K-Pop Titans Stray Kids and TWICE Create History with RIAA Milestones
In a groundbreaking announcement made on November 26, two of K-pop's biggest acts have rewritten the record books. Stray Kids and TWICE achieved career-defining milestones by earning prestigious platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), marking a significant moment for Korean music's global expansion.
Stray Kids' Unprecedented Record Haul
Stray Kids' explosive 2020 hit 'God's Menu' surpassed one million units sold in the United States, earning the eight-member group their first-ever platinum certification. But the achievements didn't stop there. The group simultaneously collected five additional gold certifications, pushing their total RIAA award count to a record-breaking 14 - more than any K-pop act in history.
Their fourth studio album 'KARMA,' released in August 2025, earned gold status, while singles 'CASE 143,' 'S-Class,' 'LALALALA,' and 'Chk Chk Boom' all crossed the 500,000-unit threshold required for gold certification. The group now holds an unprecedented six RIAA-certified albums among K-pop artists, including '5-STAR,' 'ROCK-STAR,' 'ATE,' 'MAXIDENT,' and 'HOP.'
Industry observers note this dominance reflects the group's explosive U.S. market penetration since their 2018 debut, with songs like 'Thunderous' and 'Maniac' already holding prior gold certifications.
TWICE's Groundbreaking Platinum Achievement
Meanwhile, TWICE made history of their own as their track 'Strategy' achieved platinum status, making them the first K-pop girl group to receive platinum certification from the RIAA. This elevates TWICE above their previous gold certifications for 'The Feels' and 'I CAN'T STOP ME,' establishing them as the K-pop girl group with the highest RIAA recognition total.
TWICE's 'Strategy' demonstrated remarkable staying power by charting for 17 consecutive weeks on Billboard's Hot 100, showing sustained commercial appeal beyond typical K-pop single lifecycles. Notably, excluding collaborations, only one other K-pop girl group single - 'POP/STARS' - had previously achieved platinum status in the United States.
Jennie's Quiet Solo Success
While Stray Kids and TWICE dominated headlines, BLACKPINK's Jennie quietly added another achievement to her growing solo portfolio. She earned RIAA gold certification for her solo track 'ExtraL' featuring Doechii, representing over 500,000 units sold including streaming equivalents.
This marks Jennie's fourth RIAA-certified song as a soloist, the highest among K-pop solo artists, following her platinum certification for 'One of the Girls' and gold awards for 'Mantra' and 'Like Jennie.' The certification underscores Jennie's ability to sustain commercial momentum independently from BLACKPINK's group activities.
Understanding RIAA Certification Standards
The RIAA awards certifications based on sales and streaming equivalents: gold for 500,000 units, platinum at 1 million, multi-platinum at 2 million, and diamond at 10 million sales. These certifications have become the gold standard for measuring commercial success in the American music industry.
These historic achievements by Stray Kids, TWICE, and Jennie demonstrate the growing global influence of K-pop and its artists' ability to compete at the highest levels of the international music scene. The records broken on November 26 represent significant milestones that will likely inspire future generations of K-pop artists aiming for global recognition.
