When you go to a K-POP concert or a fan gathering, there’s always one thing everyone brings — photocards (also called trading cards or poca, short for photocard in Korean).
If you’ve never been into idols before, you might be totally confused by this culture at first.
But for K-POP fans, photocards are an essential part of being a fan!
In this post, let’s look at what photocards are, how to get them, and why fans love collecting them so much.
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What Is a Photocard?
A small photo card included in albums
So, what exactly is a photocard?
In English, people call them photocards or trading cards, and in Korean, they’re known as 포카 (poca) — short for photocard.
They’re small, about the size of a credit card, and feature a picture of one of the group members.
You can usually get them as a bonus when you buy albums or official merch.
Why fans love the “random pull” system — it’s like carrying your bias everywhere!
When I first got into K-POP, I was honestly puzzled.
Why are people going crazy over these tiny pieces of paper? 😂
But as I followed more idols, I found myself collecting them too!
There are two main reasons why fans love photocards.
First, the random pull system makes it feel like a fun little game.
Even if you buy an album, you never know which member’s card you’ll get — it’s totally random.
Some fans even buy multiple albums hoping to pull their bias (in Japanese fandoms, we call this jibiki 自引き — when you pull your own bias by yourself!).
Many fans enjoy collecting every version of their bias’s cards from each album.
If you have K-POP friends, you can also trade photocards with them — it’s one of the best parts of fan life!
Second, photocards are easy to carry around.
Even outside of concerts, many fans like to keep their bias with them.
Some sneak a photocard inside their wallet, while others proudly display it on their bag.
Having your bias with you all the time just makes your day feel a little brighter.
How to Get K-POP Photocards
Album-included photocards
The most basic way to get photocards is, of course, by buying albums.
Each album usually comes with one or two photocards inside.
You never know which member you’ll get, but even if it’s not your bias, there are always people willing to trade on X (Twitter) or at concerts and fan events.
Since different album versions include different cards, fans often go all out to collect and trade until they complete every version of their bias — especially during comeback season 😆
Special edition photocards (store or event exclusives)
Depending on where you buy your albums—like Weverse Shop or Ktown4u—you’ll receive different store-exclusive bonus cards.
There are also Lucky Draw events where you can only get certain photocards in person.
In the U.S., stores like Target sometimes include exclusive lucky-draw cards.
Overseas fans especially love collecting Korean-domestic photocards, available through stores such as Weverse Shop, Ktown4u, Withmuu, Apple Music, and YES24.
Meanwhile, Chinese-exclusive cards—like those from STARRIVER—are famous for their stunning visuals and have become highly sought-after collectibles.
Concert and café-exclusive photocards
Of course, there are photocards you can only get at concerts or pop-up cafés!
At venues, you might receive a photocard as a special gift if you spend a certain amount on official goods.
Fans also bring their extras to trade on-site, so it’s a great chance to find your bias card right there 🫶
Why Fans (Including Me!) Love Photocards So Much
Why are fans so obsessed with photocards?
Here’s what I’ve noticed from Japanese, Korean, and Chinese fandoms.
(If you’re from another country, let me know what it’s like where you are!)
The thrill of pulling your bias
The biggest reason has to be the random element.
It’s kind of like a mini-gamble:
“Who will I get this time?” “This concept photo is gorgeous—I really want this version!”
That little rush you get when opening the album is addictive.
(By the way, album unboxing videos are super popular on YouTube too—people love to share their pulls!)
The fun of collecting and displaying
Many K-POP fans are collectors at heart.
They love lining up their bias’s cards, taking photos, and sharing them on social media.
Sometimes friends even gather their photocards together just to take cute photos and post them online.
The trading culture on social media
Trading photocards on X (Twitter) and Instagram is part of fan life.
Right after an album release, your timeline fills with “Looking to trade!” posts.
Groups with many members—like SEVENTEEN—can be tricky to trade for, but finding someone to exchange with is such a satisfying moment.
(Some fans even enjoy the trading itself more than collecting the cards 😆)
How to Store and Protect Your Photocards
So, how do fans keep their precious cards safe?
Here are some common ways to protect and organize your collection.
Protect with sleeves and binders
To avoid scratches or bending, use card sleeves and photocard binders.
When visiting Korea or Japan, check out DAISO or other 100-yen stores—they often sell great budget binders for photocards.
Game shops that sell Pokémon cards may also have protective sleeves and binders.
Even if you start with just a few cards, your collection will grow to dozens (or hundreds!) over time, so binders are a must.
And flipping through your binder later is such a relaxing, happy moment.
Use hard cases for rare cards
Not all photocards are equal—some are worth just a few yen, while others can sell for tens of thousands!
When I pulled a limited photocard with only 500 copies worldwide, my hands literally shook.
The best way to protect valuable cards is to put them in a sleeve first, then inside a hard top-loader case.
This keeps them safe from scratches and bends—and most fans also expect this level of protection when trading by mail.
Display them as part of your room decor
Recently, more fans are using display-style storage items—like photocard holders, mini frames, or clear stands—to show off their favorites.
Many people even decorate their “K-POP corners” at home and post them on Instagram or TikTok for inspiration!
In Short: Photocards Are the Heart of K-POP Fan Culture 💖
Today we looked at the world of photocards—how to get them, protect them, and enjoy them.
Fans love collecting, displaying, and sharing these tiny treasures.
Photocards have truly become one of the symbols of K-POP fan culture.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with yours, I hope this helps you enjoy them even more 🫶
And maybe next time, I’ll write about how to trade photocards safely!
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