K-Pop October 2025 Roundup: TWICE & Stray Kids Dominate Billboard, New Comebacks Emerge

From chart-topping veterans to monster rookies, this is your essential guide to the biggest K-Pop stories of the week.

The Unstoppable Wave of K-Pop’s Global Reign

While Stray Kids are rewriting K-Pop history on the Billboard 200, TWICE is proving their unwavering dominance on the Hot 100. The question is no longer if K-Pop artists will chart, but for how long they can reign. This week, the industry saw historic chart runs, surprise international hits, and a preview of the fierce competition brewing for the rest of the year.

Context: More Than Just Music

October is shaping up to be a pivotal month, highlighting K-Pop’s multi-faceted global strategy. It’s a story of two fronts: established titans like TWICE and Stray Kids cementing their legacy on major global charts, and a new wave of content—from monster rookie comebacks to viral original soundtracks (OSTs)—capturing mainstream attention. This dual assault demonstrates the industry’s sophisticated understanding of the global market, where consistent, high-quality releases and diverse media tie-ins create a self-sustaining ecosystem of hype and engagement.

Insight #1: The Veterans on Top: TWICE & Stray Kids’ Billboard Conquest

TWICE continues its remarkable run, with their latest single charting for a staggering 12 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. This milestone, arriving as they gear up for a 10th-anniversary album, is a powerful statement of their enduring appeal and dedicated global fanbase. It proves that a decade into their career, TWICE’s musical evolution still captivates listeners and drives significant sales and streams in the competitive U.S. market.

Meanwhile, Stray Kids’ 4th full-length album, ‘KARMA,’ is showcasing its own staying power. The album has remained in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 for five consecutive weeks, a record for a 4th generation K-Pop group. This achievement isn’t just a win; it’s a testament to their artistic growth and the massive, organized power of their fandom (STAY), who have set a new standard for album-focused support.

Insight #2: The New Wave: Viral OSTs and Rookie Battles

The most unexpected hit of the month comes from the ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ OST. The track ‘Golden’ has defied expectations, climbing to #2 on the UK Official Singles Chart and holding a Top 10 spot for 12 weeks. This viral success, driven by the Netflix show’s popularity, proves that K-Pop’s cultural influence now extends far beyond traditional idol groups, creating new pathways to global stardom.

This trend of new faces continues with the rise of rookie groups like KATSEYE and Huntr/X, who are making their mark on various global charts. The excitement is set to intensify as October’s “comeback war” heats up, with powerhouse rookies like BABYMONSTER and HATS2HEARTS scheduled to release new music, promising a fierce battle for the “monster rookie” title.

Fact-Check

Confirmed: TWICE has been on the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks.
Confirmed: Stray Kids’ ‘KARMA’ has held a Top 20 position on the Billboard 200 for 5 straight weeks.
Confirmed: The ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ OST ‘Golden’ peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
What to Watch: The upcoming October comebacks from major girl groups, including BABYMONSTER and HATS2HEARTS.

Practical Takeaways

Support the Long Run: Sustained streaming and sales are key to long-term chart records for groups like TWICE and Stray Kids.
Look Beyond the Music: Check out related content like ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ on Netflix to discover the next viral hit.
Mark Your Calendars: October is packed with major girl group comebacks—follow official accounts for release dates.
Discover New Talent: Keep an eye on rising stars like KATSEYE and Huntr/X, who are the future of the industry.

Glossary

Comeback (컴백; keom-baek): A new music release cycle in K-Pop, involving a new album or single, music videos, and a period of active promotions.
Chart-in (차트인; cha-teu-in): The act of a song or album entering a music chart.
OST (Original Soundtrack): Music created specifically for a piece of media, such as a drama, movie, or in this case, a Netflix series.
4th Generation (4세대; sa-se-dae): The era of K-Pop groups that debuted roughly between 2018 and 2023, including acts like Stray Kids, ITZY, and aespa.

For more deep dives into K-Pop’s global impact, check out our guide on how music show wins translate to global success.