In an era where music is just a click away on our phones, why are physical vinyl record sales climbing higher than ever?
The tangible feel in your hands is just different~
Summary
- Vinyl sales in South Korea reached 930,000 units in the first half of 2026, surpassing the total for all of last year.
- Numerous K-pop artists, including BTS, aespa, and Blackpink's Lisa, have released vinyl editions of their albums.
- Even without a record player at home, many Gen Zers love collecting physical records for the tactile experience.
- The pause before dropping the needle and the unique crackle have become a charming ritual in the digital age.
Every day, you step outside, put on your headphones, and tap a streaming app on your phone to listen to music. Yet in an era when CDs are becoming rare, vinyl record sales have quietly doubled. Data from South Korea’s Circle Chart shows that halfway through 2026, domestic vinyl sales have already passed 930,000 units, easily topping last year’s total.
Unlike a playlist you swipe past on a phone screen, a vinyl record carries tangible weight in your hands. You pull the record from its sleeve, set it on the turntable, and carefully drop the needle. Before the music starts, you hear a few seconds of crackle—a brief moment of anticipation that turns into a captivating ritual.
Even BTS and Lisa are releasing vinyl records
K-pop artists have helped fuel this resurgence. Over the past two years, more idols have released vinyl editions of their albums. For instance, the vinyl release of BTS‘s “Arirang” in March sold over 200,000 copies in its first week in the US alone. Ateez, aespa, Twice, TXT’s Yeonjun, as well as Nmixx and Blackpink‘s Lisa, are all preparing vinyl releases.
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Kim Young-hwan, owner of the Seoul vinyl cafe Vinyl Inside, noted that many people now visit the shop specifically to listen to vinyl, drawn to a warm sound completely distinct from digital streaming. Pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun mentioned that listening to physical records feels fundamentally different from digital versions. It functions more like a unique collectible, allowing fans to truly “own” the music.
Buying records even without a record player
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Interestingly, Rob Jonas, CEO of US entertainment data company Luminate, pointed out that roughly half of Gen Z and millennial buyers who purchase physical records do not own a record player. For many, it is simply a search for retro analog comfort. Browsing in a record store, holding the large physical sleeve in hand, or displaying it in a room provides a satisfying tactile experience on its own.
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