What Is a K-pop Photocard? (PC, Collecting, Trading)

A photocard (or "PC") is a small collectible card featuring a K-pop member, tucked into albums. It's one of fans' most prized objects: they collect them, trade them, display them. Here's everything you need to know about photocards.

What is a photocard, exactly?

A photocard is roughly the size of a credit card and shows a photo of a member, usually tied to a specific album. Each physical album generally contains one (or several), drawn at random from all the members — and that randomness is what makes collecting so addictive.

Where do you find photocards?

• In albums: the main source, one random PC per album.
• As pre-order benefits (POB): exclusive cards depending on the retailer you ordered from.
• Through "lucky draws": raffles run by some shops when you buy an album.

Why fans collect them

Because a photocard is a little piece of your bias you can keep on you: in a phone case, a cardholder, a collection binder. Since the draws are random, you rarely get your favorite member on the first try — hence the huge culture of trading between fans (online and in person at events).

Photocards and merch: the nuance

Photocards are part of official merch (they come from albums). They pair well with more personal fanmade pieces: an accessory, a jersey with your bias's name. To understand the difference, read our official vs fanmade merch article, and to store or round out your collection, take a look at our accessories.

FAQ

What is a K-pop photocard?

A small collectible card featuring a member, included in albums.

How do you get your bias's photocard?

Album PCs are random, so you rarely get your bias directly — hence trading between fans.

What is a POB?

A "pre-order benefit": a photocard (or goodie) given depending on the retailer you pre-order from.

Do photocards have value?

Some rare or older ones trade for a lot between collectors; most are valued mainly through attachment to the member.