South Korean group Stray Kids has achieved remarkable success with their impactful music. Their third studio album, titled “5-Star,” has reached the top of the prestigious Billboard 200 chart.
According to Billboard, “5-Star” sold a total of 249,500 copies, with traditional album sales, including CDs, reaching 235,000 copies. This marks the highest single-week album sales in the United States this year. Music critic Kim Do-heon commented, “Achieving three consecutive number one albums on the Billboard 200 demonstrates Stray Kids’ global presence, as album sales require the mobilization of fans.”
Stray Kids had previously topped the Billboard 200 chart twice with their releases “Clé 1: Miroh” and “Clé: Levanter.” With “5-Star,” they have once again secured the top position. Stray Kids is now the only K-pop group, after BTS, to achieve three or more number one albums on the chart.
The mega success of “5-Star” was evident even before Stray Kids’ comeback. The album achieved a record-breaking pre-order of 4.93 million copies, making it the K-pop album with the highest pre-order sales to date. Just two days later, on the release day, it surpassed 5.13 million pre-orders, solidifying its position as a pentamillion seller. This figure surpassed the pre-order sales of SEVENTEEN’s tenth mini-album, “FML,” by approximately 500,000 copies.
Furthermore, “5-Star” achieved first-day sales of 4,617,499 copies, more than doubling the first-day sales of their previous album, “Clé: Levanter,” which sold 2,163,300 copies. With these achievements, Stray Kids not only became the first artist under JYP Entertainment to achieve quadruple million seller status but also set a new record for first-day sales among 4th generation boy groups.
International media outlets also took notice of “5-Star.” British publication NME praised the album, stating, “With a blend of endless ambition and an unwavering commitment to maintaining their unique style, Stray Kids showcase an adept balance. Once caught in the fervor of ‘5-Star,’ there’s no escaping its brilliance.” Nylon magazine commended the title track “Special,” saying, “Each of the three songs creates harmony and delivers excitement.”
From their debut album “I am NOT” to “5-Star,” Stray Kids has consistently established their presence in the music industry. Led by the producing team 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), all members actively participate in songwriting and composition, constructing their musical world. Stray Kids’ self-production capabilities, combined with their distinctive “MaRacha” music and performances, have solidified their fanbase both domestically and internationally.
Kim Do-heon, the critic, praised Stray Kids, stating, “They have a unique and unforgettable music style. Fans appreciate the members’ storytelling and the emphasis on their individuality. While their performances are striking, they successfully convey the messages they want through their music, creating a well-established system.”
Stray Kids recently announced their upcoming “5-STAR Dome Tour 2023,” which is set to take place in Japan and Korea. The tour will include performances at four domes in Japan, namely the PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, the Vantelin Dome in Nagoya, the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, and the Tokyo Dome. Additionally, they will be performing at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, Korea.
Excitingly, the group also shared a teaser for Version 2 of their official light stick. Fans can look forward to the unveiling of the new light stick on June 16 at 1 p.m. KST.
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