For K-pop artists, the American continent is no longer a “new world.” In 2025, K-pop acts demonstrated overwhelming expansion, rapidly scaled-up influence, and tangible global fandom mobilization, establishing a clear presence across the Americas. This can be seen through data recorded in Chapter 4 of Hanteo Chart’s annual report, Hanteo Rewind.


Released on the 24th, Chapter 4, titled “K-pop Takes Over the Heart of Pop”, analyzes, through data, how Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN, ATEEZ, LE SSERAFIM, and RIIZE performed across the Americas.

 

► 1.32 million albums, 850,000 attendees… Stray Kids dominate the Americas

In 2025, Stray Kids stood at the very peak of the K-pop landscape in the Americas. With approximately 1.32 million albums sold across North and South America and over 850,000 concert attendees, their numbers go beyond simply ranking No.1.


These figures reflect a group that has fully captured local fandom size, purchasing power, concert demand, and brand influence.


Considering their record of staying in the U.S. Top 10 charts for 46 weeks, Stray Kids are no longer just a successful K-pop export, they represent one of the most complete commercial models in the American market.


What makes their presence particularly notable is their balance. While some groups excel in album sales and others in touring, Stray Kids achieved a multidimensional impact across sales, performances, buzz, and chart influence, setting a new standard for “top of the top” in the region.


In essence, Stray Kids in 2025 provided the clearest answer to how far K-pop can go in the birthplace of pop.

 

► 937% growth… SEVENTEEN’s evolution through sustainability

The defining keyword for SEVENTEEN in 2025 is “sustainability.” Their sales in the Americas grew by 937% compared to five years ago, proving that their global presence is built on long-term accumulation rather than short-lived trends.


What stands out even more is that this growth did not rely solely on full-group activities. Instead, it was maintained through a multi-layered structure of unit and solo activities.


During members’ military hiatus, SEVENTEEN strategically filled gaps with unit and solo promotions, and it worked. With these activities accounting for 38.6%, the group demonstrated that diversification does not weaken a fandom, but rather expands the overall IP.


SEVENTEEN’s 2025 goes beyond performance metrics—it signals the next phase of the K-pop group model, not a single-core system, but a flexible, multi-core IP structure.

 

► 710,000 attendees… ATEEZ conquer both the Americas and Europe
 

ATEEZ proved once again in 2025 that “the stage is their greatest strength.”


With 42 shows across 12 countries and approximately 717,000 attendees, their numbers summarize both their global status and their unique expansion strategy.


Rather than following the typical K-pop route, ATEEZ built strong momentum in North America and Europe first, then circulated that energy back into Asia.
For ATEEZ, touring is not a supplementary activity—it is a primary driver of their brand.


Fan loyalty built through live performances, word-of-mouth, and city-level attendance data directly translates into measurable global scale.
Ultimately, ATEEZ’s 2025 stands as one of the most compelling examples of how K-pop persuades the world through live performance.

► From Japan to the U.S.… LE SSERAFIM’s shifting center of gravity

LE SSERAFIM’s 2025 marks a significant turning point. Their center of success has shifted from Japan to North America.


According to Hanteo Rewind, their U.S. album sales reached 301,692 copies, surpassing Japan’s 294,768 copies.


This is not just a reversal—it is a symbolic moment showing that the U.S. is emerging as a core market for both consumption and fandom concentration, even surpassing Japan, long considered the strongest overseas base for K-pop girl groups.


LE SSERAFIM are no longer just “strong in Japan.” Their presence built in Asia is now naturally extending into the U.S., with that expansion translating into real sales performance.


Their 2025 demonstrates that Western expansion for K-pop girl groups is no longer symbolic—it is becoming a structural shift.

 

► +91.6% growth… RIIZE moves beyond “rookie potential”

RIIZE showed one of the most impressive growth trajectories in the American market in 2025.


Their U.S. album sales increased from 57,323 to 109,807, marking a 91.6% growth rate.


More important than the number itself is how they grew,  interest → consumption → concert demand → stronger local presence.
This self-reinforcing cycle is already in place. For next-generation groups, sustainability matters more than momentary buzz. RIIZE proves strong potential here, fandoms are quickly consolidating in key regions, with both album sales and performance demand rising simultaneously.
Their 2025 confirms they are no longer just a “promising rookie,” but a group already on a global expansion trajectory.
 

► Conclusion: K-pop in the Americas has entered the “domination” phase
 

Each group offers a different answer, but they all prove one thing. The Americas are no longer an external market for K-pop,  they are now a core stage where K-pop is shaping its own internal order.
The birthplace of pop is no longer outside K-pop. K-pop is now organizing fandoms, driving tours, and generating sales within it, building its own industry logic.
And that transformation is already complete, in numbers.