K-pop album exports crossed a new threshold in the first quarter of 2026, reaching $120 million and surpassing $100 million in a quarter for the first time. The Korea Customs Service said CD exports rose 159.0% from the same period a year earlier, marking the strongest quarterly performance on record and underscoring how physical music products remain commercially powerful even in a streaming-led global music market.1
K-pop album exports reach a new high
The first-quarter figure was also reported at about 177 billion won, giving the export result weight in both dollar and local-currency terms. The increase follows a broader run of momentum: quarterly records have continued since the third quarter of 2025, and the industry had already passed $300 million in annual exports in 2025 before setting this new quarterly benchmark.
The figures refer to album exports, specifically CDs, not the full global value of K-pop. That distinction matters because the physical album market represents only one visible part of the industry’s overseas activity. Even so, a $120 million quarter for CDs alone shows that collectible, packaged music remains central to K-pop’s international business model.
Customs officials linked the performance not only to album sales but to the wider economic pull of K-pop. One Korea Customs Service official said, “Beyond physical albums, K-pop creates tremendous economic value in various direct and indirect forms, including streaming services, music and video copyrights, and merchandise.”
| Category | First-quarter 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Album export value | $120 million |
| Korean won equivalent | 177 billion won |
| Year-on-year growth | 159.0% |
| Export destinations | 131 countries |
| Countries setting Q1 records | 94 countries |
| Largest market | United States, 28.8% |
The United States overtakes Japan
The most important shift in the first-quarter data was geographic. The United States became the largest export market, accounting for 28.8% of Korea’s album exports. Japan, which had held the top position through last year, ranked second with 25.3%. The European Union followed with 16.5%, then China with 14.4% and Taiwan with 6.9%.2
That ranking shows a market no longer defined mainly by nearby Asian demand. Japan remains a major destination, and China and Taiwan continue to matter, but the United States moving into first place reflects the broader global expansion of K-pop fandom and purchasing power.
The growth rates make the shift even clearer. Exports to the United States rose 506.4% from the same period a year earlier, while exports to the European Union increased 461.9%. Non-Asian markets grew 408.3%, far above the 71.9% growth rate for Asian markets. The data does not mean Asia weakened; rather, it shows that growth outside Asia accelerated much faster during the quarter.
The spread of demand was also broad. Korea exported albums to 131 countries in the first quarter, and 94 of those markets recorded their strongest first-quarter performance. That point is significant because it suggests the record was not driven only by one or two exceptional destinations. The expansion was distributed across a wide set of markets.
Why physical albums still matter
The export surge stands out because the global music business is often described through streaming, digital platforms, and short-form video. K-pop’s first-quarter album performance points to a different but complementary reality: fans still buy physical albums because they function as collectibles, fandom goods, and cultural objects, not just carriers of recorded music.
Several reports linked the increase to global fandom growth, demand for physical album ownership, and a renewed preference among younger consumers for analog media. In K-pop, the CD package has often carried value beyond the disc itself, and the source material specifically identifies collector demand and the appeal of analog formats as factors behind the export increase.
The customs data also makes clear that physical albums sit inside a larger ecosystem. Streaming services, music and video copyrights, and merchandise all contribute to K-pop’s economic impact. The album export result is therefore best read as one measurable indicator of a broader business engine rather than as the full size of the market.
FAQ
How much were K-pop album exports in the first quarter of 2026?
K-pop album exports reached $120 million in the first quarter of 2026, or about 177 billion won. That was a quarterly record and the first time quarterly album exports exceeded $100 million.
Which country was the largest market for Korean album exports?
The United States was the largest market in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 28.8% of exports. Japan ranked second with 25.3%.
Were the gains concentrated in only a few markets?
No. Korea exported albums to 131 countries, and 94 of them set first-quarter records, indicating broad growth rather than a rise limited to a small number of destinations.
The first quarter of 2026 marked a clear milestone for K-pop album exports: a record $120 million quarter, a new leading market in the United States, and evidence that physical albums remain a major part of K-pop’s global commercial strength.
References
1. 케이(K)-팝 인기에 음반 수출 최대 (대한민국 정책브리핑 / 관세청, 2026-04-28)
2. BTS 효과 등에 1분기 음반 수출 1억달러 돌파, 역대 최대 (연합뉴스 via 파이낸셜뉴스, 2026-04-28)
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