Despite companies committing to sustainability, K-pop has faced growing criticism for its use of plastic in the production of physical albums. Experts argue that the effectiveness of this campaign is uncertain as it relies on voluntary encouragement rather than mandatory measures.
The Ministry of Environment will work together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to organize consultations for members of the Recording Industry Association of Korea (RLIAK) regarding government regulations pertaining to the production of album covers. In addition, they will propose alternative solutions to minimize the use of plastic in album cover production.
Although there are currently no regulations in place in South Korea regarding the excessive production of music albums, the Ministry is only urging the entertainment industry to voluntarily participate in efforts to combat climate change.
Despite the sale of approximately 100 million physical albums each year, the government does not impose any regulations on the marketing strategies employed by entertainment companies. Fans are consistently encouraged to purchase multiple albums in order to acquire collectible photo cards and other included items.
According to the Circle Chart, which monitors album sales in South Korea, physical album sales in the 50th week of 2023 totaled 115.2 million, representing a 49% growth from the previous year. This number is nearly 14 times higher than the sales recorded in 2013, which amounted to 8.3 million albums.
The situation in the United States, which has the world’s largest music market, stands in stark contrast to this trend.
According to data from RLIAK, the United States has seen a consistent decrease in physical album sales, with only 37 million sold last year compared to 172.2 million in 2013 and 73 million in 2003.
According to KPop 4Planet, an environmental protection organization that includes K-pop fans from around the world, the marketing tactics used by entertainment companies to capitalize on fan loyalty have resulted in excessive album production and the generation of plastic waste.
Despite the lack of precise data on the materials utilized for album production, an estimate can be made based on the waste contribution expenses of entertainment companies. It is believed that the top 15 producers, including HYBE, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment, collectively sold more than 390 tons of plastic packaging in the year 2022.
Based on a recent survey conducted by KPop 4Planet in 2021, it was found that 95.6% of participants shared the belief that entertainment companies have a negative impact on the environment. A representative from KPop 4Planet stressed the importance of the Korean music industry taking accountability for addressing worldwide concerns, particularly regarding climate change.
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