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STAYC ‘Stereotype’: Rookie group sweeps charts, defies fashion standards for comeback

STAYC release their first EP 'Stereotype' that is making waves for the bold fashion choices, as it tops charts and breaks records

STAYC may be a 10-month rookie girl group, but they certainly don’t act like one as evident from the successful release of ‘Stereotype’. They have gradually risen to fame and are being noticed by the likes of TIME, Grammy and Forbes to charting on Billboard, iTunes, Gaon and MelOn. Additionally, they happen to be the second-highest rookie group and first highest rookie group not from the Big 3 company (JYP, SM, YG) for MelOn’s rookie groups’ unique listeners with 2.4M listeners. 

They are also tied with aespa for having a song stay in MelOn’s Top 100 chart for 510 hours and are the only rookie groups to enter the chart. Well, instead of just entering charts, STAYC is now breaking personal records by topping the same charts with their latest comeback ‘Stereotype’. Released on September 6, it is their first EP and second comeback of the year after the ‘ASAP’ era in April 2021. There are four tracks in the mini-album, all co-written by artists and founders of STAYC’s label, Black Eyed Pilseung.

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STAYC's 'Stereotype' tops charts

In less than 24 hours of ‘Stereotype’s’ release, it was revealed that the album and the lead single of the same name had broken several personal records of the group as they swept charts. In just six hours, the album garnered the highest first-day sales by a female rookie act, topped Hanteo’s daily sales album chart and currently has 52k sales. Additionally, it has been #1 on Bugs since two hours of its release. 

It was also #5 on Genie’s real-time chart, #18 on MelOn Top 100 and entered charts like FLO and Vibe. STAYC was also #1 on MelOn’s Daily Artist chart. The album also debuted at #6 on iTunes Worldwide while ‘Stereotype’ is STAYC’s first title track to debut on iTunes Worldwide Song chart. The album is also in the top 5 of iTunes chart in 9 countries and at #24 in the US iTunes chart.

Even the music video for ‘Stereotype’ has crossed 4.2M views on YouTube before the 24-hour mark and is trending in the top 10 of YouTube worldwide. Playing with their strengths of the ‘teen fresh’ concept, STAYC released a fun and animated music video challenging stereotypes and promoting self-confidence with the promise of always marching to their own beat. This can also be seen through their fashion choices and the looks they are sporting for this comeback that has netizens buzzing.

While not many can pull off the hime cut or the princess bangs, Seeun has been seen rocking the cheek length bangs and layered cut in ‘ASAP’s’ era. And for this comeback, Yoon was the one sporting it. But stylists went one step further by dip-dyeing the ends neon colors. Meanwhile, Sieun has bow-shaped space buns. And many knetizens noticed that despite their quirky hairstyles and eccentric denim plaid outfits, the girls still pull off the looks effortlessly.

Watch the music video below.

'Girls on top'

Fans were excited that the girls were getting the recognition they deserve and made tweets like, “STAYC GIRLS ON TOP,” “Stayc competing with stayc on melon chart,” and “Stayc eating cd’s y’all there’s no other way they can sound this stable and perfect live.” And while not all fans could get behind Yoon’s hairstyle, they all agreed that she still looked good regardless, “Idk but Yoon still looks good tho. Even if she goes bald, she would still look gorgeous.” Meanwhile, another added, “YES STAYC's VISUAL NEVER DISAPPOINTS.”