Whether it’s the BTS ARMY or BLINKs, the global fan bases of K-pop groups function like a community, and they leave no stone unturned in promoting their favourite artists. Being a K-pop fan is also an expensive affair, considering ardent fans wish to celebrate their favourite idols by owning some of the most exclusive merchandise released by these artists. Check out the most expensive K-pop merch ever sold, from photocards to lightsticks.
With every new album and tour, most K-pop stars are known to release new merchandise that sometimes includes signed albums and photocards. For most fans, it’s a dream to meet their favourite K-pop idol, but while that may be tough, as the closest way to connect with their beloved stars, fans often hold onto cutesy pieces of merch. Ever since the appeal for K-pop transcended borders, the global fandom has helped boost the K-pop merchandise market significantly. In fact, a 2023 report even suggested that American K-pop fans spend USD 24 (approx. HKD 100) on memorabilia items each month. Since the demand for K-pop merch has witnessed a surge, companies like YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment are actively seen releasing new merchandise collections, often in limited numbers, thus causing a buying frenzy among fans.
Another avenue that K-pop labels are trying their best to establish is the combination of artist merchandise and NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Back in 2021, JYP Entertainment had shown interest in exploring an NFT platform via a partnership with blockchain company Dunamu, however, the plan eventually fell through. Had the deal gone through, the platform would have catered to merchandise of K-pop acts, such as 2PM, TWICE, Itzy, and Stray Kids. While the merchandise market continues to boom and find new ways of reaching out to fans, here is a look at some of the most expensive K-pop merchandise ever.
Some of the most expensive K-pop merch ever sold
BTS Jungkook’s photocard
K media | BTS Jungkook’s photocard (Butterful Fan Event Lucky Draw) was sold on eBay at 3,213 USD w/ 120 bids, becoming the most expensive K-pop photocard ever sold. It’s an addition to the extensive list of top-of-the-range photocards of Jungkook, the Sold Out King pic.twitter.com/bT3fEikTQV
— Golden Times (@JJK_Times) August 11, 2021
Price: USD 3,213 (Approx. HKD 24,963)
The “Golden Maknae” of BTS, Jungkook, is known to set records everywhere. Beyond his significant musical achievements, which include becoming the first Korean soloist to chart for 20 weeks on Billboard’s Artist 100 and debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 for his first solo album, the K-pop idol also dominates the merchandise market. Jungkook’s Butterful photocard from Butterful Lucky Event is the most expensive K-pop photocard ever sold. At a fan event on eBay, the exclusive photocard fetched a price of USD 3,213 with 120 bids. Like all members of BTS, Jungkook’s photocards are always in huge demand, especially among collectors who try to get their hands on the rarest and limited edition pieces. Previously, another photocard of Jungkook that also fetched a high price was the blue selca FLO photocard, which was sold at the price of USD 2,700 (approx. HKD 20,977) as per AllK-pop.
Polaroid signed by TWICE’s Tzuyu
[UCC] A polaroid signed by TWICE’s Tzuyu sold for over $900 USD https://t.co/yVcPSzdRLe
— allkpop (@allkpop) March 30, 2021
Price: USD 900 (Approx. HKD 6,992)
TWICE is one of the most successful and famed South Korean girl groups formed by JYP Entertainment. The group is comprised of nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. Ever since their debut in 2015, TWICE has been among the most popular third-generation artists, and each member of the band has formed their own massive fan base over the years. Besides tasting success in South Korea, the girl group gained exceptional popularity in Japan as well, and hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that even when it comes to the group’s merch, Japan has been a big market. According to AllK-pop, a polaroid signed by Tzuyu fetched as much as USD 900 in Japan.
BLACKPINK X Takashi Murakami lightstick
Price: USD 120+ (Approx. HKD 900)
A favoured merchandise item among K-pop fans is the lightstick. Every group has a lightstick designed specially to incorporate their logos and themes. Lightsticks are like light-up wands designed for fans to wave during concerts, which help create a visual display of support for their favourite K-pop groups during tours. While most lightsticks cost between USD 30 (approx. HKD 233) and USD 70 (approx. HKD 540), among the most expensive and exclusive lightsticks to have ever been released is the BLACKPINK X Takashi Murakami one. The lightstick was unveiled during ComplexCon Hong Kong in March 2024 and is a part of BLACKPINK’s In Your Area tour collection. Apart from the lightstick, 15 pieces of accessories were designed by Murakami, and since the limited edition lightstick has become a rare collectible item among BLINKs.
