The number of K-pop albums sold has surpassed 100 million this year to set a yearly record. Shown is the K-pop boy band Stray Kids at this year's Asia Artist Awards on Dec. 14 held at the Philippine Arena in the Philippine province of Bulacan. (Stray Kids' official Facebook page)

By Margareth Theresia

The number of K-pop albums sold this year has surpassed the 100 million mark to set an annual record.

Circle Chart, the nation's leading music ranking service, on Dec. 19 said the cumulative monthly sales of physical albums from January to November based on the top 400 reached about 116 million units.

The figure is up 44% from 80 million units for all of last year to break the previous record without including December sales.

"Last year saw just one month with album sales exceeding 10 million copies but this year has six," Circle Chart said. "This suggests continued growth in sales of K-pop physical albums."

Physical album sales last month reached 15,166,889, a 217.2% jump from the same period last year and the highest monthly mark since Circle Chart's inception.

By act, the boy band Stray Kids last month had a combined 16 albums among the top 400 for a combined share of 27.7%.

margareth@korea.kr