Rock-Star (EP) explained

Rock-Star
Type:EP
Artist:Stray Kids
Cover:Stray Kids - Rock-Star.png
Caption:Digital cover
Studio:
  • JYPE (Seoul)
  • Chan's "Room" (Seoul)
Length:25:35
Language:Korean
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.)
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Ate
Next Year:2024

Rock-Star (stylized as Korean: -STAR) is the eighth Korean-language extended play by South Korean boy band Stray Kids, released on November 10, 2023, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, five months after their third studio album 5-Star (2023). Based on Korean four-character idiom of emotions huiroaerak, 3Racha, an in-house production team of the group, worked on the EP with Versachoi, Cubeatz, Willie Weeks, Millionboy, Nickko Young, and Jun2.

The EP comprises eight tracks, including "Lalalala" as lead single, and the Korean version of "Social Path", featuring Japanese singer-songwriter Lisa. Commercially, Rock-Star topped national charts in South Korea, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Poland, and the United States, and was certified quadruple million by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA), as well as gold in France and the United States. According to International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Rock-Star was the ninth global best-selling album in 2023.

Background

On January 1, 2023, Stray Kids uploaded the video "Step Out 2023", outlining their accomplishments in 2022 and plans for the new year, including two album releases.[1] The group's first record of 2023 was their third studio album 5-Star, released on June 2.[2] The album peaked at number one on several national charts, including France, South Korea, and the United States, which was certified five-times Million by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).[3] In support of the album, Stray Kids embarked on their concert tour 5-Star Dome Tour in South Korea and Japan from August to October.[4] During the tour, the group also released their third Japanese-language EP Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.) on September 6.[5]

On September 19, 2023, news outlet Joynews24 reported that Stray Kids scheduled for new album release in November.[6] Shortly, JYP Entertainment confirmed the news.[7] On October 6, the group announced Rock-Star via a one-minute-and-half long prologue video.[8] Narrated by Felix's "calming" and Bang Chan's "manic" and "theatrical" voices, the visual focuses on a boy, a trumpet player of marching band, falling asleep while waiting for a performance, expressing his agitated emotion. The scenes switches to Stray Kids robbing a bank joyfully alongside a group of clowns, becoming angry pirates on the ship, and looking up at a clock sadly. As the boy and his bandmates enter the stage, the rock-inspired heavy electric guitar began playing, and Felix and Bang Chan shout "Let's show them how we rock!".[9] [10]

The Korean title of the EP Korean: -Star is a word play with the English title Rock-Star, in which the Sino-Korean pronunciation of Korean: [[wikt:樂#Etymology 2|樂]] (rak) is similar to rock.[11] With its "close relationship" with the previous album,[12] as described by members, Rock-Star shows more "untamed energy" than the "unique-colored" 5-Star.[13] The concept of Rock-Star is based on the Korean four-character idiom huiroaerak, depicting various emotions from the group's perspective.[14]

Music and lyrics

Rock-Star consists of eight tracks with a duration of 25 minutes and 27 seconds. The EP was described as a "powerful album, adding strength and energy to [Stray Kids'] spirit," aiming to "go beyond any evaluation," and showing "the rock star aspect and freedom latenting within [the group],"[15] as well as "our pleasure continues no matter what happen."[16] 3Racha—an in-house production team of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—wrote and produced all songs on the album, and member Hyunjin co-wrote "Cover Me" with Bang Chan. Other contributors include Versachoi, Cubeatz, Luis Bacque, Willie Weeks, Millionboy, Nickko Young, and Jun2. Japanese singer-songwriter Lisa features on the seventh track "Social Path", recorded in Korean instead of Japanese, which was originally included on the group's Japanese EP Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.).[17]

Release and promotion

Rock-Star was released on November 10, 2023.[18] EP pre-orders began on the same day as the prologue's release, coming in five editions: limited "Star", and four standards "Rock", "Roll", "Postcard", and "Headliner".[19] The EP's track list, scheduler, and digital cover artwork were posted to social media on October 9, confirming "Lalalala" as the lead single, as well as a rock rearranged version, and including the Korean version of "Social Path".[20] Two songs from the EP—"Megaverse" and "Leave"—were teased via "Unveil: Track" series on October 20 and 24, respectively.[21] [22] Stray Kids held two shows of their 5-Star Dome Tour in Seoul, subtitled "Seoul Special (Unveil 13)" from October 21 to 22, where they first performed three tracks from Rock-Star: "Megaverse", "Blind Spot", "Leave", and the Korean version of "Social Path";[23] the performances of "Megaverse" and "Leave" were uploaded on October 26.[24] The EP's mashup video was released on November 6.[25] Stray Kids introduced the EP via the video Intro "Rock-Star", uploaded on November 9.[26]

