Exports of Korean music albums exceeded US$250 million in the first half of the year, a new high
K-pop album exports hit a record high in the first half of this year, thanks in part to strong sales of BTS's fifth studio album "Arirang," government data showed on Friday. According to the import and export trade statistics of South Korea Customs, from January to June, the export volume of Korean pop music albums reached 257.48 million U.S. dollars, a year-on-year increase of 125%. The United States is the largest importer of Korean pop music albums, with an import value of US$74.12 million, followed by China and Japan, with US$61.18 million and US$45.61 million respectively.