The best K-pop album packaging
From VHS tapes to birthday cakes, we take a look at some of the best album aesthetics and packaging in K-pop.
Fans have come to expect uniquely creative physical albums from their favourite artists. Image: Cat Jackson at KStars for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Physical albums and their sales are central to the K-pop industry. Introducing photocards to fans and including free posters has led to sales of CDs skyrocketing over the past few years. It seems that matching the visuals in a physical album to the artist’s title track and MV can increase sales even further. But which group has got the best physical K-pop albums? Which albums have aced in the aesthetics department?
1 of 1 — SHINee
Any fan of K-Pop is likely to be aware of this retro album’s title track anthem. The minimalist ‘80s synths and powerhouse vocals make this track instantly recognisable. Not only is the title track distinctive but so is the album’s physical packaging.
Alongside the highly stylised CD that comes in classic retro colours, SHINee sold cassette tapes to match the retro feel of the track. The boombox print on the tape and bright block colours only add further to the concept of 1 of 1. Even down to the styling of suits and gold chains for the photobook, this album has perfectly nailed the retro trend.
SHINee’s 1 of 1 album is vibrantly distinct. Image: @likeoxygens.
Gasoline — KEY
SHINee and their iconic albums could not only be mentioned once on this list. This time the beautiful packaging comes from vocalist KEY’s solo album Gasoline. Teasing his latest project using a Stranger Things-esque photoshoot, the choice to package his album in a VHS tape matches the retro TV feel. KEY is known for his outlandish concepts and Gasoline is no different, with its spacey outfits and alien characters. The physical album is the perfect gift for any Locket!
Rookie — Red Velvet
“Rookie” as a song definitely had fans divided and so did the physical album. The chaotic track has a chaotic album cover to match with fruit, cakes, and miniature versions of the girls covering the front. The matching blue dresses make the girls look like dolls in the mystical world that was depicted in the accompanying music video.
The sugary sweet tracks “Talk to Me” and “Happily Ever After” are also perfect for the rainbow coloured photobook. It is surprising that fans were so shocked by Rookie’s concept due to the over the top teaser photos. It’s an added bonus that the photocards are adorable!
Rookie by Red Velvet has a sugary sweet look! Image: SM Entertainment Official Website.
NewJeans — NewJeans
NewJeans are the embodiment of Y2K and their album’s packaging matches their aesthetic. The outside hides the bright and youthful photobook and inclusions. The lyric book is littered with emoticons and cute graphics that complement the girls’ personalities alongside the photobook that showcases different 2000s outfits.
The upbeat tracks “Attention” and “Hype Boy” go perfectly with the fresh energy of the album’s look. And the creation of a NewJeans bag only added to the excitement for the release; it now acts as a marker for Bunnies across the world. The girl group has been influencing trends since their debut and if their physical albums maintain this standard, it’s likely they will continue to be the main trendsetters of K-pop.
You Make My Day and You Made My Dawn — SEVENTEEN
These two mini albums go hand-in-hand when it comes to aesthetics. You Make My Day, released in the middle of summer, encompasses the fresh feeling of sunshine, swimming pools, and cocktails. The tracks “Oh My!”, “Holiday”, and “Our dawn is hotter than day” all match the vivid blues, pinks, and greens of the album’s packaging.
Compare this to You Made My Dawn, released in winter, which uses cosy, warm tones that relate to the heartfelt lyrics of “Home”. The outfits used for each of SEVENTEEN’s album covers and photobooks also reflect the season they represent, with shorts and breezy shirts sitting against layered jackets and turtlenecks. Placing both albums together makes for an aesthetically pleasing display.
SEVENTEEN’s You Make My Day and You Made My Dawn albums sit in perfect contrast. Images: SEVENTEEN Official Twitter.
The ReVe Festival 2022 - Birthday — Red Velvet
Red Velvet once again aced the album packaging with the release of Birthday. And what’s a birthday without some cake? For this album, the SM girl group packaged their CD in a compact cake box matching each of the girls’ signature colours. The album is a delicious treat for ReVeluvs in terms of both music and aesthetics.
And of course, the fun play on words with the group’s name mixed with the cake themed packaging for an album called Birthday cannot be ignored! You can always rely on Red Velvet to bring the fun and colour to every aspect of their albums.
K-pop companies really take physical albums to the next level. The production, inclusions, and concepts that can be seen across the industry are hugely varied with something to match everyone’s aesthetics. What physical album is your favourite? Is there a concept that you think really stands out from the rest?
You can purchase some of the albums mentioned above, as well as many others, via the KStars website.
Edited by Gabii Rayner.