A series of teaser images were released in four sets. In the first, members wear rock star outfits, posting in a bathtub full of amplifier cables and vinyls.[27] The second depicts members, wearing balletcore costumes, standing in front of a satellite dish and tinting blue–purple.[28] The third shows members with lion statues and head mannequins.[29] The fourth expresses members, wearing same looks as the first teaser images, in a magazine-style photoshoot with pink headline and interviews about choosing between "Korean: " and "rock".[30] Two music videos supported the EP. For the lead single "Lalalala", released concurrently with the album, the video expresses clash of inside emotions by Stray Kids and gigantic smoke-like creature attempts to attack a marching band of young boys during performing.[31] [32] The music video of "Megaverse" was released on November 20, showing Stray Kids knock out security guard, starring Yoon Seung-hoon.[33] At the final scene, rapper Tablo surprisingly appeared as a new security guard.[34] Stray Kids performed "Lalalala" at several domestic music programs: Music Bank,[35] [36] Show! Music Core,[37] [38] Inkigayo,[39] [40] and M Countdown.[41] Additionally, the pop-up store of the EP opened in Seoul, South Korea, running from November 12 to 26.[42] Changbin and Felix appeared as guests at variety show Amazing Saturday on November 18.[43]

SKZflix

SKZflix was first teased on the video "Step Out 2022", uploaded on January 1, 2022.[44] Its teaser video premiered on October 21, 2023, at 5-Star Dome Tour "Seoul Special (Unveil 13)".[45] SKZflix was officially released as a short film on November 3, featuring two songs from Rock-Star: "Leave" and "Cover Me",[46] and directed by Kim Byeong-june.[47] The Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia chose SKZflix to be the festival's opening screening,[48] and gave the Global Spotlight Award for the short film.[49]

The story begins with Lee Know, a university student with a scar on his face, startled by the sudden presence of Felix; they have a conversation about the dream of becoming an actor. Both are invited by Han and Seungmin to star in the short film produced by the university's film club for a film festival. The film is about a "parallel world where the main character comes to meet old friends and has to go back". On the premiere day, Lee Know asks the others about Felix, but everyone cannot remember him, so Lee Know sets out to find Felix, who has suddenly disappeared. Finally, Lee Know comes to supermarket and finds Felix, who also has a scar on his face.[50]

Critical reception

Crystal Bell from Teen Vogue described that Rock-Star "finds Stray Kids broadening their creative palette while revisiting their more rebellious roots."[51] Writing for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung called the EP as a "star-making collection for a group already firing on all cylinders, bringing an almost unbearable energy with yet another collection of hybrid dance anthems that are boosted by muscular, swaggering rap attacks." Zenerates Kim Do-heon dubbed the EP as "the essence of K-pop", and ranked it the third best K-pop album of the year.[52] Dazed named "Cover Me" the 25th best K-pop track of 2023, calling it a "glimmering pearl in the Rock-Star jewellery box, a near-ballad that chronicles being caught in soul-emptying sadness".[53] Zenerate named "Megaverse" the 11th best K-pop song of the year.

Commercial performance

In South Korea, according to Hanteo Chart, Rock-Star sold 1,885,065 copies on the release date.[54] The EP debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart with 3,650,904 copies for limited and standard editions and 177,901 copies for Nemo edition.[55] It later topped the monthly chart, selling 4,126,466 copies,[56] and certified four million by Korea Music Content Association.[57] Rock-Star landed at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart and Combined Albums Chart, the third after The Sound, and Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.), selling 128,000 copies on its first week.[58] [59] Internationally, the EP reached number two in Australia,[60] France,[61] and Germany.[62]

In the United States, Rock-Star entered the Billboard 200 at number one, dated November 25, 2023, for fourth consecutive album, making Stray Kids the first act to have first four chart entries debuting at number one since Alicia Keys (2001–2007), and One Direction (2012–2014). The EP became the twenty-second overall non-English language album to top the chart, and the sixth in 2023, after Tomorrow X Together's , Karol G's Mañana Será Bonito, their own 5-Star, NewJeans's Get Up, and Bad Bunny's Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana. Rock-Star debuted with 224,000 equivalent album units, comprising 213,000 pure sales, and 11,000 streaming equivalent albums, equaling 15.68 million on-demand streams.[63] In 2024, Rock-Star received gold certifications from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA),[64] and French Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique.[65]

