Stray Kids Hit Ninth Billboard 200 No. 1: "We Want to Show K-Pop's Growth"

K-pop group Stray Kids have landed their ninth consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200, extending their record-setting run on the U.S. albums chart. Their new mini album "THIS & THAT," released on August 7, debuts atop the chart dated August 22, according to a preview article published by Billboard on August 16.

The album earned 369,000 equivalent album units in its first week, including 357,000 in album sales, 11,000 SEA units and 1,000 TEA units. The total marks a 25 percent increase from their previous release and a career best for the group's first-week U.S. sales.

The debut gives Stray Kids nine career No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, the most by any group formed in the 21st century. Among all artists in the 2020s, they now tie Taylor Swift for the most No. 1 albums this decade. Among groups in Billboard 200 history, Stray Kids are tied with The Rolling Stones for the second-most No. 1 albums, behind only The Beatles. They have also reached nine No. 1 albums in the shortest span since The Beatles.

The streak began in 2022, when the mini album "ODDINARY" became the group's first entry on the Billboard 200 and debuted at No. 1. Every album they have released since has also topped the chart. In 2024, SKZHOP HIPTAPE "合 (HOP)" extended their run to six consecutive No. 1 debuts. Their fourth studio album "KARMA" and SKZ IT TAPE "DO IT" followed in 2025, before "THIS & THAT" extended the streak to nine.

On Aug. 18, Stray Kids shared a message through their agency, JYP Entertainment. "As a team that truly loves music and wants to share positive energy and strength with many people through it, we are deeply honored to reach this milestone of nine consecutive No. 1s on the Billboard 200," the group said. "Just like the meaning of our name, Stray Kids, which is about finding and following our own path, we will continue to expand our own musical spectrum beyond conventional boundaries."

The timing of the achievement also held special meaning for the group. "As if by fate, we earned our ninth No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in our ninth year since debut," they said. "Setting the record for the most No. 1s by a group formed in the 21st century carries meaningful weight for us as a K-pop group. More than anything, we could only reach this because of STAY, who have supported Stray Kids without wavering."

They added, "Thanks to the immense love of STAY, who always move forward with us, we want to show music fans around the world the endless growth of Stray Kids and K-pop. Thank you again, truly."