Bunjang Global Hits 3.59 Million Users, Launches AI Tools to Secure K‑Pop Collectibles Market
Updated (2 articles)
Rapid MAU Surge Positions Platform as Global K‑Pop Hub Monthly active users climbed from 430 000 in December 2024 to over 1 million by August 2025 and reached 3.59 million by December 2025, an eightfold increase that signals strong international adoption of the marketplace[1][2]. The growth follows the July 2023 launch of Bunjang Global, which opened the domestic peer‑to‑peer service to overseas fans previously blocked by identification limits[1][2]. This user expansion has shifted the platform from a niche domestic site to a major global hub for Korean star goods.
Star‑Related Goods Command Majority of Transaction Value Transaction volume rose 53 % year‑on‑year through November 2025, with items tied to K‑pop idols accounting for more than half of all trades[1][2]. The sustained demand for photocards, autographed albums and other collectibles underpins the platform’s pricing power and revenue growth. Analysts note that the dominance of star merchandise reflects the willingness of international fans to spend heavily on rare items.
Record‑Breaking Photocard Sales Highlight Premium Demand A BTS Jimin photocard sold for 3 million won (≈US$2 050) in 2024, the highest price ever recorded on the site[1][2]. Additional high‑value transactions include a MINX autograph album at 2.75 million won and a Kotoko signed Polaroid at 2.16 million won, illustrating the market’s appetite for exclusive collectibles[2]. These sales demonstrate that premium pricing can be achieved through the platform’s trusted infrastructure.
AI‑Driven Authentication and Information Tools Reduce Asymmetry Bunjang Global introduced the POCA Template and K WIKI to give buyers clearer product details and mitigate information gaps[1][2]. An AI‑powered Corelytics system, combined with quality checks by Delivered Korea, authenticates items before overseas shipment[1][2]. These safeguards aim to protect buyers and reinforce confidence in cross‑border transactions.
CEO Emphasizes Trust Over Hype for Sustainable Growth CEO Choi Jaewha stresses that long‑term success depends on platform reliability rather than fleeting cultural popularity[1][2]. She cites community chatter about star‑goods purchases as a catalyst for the global launch but warns that popularity alone cannot guarantee durability[2]. The leadership’s focus on trust seeks to convert rapid user growth into lasting market presence.
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: Bunjang Global Expands K‑pop Collectibles Market, MAUs Reach 3.59 Million – Highlights the platform’s launch, eightfold MAU increase, transaction growth, record photocard sale, and new AI‑driven authentication tools.
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[2]
Yonhap: Bunjang Global expands access to Korean star goods for international fans – Details the global rollout, MAU surge, dominance of star‑related trades, high‑value sales examples, and the introduction of POCA Template, K WIKI, and Corelytics for buyer safety.
Timeline
Jul 2023 – Bunjang Global launches as an international peer‑to‑peer marketplace for Korean second‑hand goods, focusing on K‑pop merchandise after domestic‑only restrictions on user identification block overseas trading. The service opens a direct channel for global fans to buy photocards, autographed albums and other collectibles. [1][2]
Dec 2024 – Bunjang Global records 430,000 monthly active users (MAU) worldwide, marking the platform’s early foothold among international collectors despite limited brand awareness. [1][2]
2024 – A BTS Jimin photocard sells for 3 million won (≈US$2,050), the highest‑priced K‑pop photocard ever listed on Bunjang Global, highlighting the willingness of fans to pay premium for rare star items. [1][2]
Aug 2025 – Global MAU climbs past 1 million, demonstrating rapid adoption as overseas fans shift from proxy services to the platform’s direct marketplace. [2]
Nov 2025 – Transaction value rises 53 % year‑on‑year, with star‑related goods accounting for more than half of all trades, underscoring sustained demand and pricing power for K‑pop collectibles. [1][2]
Dec 2025 – MAU reaches 3.59 million, an eightfold increase from Dec 2024, cementing Bunjang Global as a major hub for Korean star goods and confirming its rapid global expansion. [1][2]
2025 – Bunjang Global rolls out new buyer‑protection tools—including the POCA Template, K WIKI, and AI‑driven Corelytics authentication—plus a quality‑check process with Delivered Korea, to reduce information asymmetry and ensure safe overseas shipments. [1][2]
2025 – CEO Choi Jaewha states, “Trust and reliability, not just Korean‑culture hype, drive sustainable growth,” warning that popularity alone cannot guarantee long‑term success for the platform. [1][2]