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)'s Global Music Report for 2023, Rock-Star was the ninth most-consumed album across all formats, and the best-selling album worldwide, having sold 4.2 million units.[66] [67]

Credits and personnel

Musicians

Technical

Locations

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[68] 1
Greek Albums (IFPI)[69] 1
Italian Albums (FIMI)[70] 7
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[71] 1
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[72] 9
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[73] 3
South Korean Albums (Circle)[74] 1

Monthly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[75] 4
South Korean Albums (Circle)[76] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[77] 51
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[78] 186
French Albums (SNEP)[79] 135
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[80] 91
Global Albums (IFPI)9
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[81] 41
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[82] 30
Japanese Download Albums (Billboard Japan)[83] 62
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[84] 64
South Korean Albums (Circle)[85] 4

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatVersionLabel
VariousNovember 10, 2023[86]
South KoreaNemoNemo[87]
United StatesNovember 15, 2023Digital downloadExclusive digital[88]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: '커리어 하이' 찍은 스트레이 키즈. 2023년도 상상 이상의 활약 예고. Stray Kids Took 'Career High', 2023 Notice of Activity Beyond Imagination. TenAsia. ko. Woo. Bin. January 2, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  2. News: [팝's신곡]"빛깔 뻔쩍 빛깔 뻔쩍"..스트레이 키즈, 더 별나게 돌아왔다 '특']. [Pop's New Song] "Flashy Flashy".. Stray Kids, Come Back Even More Bizarrely 'S-Class'. Herald Pop. ko. Park. Seo-hyun. June 2, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  3. News: 스트레이 키즈, 정규 3집 '파이브스타' 누적 판매량 500만 돌파. Stray Kids, 3rd Full Album '5-Star' Surpasses 5 Million Cumulative Sales. News1. ko. Kim. Min-ji. August 12, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  4. News: 스트레이 키즈, 'K팝 4세대 보이그룹 최초' 한일 5대 돔 투어 성료. Stray Kids Successfully Completed 5 Major Dome Tours in South Korea and Japan, 'The First 4th Generation K-Pop Boy Group'. Sports Today. ko. Yoon. Hye-young. October 31, 2023. October 31, 2023.
  5. News: Stray Kids、LiSAとの初コラボが決定 「Social Path (feat. LiSA)を新作EPに収録【バンチャン&LiSAからコメント到着】. Stray Kids to Collaborate with LiSA for the First Time, "Social Path (feat. LiSA) to be Included in the New EP [Comments from Bang Chan & LiSA]. Spice. ja. July 27, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  6. News: [단독] 'K팝 대세' 스트레이 키즈, 11월 가요계 컴백...성장세 입증]. [Exclusive] 'K-pop Trend' Stray Kids, Comeback to the Music Industry in November... Proof of Growth. Joynews24. ko. Jeong. Ji-won. September 19, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  7. News: [공식] JYP 측 "스트레이 키즈, 새 앨범 준비 중...컴백 시기 미정"]. [Official] JYP Side "Stray Kids Are Preparing a New Album... Comeback Date Undecided". Sports Kyunghyang. ko. Kim. Ha-young. September 19, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  8. News: 스트레이키즈, 오는 11월 새 앨범 '락스타' 발매. Stray Kids to Release New album 'Rock-Star' in November. Sports World. ko. Jeong. Hee-won. October 6, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  9. News: 스트레이 키즈, 11월 10일 새 앨범 '樂-STAR' 발매..5개월 만에 컴백 [공식]]. Stray Kids to Release New Album 'ROCK-STAR' on November 10... Comeback After 5 Months [Official]. Osen. ko. Ji. Min-kyung. October 6, 2023. October 6, 2023.
  10. News: Stray Kids announce details of new EP 'Rock-Star'. NME. Daly. Rhian. October 6, 2023. October 9, 2023. October 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231010150459/https://www.nme.com/news/music/stray-kids-rock-star-ep-3510372.
