BTS' members’ military enlistment reportedly influenced the decrease in K-pop album sales by 9.4 million copies in the first half of 2024

K-pop album sales have decreased by 9.4 million copies in the first half of 2024, reportedly because of BTS members' military enlistment in 2023. On July 4, The Korea Times, a South Korean media agency, reported that the Korea Music Content Association has revealed an analysis showcasing a decline in overall K-pop album sales reportedly listing BTS members Jimin and Suga's enlistment as one of the reasons behind the decrease.

The total number of album sales, including CDs recorded between December 31, 2023, to June 22, 2024, has been revealed to be 45.49 million copies. It marked a dip of 17 percent in sales which is 9.4 million copies, as the first half of 2023 recorded over 54.89 million copies.

Moreover, K-pop boy group Stray Kids dropped their album 5-STAR which sold over 5 million album copies and was also reported to have influenced the decrease in sales this year, as they did not release an album in the first half of 2024.

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BTS’ members' enlistment reportedly played a role in the decline of overall K-pop album sales

BTS vocalist Jimin released his first solo album FACE in March and rapper Suga dropped his album D-Day under the name of Agust D in April last year. BTS' Jimin and Suga's solo album sold over 1 million copies each in the first half of 2023. Suga began his mandatory service on September 18, 2023, followed by Jimin on December 12, 2023.

Meanwhile, RM, j-hope, V, and Jungkook are also serving in the military currently. As per the reports, the K-pop album sales have eventually decreased since the two did not release any album in the first six months of this year.

Furthermore, A senior researcher Kim Jin-woo affiliated with Circle Chart predicted that alleged Sajaegi or K-pop album push could be the reported reason for the decrease in sales. Previously, ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accused HYBE of allegedly pushing BTS albums and manipulating charts to increase sales.

Albums push is an act done by Entertainment agencies to increase the record sales of a newly released album or single. The agencies allegedly push a huge number of album copies to distributors and retailers in return for an album signing event.

Circle Chart formerly known as Gaon Music Chart records weekly popular albums and songs released by K-pop artists.

Researcher Kim Jin-woo to The Korea Times said:

“Last year, the competition for sales in the early stages of new album releases was particularly fierce, and it is estimated that there was an overheating of album push during that process.”

He further predicted that:

“The bubble has burst, so this year's annual album sales are expected to decrease compared to last year.”

Notably, SEVENTEEN’s anthology album dropped on April 29, 2024, known as Best Album ‘17 Is Right Here’ sold 3.08 million copies. SEVENTEEN’s compilation album has reportedly topped the album sales of the first half of this year.

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K-pop releases in July 2024

BTS’ Jimin who is currently serving in the military is gearing up for his second solo album MUSE. The album was recorded before his enlistment including seven tracks out of which six have been penned by Jimin himself. The title track Who alongside the album MUSE is set to be out by Friday, July 19 2024 at 1 p.m. KST.

On the other hand, JYP Entertainment boy group Stray Kids is also preparing for their comeback in July with their album ATE. The album consists of eight songs: the title track Chk Chk Boom, Mountains, I Like It, Jjam, Runners, Twilight (또 다시 밤), Stray Kids, and Chk Chk Boom (Festival ver.). Stray Kids album ATE will be released on July 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. KST.