SEVENTEEN set a new standard in K-pop with unmatched Album Sales this year. Their fifth studio album sold over 2.5 million copies in its first week and dominated global charts. While celebrating success, fans and critics raised concerns about album waste and industry competition.
SEVENTEEN Sets New Benchmark in Album Sales with HAPPY BURSTDAY
SEVENTEEN broke records with their fifth studio album HAPPY BURSTDAY, leading 2024’s K-pop scene in album sales. According to Hanteo Chart on June 2, the album sold 2,521,208 copies in its first week, from May 26 to June 1. This made SEVENTEEN the top performer on that week’s album chart, achieving the year’s highest first-week K-pop sales. They became the first K-pop act this year to reach double million-seller status on their comeback day. Their exceptional first-week performance added another major milestone to their list of achievements.
Global Charts Reflect SEVENTEEN Impact Beyond Album Sales
The album swept both Korean and global charts as soon as it was released. It topped Hanteo’s daily chart and the Worldwide iTunes Albums chart immediately after launch. In Japan, it ranked first on the Oricon Daily Album Ranking for five consecutive days, from May 27 to 31. In China, it led QQ Music’s daily and weekly digital best-seller rankings across all genres. The album also earned the platform’s Diamond certification after surpassing five million yuan in sales.
THUNDER Gains Momentum with Strong Digital Chart Presence
The title track THUNDER also saw impressive chart performance in Korea. It topped the Bugs daily chart for two consecutive days, on May 30 and 31. On Melon’s Top 100, known for its stability, the song reached number one and has remained near the top since. Its strong showing confirmed SEVENTEEN’s ongoing influence in digital music as well as physical sales.
SEVENTEEN Achieves Global Recognition Through Touring and Album Sales
SEVENTEEN’s impact extends far beyond Korea, especially in live performances. Billboard’s semi-annual report revealed their massive global success in the concert market. From October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, their tours earned $120.9 million in ticket revenue. This ranked them third globally among all artists and first among K-pop acts. Their ability to dominate both album sales and ticket sales highlights their worldwide appeal.
Online Community Criticizes Waste Linked to Mass Album Purchases
Despite the success, controversy emerged on the Korean platform theqoo. Users posted photos of SEVENTEEN albums thrown away in large quantities. The issue sparked over 1,200 comments, many expressing concern about excessive album buying for photo cards. Fans reportedly purchase dozens of copies just to collect photo cards and discard the rest. Some defended the trend, calling it a problem within the broader idol industry, not just SEVENTEEN’s fandom.
Environmental Concerns Arise from Discarded Albums and Packaging
Many criticized the culture of throwing away albums tied to K-pop promotions. Environmental pollution was a major concern, especially with growing climate awareness. People suggested donating unused albums near universities instead of discarding them. Others proposed that agencies sell albums digitally and mail only the photo cards. Since fans rarely play CDs anymore, digital formats could reduce waste and keep fans satisfied.
Competitive Culture Fuels SEVENTEEN Fan Behavior in Album Sales Race
A deeper issue lies in the idol industry’s obsession with sales rankings. Fans often buy large quantities of albums to push their favorite groups to the top of the charts. This competitive drive fuels excessive purchasing and leads to widespread album discards. Although not unique to SEVENTEEN, their first-week success drew more public scrutiny. It reflects how intense competition pressures both fans and agencies in the current K-pop landscape.

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The fact that all these members are in sync with their choreo just makes Carats’ shoulders go up again, yesss..