  11. News: Stray Kids to release new album 'Rock-Star' on Nov. 10. The Korea Herald. Ji-won. Choi. October 6, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  12. News: Stray Kids to drop 'Rock-Star' next month. Korea JoongAng Daily. Cho. Yong-jun. October 6, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  13. News: Billboard-topping boy band Stray Kids returns to 'rock'. The Korea Herald. Choi. Ji-won. November 10, 2023. November 10, 2023.
  14. News: 스키즈, 컴백 신곡명 '락(樂)'...신보 트랙리스트 오픈. SKZ, Comeback New Track 'Lalalala'... New Album Track List Open. Single List. ko. Kim. Mi-kyung. October 9, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  15. News: '컴백 D-1' 스트레이 키즈 "마지막에 남는 건 樂..'헉!' 하고 놀랄 퍼포먼스". 'Comeback D-1' Stray Kids "What Remains at the End Is Music.. A 'Breathtaking' Performance". Osen. ko. Ji. Min-kyung. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023.
  16. News: 스트레이 키즈, 신곡 '락' 뮤비 고퀄리티 예고. Stray Kids, High-Quality Preview of New Song 'Lalalala' Music Video. Queen. ko. Kim. Kyung-eun. November 8, 2023. November 8, 2023.
  17. News: 스트레이 키즈, 신곡 '락(樂)'트랙리스트 공개. Stray Kids, New Track 'Lalalala' Track List Release. Sports Kyunghyang. ko. Ahn. Byung-gil. October 9, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  18. News: Stray Kids rock out in new 'Lalalala' music video. NME. Daly. Rhian. November 10, 2023. November 10, 2023.
  19. News: 스트레이 키즈, 11월 10일 '樂-STAR'로 컴백. Stray Kids, Comeback with 'ROCK-STAR' on November 10. The Fact. ko. Gong. Mi-na. October 6, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  20. News: 스트레이 키즈, 신곡명은 '락(樂)'..3RACHA 전곡 작업 참여 [공식]]. Stray Kids, New Track Is Titled 'Lalalala'.. 3RACHA Participated in All Tracks. StarNews. ko. Lee. Seung-hoon. October 9, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  21. News: [Today's K-pop] Stray Kids float teaser for upcoming EP]. The Korea Herald. You-mee. Hwang. October 20, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  22. News: 스트레이 키즈, 수록곡 'Leave' 티저 영상 공개...아련한 가을 감성 '기대'. Stray Kids Releases Teaser Video for Their B-Side Song 'Leave'... Dim Autumn Feeling 'Anticipation'. Newsen. ko. Maeng. Seon-mi. October 24, 2023. October 24, 2023.
  23. News: "꿈이 현실로" 스트레이 키즈, 고척스카이돔 입성...K팝 대장주 입증. "Dreams Come True" Stray Kids Enters Gocheok Sky Dome... Proven to Be the Leader in K-pop. Sports World. ko. Choi. Jung-ah. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  24. News: 스트레이 키즈, '핫'한 메가급 퍼포먼스→서정적 무드까지...고척돔 달군 신보 무대 영상. Stray Kids, 'Hot' Mega Performance → Lyrical Mood... Gocheok Dome Hot New Performance Video. Sports W. ko. Noh. Yi-seul. October 26, 2023. October 26, 2023.
  25. News: 스트레이 키즈, 신곡 미리듣기 공개...빨리 컴백해 줘요, 현기증 난단 말이에요. Stray Kids Releases Preview of New Songs... Please Make a Comeback Quickly, I'm Dizzy. AtStar1. ko. Hwang. Yeon-do. November 6, 2023. November 6, 2023.
  26. News: 스키즈, '樂-스타' 스포일러..."8명 열정, 헉! 하고 놀랄 것". SKZ, Spoilers for 'Rock-Star'... "The Passion of Octet Will Surprise You!". Dispatch. ko. Goo. Min-ji. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023.
  27. News: '카리스마 락스타 변신' 스키즈, '樂-STAR' 콘셉트 이미지 첫 선. 'Charismatic Rock Star Transformation' SKZ Debuts '樂-STAR' Concept Image. Sports Donga. ko. Jo. Seong-woon. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  28. News: 스트레이 키즈, 차원 다른 콘셉트 담은 신보 티저 추가 공개...'콘셉트 맛집' 면모. Stray Kids Releases Additional Teaser for New Album with a Different Concept... A 'Concept Restaurant' Aspect. Global Epic. ko. Yoo. Byung-chul. October 30, 2023. October 30, 2023.
  29. News: 스트레이 키즈, '제복핏 카리스마 樂-STAR'...신보 3차티저 공개. Stray Kids, 'Uniform Fit Charisma ROCK-STAR'... New Album 3rd Teaser Released. ETNews. ko. Park. Dong-sun. November 1, 2023. November 1, 2023.
