[All] Stray Kids is able to walk on water through effort.

Stray Kids. (Photo = Courtesy of JYP Entertainment)

The group Stray Kids has set a first-ever record on the US Billboard.

Having become 'history makers' in just 6 years since their debut and 2 years based on Billboard chart entry standards, they have proven their influence and status in the global music market. The world's attention is focused on Stray Kids' every step as they carve their name into global music history and stand at a new starting point.

“Everyday, supernatural” - Lyrics from 'Walkin' on Water'

According to an official announcement by Billboard on the 24th (local time), Stray Kids topped Billboard's main chart, Billboard 200, dated December 28th with their new album Skid Hop Hip Tape 'Hop.' With their sixth No. 1 record, Stray Kids became the first artist to have six consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the chart, which boasts a 69-year tradition since compilation began in March 1956.

Stray Kids announced the beginning of history by entering the 'Billboard 200' chart and taking the top spot with their 2022 mini album 'Ordinary'. In the same year, they succeeded in entering the chart for the fifth time with the mini album 'Maxident', followed by their third full-length album 'Fivestar' and mini album 'Rockstar' in 2023 with the mini album 'Eight' in July of this year. It was a first in Billboard history for a group, and a great record for a global artist, following the famous American rapper DMX.

Since then, Stray Kids has achieved the unprecedented record of entering the Billboard 200 at number one for six consecutive times in just five months, six years since their debut, and only two years based on Billboard chart entry standards, and has become the protagonist of an incredible history.

In particular, they reached the highest point as the K-pop artist with the most number one hits on the Billboard 200 chart and as one of the artists with the most number ones on the chart in the 2000s worldwide. Major overseas media outlets such as Billboard, Forbes, Rolling Stone, and NME also reported on Stray Kids' achievements on Billboard one after another, praising them by saying, "They broke the Billboard 200 chart record" and "They are the first protagonists in Billboard's 69-year chart history to break the glass ceiling."

“I got to a place where no one else could, it was all thanks to my hard work, that’s all of me.”

These records of Stray Kids add valuable meaning as they were written as 'self-produced' albums directly participated by all members. Their unique birth process is well known to K-pop fans. Leader Bang Chan personally selected the members who would debut with them, and they chose their own path from the beginning, such as completing all five missions on the debut reality program 'Stray Kids' with self-composed songs. Starting with the pre-debut album 'Mixtape' and the official debut album 'I am Not' in March 2018, and up to their latest 'Hap', the unique musical world that they have developed and expanded with determination through all of their albums has left a distinct mark on the hearts of music fans with the stamp of 'Stray Kids'.

Stray Kids. (Photo = Courtesy of JYP Entertainment)

The new album '합' also has the names of Bang Chan, Changbin, Han of the group's producing team 3Racha, as well as Lee Know, Hyunjin, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. in the credits. Named 'Skiz Hop Hip Tape' as an 'officially undefined new genre', this album contains the perfect harmony (合) of the eight members of Stray Kids and the ambiguous meaning of HOP in hip hop. Including the old school hip hop genre title track, which is their first since debut, and solo songs that contain each member's individuality, a total of 12 tracks are included, showcasing SKZ's own new genre.

The members stated, “Our unique hip-hop is the one that we’ve been making with only 3Racha’s songs since our debut,” and Billboard highlighted Stray Kids, who have innate hard work and extraordinary pride, saying, “Their dominance will continue with their new album ‘合 (HOP)’.”

“This my stage, walkin on water”

In a recent content talking about their new album, Stray Kids commented on the title track "Walkin' on Water" by saying, "It doesn't make sense to say 'walk on water'. It's an ability that goes beyond imagination, something that only a god can have, and as we wrote that in the lyrics, we put in a lot of effort to get to this point where not just anyone can stand, and it was our fans and members who helped us get to this point." Their constant effort, the harmony with the members next to them, and the synergy with their fans who always send them great support all came together to make things that were considered unrealistic come true, and that's how they became "history makers."

Stray Kids, who have achieved special achievements such as entering Billboard's 'Hot 100' for the third time this year, entering 'Billboard 200' at number one for six consecutive years, and winning and performing at one of the three major US pop music awards ceremonies, the '2024 Billboard Music Awards' for two years in a row, will continue to make history in the new year. Their world tour 'Dominate', which started at KSPO DOME in Seoul in August, will be held on a grand scale with a total of 48 performances in 32 regions around the world. Starting in March, they will go on a large-scale stadium tour to 20 regions in Latin America, North America, and Europe, including a performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, 'the first K-pop artist' to do so. They will also perform on stage at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Rogers Stadium in Toronto, and Stade de France in Paris, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Paul McCartney, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Coldplay.

Stray Kids announced in July of this year that they had renewed their contract with their agency JYP Entertainment as a full group. Stray Kids, who said, “The biggest achievement in 2024 is that we promised to continue to do more and go longer as an 8-member group,” are also drawing attention for what they will achieve in 2025.

I hope you continue to prosper in the future.