- Stray Kids’ multiple entries indicate steady global consumption beyond release weeks.
- HYBE acts like BTS, CORTIS, ENHYPEN, and TXT continue to draw long-term value internationally, from deep catalogs and solo projects.
- New and established acts coexisting on the chart signal a mature, more stable, and multi-generational global K-pop market.
K-pop artists are dominating Billboard’s World Albums chart for the week ending Jan 3, 2026, thus showcasing sustained consumption of the genre's releases. The chart is led by Stray Kids and is supported by a range of both established and rising peer K-pop acts.
Stray Kids took the top two spots on the Billboard World Albums chart, with DO IT at No. 1 and KARMA at No. 2. The DO IT album remained on the Billboard 200 for the fifth week in a row, while KARMA became the group's longest-charting entry, spending 18 weeks there.
Overall, Stray Kids had six albums on the World Albums chart, with returning catalog titles 合 (HOP), ATE, ★★★★★ (5-STAR), and ROCK-STAR occupying slots throughout the top 25. These chart placements suggest long-term consumption of Stray Kids songs, beyond the initial release cycles.
Peer Acts Reflect Diverse K-Pop Market Engagement
ENHYPEN's mid-2025 EP DESIRE: UNLEASH soared to No. 4 in its 30th week on the list, and it also resurfaced in the top ten of the Billboard 200 during Dec 2025. On the other hand, the group’s 2024 release ROMANCE: UNTOLD remained on the chart at No. 20 in its 76th week. The dual presence emphasizes ongoing demand across both new and back-catalog titles, instead of a single-cycle release popularity.
CORTIS' debut album, EP COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, remained at No. 6 in its 16th week, while ILLIT's bomb maintained its top rank at No. 7. Both groups are relatively new and have still managed to maintain a consistent global engagement. It confirms the global audience is also looking out for newer groups and supporting emerging artists. Additionally, BoyNextDoor's The Action rose to No. 8, with TXT's The Star Chapter: TOGETHER ranking at No. 9 on the chart.
HYBE Groups Chart Success with Catalog Strength and Solo Projects
The listeners also found resonance in the extensive catalog and legacy of HYBE groups. For instance, BTS' anthology Proof came in at No. 10 in its 185th week on the chart, while the live album PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE returned at No. 22. Solo albums by TXT's Yeonjun (NO LABELS: PART 01) and BTS' Jimin (MUSE) maintained multi-week presences, indicating ongoing streaming and sales demand for individual member releases of these acclaimed bands.
Meanwhile, ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), a K-pop group handled by WakeOne, a division of CJ ENM, created from Mnet's reality show Boys Planet, also achieved chart success with their album NEVER SAY NEVER, which peaked at No. 16.
Additionally, another HYBE group, which is currently dealing with legal issues, has also ranked in the Billboard World Albums chart. The group, NewJeans, that has recently ousted its member Danielle, ranked at No. 19 with the help of its album Get Up, which is holding steady even in its 120th week.
Market Context and Trends
Billboard's World Albums list analyzes global album consumption, including sales and streaming, and provides a clear indication of international demand for non-US music. Stray Kids' solid presence, combined with a lasting run on the Billboard 200, suggests long-term worldwide consumption habits rather than release-cycle-driven unpredictability.
The chart's range, which includes renowned groups such as BTS and newer bands such as CORTIS, along with their sustained success of catalog titles, implies that global interest in K-pop has progressed beyond trend-based periods and will likely persist into early 2026.
