In the music industry, an album’s first-week sales are paramount for several reasons. These initial sales not only provide a valuable gauge of the group’s popularity but also offer a tangible indication of the size of the artists’ fan base. In addition, these early sales figures reflect the revenue that the artists contribute to their label.
The global influence of K-pop has, in recent years, experienced a meteoric rise. Notably, this growth has fuelled a substantial expansion in the size of K-pop fandoms worldwide. China, in particular, stands as a powerhouse in the K-pop landscape due to its massive population and growing number of K-pop enthusiasts.
A good proportion of K-pop album sales are attributable to Chinese fandoms. Even with the Hallyu ban, an increasing fandom culture has emerged within China, where legions of ardent followers vociferously support their favorite artists. They voraciously consume K-pop content, making a point of purchasing their beloved artists’ albums as a way of boosting their records.
To these Chinese K-pop enthusiasts, buying an album is not just a simple transaction – it is a demonstration of support, a symbol of solidarity, and a significant contribution to the longevity of their idols’ careers.
So, without further ado, here are a few initial sales numbers for idol albums released this year and the albums sold in China:
Stray Kids – 5-STAR (Released: June 2, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 4.61 million copies
Sales volume in China: 1.14 million copies
Seventeen – FML (Released: April 24, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 4.55 million copies
Sales volume in China: 2.15 million copies
NCT Dream – ISTJ (Released: July 17, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 3.65 million copies
Sales volume in China: 1.07 million copies
TXT – The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION (January 27, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 2.18 million copies
Sales volume in China: 800,000 copies
ZEROBASEONE – YOUTH IN THE SHADE (July 10, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.82 million copies
Sales volume in China: 660,000 copies
Aespa – MY WORLD (May 8, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.69 million copies
Sales volume in China: 1.02 million copies
New Jeans – Get Up (July 21, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.65 million copies
Sales volume in China: 180,000 copies
EXO – EXIST (July 10, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.56 million copies
Sales volume in China: 900,000 copies
ENHYPEN – DARK BLOOD (May 22, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.32 million copies
Sales volume in China: 170,000 copies
LE SSERAFIM – UNFORGIVEN (May 1, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.25 million copies
Sales volume in China: 310,000 copies
(G)I-DLE – I feel (May 15, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.16 million copies
Sales volume in China: 510,000 copies
IVE – I’ve IVE (April 10, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.1 million copies
Sales volume in China: 560,000 copies
NMIXX – A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream (July 11, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.03 million copies
Sales volume in China: 80,000 copies
RIIZE – Get A Guitar (September 4, 2023)
Initial sales volume: 1.01 million copies
Sales volume in China: 50,000 copies
