Stray Kids and TWICE Secure RIAA Certifications, Setting New Records for K-Pop

The flagship artists of JYP Entertainment are rewriting K-Pop history through RIAA certifications in the United States. These certifications, which validate actual success in the U.S. market, are regarded as a key indicator of K-Pop’s global influence. Stray Kids received a RIAA gold certification for their fourth studio album “KARMA,” released in August, bringing their total gold certifications to six—the most among any K-Pop artist. In addition to their previous albums “FIVESTAR,” “LOCKSTAR,” “ATE,” “MAXIDENT,” and “HOP,” “KARMA” is now the sixth album by the group to sell over 500,000 copies in the U.S. Their performance in the single category is equally impressive. The title track “SINMEONU” from their first studio album “GO生,” released in June 2020, sold over 1 million units in the U.S., earning the group their first platinum certification. Four additional tracks—“CASE 143” from October 2022, “TEUK” from June 2023, “LOCK” from November 2023, and “CHIKCHIKBOOM” from July 2024—have also received gold certifications. This brings the total number of gold-certified tracks to eight, including the previously certified “SINMEONU,” “MANIAC,” “BACK DOOR,” and “SORIGON.” TWICE, another major group under JYP, has established a new milestone in K-Pop girl group history. The title track “STRATEGY” from their 14th mini-album “Strategy,” released on December 6 of last year, sold over 1 million units in the U.S., earning TWICE their first RIAA platinum certification as a girl group. “STRATEGY” was included in the original soundtrack for the Netflix K-Pop animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” generating massive interest. It reached TWICE’s highest-ever position on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed on the list for 17 consecutive weeks. RIAA’s certification standards are based on sales volume in the U.S.: gold (over 500,000 units), platinum (over 1 million units), multi-platinum (over 2 million units), and diamond (over 10 million units). Stray Kids have also set a new record on Billboard’s main album chart, the Billboard 200. “KARMA” reached position 45 on the chart on November 29, staying in the top 100 for 13 consecutive weeks—surpassing the 12-week streak achieved with their third studio album “★★★★★ (5-STAR).” With their new album “SKZ IT TAPE ‘DO IT,’” released on the 21st, they are on track to enter the Billboard 200 at number one for the eighth consecutive week. TWICE, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, continues to be highly active, holding 74 performances across 43 regions worldwide as part of their sixth world tour, “This Is It.”