Billboard World Albums Chart: Stray Kids Reign, EVAN Peaks

Billboard’s World Albums chart for the week ending October 3 showcases the continued commercial dominance of K-pop’s major players, with Stray Kids solidifying their chart position while emerging artists achieve peaks in the competitive global market.

Stray Kids Dominate with Sixth Non-Consecutive Week at Top

Stray Kids’ latest mini album “THIS & THAT” continues its reign at No. 1 on the World Albums chart, marking the sixth non-consecutive week the release has occupied the top position. The album has also maintained presence on the broader Billboard 200 chart, where it currently sits at No. 34 after spending a total of seven weeks on that list.

The group’s 2025 album “KARMA” re-entered the World Albums chart at No. 25 during the same tracking period, demonstrating sustained listener engagement with multiple group releases. The album has now accumulated 54 total weeks on the World Albums chart since its initial release, a figure that underscores Stray Kids‘ ability to maintain catalog visibility even as new releases enter the marketplace.

New Peaks and Solo Artist Breakthroughs

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EVAN Reaches New Heights in Third Week

Former ENHYPEN member Heeseung, performing under the project EVAN, achieved a new peak of No. 2 on the World Albums chart with the first mini album “DEATH OF ME” in its third week. The release made an additional significant showing on the Billboard 200, debuting in the top 50 of that broader chart. This rapid ascent demonstrates both the commercial viability of solo ventures from established K-pop members and the willingness of existing fanbases to support artists as they launch independent projects.

Emerging Groups Establish Chart Presence

TUIDE’s debut EP “TUNE & PLAY” claimed the No. 9 position in only its second week on the World Albums chart, establishing the new group as an immediate contender in K-pop’s competitive landscape. Meanwhile, CORTIS represents a model of sustained success with dual releases charting simultaneously: their latest EP “GREENGREEN” maintains the No. 5 position in its 21st consecutive week on the chart, while their debut EP “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” continues at No. 8 after an extended 55-week tenure. The parallel presence of both titles demonstrates the breadth of listener interest the group has cultivated since their initial launch.

Mid-Chart Stability and Sustained Movement

Fifth-Week Plateaus for Recent Releases

ENHYPEN’s latest mini album “THE SIN : BLISS” held steady at No. 4 in its fifth week on the World Albums chart, while simultaneously registering its fifth week on the Billboard 200 at No. 196. The album’s consistent positioning reflects moderate crossover appeal beyond dedicated ENHYPEN fans. ILLIT’s release “MAMIHLAPINATAPAI” remained at No. 7 in its 21st week on the chart, a positioning that suggests sustained but stable listener interest without significant upward momentum.

Supporting Acts in the 12-14 Range

LE SSERAFIM maintained the No. 12 position with “PUREFLOW” in its 18th week on the chart, while ATEEZ’s “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5” ranked at No. 14 in its 13th week. Both releases represent the stable middle tier of the chart, where momentum has plateaued but listener engagement remains consistent enough to sustain their positions week after week.

BTS Albums Continue Extended Chart Runs

BTS landed three separate albums on this week’s World Albums chart, continuing the group’s pattern of sustained catalog presence during their ongoing hiatus from group activities. “Proof” arrived at No. 11 in its 224th week on the chart, a milestone achieved by few albums across any market or genre. “Map of the Soul: 7 ~The Journey~” sits at No. 15 in its 47th week, while “Love Yourself: Answer” holds at No. 16 in its 204th week. These multi-year chart runs reflect both the scale of BTS’s catalog impact and ongoing engagement from collectors and streaming listeners who continue discovering or revisiting the group’s work.

Chart Longevity and Perennial Presence

aespa’s “LEMONADE” claimed the No. 17 position in its 17th week on the chart. NewJeans rounded out the top 20 with “Get Up” at No. 20 in its 159th week, a milestone reflecting how certain releases achieve near-permanent chart residency through consistent sales and streaming engagement across an extended period. These extended runs demonstrate the depth of K-pop’s fan engagement and the staying power of releases from its most established artists.

Source: Soompi