As BTS’ full group return draws closer, activity related to BTS merchandise on secondhand trading platforms has surged.
On February 18th KST, secondhand marketplace Bunjang reported that in January, the number of BTS related product listings increased by 35 percent compared to the previous month, while the number of sellers registering BTS items jumped 61.5 percent.
A total of 11,014 BTS related items were listed throughout January, marking a 22.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The spike coincided with the announcement of BTS’ full length album release schedule on the 15th of last month, after which related keyword searches reportedly soared nearly 20 fold. As search interest surged, merchandise listings on Bunjang also rose significantly.
Overseas fans have also been actively purchasing BTS goods through the platform. Among international users, V ranked as the most searched member for merchandise. Purchases from European countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, and Austria showed noticeable growth. Transactions were also recorded in Asian markets including China and the Philippines, as well as in Mexico, geographically on the opposite side of the globe.
Bunjang analyzed that the fandom’s immediate reaction to news of BTS’ comeback was reflected in search data, and that demand for merchandise has grown as fans prepare for upcoming domestic concerts.
In January, transactions and total sales for BTS cheering tools, apparel, and accessories increased by 93 percent and 67 percent respectively compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, transactions involving high priced photo cards valued at over 100,000 KRW declined by 41 percent.
This shift suggests that rather than collecting expensive memorabilia, fans are increasingly seeking practical items they can use at concerts. A Bunjang representative commented, “The market is shifting into ‘offline concert preparation mode,’ where light sticks and slogans waved at the venue are now valued more than photo cards stored in display cases.”
