Peter ohFounder & Product Lead K-Pop City Connect, K-Pop City Connect (KCC) · Founder @ kpopphotocard.com | Building the Price Engine for the K-pop Photocard Market (KCC) | Data, AI, and Market Infrastructure

K-pop pcs soaring or sinking in 2026 #kpop#kpopphotocard#photocard#kpopcollector #kpopcollection

1 Jan 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:44

In this 2026 YouTube commentary, the speaker evaluates the K‑pop photocard market, identifying which segments are appreciating and which are depreciating. The analysis highlights rapid value growth for 5th‑generation groups such as Catseye and BABYMONSTER, and for blue‑chip acts like Stray Kids and aespa, especially for exclusive photo‑of‑the‑day (POB) cards and lucky‑draw items that are reaching record prices globally. Conversely, the speaker warns that standard album‑pull cards are losing value due to oversaturation caused by numerous comeback versions. The central thesis is that condition and rarity are the primary value drivers: mint‑condition, rare POBs can make a collector’s portfolio “soar,” while basic album pulls risk becoming a “sinking ship.” The speaker advises collectors to pivot away from bulk basic cards toward high‑rarity, pristine items.

Chapters

Your K-pop photocard collection in 2026— is it a growing asset or a sinking ship? Let's check the data. First, the soaring sector. 5th gen powerhouses like Catseye and BABYMONSTER are seeing exponential value growth, and for the blue chips like Stray Kids and aespa, exclusive POBs and lucky draws are currently hitting all-time highs in the global market. But here's what's sinking: standard album cards, With companies releasing dozens of versions per comeback, the market is oversaturated. The 2026 survival rule: condition is everything. A single scratch or a non-official lomo fake can void your card's value instantly. If you're holding rare, mint condition POBs, your portfolio is soaring. If you're just stacking basic album pulls, it's time to pivot.