Stray Kids new album "HOP" has reached the Number One position on the Billboard 200 albums chart dated December 28. This achievement officially makes Stray Kids the first ever musical act to debut at the top of the chart with their first six charting album entries creating new precedent for global music charting records .
K-pop began gaining a strong presence on the Billboard 200 since June 2018 when BTS's "Love Yourself: Tear" became first K-pop album to achieve first position on the all-genre chart displacing Post Malone’s "Beerbongs & Bentleys". Since this initial crossover success many K-pop groups have dominated on mainstream music channels globally, Billboard included.
K-Pop Continues Record Growth in Chart Performance With Numerous #1 Albums Since 2018
K-pop has established consistent Number One positions on the Billboard 200 each year following the initial 2018 success. Except for 2021 that did not produce a single chart topper there have been multiple Number One K-pop albums or EPs annually. 2023 produced a record high of five Number One albums from Korean groups showcasing the rapid mainstream crossover appeal for global audiences who appreciate unique musical styles. 2022 and 2024 had similar success showcasing four different groups in each year.
The Billboard 200 Chart Spotlights Growth In K-Pop Scene and Lack of Recording Academy Genre Recognition
Many high charting albums within K-pop indicate tremendous influence despite global awareness continuing to expand highlighting the genre as an important contributor to popular music. The Recording Academy does not currently have a specific K-pop category showing that mainstream acceptance may not always indicate full institutional backing for a style that continues to grow in global audience numbers and visibility. Most K-pop entries currently are listed under general pop categories highlighting that the music still requires formal recognition.
Stray Kids Ties With BTS With Six #1 Albums Plus ATEEZ SuperM NewJeans BLACKPINK and TWICE Make Appearances
Stray Kids and BTS both currently share top position each achieving six Number One titles on the Billboard 200 showing tremendous output and influence among groups. ATEEZ follows with two titles proving they are growing into a force of nature with their unique music output. SuperM Blackpink Tomorrow X Together NewJeans and TWICE all boast one Number One title proving K-Pop as a genre shows strong overall results across many of its various musical groups. This shared success demonstrates the deep bench and variety in the ever expanding K-pop music scene that spans beyond traditional music genres with very specific sound quality.
Stray Kids Breaks Records: "HOP" Debuts at Number One with a New Milestone for Initial Charting Success
Stray Kids released album called "HOP" debuted at the very top spot of Billboard 200 and made them the first music act that achieved six chart topping records during all album release which are the first six album entries by any musical act ever to debut at number one on the charts. Previously Stray Kids albums called "Oddinary" and "Maxident" were released in 2022 which charted at first position and later "Rock Star" and “5-Star” in 2023 both hitting top rankings showing their chart power was consistent through album release cycles. Additionally album “ATE” achieved number one at start of 2024 proving consistency with every release.
The previous record was shared with the late rapper DMX whose initial five records also debuted at Number One but not six in total showing Stray Kids pushed new limits in album sales charting during initial release. "HOP" entered at the top position amassing 187000 equivalent album sales comprised of 176000 pure album sales and additional 10000 through streaming while additional 1000 sales came through track equivalent measures according to Luminate which showcases specific details within current album charting structures. This data showcases album sales combined with streaming numbers which contributes to the total number of units.
Top Five Albums Feature Kendrick Lamar Taylor Swift Sabrina Carpenter Michael Bublé Alongside K-Pop Dominance
Kendrick Lamar’s "GNX" held at the Number Two spot with over 100000 units with Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” falling to number three totaling approximately 85000 units demonstrating album popularity during December music release cycles. Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” moved up to the fourth position from prior weeks amassing approximately 69000 units sold along with Michael Bublé’s Christmas collection increasing from seven to five with close to 68000 sales confirming the varied landscape that currently appears across music fans. These popular chart topping artists are now sharing a top chart list along with the Korean groups which showcases that all musical styles can have crossover appeal in popular charts as it stands.
Bing Crosby’s compilation of Ultimate Christmas climbed from eight to six totaling approximately 65000 units in sales along with Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas" moving from 14 to 10 having over 56000 in sales and proving consistency in holiday themed music charting through December. These two timeless classic albums that always tend to climb the charts through holiday season every single year creating new benchmarks every single year by providing some traditional musical offerings with contemporary musical tastes .