K-pop sensation Stray Kids has achieved another milestone in their remarkable career, securing their seventh No. 1 debut on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with their latest album "Karma." The achievement not only extends their unprecedented streak but also positions them ahead of BTS as the K-pop act with the most No. 1 albums on Billboard's main albums chart.
"Karma" claimed the top spot on this week's Billboard 200, dethroning Morgan Wallen's "I'm the Problem" from the number one position, according to a chart preview released by Billboard on Sunday. This marks the group's seventh consecutive No. 1 debut, following a series of successful releases including "Oddinary" and "Maxident" in 2022, "5-Star" and "Rock-Star" in 2023, and "Ate" and "Hop" in 2024.
With this latest achievement, Stray Kids has made Billboard history as the only act to debut at No. 1 with all seven of their album entries on the chart. Billboard noted that when "Hop" topped the chart last year, Stray Kids became the first act to debut at No. 1 with their first six entries in the 69-year history of the Billboard 200. With "Karma's" arrival, they have now extended that unprecedented record.
The album's commercial success is reflected in impressive sales figures, earning 313,000 equivalent album units in its first week. Physical album sales dominated the numbers with 296,000 units, marking the highest physical sales in the group's history. Streaming equivalent albums (SEA) contributed 16,000 units, while track equivalent albums (TEA) added 1,000 units to the total.
Meanwhile, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack maintained its strong performance, holding the No. 2 position for the fifth consecutive week and sixth time overall. The animated film's soundtrack earned 125,000 equivalent album units for the week, showing a 16 percent increase from the previous week. Billboard attributed this gain to the film's sing-along release in movie theaters and on Netflix, as well as the soundtrack's availability on CD.
"Karma" represents a significant release for Stray Kids, being their first full-length album in two years and two months. The 11-track album, featuring the lead single "Ceremony," explores themes of personal growth and staying true to one's path despite external pressures and internal struggles. The album serves as a narrative of the group's journey toward self-confidence and artistic maturity.
During a recent press conference in Seoul, rapper Changbin reflected on the group's evolution, stating: "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 their reputation on distinctive music primarily crafted by their in-house production team 3Racha, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. Their intense, hip-hop-influenced sound has earned the nickname "mala-flavored music" among K-pop fans, referencing the spicy and numbing sensation of the popular Chinese seasoning. This unique musical identity has helped differentiate them in the competitive K-pop landscape.
Stray Kids has systematically expanded their international presence through consistent touring and festival appearances, showcasing their powerful performance capabilities to global audiences. Their ability to connect with fans worldwide has been instrumental in building a dedicated fanbase that continues to support their chart-topping releases. The group's success with "Karma" reinforces their position as one of the leading forces in the global expansion of K-pop music.
