“When there’s no Blackpink,EXO, BTS, SNSD comeback”— Internet reacts as K-pop yearly album sales sees a decline for the first time since 2014

On December 26, South Korea’s Circle Chart released a report on K-pop yearly album sales that showed a decline for the first time since 2014. As revealed by the report, the 2024 K-pop yearly album sales totaled 92,669,650 copies, which was down by 19.5% compared to last year.

This report was prepared by the Chief Researcher of Circle Chart, Kim Jin-woo. It also highlighted the album sales date for male and female K-pop acts separately.

The newly released report didn’t include the names of many major K-pop group’s like BTS, EXO, BLACKPINK, Girls Generation (SNSD), and more, as they haven’t released any new album in 2024. K-pop fans observed this statistics and quickly shared their opinions, identifying potential reasons for the fall in album sales for 2024. One user on X stated:

“See when there’s no BLACKPINK, EXO, BTS, SNSD comeback”

Many other mixed responses on K-pop yearly album sales were seen online. While many pointed out that hiatus of BTS was a major reason of decline in K-pop yearly album sales, others demanded a comeback from BLACKPINK.

“I think people are streaming more than buying especially after YouTube music and Spotify,” wrote an X user.

“CLEARY shows the skyrocketing effect that BTS had 2017-2021 .. then came time to enlist 2022 - present !,” commented another X user.

“Kpop needs BLACKPINK,” K-pop fan stated.

“Not surpassing. Some really big groups are not bringing out new albums and a lot of groups had tours this year which means less releases,” a fan expressed.

Some said the decrease in K-pop yearly album sales was due to absence of tours from major K-pop acts in 2024.

“Becuz with gen4 there are no big name as much as before like SNSD, BP, BTS…,” stated another fan.

“BTS is coming to save the industry,” commented a fan.

“BLACKPINK stop delaying ur comeback,” stated a netizen.

“Let me help you with an explanation: Taekook and BTS didn't release an album in 2024.You welcome,” stated another X user.

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SEVENTEEN recorded highest sales as per K-pop yearly album sales report

Circle Chart’ K-pop album yearly sales chart featured the Korean boy band SEVENTEEN with a record of the highest number of physical K-pop yearly album sales in 2024. With the sale of 8,961, 692 copies of SEVENTEEN’s album, the group topped the list. Here’s the complete list:

• SEVENTEEN
• Stray Kids
• ENHYPEN
• TXT (Tomorrow x Together)
• NCT DREAM.
• ATEEZ
• NewJeans
• aespa
• ZEROBASEONE
• TWICE
• IVE
• LE SSERAFIM
• BOY NEXT DOOR
• NCT WISH

Although SEVENTEEN ranked #1, the group also saw the decrease in their album sales by 7.1 million copies in comparison to its previous years. The second and third spots on the list were taken by Stray Kids and ENHYPEN. Furthermore, the graph showed TXT and NCT Dream on the fourth and fifth spots.

As highlighted by fans, the globally renowned K-pop group, BTS, is set to reunite in June 2025, following the military discharge of the enlisted members. Currently, Jin and j-hope have finished their service. The other members, including SUGA, RM, Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung are fulfilling their military obligations.