Opinion: KPop albums are a surprisingly good value hobby

[u/biersackarmy]

I don't know why I still haven't shaken that sense every time I go do another haul at our local kpop album shop. where most albums are $30-40 CAD ($22-28 USD) each, that I have to justify it to myself as just spending that money to support the artists I enjoy.

As someone who's been into a number of other hobbies (cars, technology, gaming, English rock/metal, etc) where it often does feel like you're spending as much (if not much more) to barely get anything in return, buying kpop albums does feel consistently more rewarding.

Even ignoring whether the album is that good musically, most of the time it certainly feels like I'm getting my money's worth of just stuff. Especially being aware photoshoots and productions aren't that cheap, nor is making artwork, or high quality prints or cute little binded notebooks. So many goodies that are just the norm in kpop to be included, but are almost never seen when buying Western albums for basically the same price.

I'm up to just over a dozen albums now, and yet continue to be regularly surprised after opening them that yeah, I actually got a lot for my money, and would gladly do it again. No other hobby I've ever put money into had nearly as high a ratio of satisfaction to remorse. It's almost like when you make customers feel rewarded for their patronage, they're more likely to come back.

Just some feel-good and validation for others I guess, because as much of a running joke it is of the bottomless pit that is the amount of money you could spend on albums, it certainly could be much worse.

[u/chilorida]

This and concert tickets. Experiences, in my opinion, are always worth the money, because you keep the memories for life. Unless albums and concerts stop bringing you joy, feel free to treat yourself! You can always make more money.

[u/The_silencer_1 → u/chilorida]

Honestly concerts have to be one of the best experiences ever and if you like the artist it's always well worth it (except for the buying tickets part).

[u/chilorida → u/The_silencer_1]

Even “bad” experiences can be considered good depending on your perspective. My first concert was a Kpop festival where it literally hailed (with lightning) on me and the people I went with. We were soaked and the event had to be canceled. I didn’t even get to see my favorite group perform, but I remember the ridiculousness of the night, the people I was with, and now it’s a story I get to share for the rest of my life.

[u/IcyPhotograph4377]

As someone who has hundreds of kpop albums…

This is so reassuring thank you!😭😭

[u/brentaltm]

I do agree, compared to other hobbies these days. And yet (I’m undoubtedly showing my age here lol) I remember when CDs used to be so much cheaper, and it feels awful to pay so much for a CD plus a few cheap paper accessories...

[u/The_silencer_1 → u/brentaltm]

It's insane how much it changed, you could get some banger CDs (and in jewel cases) for less than 10 bucks. Now everything is over 10 bucks and it just comes with the lyrics booklet that may or may not come with bts photos. Like I may love Linkin Park but I'm not paying 20 bucks for the From Zero digipak, when I could also get a Kpop digipak that will come with more things for less than that.

[u/brentaltm → u/The_silencer_1]

I was in Target the other day and they are selling CD singles with ONE song on them for like 14 bucks!! I was aghast lol Those used to be like 3-4 bucks and they came with at least 2-3 songs (usually remixes or b-sides)

[u/biersackarmy → u/brentaltm]

Scale probably plays a decent part in that though, which if anything makes it more impressive of a value on top of just inflation. Being that CDs and physical albums are inherently a niche thing nowadays, even without inflation they'd still charge more for it, just out of needing more out of each sale to make up for the cost of production.

Another hobby I forgot to mention was I'm also into instant and film photography. I'm sure it was much much cheaper to buy film and have it developed decades ago when it was the norm (way before my time), but it's because they charge a pretty penny nowadays that they're actually able to still keep making film at all for the few who are still interested.

[u/chanyeol2012]

Different variety in CDs, different merch u can get, cheap options, knockoffs/diys… anything is possible! At the end of the day, nobody is forcing u to get a certain amount, just get what you’re comfortable with. All versions? One version? CDs with ur favorite songs? Merch kits? Go crazy ☺️

[u/The_silencer_1]

Honestly so true. Even the opening is an experience, you also get the photobook which, in my opinion, makes it really worth alongside the photocards. Unlike normal albums, you don't have to worry about damaging the booklet with the jewel case either, and thus can easily view it whenever you want.

I'm never buying a non kpop CD again due to this, it's ruined a bit for me. I may love Sleep Token's Take Me Back To Eden but I'm not spending 20 bucks on a digipak with just a booklet.

[u/mandu_jennie]

This exactly this, I own only 1 kpop album and istg whenever I look at it, I feel like my money is getting worth. I've been saving up for another album but my parents won't let me since they think it's a waste of money 😭 (I'm 18). So somehow I really need a way to convince them

[u/No_Valuable_7891]

I started collecting during a time in my life were i was desperate for some type of joy. It was surprisingly cheap hobby compared to some of my others. Especially photocards. Because I bias some of the "least biased" people and I am only collecting the ones i like not trying to go for like aresale value collections, it been pretty cheap. I got my photocard collection much much quicker than i thought. As a self proclaimed 'professional fangirl" i defintely feel like you get the most for your buck. Its been the most rewarding as a fangirl.

[u/CrystalSaturn]

During a period I went on a bing buying spree on albums (mostly nugu grps). I mostly like spend over $200 in that time frame on albums alone. What makes things worse I listened to the album once or maybe never and that was it. Looking back now, I seriously regret some of those purchases since I'm not longer into those groups anymore or in Kpop in general. Learned my lesson well since space is precious, and kpop albums do take up a lot of spaces with sizes. I only buy albums I know I absolutely enjoy listening to.

For value, it depends if your buying for the sake of collecting them or music wise. I do both with my core groups.

[u/biersackarmy → u/CrystalSaturn]

I guess everyone has different amounts of emotional retention to specific albums or phases. I think objectively speaking though, at least buying an album at least gives you something to show for it. Years later, you have physical books and photocards you can still hold in your hand and a disc you can play.

As opposed to, for example, going out drinking, where you will easily spend more than an album's worth, and quite literally flush it down the toilet shortly after. Or paying for microtransactions in some online video game that will eventually be shut down and you can't ever use them or play it anymore.

Don't even get me started on hobbies like tech hardware or cars, where you will easily spend more than $200 per item on many things that end up not getting used, not working, or being disappointing.

[u/CrystalSaturn → u/biersackarmy]

Oh yeah defiantly. I don't knock people for their hobbies as long they don't go into financial debt over it. I have other hobbies besides hoarding music

As you said there is worse ways people spend their money on. Depending on return policy, people can return parts that don't work to get their money back.

Eventually I will have to downsize my collection.