This is a list of the best-selling albums of recorded music in South Korea. To appear on the list, the figure must have been published by a reliable source and the album must have sold at least 1 million copies. The current record for best-selling album is held by South Korean boy band Seventeen's EP FML with 6.2 million copies sold globally, followed by Seventeenth Heaven with 5.8 million copies sold in the same year (2023).
Kim Gun-mo's 1995 studio album Wrongful Meeting previously held the record as the best-selling South Korean album for 24 years, with an estimated 3.3 million copies sold—this includes figures based on illegal sales—until it was surpassed by BTS' Map of the Soul: Persona in 2019.
As of 2023, according to Circle Chart, BTS was named the best-selling artist in South Korean history, having sold more than 40 million albums.
The Music Industry Association of Korea (MIAK) published the first South Korean sales charts, tallying album sales figures for the month of August and the March–August semester, on September 10, 1998. It published monthly charts until 2008, with fifty chart positions and detailed sales for each album. Following the sharp decline of domestic music sales in the 21st century, the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) introduced the Gaon Album Chart in February 2010, which included a detailed breakdown of online chart data. The KMCA began awarding sales certifications for albums in April 2018—only albums released after January 1, 2018 are eligible. Certifications are not included in this list, because the Gaon Music Chart publishes detailed album sales.
All albums that have sold over one million copies in South Korea are by Korean artists, with the exception of Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard (1992), Mariah Carey's Music Box (1993), two albums by &Team's Back to Life (2025) and We on Fire (2026), three albums by NCT Wish's - Poppop (2025), Color (2025) and Ode to Love (2026).
BTS is the act with the most million-selling albums, having twelve, followed by Seventeen, with eleven. In 2017, BTS' Love Yourself: Her became the first album released since 2001 to sell over 1 million copies, while in 2018 the band's Love Yourself: Answer became the first to sell over 2 million copies since 2000. In 2019, the band's Map of the Soul: Persona became the first album to sell over 3 million copies since 1997. This was followed by Map of the Soul: 7, which became the first album in chart history to surpass 4 and 5 million sales, in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Seventeen's FML became the first album to sell over 6 million copies in Korean history, while their following album Seventeenth Heaven also achieved significant sales success, exceeding 5 million copies in its first week of release, becoming the second best selling album in Korean history.
Legend Keys Repackage album Compilation album Extended play Single album Original soundtrack
2 million or more copies Artist Album Year Sales Seventeen FML 2023 6,392,515 Cumulative sales of FML (CD + Weverse Album + kit): Seventeen Seventeenth Heaven 2023 5,948,309 Cumulative sales of Seventeenth Heaven (CD + Weverse Album + kit):
Stray Kids 5-Star 2023 5,346,652 Cumulative sales of 5 Stars: BTS Map of the Soul: 7 2020 5,136,682 Cumulative sales of Map of the Soul: 7:BTSArirang20265,122,429Cumulative Sales of Arirang (CD + LP + Weverse): Seventeen Face the Sun 2022 4,742,752 Cumulative sales of Face the Sun (CD + kit + Weverse Album): BTS Map of the Soul: Persona 2019 4,710,125 Cumulative sales of Map of the Soul: Persona: Stray Kids Rock-Star 2023 4,358,521 Cumulative sales of Rock-Star (CD + Nemo): NCT Dream ISTJ 2023 4,279,203 Cumulative sales of ISTJ (CD + Nemo + SMC):CortisGreenGreen 20263,918,121Cumulative sales for GreenGreen (CD + Weverse + LP): Stray Kids Maxident 2022 3,885,286 Cumulative sales for Maxident: Seventeen Spill the Feels 2024 3,868,114 Cumulative sales of Spill the Feels (CD + Weverse Album + kit):
