Stray Kids Shatters Records with New Japanese EP Release

Stray Kids Takes Japan by Storm with ‘Hollow’

Stray Kids, known for their electrifying performances and catchy tunes, continue to dominate the Japanese music scene with their latest release, ‘Hollow.’ On their very first day of pre-sales, the group reached an impressive benchmark by selling over 610,000 copies, achieving half a million sales prior to the official release on June 18th. This outstanding accomplishment follows their first EP ‘Social Path (feat. LiSA) / Super Bowl -Japanese ver.-‘, making it their second project to achieve this feat in Japan by September 2023.

Unprecedented Chart Success

The album has not only excelled in sales but has also been a dominant force on the charts. It soared to the top of Billboard Japan’s Top Album Sales chart for the week of June 16 to 22, with a staggering 730,000 copies sold in its initial week. According to the Oricon Weekly Album Chart and Composite Album Chart released on June 24, ‘Hollow’ secured the #1 spot.

A New Milestone for Fourth-Generation K-pop Groups

Breaking their own records, Stray Kids also set a new record with the highest first-week sales ever by a fourth-generation K-pop group. In Japan, only three artists have crossed the half-million mark for first-week sales this year, and Stray Kids is the first overseas act to do so, marking a significant achievement.

Global Acclaim

The album is also performing exceptionally well on the digital front, topping various charts including Japan’s Apple Music, iTunes Album Chart, and Oricon’s Weekly Digital Album Ranking. Additionally, ‘Hollow’ has claimed the number one spot in 21 regions worldwide, including Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, reinforcing Stray Kids’ global popularity.

Artistic Evolution with Original Tracks

Hollow stands out as it is the first Japanese mini-album consisting entirely of original tracks. Members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han from the producing unit 3RACHA contributed to the songwriting process, further showcasing their talents as a self-producing group.

Innovative Musical Storytelling

The title track ‘Hollow’ ingeniously ties the English term meaning ’empty’ with the Korean word ‘홀로’, meaning ‘alone’, reflecting feelings of sudden emptiness through powerful synth-led melodies, electric guitars, and sensitive piano touches. Upon its pre-release, the music video clinched the #1 spot on YouTube Music Video Trending Worldwide and is now on the verge of surpassing 10 million views by June 25.

Discover more about Stray Kids‘ journey here.