CD Sales Are Exploding in South Korea As Eco Groups Notice

K-pop CD sales are exploding in South Korea, but physical album production is raising concerns about the mounting environmental impact.

K-pop CD sales surpassed 100 million units in 2023 — an industry first, and a 50% increase from the year before. That's an impressive milestone, especially in the face of digital streaming dominance. But it raises concerns about the mounting environmental impact of physical album productions, according to a study from the UK's Keele University.

The seemingly out-of-place surge in physical album sales is exclusive to South Korea, due to music labels' sophisticated marketing strategies for idol groups. These albums regularly include collectible items such as limited addition photocards of artists, or chances to win special prizes. In essence, each album is like a lottery ticket for fans to win even more goodies.

Producing a single CD generates approximately 500 grams of carbon emissions, Keele University's study finds, per a report by French news outlet AFP. And according to environmental group Kpop4Planet, founded in 2020 by a fan in Indonesia, weekly sales from just one K-pop group could generate carbon emissions equivalent to “flying around the Earth 74 times.”

K-pop powerhouse company Hybe has responded to environmental concerns by these groups. Hybe assures fans that they use “eco-friendly materials for our albums, video publications, and official merchandise, minimizing plastics.” That said, specifics were not provided.

Meanwhile, South Korea's environmental ministry has made efforts to address the issue over the past 20 years with fines — but the fines are relatively minimal compared to the resulting album revenue. According to Yoon Hye-rin, deputy director of the ministry's Resource Circulation Policy Division, labels were charged approximately 2 billion Korean won ($1,430,000) in 2023.

Notably, physical album production increased significantly during the pandemic, as labels pushed to offset their lost touring revenue. But environmental groups like Kpop4Planet continue to advocate for change through protests outside music label headquarters and petition campaigns. The group's goal is to hold the industry accountable while still supporting the artists themselves.