Over the past few years, there has been a growing backlash against K-Pop companies for their practice of putting out multiple versions of a single album and including numerous collectible photocards.
This practice not only artificially increases album sales, but also results in a substantial amount of waste, as fans often throw away the albums after receiving the items they wanted, such as photocards or opportunities for fan interactions.
Despite their plastic coverings being removed, piles of BTS Jungkook’s solo album Golden can be seen scattered in different places, such as bathrooms, in images shared on the internet. This indicates that fans have possibly taken the photocards and disposed of the remaining contents.
A fan took to social media to express their disappointment:
“This is not it..ㅡㅡ Our precious Jungkook’s albums.. Were all thrown out in the restroom..”
Similarly, a large number of discarded copies of SEVENTEEN’s most recent album, 17 IS RIGHT HERE, have been discovered without their photocards.
This trend has caused doubt regarding the actual sales numbers of these albums, as many believe that the figures are artificially inflated by fans buying multiple copies solely for the photocards.
Recent statistics show that there has been a 14-fold increase in K-Pop album waste in the last six years. The three primary companies responsible for this waste are HYBE Labels, JYP Entertainment, and Kakao Entertainment.
A single source revealed the financial consequences of BTS Jungkook’s alleged deletion of 52.4 million followers. The shocking truth behind this event has been uncovered.
“K-Pop Label Album Waste Increases Over 14X in 6 Years ‘HYBE, JYP, and Kakao in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd’”
In 2020, a total of 11 record labels collectively paid over 190 million won (140,285 USD) in waste levies. HYBE paid the highest amount at 130 million won (95,984 USD), followed by JYP at 27 million won.
This problem is not exclusive to BTS Jungkook and SEVENTEEN. Fans have also posted pictures of many other discarded albums, underscoring a prevalent issue in the K-Pop world.
Amidst this wasteful practice, fans are demanding action. As one fan commented:
“It’s heartbreaking to see albums treated this way. Something needs to change.”
Despite ongoing criticism, the industry is under mounting pressure to develop sustainable solutions that strike a balance between commercial interests and environmental responsibility.
To put an end to this wasteful practice, several measures have been recommended by fans and industry experts:
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