Photocards and Collections: The Appeal, Popularity, and Uses of K-pop Compact Disc Purchases in the United States

Abstract Although compact disc sales in the United States are significantly smaller than they were a quarter-century ago, several of the format’s top-selling artists in recent years hail from the K-pop genre. These K-pop CDs differ from CDs of most other genres as they are often sold with creative packaging and have items inserted, such as photocards and stickers. This study aims to understand the purchase motivations and uses of the compact disc by K-pop consumers through a uses and gratifications lens. Utilizing an online questionnaire, participants noted that they purchase K-pop CDs to acquire, collect, and trade photocards; support their favorite artists; and decorate their rooms or scrapbooks. Not all play their CDs, but those who do use a variety of devices, including car stereos, home stereos, computers, and DVD players. The majority indicated that they are likely to purchase additional new K-pop CDs in the future. Musicians and record labels from other popular music genres seeking to release albums via compact disc may want to consider providing additional packaging incentives to further entice sales from their fanbases.