Stray Kids, the popular South Korean boy band, is making headlines again, but this time it’s not just for their music. Recently, an interview with the group published in Billboard sparked controversy among fans, known as “Stays.” The article referred to Stray Kids’ audience as “teens and tweens,” which many fans found dismissive and inaccurate. This labeling upset a significant portion of their fanbase, who pointed out that K-pop has a diverse audience that includes many adults. In response to the backlash, Billboard updated the article to clarify that it was referring to “some teens and tweens” in the audience, acknowledging the broader demographic of K-pop fans.
Despite this controversy, Stray Kids continues to thrive in the music industry. In 2023, they were recognized as one of the top-selling acts globally, ranking third in the world according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Their unique sound, which blends various genres like hip-hop, rock, and EDM, has set them apart from other K-pop groups. Stray Kids are also known for their self-produced music, with members actively involved in songwriting and composition through their in-house production team, 3Racha.
The group recently celebrated a major achievement by winning the Best K-Pop award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, a testament to their growing influence in the industry. Their latest album, 5-Star, broke records with over 5 million pre-orders, showcasing their immense popularity and the dedication of their fans.
As Stray Kids continues their world tour and releases new music, they remain a powerful force in K-pop, proving that their appeal transcends age and stereotypes.
Here Are Some of the recent Achievements
Billboard 200: Stray Kids debuted at No. 1 with ATE on July 28, 2024. This marked their fifth consecutive album to debut at No. 1 on this chart, making them the first group in history to achieve this feat.
World Albums Chart: ATE has maintained the No. 1 position for three consecutive weeks, showcasing its strong performance and popularity.
Top Album Sales: The album reached No. 3 on the Top Album Sales chart, highlighting its impressive sales figures.
Top Current Album Sales: Similarly, ATE also secured the No. 3 position on the Top Current Album Sales chart in the U.S.
World Digital Song Sales: The title track “Chk Chk Boom” is currently holding steady at No. 2 on the World Digital Song Sales chart.
Global Excl. U.S. Chart: The song is positioned at No. 23 on this chart, while it stands at No. 32 on the Global 200 chart.
Billboard Artist 100: Stray Kids is ranked No. 14 this week on the Billboard Artist 100, marking their 67th week on the chart, which reflects their sustained popularity and influence in the music industry
《ライブレポート》Stray Kids、初のオンラインライブ開催。世界中のファンが彼らのアジトに集結✨#StrayKids_Beyond_LIVE#StrayKidshttps://t.co/FbJSA7Kxk1
— KpopstarzJP (@KpopStarzJP) November 23, 2020
ストレイキッズ：K-POPの境界線を破り、ファンの心を掴む
ストレイキッズ、人気の韓国ボーイグループが再び話題を呼んでいます。今回は音楽だけでなく、別の理由でも注目を集めています。最近、ビルボードに掲載されたグループのインタビューが、ファン（通称「ステイ」）の間で物議を醸しました。記事がストレイキッズのオーディエンスを「ティーンやトゥイーン」と表現したことに、多くのファンが不適切で不正確だと感じたのです。この表現は、K-POPのファン層が多様で多くの大人も含まれているという事実を無視しているとして、ファンベースの大部分を怒らせました。この反発を受け、ビルボードは記事を更新し、「一部のティーンやトゥイーン」を指していたと明確にし、K-POPファンの幅広い層を認めました。
この論争にもかかわらず、ストレイキッズは音楽業界で成功を続けています。2023年には、国際レコード産業連盟（IFPI）によると、世界で3番目に売れているアーティストとして認められました。ヒップホップ、ロック、EDMなどさまざまなジャンルを融合した彼らのユニークなサウンドは、他のK-POPグループとは一線を画しています。また、メンバーが自社制作チーム「3RACHA」を通じて作詞作曲に積極的に関わる自主制作の音楽でも知られています。
グループは最近、2023年MTVビデオ・ミュージック・アワードでベストK-POP賞を受賞するという大きな成果を祝いました。これは業界での彼らの影響力の高まりを示しています。最新アルバム「5-Star」は500万枚以上の予約注文を記録し、彼らの絶大な人気とファンの献身を示しました。
ストレイキッズは世界ツアーを続け、新しい音楽をリリースしながら、K-POPにおいて強力な存在であり続け、彼らの魅力が年齢や固定観念を超えていることを証明しています。
