Leading albums in South Korea 2011-2023, by albums sold

With around 5.5 million units sold in 2023, “FML” by Seventeen was the best-selling album in South Korea, breaking BTS’s six-year streak. Labelmates SEVENTEEN twice broke BTS’s record for pre-sales as well as for general album sales that year, having also achieved the third best-selling album in the country. General album sales, as well as sales of K-pop albums specifically, have seen rapid growth since 2017. 

Number of albums sold by each K-pop group

The physical album sales of K-pop groups are very high in the domestic market. BTS, one of the most well-known boy groups in South Korea, had around six million album sales in 2022. In the same year, BLACKPINK, one of the most successful K-pop girl groups, had sold around three million album copies. Following these records, K-pop girl group Newjeans, sold over four million copies of albums in 2023. Although they newly debuted in 2022, they took the title of best-selling female artist in the year after their debut.

Clear sailing for K-pop solo albums

K-pop is extremely popular among South Koreans, being the second most-preferred genre next to ballads. The massive popularity of K-pop groups also affects the success of solo ventures of individual members. The top-selling album by South Korean solo artists was 'Golden' by BTS member Jungkook in 2023. Following this record, V and Jimin, other members of BTS, also received higher selling records for their solo venture. With BTS members' remarkable solo records, Jisoo and Jihyo, members from each BLACKPINK, TWICE also show a striking sales record.