Legitimizing Fandom: K-pop Playback Formats and Collecting Real Music

Abstract

Despite the growing prevalence of smart albums and the convenience of streaming services, sales of physical playback formats in Korea have been increasing since 2013. Even vinyl, the oldest and arguably least practical playback format, has seen a notable resurgence, especially among K‑pop fans. Yet surveys suggest that many buyers do not actually play these media. Why, then, is the number of people buying physical copies increasing? And why would people purchase albums they do not listen to? In this chapter, I examine why Korean consumers are drawn to specific music formats. I argue that the resurgence of the two retro formats is closely tied to their capacity to lend legitimacy to a genre often criticized for being formulaic and studio-produced, and lacking authenticity. Show more