Stray Kids Makes History: 'KARMA' Achieves Double Million Sales in Just One Day

In an extraordinary display of global influence and fan dedication, South Korean boy band Stray Kids has once again proven their dominance in the K-pop industry. Their fourth studio album "KARMA," released on August 22, 2025, achieved double million-seller status within just 24 hours of its release—a remarkable feat that sets a new benchmark for 2025.

Breaking Records Left and Right

According to Hanteo Chart, "KARMA" sold an impressive 2,080,072 copies on its first day alone, making it Stray Kids' second album to surpass 2 million first-day sales. The only other album to achieve this milestone was their 2023 release "★★★★★ (5-STAR)," highlighting the consistent growth and unwavering popularity of the eight-member group.

This achievement is particularly significant as it makes Stray Kids the fastest K-pop group in 2025 to reach the two-million sales milestone in a single day, cementing their position as one of the industry's leading forces.

A Streak of Success

"KARMA" represents Stray Kids' fifth consecutive album to sell over 2 million copies in its first week, joining the ranks of "MAXIDENT," "★★★★★ (5-STAR)," "ROCK-STAR," and "ATE." This consistent performance demonstrates not only the loyalty of their global fanbase, known as STAY, but also the group's ability to maintain relevance and appeal in the highly competitive K-pop market.

Global Domination Across Platforms

The success of "KARMA" extends far beyond physical sales. The album dominated charts worldwide:

Digital Streaming Success

• Spotify: The album garnered over 18.26 million streams on its release day, breaking the record for the highest single-day streams by a K-pop album in 2025
• Title Track Performance: "CEREMONY," the album's lead single, accumulated 2.52 million first-day streams and debuted at No. 27 on Spotify's Global Daily Top Songs chart

iTunes Dominance

• Claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes Worldwide Albums and European Albums charts for three consecutive days (August 22-24)
• Topped iTunes Album Charts in major markets including Japan, France, and Australia

YouTube Success

The music video for "CEREMONY" became an instant viral sensation, topping YouTube's Worldwide Trending chart and maintaining that position for four consecutive days while surpassing 20 million views.

The Concept Behind 'KARMA'

"KARMA" is more than just a collection of songs—it's a philosophical statement. The album reflects Stray Kids' journey of perseverance and self-determination, capturing their growth and struggles across diverse musical genres. As member Changbin explained, "We wanted 'KARMA' to carry the message that all the achievements and efforts we've made with STAY are like positive karma bearing fruit."

The album's sports-centric concept draws inspiration from the group's recent "dominATE" world tour, which spanned 341 days across 54 shows in 34 regions on five continents. The 11-track album, with a total runtime of 32 minutes and 2 seconds, speaks of hope, challenges, and introspection—themes that resonate deeply with fans worldwide.

Industry Impact and Future Implications

This achievement places Stray Kids among the elite tier of global music artists, not just within K-pop but across the entire music industry. The fact that they can consistently move millions of units within hours of release speaks to a level of commercial success that few artists achieve.

Industry observers note that sustaining this level of demand highlights both the incredible loyalty of their fanbase and the group's consistent influence in an increasingly competitive market. With "KARMA" being their first full-length release in over two years, the album serves as a powerful statement of their continued evolution as artists.

Fan Celebration and Social Media Response

The milestone has sparked widespread celebration among STAY worldwide, with fans taking to social media to express their pride and excitement. One fan wrote, "No matter how life goes, they will always be everything to me. I'M SO PROUD OF THEM!!" while another declared that "KARMA by Stray Kids is now the biggest 2025 K-pop group album debut on Spotify!"

Looking Ahead

As Stray Kids continue their promotional activities for "KARMA," appearing on major Korean music shows including KBS2's "Music Bank," MBC's "Show! Music Core," and SBS's "Inkigayo," the group shows no signs of slowing down. Their ability to blend powerful performances, meaningful storytelling, and consistent fan engagement has established them as a symbol of modern idol success.

With this latest achievement, Stray Kids have not only broken their own records but have also set a new standard for what's possible in the K-pop industry. As they continue to build on their "positive karma," one thing is certain: the world will be watching to see what milestone they conquer next.

KARMA is available on all major streaming platforms and physical retailers worldwide.