  30. News: 스트레이 키즈, 독특한 매거진 형식의 신보 티저 포토. Stray Kids, New Album Teaser Photos in a Unique Magazine Format. JTBC. ko. Park. Sang-hoo. November 5, 2023. November 5, 2023.
  31. Stray Kids [INTRO "樂-STAR"]]. YouTube. video. JYP Entertainment. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023.
  32. News: Stray Kids rock out in new 'Lalalala' music video. NME. Daly. Rhian. November 10, 2023. November 11, 2023.
  33. News: 스트레이 키즈, 메가급 컴백 예고한 'MEGAVERSE' 티저. Stray Kids, 'MEGAVERSE' Teaser Heralding a Mega Comeback. Newsen. ko. Lee. Min-ji. October 20, 2023. October 20, 2023.
  34. Move Over Multiverse, Stray Kids Are Entering the 'Megaverse' in New Video. Rolling Stone. Mier. Tomás. November 20, 2023. November 21, 2023.
  35. News: [뮤직뱅크] 어떤 고민이나 역경이 와도 계속되는 스트레이 키즈 ♪락(樂)]. [Music Bank] Stray Kids Continues No Matter What Troubles or Adversity They Face ♪ Lalalala. KBS Star Entertainment. ko. Shim. Min-kyung. November 10, 2023. November 11, 2023.
  36. News: 스트레이 키즈, 제베원 꺾고 '뮤뱅' 1위 "스테이 사랑해요". Stray Kids Beat ZB1 and Won First Place on 'Music Bank', "I Love You STAYs". Celuv Media. ko. Park. Soo-jung. November 17, 2023. November 17, 2023.
  37. News: '음악중심' 태민 1위 "샤이니월드 고마워"..스트레이 키즈·에스파 컴백[종합]]. Taemin Takes First Place on 'Music Core' "Thank You, SHINee World"... Stray Kids and Aespa Comeback [Comprehensive]. Newsen. ko. Lee. Ha-na. November 11, 2023. November 11, 2023.
  38. News: '음중' 스트레이 키즈, 정국·아이브 꺾고 1위..."스테이 감사해". 'Music Core' Stray Kids Beat Jungkook and IVE to Take First Place... "Thank You STAYs". Ilgan Sports. ko. Kwon. Hye-mi. November 18, 2023. November 18, 2023.
  39. News: 아이브 'Baddie' 1위→제베원·에스파·스키즈 컴백 (인기가요)[종합]]. IVE's 'Baddie' No. 1 → ZB1, aespa, SKZ Comeback (Inkigayo) [Comprehensive]. Xportsnews. ko. Lee. Hyo-ban. November 12, 2023. November 12, 2023.
  40. News: [TVis] '인기가요' 아이브, 활동 종료에도 1위...레드벨벳·엔하이픈·크러쉬 컴백]. [TVis] 'Inkigayo' IVE Takes First Place Even After Activities End... Red Velvet, Enhypen, Crush Comeback. Ilgan Sports. ko. Lee. Se-bin. November 19, 2023. November 19, 2023.
  41. News: BTS 정국, '엠카' 1위 트로피...MC 미연 "따뜻했던 둥지 떠난다" 아쉬운 작별 [종합]]. BTS Jungkook, 'M Countdown' 1st Place Trophy... MC Miyeon "I Am Leaving My Warm Nest" A Sad Farewell [Comprehensive]. Mydaily. ko. Park. Yoon-jin. November 16, 2023. November 16, 2023.
  42. News: 경방 타임스퀘어, '스트레이 키즈' 미니앨범 발매기념 팝업. Kyungbang Times Square, Pop-Up Commemorating the Release of 'Stray Kids' Mini Album. News1. ko. Seo. Mi-seon. November 13, 2023. November 27, 2023.
  43. News: 스키즈 창빈x필릭스, 귀여운 예능 데뷔→신동엽, 숙취 안 풀려 냉면 배달('놀토')[어저께TV]]. SKZ Changbin x Felix, Cute Variety Debut → Shin Dong-yeop Delivers Cold Noodles Without Getting Over Hangover ('Amazing Saturnday') [Yesterday TV]. Osen. ko. Oh. Se-jin. November 19, 2023. November 19, 2023.
  44. News: 스트레이 키즈, 2022년 포부와 계획 발표...더 높은 비상 예고. Stray Kids, Their 2022 Aspirations and Plans Announcement...Higher Emergency Notice. StarNews. ko. Lee. Duk-haeng. January 1, 2022. November 3, 2022.
  45. News: "IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING": Stray Kids reveal SKZFLIX trailer and release date at Seoul Special UNVEIL 13 concert, fans ecstatic. Sportskeeda. Khan. Afreen. October 21, 2023. October 22, 2023.
  46. News: Welcome To Stray Kids' 'MEGAVERSE' With ROCK-STAR. The Honey Pop. Juu. November 14, 2023. November 17, 2023.
  47. News: Jo . Ji-young . [공식] 스트레이 키즈 뮤직 드라마 '?옳첩??, 亞 최대 국제 단편영화제 수상 '쾌거' ]. [Official] Stray Kids Music Drama Wins the Largest International Short Film Festival in Asia . June 7, 2024 . . June 7, 2024 . ko.
  48. News: 「SSFF & ASIA 2024」オープニング上映にStray Kidsショートフィルム決定 . Stray Kids Short Film to be Screened at the Opening of "SSFF & ASIA 2024" . May 21, 2024 . Cinema Café . May 21, 2024 . ja.
