Despite companies’ sustainability commitments, K-pop has faced mounting criticism for its use of plastic in the production of physical albums. Experts are uncertain of the effectiveness of the campaign to reduce plastic use, as it is currently only encouraged rather than mandatory.
The Ministry of Environment is set to work with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in conducting consultations for members of the Recording Industry Association of Korea (RLIAK) on government regulations concerning the production of album covers. Additionally, they will present alternative solutions to decrease the use of plastic in album cover production.
In the absence of regulations on the excessive production of music albums, the Ministry of South Korea is currently promoting the voluntary participation of the entertainment industry in efforts to address climate change.
An estimated 100 million physical albums are sold every year, and there are currently no government regulations on the marketing tactics used by entertainment companies. Fans are continuously encouraged to purchase multiple albums in order to collect photo cards and other bonus items.
According to the Circle Chart, which monitors album sales in South Korea, the 50th week of 2023 saw a 49% rise in physical album sales, reaching a total of 115.2 million. This amount is almost 14 times higher than the 8.3 million albums sold in 2013.
This trend stands in stark contrast to the state of affairs in the United States, which boasts the largest music market in the world.
According to RLIAK data, the United States has experienced a continuous decline in physical album sales, with only 37 million being sold last year compared to 172.2 million in 2013 and less than 73 million in 2003.
KPop 4Planet, an environmental protection organization comprised of global K-pop fans, states that the marketing tactics used by entertainment companies to capitalize on fan loyalty and increase profits have resulted in a surge of album production and excessive plastic waste.
Based on records of waste contribution costs from entertainment companies, it is estimated that the top 15 producers, such as HYBE, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment, collectively sold over 390 tons of plastic packaging in 2022. Although there is no precise data on the specific materials used for album production, these figures provide an estimate of the amount of plastic packaging used by these companies.
Based on a 2021 study conducted by KPop 4Planet, a vast majority of participants (95.6%) expressed their belief that entertainment companies have a negative impact on the environment. A spokesperson from KPop 4Planet emphasized the need for the Korean music industry to take greater responsibility in tackling global concerns, particularly in regards to climate change.
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