Stray Kids Achieve Feats Following the Beatles, Rewriting 21st-Century Pop Group History - 스포츠경향

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The idol group Stray Kids achieved a feat on par with the Beatles among groups of all time, rewriting 21st-century pop group history.

Billboard, one of the world's three major music charts, has been publishing its main albums chart, the 'Billboard 200,' since March 1956, reflecting trends in popular music for more than 70 years.

With their new mini-album 'THIS & THAT,' released on the 7th, Stray Kids rose to No. 1 on the latest 'Billboard 200' dated August 22, 2026 (local time), engraving their name in Billboard history. Here is a look at the various milestones the group achieved with this record.

Including the new 'THIS & THAT,' Stray Kids have now debuted at No. 1 on the 'Billboard 200' nine times in total. The all-time record for the most No. 1s on that chart among groups belongs to the legendary British rock band the Beatles (19), and following the Beatles, Stray Kids have distinguished themselves as the artist with the most No. 1 albums among 21st-century groups. Stray Kids are also the artist who has sent nine albums to No. 1 in the shortest span since the Beatles.

Like the Beatles, who remain a defining part of an era, Stray Kids have also forged a distinct group identity with self-made music and dominated 21st-century global charts.

From their pre-debut track 'Hellevator' to their latest albums, members have taken part in every project, led by the in-house producing team 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), building an autonomous discography.

With lyrics that employ unique themes and distinctive expressions and a highly addictive sound, they have carved out a genre of their own called 'Stray Kids' and have powerfully ushered in an era of 'global history makers.'

Stray Kids first appeared on the 'Billboard 200' with 'ODDINARY' dated April 2, 2022. They topped the chart upon their debut, and over 1,604 days, including the August 22, 2026-dated 'THIS & THAT,' they sent all nine albums straight in at No. 1.

Among all artists worldwide, Stray Kids are the only act to follow a No. 1 debut on the 'Billboard 200' with nine consecutive No. 1 entries.

Stray Kids had already begun building a 'first among artists worldwide' career starting with their sixth 'Billboard 200' No. 1 album in 2024, SKZHOP HIPTAPE ('HOP').

With their fifth No. 1 set, 'ATE,' they tied the American rapper DMX for the record of five consecutive No. 1 debuts, then surged ahead with '(HOP),' their fourth full-length album in 2025, 'KARMA,' SKZ IT TAPE 'DO IT,' and in 2026, 'THIS & THAT,' relentlessly setting new records and maintaining an unprecedented, trans-century distinction.

With distinctive music and explosive performances that swept global fandom, they cemented their standing early on as a top-class act of K-pop's fourth generation.

Each release, as well as the group's largest-ever world tour, 'Stray Kids World Tour <dominATE>' which concluded in 2025, powered major success.

At mega global festivals such as Lollapalooza Paris, I-Days, British Summer Time Hyde Park, Lollapalooza Chicago, and The Governors Ball Music Festival, they headlined and sent massive crowds into a frenzy.

Continuing their boundless run, Stray Kids reaffirmed their limitless potential on the new 'THIS & THAT,' doing this (THIS) and that (THAT) all at once. With the laid-back-vibe title track 'This & That,' they pursued freshness and offered a different charm. Global fans cheered at a mood never before seen from Stray Kids, and the new song reached No. 38 on the Billboard 'Hot 100' dated August 22, marking the group's highest peak there. The album itself also posted a personal-best U.S. first-week sales figure of 369,000 units and seized the top of the latest 'Billboard 200,' where leading musicians such as Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Morgan Wallen, and Drake filled the top 10.

The secret behind Stray Kids' continual elevation amid era-defining records is clear: the members' pure passion for better music and stages, and their sincerity toward the fans who have given unstinting support to get them here. At a press conference held before the new release, they said, "We're still hungry. We really want to go directly to STAY (fandom name: STAY) around the world who have not yet had a chance to meet us even once, and we think that desire will continue going forward," vowing to repay fans with great performances.

In September, they will headline highlights at Brazil's music festival 'Rock in Rio' and at 'STRAYCITY,' a new Stray Kids-led festival to be held in Bogota, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Mexico City, Mexico. The music world is watching where Stray Kids, standing at the pinnacle of the 21st-century music market, will go as they stride across the global stage.