“Only One?!” — Award-Winning 2nd Generation Girl Group Member’s Album Sales Shocks Netizens

One of the most significant parts of the K-Pop experience these days is the release of physical albums. Fans love collecting multiple versions of their favorite releases, while a measure of a group’s success is the total number of albums sold.

Due to K-Pop’s widespread popularity, multiple groups have been able to break the million-seller mark on individual albums, with many going above and beyond.

Three versions of SEVENTEEN’s FML, one of the most sold K-Pop albums ever. | Pledis Entertainment

Recently, netizens were shocked by an award-winning artist’s album sales partly due to how low they were — including one day where only one album was sold.

In 2010 the four-membered girl group SISTAR debuted with “Push Push.” The group quickly rose in popularity and were given the nickname “Queens of Summer” due to their fun summery releases over the years.

Sistar | Starship Entertainment

During their time as a group, they earned multiple Bonsang awards for their tracks and had many endorsements. The group’s final release before their 2017 disbandment hit number one on the Gaon Digital Chart(now known as the Circle Chart).

Since then, the group members have pursued solo endeavors, including variety show hosts gigs and acting in television programs. Some of the members have also continued their musical careers.

Soyou is one such member, releasing her first solo album, Re:Born in 2017.

Soyou | Mnet

Soyou recently released her new album, Summer Recipe, featuring the lead track “Aloha,” a reminder of her status as one of the queens of summer.

However, her album sales left many netizens shocked by their numbers.

According to the Hanteo Chart, during her first week of sales, the star only sold 617 copies, with one day only recording a single album sold.

| Hanteo Chart | Hanteo Chart

Netizens expressed their surprise at the low numbers…

Wtfffff https://t.co/WXznJ23Qv8

— ???????????????? ♡ (@_Lunattime) August 1, 2023

shocked https://t.co/VfnjYRljUX

— stradew valley (@exceptional232) August 1, 2023

When I first look at this I thought this is a new soloist… https://t.co/asJP4EGWqZ

— FyQ (@afiqhidayat1) August 1, 2023

…but many reminded that physical album sales were not the only determination of an artist’s success.

I know new Stans think that mass buying is the only way to pay bills, but trust my sister is fine! Them 300 albums not making or breaking a thing https://t.co/1wh9mjloq3

— 然 (@Vxtalis) August 1, 2023

for the second generation this is normal, their opinion is not from selling albums. look at Sistar, from the past they only sold a few albums, but they were able to make their agency big and well-known.

— Lix_BAE_HYOLYN (@lilix_chu) August 2, 2023

Her first release sold similar physical numbers but ranked high on digital charts, hitting over 100,000 downloads on the Gaon Digital Chart during the first week.

| Gaon Digital Chart (now known as Circle Chart)

Soyou is a beautiful and talented star no matter what!