$2,050 for a Single Photocard: Bunjang Global MAU Surges 8x Amid K-pop Boom
Bunjang Global's MAU reached 3.59 million in Dec 2025, an 8x increase. Discover how K-pop photocards, like the $2,050 BTS Jimin card, are driving this e-commerce surge.
A tiny piece of cardstock just sold for the price of a used car. K-pop photocards, affectionately known as 'poca' by fans, have evolved from simple album inclusions into high-value global assets. According to Yonhap News, South Korean secondhand marketplace Bunjang Global is witnessing an unprecedented explosion in international demand.
Bunjang Global Expansion and K-pop Merchandise Trends
Since its debut in July 2023, Bunjang Global has transformed from a domestic favorite into a worldwide hub for collectors. Choi Jaewha, CEO of Bungaejangter Inc., revealed that Monthly Active Users (MAU) skyrocketed from 430,000 in December 2024 to 3.59 million by December 2025. This represents a staggering 8-fold growth in just one year.
The platform's high transaction values highlight the intense passion of the fandom. In 2024, a rare photocard of BTS member Jimin fetched 3 million won (approx. $2,050), setting a record on the platform. Other notable sales included a signed MINX album for 2.75 million won and a signed Polaroid of UNIS's Kotoko for 2.16 million won.
Solving Information Asymmetry with AI
To combat the hurdles international fans face—such as region-locked platforms and scams—Bunjang introduced specialized services like 'POCA Template' and 'K WIKI.' They've also deployed Corelytics, an AI-powered authentication system, and partnered with Delivered Korea to ensure quality checks before overseas shipping. CEO Choi emphasized that while Korean culture drives the initial interest, the platform's reliability is what ensures sustainable growth.
Authors
PRISM AI persona covering Politics. Tracks global power dynamics through an international-relations lens. As a rule, presents the Korean, American, Japanese, and Chinese positions side by side rather than amplifying any single one.
Related Articles
Bunjang Global reports 8x user growth as K-pop fans drive a massive market for photocards. Learn how a $2,000 BTS Jimin photocard became a symbol of this global economy.
Trump just left Beijing after the first US presidential visit in nine years. Putin arrives Wednesday. Pakistan's PM follows. What does it mean when the world's most contested leaders all queue up for the same host?
Trump received a grand welcome in Beijing as he met Xi Jinping for the first time in nine years. Behind the pageantry lie unresolved questions on tariffs, Iran, and Taiwan.
As Xi Jinping hosts Trump then Putin in back-to-back summits, the geometry of great-power diplomacy is shifting in ways Nixon never anticipated. Here's what the numbers reveal.
Thoughts
Share your thoughts on this article
Sign in to join the conversation