BTS’s Proof Collector’s Edition album
Price: USD 243 (Approx. HKD 1,888)
Back in 2022, BTS made the headlines for releasing a collector’s edition of their album Proof. The unexpectedly high price of the album left ARMYs in shock as it was priced at USD 243, which, along with the shipping charges, estimated cost over USD 300 for international fans. While the album included three CDs along with a photobook, a photocard set, and other extras, its steep price point was debated by fans on social media. It also showcased a significant price difference between the same album’s two other versions — the “Standard Edition” costing USD 69.9 (approx. HKD 544), whereas the “Compact Edition” sold for USD 22.90 (approx. HKD 177) on the Weverse shop.
BTS Jungkook’s artist-made merch
Price: USD 143.99 (Lamp; Approx HKD 1,118.), USD 125.41 (Hoodies; Approx. HKD 975)
Given that BTS is one of the most famous K-pop groups in the world, it’s no surprise that their memorabilia items feature on the list of the most expensive K-pop merch ever sold. In 2022, the septet surprised fans by dropping self-designed merch by each member and among them, Jungkook’s artist-made collection, which included a mood lamp along with four hoodies, sold out within minutes of their release. With the lamp costing USD 143.99 and the hoodies USD 125.41 each, collectively, it was the most expensive merch among all the members. The demand for Jungkook’s self-designed items was so high that the traffic surge even caused the WeVerse Shop website to crash at the time.
Stray Kids’ SKZOO X Tamagotchi
Price: USD 52 (per item) (Approx. HKD 400)
— JYP SHOP OFFICIAL (@theJYPshop) March 4, 2025
Japanese toys and video games company Bandai jumped into the K-pop world by teaming up with global sensation Stray Kids for a Tamagotchi collection. The launch of their character-themed SKZOO x Tamagotchi collection left fans excited, as the nostalgic virtual pet that was once a rage in the 1990s made an iconic return with a K-pop twist. However, as Stray Kids fans rushed to get their hands on this limited edition collection, they met with some frustration over the high pricing of items in the JYP store.
80€ plus customs
I’m.. I don’t think I can justify it https://t.co/UClZzoopp4 pic.twitter.com/XQsCGvlUHQ— Ria~자기야~合~ (@pushnitsya) March 4, 2025
Considering the price of each character is USD 52, excluding the added shipping charges, netizens revealed on X (formerly Twitter) how the online store provided no option to buy the entire set, leading to exorbitant shipping charges being incurred for each Tamagotchi character.
BTS’ The Red Bullet tour signed photocards
Price: USD 2,700 (Approx. HKD 20,977)
The power and impact of BTS can be observed not only in the multitudes of their musical achievements but also in the way their fandom cherishes every piece of merch that has ever been released by the band. One such prized possession is BTS’ signed photocard set from 2014’s The Red Bullet Tour. The exclusive set of photocards featuring all the BTS members and their autographs is currently priced at USD 2,700 on eBay. Given the international recognition received by the group, the prices of most memorabilia items relating to the group’s early career have extensively soared over the years, and hence, the limited edition photocards are gathering a massive resale value.
BTS’ signed microphones
Price: USD 83,200 (Approx. HKD 6,46,420)
In 2019, a set of BTS’s microphones, each autographed by the seven members, were put up for auction through Julien’s Auctions. The microphones were used by the group from 2017 to 2019 and were also a part of their performances on the Love Yourself world tour. With an opening bid that was set at USD 5,000 (approx. HKD 38,847), the final price of the microphones was eventually settled at a whopping USD 83,200. Raised for a good cause, the funds were reportedly donated to the Recording Academy’s MusiCares charity in the United States, which provides financial and rehabilitation resources to people from the music community.
IU’s remake album vinyl of A Flower Bookmark
Price: USD 3,999 (Approx. HKD 31,070)
One of the most accomplished K-pop soloists of all time, IU has so far released five studio albums, eleven EPs, five single albums, two remake albums, and two compilation albums. Her extensive music catalogue has been a sought-after item for K-pop collectors. In Korean reselling markets, IU’s old albums have fetched massive prices, given the soaring demand for her music in the global market. While she continues to release new music as well as make it big in the acting world, this vinyl of IU’s 2014 album is still a rare item that is currently being resold on eBay for USD 3,999.
(Main and featured images: Lisa/Instagram; MUSINSA/Instagram)
This story first appeared in Prestige Singapore.
