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Stray Kids, the Korean pop sensation, has once again proven their global appeal as their latest album, 5-STAR, debuts at No. 1 on the prestigious Billboard 200 Albums chart. This achievement marks the group's third consecutive album to debut at the top spot, following the success of MAXIDENT and ODDINARY in 2022.
The remarkable feat of 5-STAR is further highlighted by its impressive first-week performance. According to Luminate, the album garnered a staggering 249,500 equivalent album units in the United States, making it the fourth-largest week for any album in 2023.
What's more, the album sales alone reached 235,000 units, which not only secures its place as the largest sales week of the year but also surpasses the record previously held by Taylor Swift's Midnights, which sold 1.14 million units in its first week.
Stray Kids' continuous chart-topping success is a rare accomplishment. The last artist to achieve three consecutive No. 1 debuts on the Billboard 200 was Harry Styles, with his solo albums Harry Styles, Fine Line, and Harry's House. This solidifies Stray Kids' position as one of the most dominant forces in the industry.
Despite the album's mostly Korean lyrics, it has resonated with a wide audience globally. 5-STAR becomes the 19th predominantly non-English-language album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, further emphasising the growing global influence of K-pop music.
As they break records and win hearts, Stray Kids are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, paving the way for future success and solidifying their place in music history!