In recent years, K-Pop companies have faced increasing criticism for releasing multiple versions of the same album and including numerous collectible photocards.
This practice not only inflates album sales but also leads to significant waste, as fans discard albums once they obtain their desired items, such as photocards or chances for fan interactions.
Images circulating online show piles of BTS Jungkook's solo album Golden discarded in various locations, including bathrooms. These albums, stripped of their plastic coverings, suggest fans have taken the photocards and discarded the rest.
One fan expressed their disappointment on social media:
"This is not it..ㅡㅡ Our precious Jungkook's albums.. Were all thrown out in the restroom.."
Similarly, SEVENTEEN's latest album, 17 IS RIGHT HERE, has been found discarded in large quantities after being stripped of their photocards.
This practice has led to skepticism about the true sales figures of these albums, with many suspecting that the numbers are artificially inflated by fans purchasing multiple copies just for the photocards.
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Recent data indicates that K-Pop album waste has surged 14 times over the past six years. The top three companies contributing to this waste are HYBE Labels, JYP Entertainment, and Kakao Entertainment.
"K-Pop Label Album Waste Increases Over 14X in 6 Years ‘HYBE, JYP, and Kakao in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd'"
In 2020 alone, 11 record labels paid over 190 million won (140,285 USD) in waste levies, with HYBE paying the most at 130 million won (95, 984 USD), followed by JYP at 27 million won.
This issue is not limited to BTS Jungkook and SEVENTEEN. Fans have shared images of numerous other discarded albums, highlighting a widespread problem within the K-Pop industry.
Fans are calling for action to address this wasteful practice. One fan remarked:
"It's heartbreaking to see albums treated this way. Something needs to change."
As the outcry continues, the industry faces increasing pressure to find sustainable solutions that balance commercial interests with environmental responsibility.
To eliminate this wasteful practice, fans and industry experts suggest several measures:
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KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Cassidy Jones.
