From Debut to Nine Straight Billboard No. 1s: The Story of Stray Kids

A Korean boy group that debuted in 2018 has reached the top of Billboard's U.S. album chart nine times. Even more strikingly, each of its first nine albums to enter the Billboard 200 debuted at No. 1. The group is Stray Kids. They were not global stars from day one. Let's trace how they began with an unfamiliar name and gradually found their own sound.

A name and a direction, beginning in 2017

Stray Kids first came to public attention through JYP Entertainment's reality selection show of the same name in 2017. The pre-debut song 'Hellevator' expressed a determination to break free of expectations and find their own path. On March 26, 2018, they officially debuted with their first EP, I am NOT, and its lead track, 'District 9.'

The group initially debuted with nine members and now performs as eight: Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N. A defining trait from the beginning was the members' direct involvement in making music. Their debut album, I am NOT, was filled with self-written songs, making that direction clear.

3RACHA: the creative engine behind their sound

At its heart is the production unit 3RACHA, made up of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. The members contribute to lyrics, composition, and arrangements, blending hip-hop, rock, and electronic sounds in a distinctive way. That helps explain why forceful beats and rapid-fire rap can sit beside unexpectedly lyrical songs.

The songs 'God's Menu' and 'Back Door' in 2020 brought the group's unusual, hard-hitting style into sharper focus. In 2021, 'Thunderous' infused their high-energy sound with Korean expressions, and they won Mnet's Kingdom: Legendary War. Then 'MANIAC' in 2022 highlighted the message that it is fine to be a little different from others.

2022: the door to Billboard opens

Their first Billboard 200 No. 1 came with the March 2022 EP ODDINARY. MAXIDENT also topped the chart later that year. The run continued with 5-STAR and ROCK-STAR in 2023, followed by ATE and HOP in 2024.

In 2025, KARMA and DO IT brought the total to eight No. 1 albums. This was not simply a case of one hit song enjoying a brief craze; it showed that each new album attracted a strong response in the U.S. market.

2026: the first nine chart entries all debut at No. 1

Released on August 7, 2026, the EP THIS & THAT added another chapter to the story. It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1, becoming the group's ninth chart-topping album. Stray Kids became the first act in the history of the Billboard 200 to have its first nine charting albums all debut at No. 1.

The album earned 369,000 equivalent album units in the United States in its opening week, including 357,000 in traditional album sales. Among groups, Stray Kids were tied with the Rolling Stones for second-most Billboard 200 No. 1 albums at nine, behind the Beatles' 19. Comparisons across eras should also consider changes in chart methods and the music industry.

Behind the numbers are the fans called STAY

The fandom named STAY is an essential part of the group's journey. Listeners who waited for albums, sang along, and filled concert venues helped their self-made music travel across languages and borders. As the scale of their performances and records grew, the way the members and fans remembered and supported one another also became part of their story.

Where should a first-time listener start?

If you're new to Stray Kids, begin with the pre-debut track 'Hellevator,' then try 'District 9,' 'God's Menu,' 'Back Door,' 'Thunderous,' and 'MANIAC.' Follow these with 'S-Class' and 'LALALALA' from their Billboard No. 1 era, then 'This & That' from 2026. Listening in sequence reveals how one group has expressed itself through many different sounds.

They started with a name suggesting kids who had lost their way, but have since made a path through music of their own choosing. For a first introduction, the enormous chart numbers are only part of the story. Just as important is the time spent stubbornly shaping their own voices with each new release.