Album Sales Are No Longer Impressive and This Is Why (Photocards, Fancalls, & Dumpsters)
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
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Honestly I still like buying physical media cause lord knows digital can be tricky, plus I like displaying my albums. I don’t buy multiple versions or really care about the photo cards, I just buy my faves whatever version is available at a store.
Same! I love being able to actually own my music. Same for my DVDs.
Me too I just buy the version I like
@@adorabletrap9605 I just buy what’s available at the store.
same here. i buy an album for a group i follow and.....that's it. it's on my shelf proudly displayed. i'll admit that i was tempted to get all 3 versions of the Monsta X Beautiful album 'cuz of how good they looked together (i'm a sucker for good aesthetics *shrug*), but my bank account told me no haha.
Yeah, same! One copy per album, that’s my rule
The solution to stop bulk buying and bulk dumping is for companies to stop releasing multiple versions of the same album and stop including photo cards in albums. Simple.
instead of no photo cards add all the members in them instead of making it a lottery
The real solution is for obsessive delulu fans to stop mass buying. Companies dgaf abt the environment as long as they're minting bank. These stupid stans that buy in bulk more than the needful should be shamed and made to deal with the waste they create. Stop putting this on the companies they wouldnt be pumping out albums if ppl weren't buying them.
you know kpop stans would start sending trucks and threatening companies if they did that
Stoping photocards? Are you insane?
Why would they do that? That's how they make most of their money. It's that and tours.
I pay very little attention to album sales because I know its a very exaggerated number. Not only do you have fans who will buy for the extra items but most will buy buy buy just for "their group" to be on top so the numbers mean nothing
Literally! Like i do not care anymore, especially as a Carat. Seventeen had such organic growth and back then album sales actually mattered. Now, they just keep topping themselves and that's not to undermine their success but we know where those numbers are coming from🙄
@@mintyoongi4016 exactly. Like you want to be happy for the groups because they deserve the sales but knowing how the sales are happening makes it difficult
Exactly!!! Well said.
the answer isnt less versions - its less POBs. the ridiculous amount of POBs from various stores for fansigns has made it ridiculous. i love physical media cuz im a collector and dont want physical albums to go away
SAY IT LOUDER. I do think that less versions are also a solution, but POBs are getting waaaaayyyyy out of hand.
I agree
The pandemic really played a part in the sales of kpop albums
is it because more people became kpop fans while they were spending a lot of time online?
@@bastetowl3258 yep, also bc of isolation and social distancing, the only way to interact with idols and to directly support them were through buying their merchandise and albums (to monetarily support, support their chances of winning music shows, and win fancalls).
the culture just continued alongside the lifting of the pandemic
@@bastetowl3258both that and also suddenly people were sat around at home with nothing to do and nothing to spend money on. I’ve never bulk bought but I did buy a lot of albums during the pandemic because I just had pocket money adding up and nowhere to spend it.
Album sales were already in a massive decline in every genre even before Kpop. It just took a bit more time to reach it.
@@bastetowl3258 yeah ! I’ve been a kpop stan since 2015 so watching kpop rise during the pandemic was truly… an experience to say the least 😃
lets be consicious consumers buy what you REALLY love, and don’t over due it
Being able to have physical copies is good when digital platforms can toss discographies overnight, so I think a good way to deal with this could be for markets (stores or online) to cap how many physical copies of an album can be sold per buyer
yeah, it should cap at like 1 per version per person or something. maybe 2 or 3 to account for people buying for their friends and stuff
The amount of cheap crap souvenirs available through labels is stunning to me. You can’t buy a single functional keychain but a cute little piece of plastic with the cheapest hook and chain is thirty US dollars. Can these items even be recycled? A physical album is a piece of history that can’t be altered. Doing away with them is like doing away with books. In the future we will regret it. And it may be impossible to find the “real” versions. We just don’t need twelve versions and a requirement to buy dozens to win entry to a fan event.
i prefer group version compact albums with the cd, I'd hate it if CDs get removed from albums
I LOVE collecting albums and photocards, but I don't support bulk buying just for the sake of fancalls and fansigns. Like, if I was an idol, I would be so sad knowing that so much waste was being created just because someone wanted to meet me.
