Celebrity

Sales of physical albums by K-pop artists increase 67% compared to the same period last year

Sales of albums and digital music in the Korean market in the first month of 2022 increased by 67% compared to the same period in 2021.

On February 17th, Gaon Chart released data and showed that the K-pop market continued to grow this year with album sales increasing by 67% over the same period last year. According to Kim Jin Woo, research team leader at Gaon Chart, album sales in January were 4,054,212 copies.

In particular, Enhypen’s album titled Dimension: Answer rose to the top of the monthly sales list with 723,478 copies sold. The second place in the chart belongs to SM Town’s album titled 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express with 347,434 copies. In third place is the product of the group Kep1er, First Impact, with 300,000 copies sold.

Researcher Kim said, “Normally, January sales are the lowest in the year. However, 67% is an optimistic increase. This seems to be the result of the growth of the music market. K-pop has significantly increased compared to before”.

In January, music streaming rate increased by 0.4 percent year-on-year. On the music charts, Kim Min Seok’s Drunken Confession comes in at first place, followed by Sokodomo’s Merry-Go-Round. Rapper Be’O’s Counting Stars and Limousine finished at 3rd and 6th respectively.

Researcher Kim Jin Woo continued, “Last month’s music market usage rate is approximately equivalent to that of the same period last year. The trend of listening to music in the first half of this year is said to be similar to last year.”

He added: “In the second half of the year, it is likely that the music market will recover as we are near the end of the pandemic.”

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