K-pop album exports this year between January and October set a record high in value by exceeding KRW 300 billion. Shown is K-pop's most popular act in the world, BTS. (BTS' official Facebook page)

By Choi Jin-woo

K-pop album exports this year have exceeded a record-high KRW 300 billion.

The Korea Customs Service on Nov. 27 released data on exports and imports saying exports of music albums between January and October reached USD 243.81 million, up 20.3% from the same period last year.

The albums' annual volume of overseas shipments have surged from USD 40 million in 2017 to USD 136.2 million in 2020, USD 220.08 million in 2021 and USD 231.38 million last year.

By country, Japan is this year's biggest market with USD 157.06 million, followed by the U.S. with USD 54.32 million and China USD 23.33 million.

Exports to the American market jumped 67.3% year on year. Taiwan, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Canada, France and the U.K. rounded out the top 10 list.

paramt@korea.kr