Same !
It would be interesting to have a video on short lived groups from popular kpop agencies, like Black Beat, Swi.T, MILK, etc.
Seeing how buying and collecting become like in 2021 after yeaaarsssss of collecting- I dropped and sold 99% of what I owned. It's become bullshit now with how the companies are acting up, fans and the new k-idol generations.
Exactly it’s unfortunate I would never
I did that once, sold my whole collection. Then years later I saw what prices some of those albums were getting and I really regretted it, I sold [xx] for $30 and just bought it again last year for $500
thats so sad, people in other countries work really hard to find and afford albums/ stores. These are sometimes groups very personal work, even then graphic designers, and creative directors work hard to make this.
i buy albums based on the actual design of the album and if i would be able to use them for scrapbooking projects. newjeans albums, for example, have lots of little details in the photo books that you can cut out and paste. i usually hang up the cds and postcards on my wall too so everything is getting used.
We should find a way to BAN mass buying per person. Like maybe that you need to ID yourself and that per ID a person can only have max 1-5 copies of the same version of the album or something. And that only licensed stores can bulk buy and then it's limited depending per how large your store is. Idk.
chinese fanbars have been bypassing that for years
Since I don't listen the CDs, I treat my albums as art books / display items so I usually never pre order and I check unboxing videos so that I know do I want a specific album version or not. I made that decision because I already collect so many other things too and I think it's healthy to have a limit with your own collection. I don't collect photocards (like every single one), I might get one I like and I try to trade / sell the cards I don't personally need. I personally hate the whole bulk buying and then dumbing them just bc you MIGHT get a chance with a phone call etc (I personally think fancalls are so cringy anyway). Apparently in the US people steal photocards from the albums like at target or something. I personally don't follow the album sales etc and again, I just get albums that I like (often as second hand) and I try to remind myself that I don't have to buy everything my favs put out. Kpop has become so materialistic and money hungry that its lowkey sad.
If someone ever tries to pull the "but look at all the albums they sold" excuse, I will guide them to this video to teach them why that "reason" over how an artist leaves a musical legacy was never a proper answer to why your favs are doing as well as you think they are.
yeah you could only use that line of thinking for 1st gen idols tbh
During the Pandemic I could finally afford to buy my favorite albums and I knew after all my years as fan of k-pop since 2 gen that you could have a crazy mentality basically "I gotta catch them all." That's why I usually do a yearly album wrapped up and I have to like every song on the album for it to be even considered a physical buy... I know some will buy the album just because they want to support their group even if they are at the top of charts. I would rather be more thoughtful and ethical in what I buy for my personal collection and I want to see the best for artists.
i used to collect albums because it was cool and the stuff really did feel limited and great. I have no regrets with my purchases. I do not feel the same way now though, not because I support my groups less or that I can't afford it, but the albums just feel too overwhelming now?
I used to buy one album and get excited for the photocard, maybe I'll get my bias, maybe I can trade if I dont. I put up my posters and postcards on my wall... But now, unless the album is particularly beautiful... It feels so unnecessary and like such a huge waste, especially with how companies make so many versions and copies. Too much involvement with business will always ruin fun.
Interesting to hear you bring up celebrities throwing away albums given to them at music shows. I ended up with a Melody Day album that was signed to BTOB. Clearly someone from the group, or management team, discarded the album.
Reminds me of LOONA odd eye circle's album signed to april
The plastic packaging from the albums I bought just this year could probably fill up a 10-gallon trash bag, it's really bad. But what am I supposed to do? I'm addicted, I've spent as much as $250 for a single photocard 😭
Can you talk to a therapist about why you feel compelled to buy to an extreme level
a photocard of someone you'll never meet and that you could make for free if you have a printer. there's something mentally wrong going on there
People were mad Artms didn’t include photocards in their album but then made an album that was just a package of photocards and a code for the digital album (kinda like kihno but just the code). I know theres many reasons they did this but I like not having to buy so many albums. I just bought one of each version then many of the photocard versions.
