“It still feels like a dream — a gift from STAY,” leader Bang Chan said on SBS 8 News, reflecting on Stray Kids’ latest record.
What happened
Stray Kids just rewrote chart history. With SKZ IT TAPE ‘DO IT’ debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated December 6, 2025, they became the first act ever to land eight consecutive No. 1 debuts.
Billboard’s report went live on November 30. The eighth straight debut-topper set a rare modern benchmark and was spotlighted again during a full-group interview on SBS 8 News on December 21, 2025.
Record confirmed: timeline at a glance
- Nov 30, 2025 — Billboard reports SKZ IT TAPE ‘DO IT’ debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (chart dated Dec 6), giving Stray Kids their eighth straight No. 1 debut. KED Global
- Aug 22, 2025 — KARMA (4th full album) releases and later leads 2025 U.S. album sales to date; it has remained on the Billboard 200 for 16 weeks. KED Global
- Early Dec 2025 — ‘DO IT’ holds in the Billboard 200 Top 10 for three straight weeks after its No. 1 debut. KED Global
- Dec 21, 2025 — On SBS 8 News, all eight members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N — reflect on the eight-peat and thank STAY. allkpop
Why this is huge
This isn’t just a K-pop headline. Stray Kids’ streak surpasses DMX’s run of five straight No. 1 debuts from 1998–2003, a mark that stood for more than two decades. KED Global
The eight-in-a-row run — from releases like HOP, ROCKSTAR, ATE, and KARMA to SKZ IT TAPE ‘DO IT’ — shows sustained demand. It’s not a one-off breakthrough.
It also mirrors how modern K-pop teams work the U.S. market. Tight calendars, confident physical strategies, and strong streaming combine to maximize first-week impact.
On TV: the group speaks
During SBS 8 News, Stray Kids credited STAY and the ongoing world tour for momentum. Bang Chan called the eight-peat “a dream” and “a gift,” framing the win as a shared milestone. allkpop
The broadcast also traced their 2024–2025 stack. From ROCKSTAR, ATE, and HOP to 2025’s KARMA and ‘DO IT,’ each comeback fed a longer Billboard 200 story.
Reactions and ripple effect
- Fans: STAY celebrated across Twitter/X, TikTok, and Weverse with montage clips, streaming pushes, and “8 in a row” threads.
- Industry watchers: Chart analysts called it a “historic rewrite” and debated how sustainable ultra-strong debut weeks are beyond core fandom buys.
- Media: Coverage framed this as a K-pop first and a rare feat among any act on the Billboard 200. KED Global
Momentum check: awards and stages
At home and across the region, Stray Kids swept major Grand Prizes (Daesang) at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) and 2025 MAMA Awards, reinforcing a peak-year narrative. KED Global
In the U.S., their visibility has grown through high-profile TV moments and awards-show stages. A reported Billboard Music Awards appearance in 2024 helped tee up their 2024–2025 cycle; check official BBMAs channels for specific categories and confirmations.
What to watch next
- Official celebrations: Expect JYP/Stray Kids commemorative posts or merch drops marking the eight-peat.
- Tour and TV: Additional U.S. TV slots or special stages could keep “Kpop Billboard success” on mainstream radar. Setlist tweaks often hint at the next single push.
- Chart breakdowns: Billboard follow-ups may detail first-week splits for ‘DO IT’ and KARMA, clarifying how the streak is built.
Quick facts
- 8 — consecutive Billboard 200 No. 1 debuts (all-time record).
- Previous comparable streak — DMX: five straight No. 1 debuts (1998–2003).
- Recent anchors — KARMA (Aug 22, 2025) and SKZ IT TAPE ‘DO IT’ (No. 1 on chart dated Dec 6, 2025).
- KARMA — 2025 U.S. album sales leader to date; 16 weeks on the Billboard 200. ‘DO IT’ — Top 10 for three straight weeks.
- Members — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N. allkpop
Bottom line: Stray Kids didn’t just add another No. 1. They toppled a 20+ year streak and set a new standard for consecutive debut-toppers on the Billboard 200. With ‘DO IT’ securing the eighth and KARMA powering yearlong sales, the question now is how long they can keep it going.