While K-pop album exports surge in the West, there's a steady decline in China and Southeast Asia.

Export Status of K-pop Physical Albums in Asia

Based on 2023 data from the Korean Customs Service, K-pop exports from key Southeast Asian regions such as Vietnam have declined.

Export Status of K-pop Physical Albums in Europe and English-speaking regions

Based on 2023 data from the Korean Customs Service, compared to the previous year, export amounts saw significant increases: 135% in Germany, 17% in the Netherlands, 26% in the United Kingdom, 90% in Canada, and 74% in Australia.

|▢USA|▢Japan|▢China|

Export Status of K-pop Physical Albums in the USA, Japan and China

Based on 2023 data from the Korean Customs Service, compared to the previous year, Japan increased but 42%, the United States increased by 61% and China decreased by 34%.

2022 Album Export Amounts:

Japan: 108.4 billion won

China: 67.8 billion won

USA: 54.0 billion won

Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Germany: 5.4 billion won

France: Less than 5.4 billion won

Vietnam, UK: 4.0 billion won

Philippines, Canada: 2.7 billion won

Australia: 1.3 billion won

Taiwan: 12.2 billion won

2023 Album Export Amounts:

Japan: 162.7 billion won

USA: 81.3 billion won

China: 47.4 billion won

Taiwan: 17.6 billion won

Germany: 12.2 billion won

Hong Kong: 10.8 billion won

Netherlands: 6.7 billion won

UK, Canada, France: 5.4 billion won

Indonesia, Thailand: 4.0 billion won

Australia: 2.7 billion won

Vietnam, Philippines: Less than 2.7 billion won

Source: 케이팝 피지컬 앨범 수출 데이터 리뷰

COMMENTS

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- "The reasons for Southeast Asians to pay attention to K-pop are getting smaller. Public opinion of Korea isn't good, their own cultural content is strong, and the quality is rising."

-"In China, they use the money that would have been for albums on concert tickets sold on resale services. Now the d*mn ticket prices have skyrocketed like crazy."

-"K-pop is a goldmine in the Japanese market...

They purchase a lot of albums, spend big on concert and merchandise.

Without Japan, K-pop might not have grown as much."

- "Southeast Asian kids are always spreading rumours, so it might be easier if the popularity simply declines over there."

- "Then there are the people who make a lot of noise online and never spend a penny."

- "The European market is growing."

-"Why are the comments like that towards Southeast Asian fans? Is being a fan just about spending money?"

- "In Southeast Asia, local singers and actors have gained so much popularity, and also there's negative opinions growing towards Korea in Thailand right now."

- "The U.S. market seems like the next big deal and honestly... we could probably just filter out the rest ㅋㅋㅋㅋ!"

- "But in Southeast Asia, K-pop is still popular ㅋㅋㅋ Every shopping mall you go to is playing K-pop. I wonder if its popularity has actually declined ㅋㅋㅋㅋ"

- "Wow, what's going on with Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, and Australia? It's doubled! Incredible, what's causing this? Keep shining, K-pop~~♡"

-"Hmm, I wonder what will become of the K-pop industry without Japan..."

- "Nothing lasts forever."

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