charts, sales, music shows as well as reality shows for their stellar performance skills. Who else but the Stray Kids? The K-pop group Stray Kids is JYP Entertainment’s powerhouse group that began 2021 with their first Bonsang (Main Prize) win at the 30th Seoul Music Awards and as the year is coming to an end, the group tops that achievement with their first-ever Daesang (Grand Prize) becoming the first fourth-gen boy group to win such an award.

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Stray Kids' first Daesang

The ‘Performance Kids’ defintely got 'it,' as proved by their first-ever grand prize or Daesang at the 2021 AAA. Interestingly, when Stray Kids won the title of ‘Performance of the Year,’ they became the first fourth-generation K-pop boy group to get a Daesang in K-pop. They were soon followed by NCT127 who won 'Album of the Year' for 'Sticker'.

The night followed with more fourth-generation groups bagging Daesangs but due to the order of the show, aespa and Stray Kids won their trophies before other fourth-gen groups like NCT127, and Stray Kids' labelmates, ITZY. Thus, they became the first girl and boy groups from the fourth-generation of K-pop idols to win Daesangs. Stray Kids took the award and thanked fans saying, “It's an honor and thank you to give us such a great award. Thank you so much to the JYP family. Above all, we will show you a wonderful performance for our precious Stay (their fandom) and be a better influence.”

Stray Kids in 2021

On November 29, Stray Kids released their special Christmas singles album, ‘Christmas EveL’ as a thank you gift to Stays for their immense love and support towards the group in the year 2021. This year, Stray Kids also released their second studio album, ‘NOEASY’ on August 23 that debuted at the top of the Gaon Album Chart, after selling over 1.1 million copies as of August 2021, and certifying the group a million-seller as declared by the KMCA.

With this title, Stray Kids became the first act under JYP Entertainment to sell more than a million copies of an album while their title track on the album, ‘Thunderous’ peaked at Number 33 on Gaon Digital Chart and at Number 80 on Billboard Global 200 with six music show wins even as their music video bagged 100 million views, under 55 days, after its release.

'I am so proud of Stray Kids'

Fans got emotional congratulating the group for their win saying, "FIRST 4TH GEN GROUP TO WIN DAESANG AAAAA IM SO PROUD." One fan said, "U know what if straykids won daesang again they will be the "first and only 4th gen group to have 2 daesangs" yall just imagine them having 2 daesangs. if u want that to happen go to site now and vote. we rly need to decrease the gap. dont let it get bigger pls be consistent." One fan said, "Stray Kids the first 4th gen boy group to win a DAESANG this is insane! 4th gen leaders indeed."

Another fan said, "Good morning to the first 4th gen kpop group to become a million seller, first 4th gen kpop bg to win a daesang, and most streamed 4th gen group this year Smiling face with 3 hearts." One Stay said, "Congratulations @Stray_Kids for winning “Performance of the Year”. First 4th Gen Boy Group to win a Daesang. STRAY KIDS EVERYWHERE ALL AROUS THE WORLD." Another fan congratulated, "Good morning to the first 4th gen kpop boy group to have a daesang!"