Stray Kids and SEVENTEEN Dominate Global Music Sales: IFPI 2025 Rankings Revealed

K-pop Reaches New Heights on the World Stage

The global music industry just received its report card for the year, and K-pop is graduating with honors. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recording industry worldwide, has officially released its 2025 Global Artist Chart. Two of Korea's biggest powerhouses, Stray Kids and SEVENTEEN, have solidified their positions among the most commercially successful artists on the planet.

• Stray Kids achieved a career-high by landing at No. 2, following only Taylor Swift.
• SEVENTEEN maintained their global presence by securing the No. 14 spot.
• The IFPI chart is the industry's gold standard, measuring performance across streaming, digital downloads, and physical album sales.

What Happened: The 2025 Global Artist Chart

On February 18, 2026, the IFPI announced the top recording artists of the previous year. Unlike charts that only look at a single hit song, this ranking evaluates an artist’s entire body of work. This means every stream of an old favorite and every purchase of a new album counts toward the final score.

Stray Kids made waves by climbing to the second spot, beating out global giants like Drake and The Weeknd. This is their highest ranking to date, proving that their fan base is not just growing, but becoming one of the most dedicated in the world. SEVENTEEN also showed incredible longevity and power by ranking at No. 14, standing alongside legends like Eminem and Lady Gaga.

Who Is Who: The Artists Behind the Numbers

If you are new to the world of Korean entertainment, here is a quick look at the groups making headlines:

• Stray Kids: An 8-member group under JYP Entertainment known for their "self-producing" skills. The members write and compose most of their music, often characterized by high-energy beats and experimental sounds.
• SEVENTEEN: A 13-member group under Pledis Entertainment (a subsidiary of HYBE). They are famous for their perfectly synchronized choreography and for having three specialized units: Vocal, Hip-Hop, and Performance.
• IFPI: A non-profit organization based in London. When they release a chart, the entire music industry pays attention because it represents the most accurate data for global commercial success.

Why This Matters in K-pop

For years, K-pop was often viewed as a niche genre with a focused following. However, the 2025 IFPI rankings tell a different story. When K-pop groups like Stray Kids and SEVENTEEN consistently outrank mainstream Western pop stars, it signals a permanent shift in the music landscape. It shows that K-pop is no longer just a trend; it is a primary driver of the global music economy, fueled by massive physical album sales and a 24/7 streaming culture that few Western artists can match.