  49. News: Stray Kids、『SSFF』グローバルスポットライトアワード受賞「メンバーとの思い出にもなった作品」 . Stray Kids Wins Global Spotlight Award at Short Shorts Film Festival: "A Work that Became a Memorable Experience for the Members" . June 4, 2024 . . June 4, 2024 . ja.
  50. News: '컴백 D-7' 스트레이 키즈, 찬란한 청춘의 순간...뮤직 드라마 공개. 'Comeback D-7' Stray Kids, a Moment of Brilliant Youth...Music Drama Released. Star Today. ko. Yang. So-young. November 3, 2023. November 3, 2023.
  51. News: Stray Kids' ROCK-STAR EP Review: Fame, Success, and the Reality of Being Stray Kids. Teen Vogue. Bell. Crystal. November 14, 2023. November 15, 2023.
  52. Web site: [2023년 결산] 올해의 케이팝 30]. [2023 Year-End] K-Pop 30 of the Year. Zenerate. ko. Kim. Do-heon. December 28, 2023. December 28, 2023.
  53. The 50 best K-pop tracks of 2023. Dazed. Glasby. Taylor. December 15, 2023. December 15, 2023.
  54. News: 스트레이 키즈, 커리어 하이..."樂, 국내외 차트 접수". Stray Kids, Career High... " 'Lalalala', Received Domestic and International Charts". Dispatch. ko. Jeong. Tae-yoon. November 13, 2023. November 16, 2023.
  55. News: 45주차 써클차트, BTS 정국·아이브·스트레이 키즈 나란히 2관왕..독보적 인기. 45th Week of Circle Chart, BTS Jungkook, IVE, and Stray Kids Win 2 Awards Side by Side... Unrivaled Popularity. BreakNews. ko. Park. Dong-je. November 16, 2023. November 16, 2023.
  56. News: 방탄소년단 정국-아이브, 11월 써클차트 나란히 2관왕. BTS Jungkook and Ive Topped Two Charts on the Circle Chart in November. Star Daily News. ko. Cheon. Seol-hwa. December 7, 2023. December 7, 2023.
  57. News: Stray Kids Earns Circle Quadruple Million Certification; NCT 127 And BTS's Jungkook Go Platinum. Soompi. Cha. E.. February 10, 2024. February 22, 2024.
  58. News: Stray Kids、2作連続のアルバム1位【オリコンランキング】. Stray Kids, 2nd Consecutive Album Ranked Number One [Oricon Ranking]. Oricon. ja. November 21, 2023. November 21, 2023.
  59. News: Stray Kids、通算3作目の合算アルバム1位【オリコンランキング】. Stray Kids, 3rd Combined Album Ranked Number One in Total [Oricon Ranking]. Oricon. ja. November 24, 2023. November 24, 2023.
  60. Web site: LAROI's First Time but second top 3. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 17, 2023. November 17, 2023.
  61. Le SNEP. snep. 1725518454550069416. November 17, 2023. En exclusivité, voici les 10 premiers du Top Albums de la semaine ! / Classement complet lundi . November 17, 2023.
  62. Web site: Kontra K und Beatles dominieren Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Kontra K and Beatles Dominate the Official German Charts. Offizielle Deutsche Charts. de. November 17, 2023. November 17, 2023.
  63. Stray Kids Score Fourth No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 'ROCK-STAR'. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. November 19, 2023. November 20, 2023.
  64. Stray Kids Match One Of BTS's Historic Accomplishments. Forbes. McIntyre. Hugh. February 21, 2024. February 22, 2024.
  65. News: Kang . Ka-hee . 스트레이 키즈 '樂-STAR', 프랑스음반협회 골드 인증 획득..통산 두 번째 기록 . Stray Kids' 'ROCK-STAR' Obtains Gold Certification from the Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique... Second Record in Total . June 12, 2024 . . June 12, 2024.
  66. Seventeen's FML announced by IFPI as biggest-selling Global Album of the Year. . February 27, 2024. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20240227151009/https://www.ifpi.org/seventeens-fml-announced-by-ifpi-as-biggest-selling-global-album-of-the-year/. February 27, 2024. live. February 27, 2024.
  67. Taylor Swift, Seventeen and Morgan Wallen top IFPI Global Album Charts. . March 28, 2024. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20240328105657/https://www.ifpi.org/taylor-swift-seventeen-and-morgan-wallen-top-ifpi-global-album-charts/. March 28, 2024. live. March 28, 2024.
  68. Web site: Rock-Star – Week 9, 2024. March 4, 2024 . HDU. hr. March 24, 2024.
