The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has awarded top certifications to several K-pop groups, including Stray Kids, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM, and newcomer aoen. Their latest releases have crossed major sales milestones in Japan, earning them triple platinum, platinum, and gold certifications.
Stray Kids Earn Triple Platinum for “Hollow”
Stray Kids continue their dominance in Japan with their new Japanese EP “Hollow”, which has been certified triple platinum for shipping over 750,000 units. This marks another huge success for the group in the Japanese market.
The RIAJ awards triple platinum for shipments exceeding 750,000 copies, making this one of the highest certifications possible. Stray Kids have consistently performed well in Japan, with previous albums also achieving high sales.
ENHYPEN’s “DESIRE : UNLEASH” Goes Platinum
ENHYPEN’s latest Korean mini-album, “DESIRE : UNLEASH”, has been certified platinum in Japan after surpassing 250,000 units shipped. This shows the group’s strong fanbase in the country, despite the album being a Korean release.
ENHYPEN has been growing rapidly in Japan, with their previous releases also performing well. Their ability to attract Japanese fans with Korean-language albums highlights their global appeal.
LE SSERAFIM’s “DIFFERENT” Hits Gold
LE SSERAFIM’s new Japanese single “DIFFERENT” has earned a gold certification, crossing 100,000 units shipped within just a week of release. The song has been a hit, peaking at No. 2 on Japan’s Oricon chart.
This is LE SSERAFIM’s fourth Japanese single to receive a certification, following previous successes like “FEARLESS” and “Unforgiven”. Their consistent performance in Japan proves their strong presence in the market.
Aoen’s Debut Single “The Blue Sun” Also Goes Gold
New boy group aoen, under YX LABELS (formerly HYBE LABELS JAPAN), has made an impressive debut with their single “The Blue Sun”, which has also been certified gold for selling over 100,000 copies.
Aoen is a fresh addition to the K-pop scene, and their strong debut suggests a promising future. Their upcoming solo edition release is set for June 18, 2025, with pre-orders already generating buzz.
What These Certifications Mean
The RIAJ awards certifications based on shipment numbers:
- Gold: 100,000+ units
- Platinum: 250,000+ units
- Double Platinum: 500,000+ units
- Triple Platinum: 750,000+ units
- Million: 1,000,000+ units
These certifications confirm the groups’ strong sales and popularity in Japan, one of the world’s biggest music markets.
Fan Reactions and Industry Impact
Fans have celebrated the news on social media, with many praising the groups for their hard work.
“Stray Kids never disappoint! Triple platinum is insane!” – @StayJapan
“LE SSERAFIM’s ‘DIFFERENT’ is so good, no surprise it went gold so fast!” – @FearnotGlobal
The success of these groups in Japan highlights the growing influence of K-pop worldwide. With more Japanese releases and promotions planned, their achievements are expected to keep rising.
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