K-Pop Physical Album Sales Hit a New 5-Year High

Data Gaon Music Chart recorded physical K-Pop album sales reaching 53.73 million units in 2021. This marks the first time physical album sales have surpassed 50 million since record-keeping began in 2011.

Over the past five years, physical K-Pop album sales have steadily increased. Sales first exceeded 10 million albums in 2017, reaching 16.17 million that year.

This number rose to 22.47 million in 2018 and further increased to 24.15 million in 2019. Despite the pandemic in 2020, sales surged by 60.25% to 38.69 million albums.

Since record-keeping began in 2011, the total number of K-Pop album sales has increased more than tenfold. Physical K-Pop album sales were recorded at 5.22 million in 2011.

Quoting The Korea Times, this high level of physical album sales is not seen in other genres. While digital music services are increasingly popular, physical K-Pop album sales continue to rise, unaffected by digital music.

The significant sales figures are attributed to the inclusion of photocards and posters of idols, typically included in the albums. With K-Pop groups usually having more than two members, fans often buy more than one physical album to increase their chances of getting a photocard of their favorite idol.