Hi, Pocamarket Global Users!
If you’re a K-pop fan, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once — ”When did photocards become such a big deal?”
What started as a small piece of merch has now evolved into one of the most recognizable parts of K-pop fandom life.
But where did this trend come from, and how did it spread all over the world?
Let’s dive into the fascinating history of photocards!
The Origin of Photocard Collections
The idea of collectible cards didn’t start in Korea. It actually began in the West
Like baseball cards, Pokémon cards, or any other trading cards, people found joy in collecting, trading, and comparing their collections.
This culture inspired the rise of photocards in the K-pop world.
Instead of sports players or characters, people began collecting cards featuring their favorite k-pop idols.
It’s where global fandom meets personal passion!
The Birth of K-pop Photocards
The first-ever K-pop group to include photocards in their album was TVXQ, with their Japanese album “Summer” released in 2007.
However, photocards didn’t take off in Korea until SNSD included them in their 2010 album “Oh!”.
It was the first album released in Korea to officially include photocards.
As SM Entertainment dominated the industry, other companies quickly followed the trend, and soon photocards became a standard part of the album.
What started as a small item quickly became a fandom must-have!
The Rise of a Global Market
As K-pop gained global popularity, the photocard culture began to spread internationally.
Fans around the world started buying and trading K-pop idols’ photocards, turning it into a form of cultural re-export.
Today, rare photocards are traded around the world, sometimes reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value.
In Korea, the trend even spread beyond K-pop — sports teams and other entertainment industries have adopted similar photocard systems.⚾️
As the culture continues to evolve, one thing is clear — photocards are more than just pieces of paper.
They’re tiny snapshots of love, dedication, and the creativity of fans all over the world.
Isn’t that interesting?
We hope this content helps you better understand photocard culture❗️
Stay tuned for more updates and tips from our team.
Thank you for reading, and enjoy your experience with Global Pocamarket!
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