Kim Dongryul, Shinhwa hit 100k, The only 2 albums to do so in 2008

Amongst all the albums released in the first half of 2008, only 2 albums broke the 100,000 mark. However, the sales figure of the top-selling album was the lowest ever for a top seller in the records of the Music Industry Association of Korea (MIAK) since 1999 - a sign of how the music industry has deteriorated after 2000.

The MIAK sales statistics are the most acknowledged indication of album sales, and the figures of the total album sales for the first 6 months of 2008 were released on July 15.

According to the figures, among the albums released from January to June this year, only Kim Dong Ryul's Monologue and Shinhwa's 9th album exceeded the 100,000 mark.

Singer-songwriter Kim Dong Ryul released his 5th album in January this year, and has sold 10,898 copies in June alone. The total sales for the first 6 months hit 107,608, making it the bestseller for the first half of 2008.

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The big brother of all idol groups, Shinhwa, celebrated their 10th anniversary this year, and released their 9th album in April, selling a total of 102,315 copies, putting them in the number 2 spot.

Although Kim Dong Ryul's album broke the 100,000 mark just like last year's bestseller in H1 - SG Wannabe - his album fell short by about 40,000 copies compared to them, a sure sign of the rapid decline of the music industry.

From January to June last year, SG Wannabe's 4th album and Epik High's 4th album both exceeded 100,000 copies as well, but SG Wannabe managed to hit 146,789 in sales.

Despite the slump, there still seems to be a glimmer of hope with a series of new albums being released.

Regrouping after 5 years, Brown Eyes, made up of Na Ul and Yoon Gun, released their 3rd album on 19 June. Sales hit 69,411 within just 10 days.

Girl group Girls Generation managed to hit 60,000 in the first half of this year, and their total sales adds up to a total of 121,143 since the album was released in June 2007.

Lee Munse's Best, released in May 2004, is still in circulation despite being released 4 years ago. The album has sold close to 70,000 copies in the 1st half of 2008.


Source: starnews&oceans
Chi trans: jojoyu7@shinhwachina
Eng trans: midnightgirl13@shinhwabiz