Stray Kids. (courtesy of JYP Entertainment)
More than 10 years after its debut, BTS may still reign supreme, but the race to become K-pop’s next dominant boy group is heating up. Stray Kids, Seventeen and Ateez are posting blockbuster album sales, making their way up the Billboard charts and selling out shows worldwide, while rising acts such as Riize and rookie group Cortis are rapidly expanding their reach. Among them, Stray Kids currently stands out as the strongest all-around contender. The boy group from JYP Entertainment, which debuted in 2018, placed second on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s global artist chart, trailing only Taylor Swift. Its studio album “Karma” sold 3.49 million copies, putting it at No. 2 on the global album sales chart. According to Billboard Boxscore data for 2025, Stray Kids generated US$185.7 million in ticket sales from 31 concerts that drew 1.3 million attendees last year, racking up the highest tour revenue of any K-pop act “This & That,” the group’s mini album released on Aug. 7, debuted atop the Billboard 200 for the list dated Aug. 22, extending its unprecedented streak to nine straight No. 1 albums. The title track “This & That” entered the Hot 100 at No. 38, setting a new personal best. The group’s competitiveness lies in its self-producing abilities, led by its “3Racha” team, which includes Bang Chan, Changbin and Han, and its powerful performances. Stray Kids is also set to perform at Japan National Stadium on Aug. 29 to 30.