Stray KidsKarma20253,864,574Cumulative sales for Karma (CD + Nemo Album):Stray KidsThis & That 20263,825,643Cumulative Sales of This & That (CD + Fans + LP): BTS Be 2020 3,794,402 Cumulative sales of Be: Seventeen 17 Is Right Here 2024 3,660,246 Cumulative sales of 17 Is Right Here (CD + Weverse Album + kit):
BTS Proof 2022 3,538,247 Cumulative sales of Proof: BTS Love Yourself: Answer 2018 3,455,451 Cumulative sales of Love Yourself: Answer: BTS Love Yourself: Tear 2018 3,297,654 Cumulative sales of Love Yourself: Tear (CD + LP): Stray Kids Ate 2024 3,292,878 Cumulative sales for Ate (CD + Nemo): TXT The Name Chapter: Temptation 2023 3,272,776 Cumulative sales of The Name Chapter: Temptation (CD + Weverse Album): Enhypen Romance: Untold 2024 3,229,665 Cumulative sales for Romance: Untold (CD + Weverse): BTS Butter 2021 3,197,001 Cumulative sales of Butter: BTS Love Yourself: Her 2017 3,165,529 Cumulative sales of Love Yourself: Her (CD + LP): Seventeen Attacca 2021 3,073,181 Cumulative sales of Attacca (CD + kit):
Blackpink Born Pink 2022 3,066,220 Cumulative sales of Born Pink (CD + kit):SeventeenHappy Burstday20253,056,621Cumulative sales of Happy Burstday (CD + Weverse Album + kit): Jungkook Golden 2023 3,051,918 Cumulative sales of Golden (CD + Weverse Album): Kim Gun-mo Wrongful Meeting 1995 2,860,000 Lee Moon-sae When Love Passes By 1987 2,850,000 Stray KidsDo It20252,793,708Cumulative sales for Do It (mixtape) (CD + PLVE): TXT The Name Chapter: Freefall 2023 2,617,920 Cumulative sales of The Name Chapter: Freefall (CD + Weverse Album): Lee Moon-sae Standing Under the Shade of a Roadside Tree 1988 2,580,000 EnhypenDesire: Unleash 20252,549,360Cumulative sales of Desire: Unleash (CD + Weverse + SMC): NCT Dream Dream()scape 2024 2,525,324 Cumulative sales of Dream()scape (CD + Nemo + SMC):
Kim Jong-hwan Reason for Existence 1996 2,500,000 Shin Seung-hun To Heaven 1996 2,470,000 EnhypenThe Sin: Vanish 20262,435,174Cumulative sales of The Sin: Vanish (CD + Weverse): NCT 127 Sticker 2021 2,434,408 Cumulative sales of Sticker: Seo Taiji and Boys Seo Taiji and Boys IV 1995 2,400,000 V Layover 2023 2,393,180 Cumulative sales of Layover (CD + Weverse Album + LP):Stray KidsHop20242,359,006Cumulative sales of Hop (CD + Nemo Album):CortisColor Outside the Lines 20252,358,191Cumulative sales for Color Outside the Lines (CD + Weverse + LP): NewJeans Get Up 2023 2,353,211 Cumulative sales of Get Up (CD + Weverse Album): Enhypen Orange Blood 2023 2,336,695 Cumulative sales of Orange Blood (CD + Weverse Album): Stray Kids Oddinary 2022 2,212,453 Cumulative sales for Oddinary:EnhypenThe Sin: Bliss 20262,207,590Cumulative Sales of The Sin: Bliss (CD + Weverse + LP): Seo Taiji and Boys Seo Taiji and Boys II 1993 2,200,000 Seventeen Sector 17 2022 2,169,250 Cumulative sales of Sector 17 (CD + Weverse Album):
NCT Dream Hot Sauce 2021 2,168,436 Cumulative sales of Hot Sauce: Aespa My World 2023 2,154,721 Cumulative sales of My World (CD + SMC):
Jo Kwan-woo Memory 1995 2,140,000 Stray KidsNoeasy20212,120.675Cumulative sales for Noeasy (CD + Weverse + LP): Ive I've Mine 2023 2,110,909 Cumulative sales of I've Mine (CD + PLVE):
TXTThe Star Chapter: Together20252,109,405Cumulative sales of The Star Chapter: Together (CD + Weverse + SMC):
NCT Dream Glitch Mode 2022 2,095,544 Cumulative sales of Glitch Mode: Jo Sung-mo Let Me Love 2000 2,072,029 Jo Sung-mo For Your Soul 1999 2,047,152 Zerobaseone Youth in the Shade 2023 2,037,790 Cumulative sales of Youth in the Shade: NCT Dream Candy 2022 2,009,119 Cumulative sales of Candy (CD + SMC):TXTMinisode 2: Thursday's Child 20222,000,867Cumulative sales of Minisode 2: Thursday's Child:
Yoo Jae-ha Because I Love You 1987 2,000,000 Byun Jin-sub Back To You 1989 2,000,000 1 million–1.9 million copies Artist Album Year Sales Seventeen Heng:garæ 2020 1,998,854 Cumulative sales of Heng:garæ (CD + kit):
