K-pop is increasingly criticized for using plastic in the production of physical albums, which contradicts the sustainability commitments made by companies. According to experts, the effectiveness of this campaign is uncertain as it is merely encouraging rather than mandatory.
The Ministry of Environment will collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to hold consultations for members of the Recording Industry Association of Korea (RLIAK) on government regulations regarding album cover production. They will also introduce alternative measures to reduce the production of plastic album covers.
Since South Korea currently lacks regulations on the excessive production of music albums, the Ministry is only encouraging the voluntary participation of the entertainment industry in combating climate change.
Approximately 100 million physical albums are sold annually, but the government has no regulations on the marketing strategies of entertainment companies. Fans are always encouraged to buy multiple albums to collect photo cards and other included items.
According to Circle Chart, which tracks album sales in South Korea, physical album sales reached 115.2 million in the 50th week of 2023, a 49% increase from the previous year. This figure is nearly 14 times the sales in 2013, which were 8.3 million albums.
This trend contrasts sharply with the situation in the United States, which has the world’s largest music market.
Data from RLIAK shows that physical album sales have continuously declined in the United States, dropping to 37 million last year from 172.2 million in 2013 and below 73 million in 2003.
According to KPop 4Planet, an environmental protection organization involving global K-pop fans, the marketing strategies of entertainment companies to exploit fan loyalty to maximize profits have led to mass production of albums and subsequent plastic waste.
Although there are no exact statistics on the materials used to produce albums, based on waste contribution cost records from entertainment companies, it is estimated that the top 15 producers, including HYBE, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment, sold over 390 tons of plastic packaging in 2022.
According to a 2021 survey by KPop 4Planet, 95.6% of respondents believed that entertainment companies negatively impact the environment. “The Korean music industry needs to take more responsibility in addressing global issues, especially climate change,” emphasized a representative from KPop 4Planet.
