Stray Kids has made history once again on the U.S. Billboard charts. With their fourth studio album 'KARMA', they set a record for the first time in 'Billboard 200' history, achieving seven consecutive entries at number one.
In response to the saying that "destiny is given," they declared, "We will carve out our destiny," and destiny responded with the lucky number 7 over the seven years they have dedicated themselves. Stray Kids' 2025 is particularly linked with the number 7. Like Stray Kids, who enjoy witty wordplay such as 'GO生' (Go Life), 'IN生' (In Life), 'NOEASY' (No Easy), and '合 (HOP)' (Hop), their journey to becoming the protagonist of a new history on Billboard can be analyzed through the number 7, the English word chill, and the word seven.
# World tour 'dominATE' that spans 7 laps around the Earth
Stray Kids launched their largest world tour to date, 'Stray Kids World Tour < dominATE >', which covers a distance of more than 285,000 km, equivalent to seven laps around the Earth, starting from Seoul in August 2024 to Rome in July 2025. In the United States, they held 12 stadium performances in 9 cities, proving their overwhelming popularity and influence as a representative of K-pop in the homeland of pop music. Compared to their first entry into stadium venues during the encore of 'Stray Kids 2nd World Tour 'MANIAC'' after performing in local arena-level venues from 2022 to 2023, the rapid growth and status of Stray Kids in the U.S. can be vividly felt in just two years.
Between the two tours, Stray Kids added four more number ones on 'Billboard 200', setting a record in the 69-year history of the chart, and achieved three entries on the 'Hot 100'. They were honored with awards at major U.S. music award ceremonies such as the MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, and increased their presence with local fans through large music festivals, including the Global Citizen Festival and Lollapalooza Chicago. Stray Kids, who have formed a powerful fandom in the U.S., became the 'first K-pop artist' to perform at Seattle's T-Mobile Park, Orlando's Camping World Stadium, Washington D.C.'s Nationals Park, and Chicago's Wrigley Field during the '< dominATE >' tour, and they became the 'first artist in the world' to hold two consecutive shows at Arlington's Globe Life Field, leaving a distinct mark.
# Stray Kids' unique musical color, 'chill' and 'seven'
After successfully completing their unprecedented world tour and returning home, Stray Kids released a new regular album after more than two years, emphasizing their 'musical color' above all. As a self-producing group that has worked on all albums since their debut, they wanted to introduce even more diverse musical colors to the world. They discussed trying new genres and revisiting genres they had cherished, aiming to refresh their musical palette. The new song 'CEREMONY' is a product of this process, showcasing a strong trap EDM track that Stray Kids is debuting for the first time as a title song.
They expressed, "When I feel that everyone is putting in their all with one heart, it's an indescribable feeling that sets my heart on fire," and "All eight members are crazy about music, the stage, and the team itself called Stray Kids." The music they have written with burning passion and energy feels cool yet gives off a chill feeling of leisure and confidence. The grand celebratory song 'CEREMONY', which affirms that the time they earnestly worked has returned as good karma and brought about today's Stray Kids, evokes the beautiful paradise that they look down upon from their elevated status. The unique musical color of Stray Kids, created with a chill vibe, once again captivated the hearts of K-pop fans worldwide.
# Stray Kids achieves 'seven consecutive entries at number one' in the '70-year history' of the U.S. Billboard 200
Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N have gained high marks on the U.S. music charts with their studio album 'KARMA' and its title track 'CEREMONY', raising expectations for a new Billboard record. 'CEREMONY' entered the Spotify Daily Top Song U.S. chart at its highest position of 49, and according to data collected from August 22 to August 24, 'KARMA' debuted at number 5 on the Spotify Top Album U.S. chart, while 'CEREMONY' debuted at number 2 on the Top Song U.S. chart, setting records left and right.
Ultimately, they shattered the record for first-week sales in the U.S., reaching the number one position on 'Billboard 200' for the seventh time as of September 6. Stray Kids is the first artist ever to enter the chart with seven works in the 'Billboard 200', which started in March 1956. They hold the record for the most number ones on the 'Billboard 200' by a K-pop artist and are the only K-pop artist to reach number one on that chart this year. Additionally, they rank 52nd on the 'Hot 100', 1st on the 'Artist 100', and are the first K-pop group to rank on the 'Top Streaming Albums', making their mark across 16 categories on the latest Billboard charts, becoming the proud owner of a golden monument.
The new album 'KARMA' tells a story of the belief that one can shape their destiny through choices and actions. Stray Kids, who have consistently chosen music without hesitation, have reaped valuable rewards in 2025 as they celebrate their 7th anniversary since debuting. The eight members, who started as seedlings, have grown into a deep-rooted tree, and the relentless efforts they have embraced as their destiny shine brilliantly in what they have achieved today.
[Photo provided by JYP Entertainment]
[OSEN]