This is such an important topic and thank you for talking about it. Buying many albums, even 1 of each version, has lost its joy for me. I only buy 1 album now. I do enjoy collecting photocards and I know lots of people do too, but I hope more people will stop the cycle of overconsumption.
That Grinder notification sound at 15:40 scared me 😂
In reality, you can't please fans, no malice intended. When companies give you digital albums " data storage, technological effects on the environment, but if they give you physical albums it's also harmful to the environment. What should they do then? Do not give albums at all? Let's try to not be rigid and complicated, k-pop in itself is a business, not a massive charity organization
Excellent comment! 🙏🤩
i wonder how many Taylor swift fans know that she's using the K-pop business model. and i would happily collect the used CDs and take them back to Australia
It's been a long time since I've stopped buying albums because of many factors. I used to buy albums to show support to my fav artists and because I personally loved looking through the physical photobooks. I was very picky though. I had to like the tracklist and the photobook concept (especially when choosing which album ver I wanted) to decide if I was willing buy it.
Eventually, I decided it wasn't worth it anymore because buying albums became too expensive for me, they took up a lot of space, I rarely used the CD because it's more convenient for me to just listen to my music on RUclips, and I think overall I've taken a step back from Kpop and became a much more casual listener. Of course, I still cherish the few albums that I own, but to be honest, I only look through them like once or twice a year. Still, seeing all those albums being dumped on the street hurts my soul.
I'm part of 5% because i have a cd player
I got into kpop during the 2nd gen/digital download era, so I've never cared about album sales or buying them until the Spotify/Melon drama a few years ago - corporations can wipe entire digital discographies at a moment's notice and that's terrifying to me, so I've been slowly collecting 1st-3rd gen albums. As for bulk buying, I regularly go to second hand book/media shops and I always see dozens of multiple copies of the same kpop cds, usually from the biggest boy groups. It's one of the reasons why I don't care about album sales.
You lost me a bit at the end. Since I think the issue of the K-pop industry encourages over consumption of albums rather than those albums not being 'eco-friendly' enough when 100s end up in the trash. Fans should be encouraged to purchase less and cherish what they purchased for a long time. But companies prefer fans to keep buying waaay more than is reasonable, but to ease the fans' conscience by bs-ing with becoming 'eco-friendly'.
This is why I'm so proud of EXO-L When it comes to EXO albums We cherish them Because we know how hard EXO Work day and night To bring us some good material. Never have I once seen their albums in the garbage. And by the way, I would never pay that much damn money for a photo card That is stupid You gotta be out of your Mind to pay for that.
Honestly they should start selling photocards separately tbh.
This is the exact reason why I don’t buy albums in bulk. What am I going to do with them? 😂 I like collecting, but I collect for the purpose of if my artists is geoblocked, then I can still listen to it. Not all music is made available to every country. Some artists only release to Japan and do not make it available to other parts of the world digitally. These generally are older groups. I own a couple of these albums physically so I can listen to them. Some artists release their music to everyone, but over time, for some reason, they get blocked in my country. I live in the States. I even have one single from an artist that was never released digitally. The only way to hear it is if you have physical copy. I like to buy at least two copies because if one gets scratched, then I have a backup. I learned from experience that I never trust these companies to keep up the music forever. I have physical copies, so no company can take away the music I enjoy ever again. Countries like South Korea and Japan will never have to deal with being geoblocked like some of us are.