  69. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 2/2024). IFPI Greece. January 17, 2024. January 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240117204823/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html.
  70. Web site: Album – Classifica settimanale WK 46 (dal 10.11.2023 al 16.11.2023). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. November 18, 2023.
  71. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-11-27. Oricon. ja. November 24, 2023. November 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231124044440/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2023-11-27/.
  72. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of November 15, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. November 15, 2023.
  73. Web site: 2023 46-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. November 17, 2023. November 17, 2023.
  74. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 45, 2023. Circle Chart. ko. November 16, 2023.
  75. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-11. Oricon. ja. December 13, 2023. December 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231213034603/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-11/.
  76. Web site: Circle Album Chart – November 2023. Circle Chart. ko. December 7, 2023.
  77. Web site: Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023. November 8, 2019 . Ö3 Austria Top 40. de. December 28, 2023. December 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231228085855/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/oe3austriatop40longplay/. live.
  78. Web site: Rapports annuels 2023. Ultratop. fr. January 7, 2024.
  79. Web site: 2023: La dynamique de la production et de la consommation musicales en France. SNEP. fr. January 8, 2024. January 13, 2024.
  80. Web site: Jahrescharts 2023 Album. GfK Entertainment charts. de. December 10, 2023.
  81. Web site: Album Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023. MAHASZ. hu. January 25, 2024. January 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240125132708/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/album/2023. live.
  82. Web site: Oricon Top 100 Albums: 2023. Oricon. ja. December 20, 2023. December 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220073613/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/y/2023/p/3/.
  83. Web site: Billboard Japan Download Albums – 2023 Year-End. Billboard Japan. ja. December 8, 2023.
  84. Web site: Top 100 OLiS – albumy 2023. OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. pl. February 16, 2024.
  85. Web site: Album Chart 2023. Circle Chart. January 12, 2024.
  86. Citations concerning Rock-Star release formats:
  87. Web site: 898Stray Kids(스트레이 키즈) "樂-STAR" DETAILED ALBUM PREVIEW ⋆ PLATFORM ALBUM_NEMO VER. ⋆. Stray Kids Official Website. ko. November 1, 2023. November 16, 2023.
  88. Citations concerning Rock-Star exclusive digital release formats:
    • Web site: ROCK-STAR DIGITAL ALBUM (DIGITALLY SIGNED COVER). Stray Kids Official Store. November 15, 2023. November 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231115103127/https://straykidsshop.com/products/rock-star-digital-album-digitally-signed-cover.
    • Web site: ROCK-STAR DIGITAL ALBUM (BLUE COVER VERSION). Stray Kids Official Store. November 15, 2023. November 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231115103257/https://straykidsshop.com/products/rock-star-digital-album-blue-cover-version.
    • Web site: ROCK-STAR DIGITAL ALBUM (GREEN COVER VERSION). Stray Kids Official Store. November 15, 2023. November 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231115103605/https://straykidsshop.com/products/rock-star-digital-album-green-cover-version.