Stray Kids, the global sensation from South Korea, has once again proven their mettle by clinching the "K-Pop Album of the Year" award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The prestigious ceremony took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on March 17, 2025, acknowledging the group's exceptional musical prowess and fan dedication.
Stray Kids garnered the award for their mini album "ATE," solidifying their status as one of the top artists worldwide. Remarkably, this win marks the second consecutive year the group has triumphed in this category, having previously taken home the same honor for their third full-length album "★★★★★ (5-STAR)." This successive success highlights Stray Kids' growing influence and acclaim within the global K-pop genre.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards, initiated by the largest online radio platform iHeartRadio since 2014, celebrates artists and songs with the highest play counts on their platform. This year, Stray Kids' mini album "ATE," released back in July 2024, made significant waves, debuting at the top of Billboard's "Billboard 200" with 232,000 album units sold in its first week. This notable achievement placed them as the first group worldwide to achieve five consecutive works debuting at number one, beginning with their hit album "ODDINARY" back in 2022.
The title song from the album, "Chk Chk Boom," has also been making headlines of its own. The infectious track ranked 49th on the Billboard "Hot 100," and it was nominated for "K-Pop Song of the Year" at the same awards ceremony, reinforcing Stray Kids' impactful presence on the charts.
Stray Kids' accolades don't stop at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Recently, they were honored with the title of Top Global K-Pop Artist at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards. Earlier, they also took home multiple honors at the 39th Japan Gold Disc Awards, securing both the Music Video of the Year and Best 3 Album awards. These accomplishments collectively showcase the group’s tremendous impact and success across various music platforms.
Looking forward, fans of Stray Kids can anticipate even more exciting content. The group plans to release their new digital single "Mixtape: dominATE" at 1 p.m. on March 21, 2025 (scheduled for 0:00 p.m. ET). This release is timed as a special treat for their fans, who eagerly await new music as the group celebrates their 7th anniversary.
But that's not all; during their upcoming world tour, set to kick off again in Santiago from March 27-28, 2025, Stray Kids will be showcasing these unit songs live for the very first time. This innovative approach promises to bring something fresh and engaging to their performances, reflecting the group’s continuous evolution and commitment to their craft.
With each milestone achieved, Stray Kids continues to raise the bar for K-pop artists globally. Their ability to reach new heights and maintain their popularity speaks volumes about their dedication and the loyalty of their fanbase. Their story is still being written, and fans around the world can only expect incredibly bright futures as they continue their impressive musical journeys.
