South Korea Music Vinyl Records

The global vinyl records market is expanding, propelled by the resurgence of retro trends and the impact of the pandemic when there has been a growing interest in the auditory and nostalgic experience of physical music mediums. South Korea is no exception to this trend and is also experiencing strong sales of vinyl records. While vinyl records have been steadily in demand among audiophiles, there has been a significant surge in demand among fans of popular music genres including K-pop. In 2022, the Korean vinyl records market was estimated to reach $85 million. According to physical album sales data released by YES24 in 2023, one of the major physical music retailers in South Korea, vinyl sales have grown for three consecutive years: 117% growth in 2020, 27.3% in 2021 and 13.8% in 2022.

<Estimated sales of vinyl records in South Korea >

Source: YES24, Industry Analysis

The growth of South Korea’s vinyl records sales is driven by the younger generation. According to YES24, over 70% of vinyl listeners were 40 or younger in 2022. These new consumers are purchasing records not just for listening, but also for collecting as decorative items for the home or as collectable merchandize from their favorite artists. Music labels and artists in Korea are capitalizing on this trend by releasing vinyl with various aesthetic designs—producing vinyl records not only in traditional black but also in colors like white, yellow, and varying sizes, often involving artists directly in the cover design to stimulate consumer desire for collecting. In terms of music genre, the popularity of old-pop, jazz, and classical records remains steady. There are increasing demands for contemporary pop music and hip-hop from American artists.

Most of the physical vinyl records from American artists sold in Korea are shipped from US and EU. The U.S. exports of vinyl records to Korea was $2M in 2022 and $1.8M in 2023. These imported vinyl records are primarily distributed through online stores. Major online retailers like YES24 and Aladin provide convenient access to various vinyl records, catering to consumers looking to expand their vinyl collections. Major offline music retailers like Hottracks are also offering vinyl.

South Korea has grown into seventh largest music market in the world according to the IFPI. Many American music artists and labels have successfully exported their music to South Korea. The resurgence of vinyl sales in Korea can offer a source of additional revenues for American artists and labels. As of July 2024, 12 albums from American artists were included in the top 50 best-selling vinyl records in South Korea. If you are looking for vinyl export opportunity to South Korea, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service at Office.Seoul@trade.gov.