It's amazing how 50k is enough to sustain a group.

Interesting indeed.

It seems like little, but not that long ago, even semi-popular groups had only that many sales and still existed.

I guess they make money from touring and other merch as well

Ggs in 2g could be successful and on going with maybe 10k sales. It’s not always about raw numbers sold; cfs, projects like acting or variety, touring etc could bring in a lot of money that groups could live off

The only one making any money in this situation is the label, even then, not much.

So 50k is definitely not "enough" for anyone really think on having a successful music career or going beyond that.

Without concerts, merch, cfs there is probably not much left to them

Bc i heard a comeback, mv etc cost a lot too

What kpop company would ever give them 50 50 in album sales

Also comebacks music production and MV and other stuff is not free

Groups don't make much money from sales; most revenue goes to the company. Instead, they rely on other sources such as touring, CFs, brand deals, and promotional posts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to generate significant income.

They can't

They probably are able to keep their career going thanks to concerts.

I mean it's possible, very hard, but not impossible to do it.

The pure profit limit on physical sales for cds is around 75k though.

And you'd not exactly be living like a star so much as just equivalent to a regular job.

Ive heard artists make about 10-15 percent on album sales, the rest goes to pay the label and everyone involved in album creation.

50k albums sold x 12 bucks for average album = 600k. Two comebacks per year makes it 1.2 million. 12 percent of that makes it 144k. Divided between 7 members makes it only 20k per member. That's fine if you're 17, have no debt, and living in company dorm that puts a roof over your head and food on the table. That's plenty enough for buying nice clothes, going out with friends, etc.

But if you have to pay trainee debt or support your family back home, it's tough, you will end up with likely very little for yourself. That's why many idols talk about how they dont have any money left after 7 years of work. You need other sources of income, concert sales, merch sales, ads, appearance fees, TV gigs, etc.

It's enough for the company to keep going but not really profitable for the members. If the company know how to cut their budget from anywhere for their group's cb, they obviously have no problem to survive.

In that 50k sales, the highest the idols can get especially coming from a small company is only maybe about 15% out of the total profits. The net profit can only be obtained after deducting all the production costs for their cb.

Just to throw some fuel in the fire...

Dreamcatchers past few releases have tended to hit about 70-75k on Day 7

Absolutely not amazing numbers compared to the big groups, but between that, their merch and their touring, obviously more than enough for the company to make profit, the girls to live comfortably (they've all started flaunting high end designer clothes recently) and to feel safe enough to re-sign another 7 year contract.

Boy groups need the money from touring and merchandise sales sold at concerts.

Companies need to be responsible too. You cannot produce ten million dollar MVs like Jaden Jeong and expect a return on investment.

Quote from ThePhantomThief

Just to throw some fuel in the fire...

Dreamcatchers past few releases have tended to hit about 70-75k on Day 7

Absolutely not amazing numbers compared to the big groups, but between that, their merch and their touring, obviously more than enough for the company to make profit, the girls to live comfortably (they've all started flaunting high end designer clothes recently) and to feel safe enough to re-sign another 7 year contract.

Good for them.

I also heard that lots of nugus disbanded due to the pandemic as they couldn't tour etc.

So even nugus are making money touring.

Well, Brave Girls is a good example: they were performing a lot well before they were famous

The 50-50 split was kinda generous

Quote from flowerteapetal

Good for them.

I also heard that lots of nugus disbanded due to the pandemic as they couldn't tour etc.

So even nugus are making money touring.

Well, Brave Girls is a good example: they were performing a lot well before they were famous

Not exactly. Onf have a very favourable split that barely any other group gets.

DC or everglow are probably good example on how smaller groups are profitable.

Brave Girls performed mostly for the military. That doesnt give any income. They relied on various part time jobs to finance their performances.