Stray Kids’ “KARMA” Achieves Seventh Consecutive No. 1 on Billboard, Breaks Record
Stray Kids have once again made history on the Billboard charts with their latest album, “KARMA,” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album, released on August 22, 2025, earned the group a massive 313,000 equivalent album units in its first week, marking the highest numbers of their career. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as it makes Stray Kids the first artist in the 70-year history of the Billboard 200 to debut at No. 1 with their first seven chart entries.
Their streak of chart-topping albums began in 2022 with “ODDINARY” and has continued through “MAXIDENT,” “5-STAR,” “ROCK-STAR,” “ATE,” and “HOP.” With “KARMA” generating an impressive 296,000 traditional album sales in its first week, the album also represents the third-biggest debut of 2025 in terms of units and the second-largest sales week of the year.
This achievement signifies a significant growth from their previous releases, with consistent upward momentum across all their albums. Surpassing major acts like BTS, Linkin Park, and Dave Matthews Band, Stray Kids now hold the record for the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart by any group in this century.
“KARMA” is not just a domestic success, as the album has achieved international chart-topping success as well. The album reached No. 1 in countries like France and Germany and secured top positions in various other countries. Additionally, it ranked at No. 22 on the UK Official Albums Chart, No. 3 in the Netherlands, and No. 4 in Australia.
The success of “KARMA” has also brought major industry recognition to Stray Kids. The group received their first-ever Best Group nomination at the 2025 MTV VMAs, competing against other top K-pop acts. Their title track “CEREMONY” also achieved success on Korean music shows, winning on programs such as M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo throughout late August.
The album itself, “KARMA,” is the group’s fourth Korean studio album, featuring 11 tracks with a futuristic sports theme. The concept of the album revolves around “Karma Sports” set in 2081, depicting members as champions competing in a global tournament. The group’s in-house production team 3Racha, along with other collaborators, contributed to writing all tracks, exploring themes of achievement, perseverance, and the celebration of success earned through hard work.
Looking ahead, this historic milestone solidifies Stray Kids’ position as global superstars and sets the stage for continued success. With the group’s growing international influence and the upcoming 2025 MTV VMAs, Stray Kids show no signs of slowing down. This achievement not only represents chart success but also signifies K-pop’s expanding global reach and the ability of authentic artistry to transcend language barriers, with Stray Kids officially etching their name in music history as the first act to achieve this feat on the Billboard charts.