Stray Kids and HOP earned gold certification from France’s SNEP and America’s RIAA, proving their global chart dominance. The album introduced SKZ-HOP HIPTAPE, blending hip-hop with their identity and showcasing solo tracks from each member. Their world tour and rising domestic popularity reflect strong fan support both abroad and in Korea.
Stray Kids and HOP Reach New Heights in France
Stray Kids marked another milestone with their album HOP (合), released in December. It recently earned a gold certification from the French music organization SNEP after surpassing 50,000 units in sales. Founded in 1922, SNEP awards gold and platinum certifications based on physical album sales, making this recognition particularly meaningful in the European market. This is the group’s fourth SNEP gold certification, following previous successes with Five Star (★★★★★), Rock-Star (樂-STAR), and ATE, reinforcing their growing presence in France and beyond.
Stray Kids and HOP Introduce SKZ-HOP HIPTAPE
In HOP, Stray Kids unveiled a fresh creative direction by introducing “SKZ-HOP HIPTAPE,” a new genre that fuses their group identity with hip-hop. This experimental concept reflects the group’s commitment to innovation and genre-bending styles. The album includes 12 tracks, with Walkin On Water as the lead single, and showcases the solo tracks of all eight members, originally performed during their world tour. This blend of group and individual artistry gives fans a deeper look into their musical range.
Stray Kids and HOP Build Global Chart Power
Upon release, HOP achieved the group’s sixth No.1 on the Billboard 200, solidifying Stray Kids’ impact in the American market. Their continued chart success confirms their strong fanbase and wide appeal. In addition to their Billboard win, the album also earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in March, making HOP a standout release that gained recognition from both sides of the Atlantic. These achievements highlight the group’s ability to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries through music.
World Tour DominATE Expands Stray Kids Global Reach
Stray Kids are currently on their massive world tour “dominATE,” connecting with fans around the globe. The tour spans 55 shows in 34 cities, including stops across Asia, Europe, and North America. In May, the tour continues with back-to-back weekends at Japan’s Shizuoka Stadium ECOPA on the 10th–11th and 17th–18th. With consistent sell-outs and growing crowd sizes, the tour proves their strong international draw and the scale of their influence as performers.
Different Songs Spark Popularity in Each Region
A recent post on Korean online community theqoo analyzed the group’s rise across different markets and noted how different songs opened doors in different regions. In Europe, fans first discovered Stray Kids through Back Door and God’s Menu. In China, MANIAC made a strong impact, while in Japan, it was CASE 143 that drew widespread attention. This pattern shows the group’s versatile sound and ability to resonate with diverse audiences, as no single track defines their global appeal.
Rising Popularity at Home
Despite past claims that Stray Kids had stronger overseas support than domestic popularity, recent signs suggest a shift. The group successfully sold out four nights at Korea’s KSPO Dome during their tour, a feat few can achieve. While some argue that foreign fans drove sales, even shows affected by international card issues sold out, pointing to a significant rise in domestic fans. As HOP continues to succeed abroad, it seems that Korea is also beginning to fully embrace the group’s growing influence.
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Wow, so Stray Kids is finally getting popular in Korea too! It’s kinda sad how Koreans can be so harsh on their own artists, but it looks like Stray Kids’ consistent talent is winning them over. Good for them!