In 2021, Korea’s top talent management outfits pledged to help the environment by reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable products.
However, the observation is, the entire Korean showbiz industry has failed to confront its biggest problem: CDs.
Student reporter Han Hye-ri of Korea JoongAng Daily said she has seen firsthand how CDs are still bought — despite information that these are made of mined minerals, petroleum-derived plastics and various dyes and lacquers which harm the environment.
The issue is not so much fans buying CDs for themselves, but amassing them in big quantities for no reason — other than to gain access to events or to support their idols in album sales rankings.
FANS are often asked to buy more albums of artists for perks in fan signings.
It is said that nearly 35 million physical albums were sold in the first half of this year, a 34.6 percent on-year jump.
A new type of fan signing event worsens the situation. In offline events, there used to be little or no presence of albums.
But entertainment companies exploited the pandemic, asking fans buy more albums of artists for perks in fan signings.
Nonetheless, there are efforts to lessen the environmental damage of CDs.
The Korean Music Content Association changed the name of its Gaon Chart to Circle Chart — to encourage agencies to participate in producing eco-friendly albums and merchandise while joining a campaign called the RE100.