Hello again midnight ❤🔮 lucky for me I listen to my CDs from kpop albums it’s unfortunate what’s been happening with them
that’s why I like smini albums because you get a pc and a keychain of the album and can scan them on your phone
since i don't care that much about collecting photocards i buy many used albuns and other goodies. a few years ago a fan from my country who lived in korea donated many albuns for the fans, paying just the shipping. i wish that had more people donating or selling albuns for cheap for non korean fans
these ppl are completely missing the point, fans r buying tons of albums just bc of the inclusions are random and there is a ton of them. the solution is simply including the whole set so every fan only has to buy one album, while still owning the music physically
the photocard lottery needs to stop. it's basically gambling but with selfies of kpop idols
The bulk trashing of physical Kpop albums is disgusting, all for a photo card?! At this point companies need to release one album, not multiple covers and NO photo cards! But all companies care about is money and “album sales” which are not accurate.
with certain groups and idols KNOWN for fandoms that rabidly bulk-buy/streaming farms so they "don't lose" is why album sales and streams mean nothing.
I would love for you to deep dive into the Billlie lore!
no cz there's this store in my mall that literally sells Kep1er photocards for 500 pesos (8 USD) & Like the album isn't even out of print 💀💀
I'm too broke to purchase albums now, i ss photos and take print outs lmao
I don't really care about photo cards, book photos, poster ecc. I just care about the CD. Probably I'm one of the minority of people that still listen to CD. So I will love the return of 1st generation CDS. I know it will never happen but if there is the option I will buy a version similar to 1st generation with more joy.
It’s a pretty scummy and unethical business practice.
i pay little to no attention to album sales or streams anymore since its all inflated by super fans. like the like to view ratio is crazy on alot of music videos in general but for kpop its crazy! ppl just sit a stream these songs on repeat all day
In my opinion they should start having limits for buying albums
11:14 I spy with my little eye: CCREW
What iz*one did to revolutionize physical sales is truly a blessing but a curse at the same time
I feel like companies should limit the fans on how many albums they can buy to avoid throwing away the albums
I only buy albums if I like the music , concept, and album packaging in that order. I preorder only BTS, recently TXT, and Kim Jaejoong.
If you as a fan of a group are buying more than one or 2 albums of a single release, YOU are the problem my dude not the companies. They wouldn't be churning out these many albums if yalls obsessive ass didn't keep buying.
is there a reason why in online stores for purchasing albums can't limit the amount purchased? I can do that in my online store, why can't these big companies?
This is gonna be something.
I am looking for u will buy the albums I have because am tired of them 😂😂
Photocards and albums have essentially become double edge swords 😬
Victon did the non physical album in 2021 !! Everyone praised them for it 🥹🥹
I mean it’s not good but international famous figures have been making multiple albums for years.
For me as a kpop stan it has always been charts > sales
Dang, when I bought an album it was because I wanted the music, not so much the "goodies"
Did u know mhj preordered 3.5 million albums for nj debut? Theres 2 million albums out there made, and not sold.
Fake news
I'm pretty sure those are fake news where did you get that information from? MHJ is many things but she has already said that boosting sales is against her principles.
great video
I live for the day kpop fans read Marx's work. We've known babe.
You should know that there is a Colombian girl who debuted as an "idol" named andrea laviu but she dances and sings better than the Koreans...
stan her plzzz
true
Make Kpop fans buy albums in bulk and throw it away just to get photocards or chance to get fan sign or to help boost the “album sales” so yah any male Kpop fans claiming their oppas sold millions remember there albums probably have gotten thrown right after them fans have taken the photocards and shitz
Group orders are very beneficial for us overseas though. The shipping, taxes and import fees are insane and unreasonably high since Korean K-pop stores don't calculate shipping by weight at all. Group order managers help collectors get albums, cards, exclusive pop up store merch etc that otherwise could be impossible to obtain.
why not just release packages like trading cards, with photocards and digital copys of the tracks and raffles? like the whole tcc busines. great article.
you didnt look at the ateez albums at all. only the out boxes were thrown away, not the entire album
I cant listen to your voice bro💀
Bulk buying by BTS fans has really destroyed Kpop