PlaveCaligo Pt.220261,989,169Cumulative sales of Caligo Pt.2:BlackpinkDeadline 20261,988,245Cumulative sales of Deadline:TXT7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns 20261,985,016Cumulative sales of 7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns: NCT 127 2 Baddies 2022 1,979,926 Cumulative sales of 2 Baddies (CD + Nemo + SMC): TXT Minisode 3: Tomorrow 2024 1,972,917 Cumulative sales of Minisode 3: Tomorrow (CD + Weverse Album + kit): DJ DOC DJ2DOC 1996 1,950,000 TXTThe Star Chapter: Sanctuary 20241,938,229Cumulative sales of The Star Chapter: Sanctuary (CD + Weverse Album):
Enhypen Dark Blood 2023 1,935,901 Cumulative sales of Dark Blood (CD + Weverse Album):RiizeOdyssey20251,932,383Cumulative sales of Odyssey (CD + SMC + Nemo + Weverse):
NCT 127 Fact Check 2023 1,925,318 Cumulative sales of Fact Check (CD + SMC + Nemo):NCT WishOde to Love20261,915,530Cumulative sales of Ode To Love: Exo Exist 2023 1,897,477 Cumulative sales of Exist (CD + SMC): Zerobaseone Melting Point 2023 1,869,783 Cumulative sales of Melting Point: Treasure Reboot 2023 1,864,072 Cumulative sales of Reboot (CD + Nemo + kit): g.o.d Chapter 3 2000 1,849,381 Aespa Girls 2022 1,844,776 Cumulative sales of Girls: NewJeans New Jeans 2022 1,840,114 Cumulative sales of New Jeans (CD + Weverse Album): NCT Universe 2021 1,838,636 Cumulative sales of Universe: Kim Gun-mo Excuse 1993 1,830,000 NewJeans OMG 2023 1,822,362 Cumulative sales of OMG (CD + Weverse Album): Various artists Sonata 2001 1,815,296 Cumulative sales of Sonata: Kim Gun-mo Exchange 1996 1,810,000 Byun Jin-sub To Be Alone 1988 1,800,000 Seo Taiji and Boys Seo Taiji and Boys 1992 1,800,000 Shin Seung-hun After A Long Time 1994 1,800,000 Blackpink The Album 2020 1,799,558 Cumulative sales of The Album (CD + LP): Ateez The World EP.Fin: Will 2023 1,798,803 Cumulative sales of The World EP.Fin: Will (CD + Minirecord): Jimin Face 2023 1,780,747 Cumulative sales of Face (CD + Weverse Album + LP): Ive After Like 2022 1,769,848 Cumulative sales of After Like:
Ive Ive Switch 2024 1,750,416 Cumulative sales of Ive Switch (CD + PLVE):
Seventeen Your Choice 2021 1,739,526 Cumulative sales of Your Choice: g.o.d Chapter 4 2001 1,738,082 Cumulative sales of The Road: Ive I've Ive 2023 1,703,580 Cumulative sales of I've Ive (CD + LP):
I-dle 2 2024 1,700,757 Cumulative sales of 2 (CD + POCA):
Shin Seung-hun Because I Love You 1993 1,700,000 Seventeen An Ode 2019 1,682,966 Cumulative sales of An Ode (CD + kit):
Twice Ready to Be 2023 1,674,143 Cumulative sales of Ready to Be: NCT Resonance Pt. 1 2020 1,670,800 Cumulative sales of Resonance Pt. 1 (CD + kit): Ateez Golden Hour: Part.1 2024 1,628,195 Cumulative sales of Golden Hour: Part.1 (CD + Minirecord + POCA):EnhypenRomance: Untold -Daydream- 20241,601,007Cumulative Sales of Romance: Untold -Daydream-: Seo Taiji and Boys Seo Taiji and Boys III 1994 1,600,000 Roo'ra The Angel Who Lost Wings 1995 1,600,000 Jo Sung-mo Classic 2000 1,599,111 NCT Resonance Pt. 2 2020 1,591,160 Cumulative sales of Resonance Pt. 2 (CD + kit): Enhypen Manifesto: Day 1 2022 1,586,220 Cumulative sales of Manifesto: Day 1 (CD + Weverse Album): Shin Seung-hun Invisible Love 1991 1,580,000 Le Sserafim Unforgiven 2023 1,571,548 Cumulative sales of Unforgiven (CD + Weverse Album):NCT DreamDreamscape20241,563,773Cumulative sales of Dreamscape (CD + SMC):
Enhypen Dimension: Dilemma 2021 1,556,530 Cumulative sales of Dimension: Dilemma: Jisoo Me 2023 1,542,205 Cumulative sales of Me (CD + kit + Nemo + LP): BTS Wings 2016 1,528,355 Cumulative sales of Wings: I-dle I Feel 2023 1,528,183 Cumulative sales of I Feel (CD + POCA):
ZerobaseoneNever Say Never20251,526,351Cumulative sales for Never Say Never (CD + Nemo Album):
NCT Dream Beatbox 2022 1,517,211 Cumulative sales of Beatbox: Ateez The World EP.2: Outlaw 2023 1,501,632 Cumulative sales of The World EP.2: Outlaw (CD + Minirecord): Lee Moon-sae I Don't Know Yet 1985 1,500,000 H.O.T. We Hate All Kinds of Violence 1996 1,500,000 H.O.T. Wolf and Sheep 1997 1,500,000 IveIve Empathy 20251,483,824Cumulative sales of Ive Empathy (CD + PLVE):