Sayart.net - K-Pop Album Exports Reach Record High, Fueled by Demand in Japan and the US

YG Entertainment

Exports of K-pop albums have surged to unprecedented levels in the first half of this year, bolstered by robust sales in Japan and the United States, the world's largest music market.

According to the Korea Customs Service, South Korea's album exports reached a remarkable $132.93 million as of June, marking a notable 17.1 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Japan continues to lead as the largest importer of K-pop, accounting for imports worth $48.5 million in the first half of this year. The United States followed closely behind, with K-pop albums valued at $25.5 million, while China registered imports worth $22.64 million.

Among the top 10 importers of K-pop albums, Germany secured a position, followed by Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.

The achievements of K-pop artists in the United States during the first six months of this year have been nothing short of remarkable.

Jimin, a member of the globally acclaimed BTS, made history as the first K-pop soloist to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart with his debut single "Like Crazy."

Renowned K-pop boy groups Stray Kids and Tomorrow X Together also dominated Billboard's main album chart, the Billboard 200, with their releases earlier this year.

In addition to their success, Jimin and Suga of BTS, along with Seventeen, Ateez, and Twice, secured positions on the same chart, peaking at No. 2.

Emerging K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty made waves by maintaining a spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for an impressive 16 consecutive weeks with their hit track "Cupid."

According to Luminate, a prominent American music sales data provider, Korean-language content ranks third in terms of streaming share in the United States.

"K-pop, which was once associated primarily with BTS and Blackpink, has now become a genre in its own right. It took several years for K-pop to solidify its current position in the music industry, following BTS's first Billboard Music Award win in 2017. There is still immense potential for the K-pop streaming market to further expand," stated an official from the Korea Music Content Association.

The remarkable growth of K-pop's global presence underscores its influence and signifies a new era for the genre as it continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com