Why Do K-POP Fans Buy Multiple Copies of the Same Album?
© TWICE Official YouTube
You tell a non-fan friend that you just bought three copies of the same album. They look at you like you've lost your mind. To them, you own a CD once and that's it. But inside K-POP fandom, buying multiple copies of the same release is completely normal — and for most fans, it's not impulsive. There are real reasons behind it.
This guide breaks down exactly why fans do it, so you understand the logic before you decide whether it makes sense for you.
Reason 1: Photocards Are Random
Every K-POP album includes one or more photocards — small collectible cards featuring individual members. The problem (and the appeal) is that you don't get to choose which member's photocard you receive. It's random.
If a group has seven members, a complete set requires at minimum seven albums. But most fans aren't trying to collect everything — they want a specific member's card. That means buying until you pull the one you want, or trading duplicates with other fans.
The result: fans who are collecting for a specific member often end up with several copies of the album before getting the card they were after.
Reason 2: Fansign and Video Call Entries
This is the biggest driver of high-volume purchasing — and the one that surprises non-fans the most.
For many comeback releases, entertainment companies run fansign events or online video call events where fans get to meet their favorite idol one-on-one. Entry isn't guaranteed — it works like a lottery. Each album you purchase counts as one entry ticket.
© NewJeans Official YouTube
The odds vary by group popularity. For a mid-sized group, buying 20–30 albums might give you a reasonable shot. For the biggest acts, fans sometimes purchase 50–100+ albums to enter a single draw — and still don't win. The albums themselves often get donated, resold, or given away, because the goal was never the album itself.
| Group Size / Popularity | Typical Entry Volume for Reasonable Odds |
|---|---|
| Smaller / niche groups | 5–15 albums |
| Mid-sized groups | 20–50 albums |
| Top-tier groups (SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, etc.) | 50–150+ albums |
Reason 3: Chart Support
Physical album sales are a major component of weekly music show rankings in Korea — shows like Inkigayo, Music Bank, and M Countdown. High first-week sales also affect end-of-year award eligibility and Gaon/Circle Chart certifications.
Fans who care about their group charting well treat album purchases as a form of direct support — every copy bought in the first week counts toward the sales total that determines chart position. This is especially high-stakes during award season or when a group is trying to secure their first music show win.
Reason 4: Multiple Versions with Different Content
Most K-POP albums are released in multiple physical versions — sometimes two, sometimes five or more. Each version has different packaging, a different photobook concept, different photocards, and sometimes different bonus tracks.
© SEVENTEEN Official YouTube
A fan who wants all versions of a release isn't buying duplicates — they're buying genuinely different products. The version system is intentional design by entertainment companies, and it works. Collectors who want the complete set have to purchase each version separately.
Do You Have to Do Any of This?
Absolutely not. Plenty of fans own one copy of every album they love and nothing more. Streaming alone is a completely valid way to support your favorite artists. The multi-copy purchasing culture exists because of specific goals — photocard collecting, fansign entry, chart support — and if none of those goals apply to you, there's no pressure.
Understanding why fans do it is different from deciding it's right for you. Now you know the logic. What you do with it is up to you.
Comments
Post a Comment