SM Entertainment Sells Almost 18 Million Albums in 2021, Nearly Doubling Sales From 2020

SM Entertainment announces year-end sales for 2021 exceeding 17.62 million copies, nearly doubling their 2020 figures.

Among SM’s impressive roster, twenty-five albums were released in 2021. The total album sales were primarily composed of new album release sales (over 15 million), as well as 2.5 million sales of albums released in previous years. These sales showcase SM’s legacy as a powerhouse in the music industry, having produced global K-Pop Stars for 26 years and counting.

In addition to the recently released compilation album 2021 Winter SMTOWN : SMCU EXPRESS, 2021 saw albums released by NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT, aespa, Super Junior, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, WayV, and unit and solo acts such as U-KNOW, Super Junior-D&E, YESUNG, KEY, TAEMIN, BAEKHYUN, D.O., KAI, WENDY, and JOY. Each album released has been loved by fans around the world.

In 2021, NCT 127’s album Sticker and repackage Favorite, as well as NCT DREAM’s album Hot Sauce and repackage Hello Future, achieved “triple million seller status.” Additionally, EXO, BAEKHYUN, and NCT’s albums sold over one million copies each. Also, twenty-five albums made it into Korea’s Gaon annual chart TOP 100, displaying SM's dominance in album sales.