| K-pop act Stray Kids / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment |
By Pyo Kyung-min
Stray Kids, the sensational South Korean boy band, has set a new U.S. K-pop sales record with their third studio album, "★★★★★ (5-STAR)." According to sales data compiled up to August 28, the album has become the most-sold K-pop album in the United States for the year 2023.
"★★★★★ (5-STAR)” secured the fourth spot in overall album sales, following global stars Taylor Swift with “Midnights” and "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)," as well as Travis Scott's "UTOPIA," during the same period.
The group's seventh mini-album, "MAXIDENT," released in October 2022, also secured the 10th spot in the same ranking. Accordingly, the group attained the second spot in the artist rankings for highest album sales in the U.S. this year, with Taylor Swift claiming the top position.
The group's title track "S-class" from the album "★★★★★ (5-STAR)" claimed the top spot on both the Billboard 200 and Artist 100 charts on June 17. This marked the group's third consecutive number one on the Billboard 200, a record previously set with the "MAXIDENT" album and its sixth mini-album, "ODDINARY," released in April 2022.
Meanwhile, the group is currently embarking on its inaugural tour, titled "Stray Kids 5-STAR Dome Tour 2023." This tour marks its debut in Japan's four major dome halls, a first for fourth-generation K-pop boy bands. The tour kicked off at PayPay Dome in Fukuoka on Aug. 16 and 17, followed by Vantelin Dome Nagoya on September 2 and 3. Upcoming shows include stages at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Sept. 9 and 10 and at Tokyo Dome on Oct. 28 and 29.
Stray Kids, a K-pop act consisting of eight talented members ― Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N ― made its official debut with the EP "I am NOT" in 2018. The eight-piece group has garnered worldwide popularity for its intense stage performances and funky music style.