K-pop Album Sales Could Top 100 Million in 2026

K-pop album sales are projected to pass 100 million copies in 2026, which would mark the first time in three years that annual sales reach that level. The forecast comes as the market sees a recovery tied to major releases and the growing spread of merchandise-style album formats.

Circle Chart’s analysis found that cumulative sales for the chart’s top 400 albums from January through September were 7.6 million copies higher than in the same period a year earlier. The chart said annual sales could rise above 100 million copies, with the outcome depending on fourth-quarter performance.

The figures point to a year-over-year increase in sales across the albums included in the chart’s top 400. Circle Chart’s projection is not a final total: whether the market passes the 100-million mark will depend on sales during the last quarter of the year.