Stray Kids Emerges as the “Next BTS” with Six Consecutive No. 1 Albums on Billboard 200

Stray Kids Achieve Historic Milestone with Latest Album HOP

On December 23, 2023, JYP Entertainment proudly announced that Stray Kids’ latest album, HOP (合), has made a remarkable debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This milestone not only marks their sixth consecutive No. 1 album but also ties them with BTS for the record of most chart-topping albums by a K-pop group on the Billboard 200.

A First in Billboard History

Stray Kids have made history as the first artists in the 69-year existence of the Billboard 200 to debut all six of their albums at the top position, showcasing their unprecedented consistency and appeal in the music industry.

Surpassing Industry Giants

According to a preview by Billboard on December 21, HOP surpassed major competitors, including Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, to secure its position at the summit of the charts.

Impressive Sales Figures

Since the release of their album ODDINARY in 2022, Stray Kids have continuously topped the Billboard 200. Their previous releases include MAXIDENT, ★★★★★ (5-STAR), 樂-STAR (ROCK-STAR), ATE, culminating now with HOP.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks albums based on several factors, including physical album sales, streaming equivalent albums (SEA), and track equivalent albums (TEA). Within the tracking week, Stray Kids’ HOP accumulated a total of 187,000 album units, comprised of 176,000 physical sales (171,000 CDs and 5,000 digital downloads), alongside 10,000 SEA units and 1,000 TEA units. The album also clinched the top spot on the “Top Album Sales” chart.

Innovative Genre and Tracklist

According to JYP Entertainment, HOP introduces a fresh musical format termed “SKZHOP HIPTAPE.” This innovative approach merges the group’s abbreviation “SKZ” with hip-hop elements, offering a dynamic listening experience. The album comprises 12 tracks, featuring fan-favorites like the title track Walkin’ On Water, Bounce Back, U, as well as solo performances by each of the eight members highlighted during their world tour.

Notably, the majority of the album’s lyrics are in Korean, making HOP the 27th non-English language album to ascend to the top of the Billboard 200 chart.

The Broader K-Pop Landscape

With this latest achievement, Stray Kids join an elite group of K-pop acts that have reached the number one position on the Billboard 200, including BTS (six times), ATEEZ (twice), as well as SuperM, BLACKPINK, TXT, NewJeans, and TWICE, bringing the total to eight distinguished groups making their mark on the charts.

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