K-pop fans are helping fuel an unusual jump in physical album sales in 2026, according to Luminate’s midyear report reported by Rolling Stone. The increase has been especially noticeable in CD sales, which are up 16% this year.
Albums from BTS, Enhypen and Ateez were among the biggest sellers, with fans showing up at stores such as Target and Walmart to buy physical copies. The report said K-pop albums made up nearly 10% of the CD-sales increase.
According to the report, BTS’ Arirang has sold 567,000 CDs so far this year. Enhypen’s The Sin: Vanish has sold 286,400 CDs, while Ateez’s Golden Hour: Part 4 has sold 263,000 CDs.
Luminate also found that many younger buyers do not actually own CD players, suggesting compact discs are being treated as affordable collectibles by some Gen Z and millennial consumers. Arirang also topped the report’s vinyl and CD sales charts.
