Stray Kids are proving their global popularity once again with the release of their second Japanese studio album, GIANT.

Released on November 13, GIANT is the group’s first Japanese full-length album in nearly two years, following THE SOUND in February 2023.

As soon as the album dropped, it topped multiple charts in Japan, including Apple Music, iTunes (overall, pop, and K-pop), LINE Music’s Real-Time Album Top 100, and AWA’s Real-Time Rising Album Top 100.

It also ranked No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs charts in nine regions and iTunes Top Albums charts in 19 regions, including Japan and the U.S. Impressively, GIANT became the first Japanese album by a K-pop artist this year to hit No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Top Albums chart.

On top of that, the album dominated Oricon’s Daily Album Rankings for four consecutive days, from November 12 to November 15.

To celebrate the album’s release, Stray Kids teamed up with popular Japanese brands like Suntory, Tokyo Dome City, and Spotify for exciting promotional events.

As part of their Stray Kids World Tour "DOMINATE", the group also held three solo concerts at Tokyo Dome on November 14, 16, and 17, creating unforgettable moments for fans.

Since their Japanese debut in 2020, Stray Kids have consistently topped major music charts like Oricon and Billboard Japan. Last year, they became the first fourth-generation K-pop boy group to perform at all four major domes in Japan during their 5-STAR Dome Tour 2023, proving their massive popularity.

Stray Kids are keeping the momentum going with their upcoming album, SKZHOP HIPTAPE "合 (HOP)", set to release on December 13. This new album combines their signature sound with a fresh "hip-hop" concept, offering fans something truly unique to look forward to.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Stray Kids as they continue to make waves worldwide!

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ChoA, former member of the girl group Crayon Pop, has bravely shared her ongoing battle with cervical cancer and her emotional journey.

On January 28, ChoA posted a heartfelt update on her social media, explaining her struggles. "I usually laugh, talk, and live my life as usual, but there are moments when I suddenly face a reality that isn’t like before, and it gets tough," she shared.

She went on to say, "Recently, something difficult happened, and in the past, I would have had a drink with my husband to shake it off. I really miss being able to do that."

ChoA admitted that she still can’t fully believe her diagnosis. "When I face the reality I’ve been avoiding, my heart that I’ve built up breaks down," she said. "But the life I’m living now, which I’m still enjoying, is something that someone else might be wishing for. I try to gather my thoughts again with gratitude."

She also expressed hope for the future, saying, "Lately, I dream of a day five years from now when I’ll be declared cancer-free and be able to have a drink with my husband after putting the kids to bed, after all the struggles. It’s been almost two years, so I believe the day I get that clean bill of health will come soon."

ChoA married a businessman in 2021, six years older than her. In October 2023, she revealed her cervical cancer diagnosis, sharing that she had been diagnosed during a routine check-up in her first year of marriage.

Despite everything, ChoA remains hopeful, noting that the cancer was smaller than expected during surgery, and she was able to preserve her fertility—a step closer to her dream of becoming a mother.

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