Album Formats

K-pop releases are sold in formats that differ in what physically arrives. A single title often has a physical CD version, a platform version, and sometimes a kit or an LP — at different prices and with different contents. This guide defines each format so you can compare listings on the same terms.

A standard physical release: a CD disc with a printed photobook and inclusions such as photocards, posters and bookmarks. It is the heaviest format, so international shipping usually costs the most, and inclusions are typically random from a set.

A platform album (also called a QR or app album) contains no disc. A card or slim package carries a code that unlocks the music, photos and video in an app. It is light and cheap to ship, but playback depends on the app remaining available.

A kit album is a chip- or card-based release played through a companion app or device rather than a CD player. Contents are usually smaller in print size than a physical CD version, and the package weighs very little.

An MD (merchandise) bundle pairs an album with goods such as a lightstick, apparel or a photo set. The album inside is one of the formats above; the bundle mainly changes the price, the weight and which extras are included.

An LP is a vinyl pressing, usually released later than the CD version and in limited quantities. It is large, heavy and fragile, so shipping cost and packaging protection matter more than for any other format.