Award-Winning Idol’s Startlingly Low Album Sales Triggers Harsh Criticism

One of the most significant parts of the K-Pop experience these days is the release of physical albums. Fans love collecting multiple versions of their favorite releases, and the total number of albums sold is one measure of the group’s success.

While large album sales garner attention, groups with low album sales also do well, especially when the result is unexpected.

4th Gen Group’s Low, Single Digit Album Sales Leaves Fans Shocked

Recently, the album sales of a popular soloist sparked outrage.

In 2007, Wonder Girls debuted under JYP Entertainment, with their most recent line-up consisting of four members.  Each of the idols have since focused on their solo careers, with Sunmi being the arguably most active with musical releases.

Sunmi | Marie Claire

The idol recently returned with her first full album, Heart Maid, following a single album release in August. It has been more than a decade since her solo debut, so the release was highly anticipated from the often boundary pushing idol.

However. according to the Hanteo Chart, Sunmi has recorded only 3,991 album sales as of writing. In comparison to her last release, Sunmi sold more than then thousand copies less on the first day of sales.

| Hanteo Chart

Fans have attributed this to Sunmi’s agency, ABYSS Company, pointing out specific issues with the release. The album is reportedly sold out at many stores, and there was a lack of promotion before the release, all aspects that affect the sales numbers.

Well…sadly this is what happens when you have a company that repeatedly messes up your comeback promotions to the point where people aren't even aware you had a comeback in the first place most of the time…. https://t.co/r8fDyLtJ4j

— ˚ 𝚎 𝚟 𝚒 𝚎 ☽̶☾ (@evieane) November 7, 2025

Sunmi deserves a better agency than abyss

— 🖤🤍❤️ (@dre4miya) November 5, 2025

FVCK @ABYSS_COMPANY https://t.co/L0FV8JDdkv pic.twitter.com/4J4IKYM8Z4

— m 🫀#CYNICAL (@blackeyedface) November 5, 2025