K-Pop has steadily grown over the last 10 years thanks to the hard work and passions of a lot of idols, from both the 2nd and 3rd generation of K-Pop.
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As time flies and the Korean entertainment industry spreads its influence around the world, the K-Pop album sales have now reached stunning heights, but this wasn't achieved in a day or two. Over the last decade, hundreds of idols have poured their heart out to make K-Pop what it is today. K-Pop idols come and go, but their legacy stays forever. Thanks to them, the increase in K-Pop album sales have been enormous.
To appreciate the biggest names who contributed the most to the industry, let's have a look at the top 3 best-selling K-Pop artists of each of the last 10 years, based on their total album sales on Gaon.
2011
3. JYJ
JYJ’s best-selling album in 2011 was 'In Heaven', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 600.8k copies!
2. Super Junior
Super Junior’s best-selling album in 2011 was 'Mr. Simple', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 861.2k copies.
1. SNSD
SNSD’s best-selling album in 2011 was 'The Boys', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.22 million copies.
2012
3. TVXQ!
TVXQ!’s best-selling album in 2012 was 'Catch Me', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 892.0k copies.
2. SNSD
Although SNSD didn’t release a new album in 2012, by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.35 million copies.
1. Super Junior
Super Junior’s best-selling album in 2012 was 'Sexy, Free & Single', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.45 million copies.
2013
3. Super Junior
Although Super Junior didn’t release a new album in 2013, by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.53 million copies.
2. SNSD
SNSD’s best-selling album in 2013 was 'I Got a Boy', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.71 million copies.
1. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2013 was 'XOXO', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.80 million copies.
2014
3. SNSD
SNSD’s best-selling album in 2014 was 'Mr.Mr.', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.92 million copies.
2. Super Junior
Super Junior’s best-selling album in 2014 was 'Mamacita', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 1.96 million copies.
1. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2014 was 'Overdose', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 2.90 million copies.
2015
3. SNSD
SNSD’s best-selling album in 2015 was 'Lion Heart', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 2.16 million copies.
2. Super Junior
Super Junior’s best-selling album in 2015 was 'Devil', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 2.24 million copies.
1. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2015 was 'Exodus', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 4.72 million copies.
2016
3. Super Junior
Although Super Junior didn’t release a new album in 2016, by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 2.25 million copies.
2. BTS
BTS’s best-selling album in 2016 was 'The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 2.31 million copies.
1. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2016 was 'Ex’Act', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 6.69 million copies.
2017
3. Super Junior
Super Junior’s best-selling album in 2017 was 'Play', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 2.55 million copies.
2. BTS
BTS’s best-selling album in 2017 was 'Love Yourself: Her', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 5.03 million copies.
1. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2017 was 'The War', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 8.63 million copies.
2018
3. Wanna One
Wanna One’s best-selling album in 2018 was '0+1=1 (I Promise You)', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 3.54 million copies.
2. BTS
BTS’s best-selling album in 2018 was 'Love Yourself: Answer', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 10.19 million copies.
1. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2018 was 'Don’t Mess Up My Tempo', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 10.74 million copies.
2019
3. TWICE
TWICE’s best-selling album in 2019 was 'Feel Special', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 4.46 million copies.
2. EXO
EXO’s best-selling album in 2019 was 'Obsession', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 11.62 million copies.
1. BTS
BTS’s best-selling album in 2019 was 'Map of the Soul: Persona', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 16.40 million copies.
2020
3. SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN’s best-selling album in 2020 was 'Heng:garae', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 6.43 million copies.
2. EXO
Although EXO didn’t release an album in 2020, by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 11.71 million copies.
1. BTS
BTS’s best-selling album in 2020 was 'Map of the Soul: 7', and by the end of that year they recorded a total album sales of 25.74 million copies.
2021 (To Date)
3. SEVENTEEN
As of March 2021, SEVENTEEN has sold 6.53 million copies.
2. EXO
As of March 2021, EXO has sold 11.73 million copies.
1. BTS
As of March 2021, BTS has sold 27.29 million copies.
