Boy group Stray Kids has cemented their status as “K-pop champions,” dominating the latest Billboard charts with a historic seven consecutive No.1 entries on the Billboard 200.
According to Billboard’s official website on September 3 (local time), Stray Kids entered 16 categories on the September 6 chart with their 4th full-length album “KARMA” (released August 22) and its title track “CEREMONY.” Recording their best-ever first-week U.S. sales of 313,000 copies, the group secured their seventh No.1 on the main album chart Billboard 200. They are the only K-pop act to top the chart this year and hold the record for the most No.1s among K-pop artists overall.
In particular, since the chart’s inception in March 1956, Stray Kids are the first artists in the world to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200 with seven consecutive projects—a truly historic achievement.
On the Billboard Hot 100, widely considered a measure of mainstream popularity in the U.S. music market, “CEREMONY” debuted at No.52, marking the group’s fourth entry on the chart. Stray Kids also claimed No.1 on the Artist 100, achieving their sixth double crown across Billboard 200 and Artist 100 following “ODDINARY,” “MAXIDENT,” “★★★★★ (5-STAR),” “ATE,” and “SKZHOP HIPTAPE HOP.”
The group further swept No.1 on Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, World Albums, World Digital Song Sales, and Dance Digital Song Sales, while also ranking No.8 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S., No.10 on Billboard Global 200, and becoming the first K-pop group ever to chart on the Top Streaming Albums list, which launched in October 2023.
Having written a new chapter in U.S. pop history, Stray Kids expressed gratitude through their agency JYP Entertainment:
“This honorable record gifted to us by STAY (our fandom) will remain unforgettable. STAY always makes us shine brighter. Just as you have made us shine, we will become artists who sparkle even more. We promise to continue sharing good energy with the world, embracing challenges, and repaying your love with music and performances. Thank you sincerely.”
Stray Kids also shone on the Billboard Boxscore Top Tours chart with their record-breaking world tour . In June, during their 10 stadium shows across 8 North American cities, they ranked No.7—the highest placement ever for a K-pop act—following Beyoncé, The Weeknd, and Metallica. In July, after holding stadium concerts in six European countries, they climbed even higher to No.5, again setting a K-pop record.
Written by Lee Seung Hun
Translated by Lee So Yun
