(2nd LD) Stray Kids-Billboard
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| ▲ K-pop boy group Stray Kids poses during a press conference at a Seoul hotel to mark the release of its fourth full-length album, "Karma," on Aug. 22, 2025. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Boy group Stray Kids is seen in this photo provided by JYP Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This image provided by Netflix is a scene from its hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Stray Kids performs during the Rome stop of its latest world tour, in this undated file photo provided by JYP Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(2nd LD) Stray Kids-Billboard
(2nd LD) Stray Kids earns 7th Billboard 200 No. 1
(ATTN: UPDATES with reaction from band in 4th para)
SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy group Stray Kids has claimed its seventh No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart with its new album, "Karma."
"Karma" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, replacing Morgan Wallen's "I'm the Problem," Billboard said in a chart preview released Sunday (U.S. time).
It marks the group's seventh No. 1 on the chart, following "Oddinary" and "Maxident" in 2022, "5-Star" and "Rock-Star" in 2023, and "Ate" and "Hop" in 2024.
"It's unbelievable, and we're stunned. It's such an honor and a marvel," the group said through its agency, JYP Entertainment. "We sincerely thank Stay and everyone who loves our music," it added, referring to the name of its global fandom.
With the achievement, Stray Kids outdid BTS for the most No. 1s among K-pop acts on the Billboard 200.
Stray Kids became the only act in Billboard history to see all seven of its albums debut at No. 1 on the chart.
"Last year, when 'Hop' debuted atop the list, Stray Kids became the first act to debut at No. 1 with their first six entries in the 69-year history of the chart. With 'Karma's arrival, they extend that record," Billboard said.
The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
Of the 313,000 units earned by Stray Kids, 296,000 came from physical album sales, the most in the group's history, while SEA and TEA units comprised 16,000 and 1,000, respectively.
The "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack ranked No. 2 for the fifth consecutive week and the sixth time overall.
The album earned 125,000 equivalent album units for the week, up 16 percent from the previous week.
"The gain was boosted by the film's sing-along release in movie theaters and on Netflix and the set's arrival on CD," Billboard explained.
"Karma" is Stray Kids' first full-length album released in two years and two months. It carries 11 tracks, including the lead track, "Ceremony."
Through the album, the members tell their growth narrative of paving their own path without being swayed by the opinions of others or internal conflicts.
Speaking at a recent press conference in Seoul, rapper Changbin said: "Looking back on our early years, we often questioned whether the music we were making was the right path. But thanks to the trust of our members and Stay, we gained confidence and kept working hard. That's how we overcame hardships, and now we're living a dreamlike moment."
The eight-member group has built its popularity on its unique music, primarily led by the group's in-house producer team 3Racha, composed of Bang Chan, Changbin and Han. The group's intense, hip-hop-based music has been nicknamed "mala-flavored music" by K-pop fans.
The group has also steadily grown its international fandom by showcasing strong performance skills at overseas tours and music festivals.
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