Nam Tae-hyun faces court today as fans 'offload' his rare EP '90' on second-hand markets

The atmosphere outside the Seoul Central District Court was heavier than usual today (12th). It's the day of Nam Tae-hyun's sentencing hearing. The trial concerning his drug use, which has been ongoing since last year, has already seen prosecutors push for a custodial sentence. As everyone braced for the verdict, some keen observers noticed something unusual – a flurry of activity on second-hand trading apps among certain fans.

A 'rare collectible' pops up on the second-hand market right before court?

"Huh, why is this here all of a sudden?" Before the court's gavel could even come down, an unexpected item started appearing on a second-hand platform: Nam Tae-hyun's debut EP, '90'. Particularly eye-catching were listings titled [Used] Nam Tae-hyun - EP 1st '90'. Why all the fuss over a single used album?

This EP marked Nam's first release under his own name after leaving WINNER. An album reflecting his identity as someone 'born in the 90s', it felt like a 'reboot' for his fans at the time. Now out of print, and intertwined with his current image, it's become something of a 'rare gem' among collectors. So, the sudden appearance of multiple listings for this particular album, all on this particular day, raised more than a few eyebrows.

The dilemma: 'parting with it' vs. 'holding on'

Of course, it could simply be a coincidence. But reading between the lines, it seems to perfectly mirror the mixed emotions within the fandom. According to sources close to Nam, there's a growing sentiment among some fans that "it's time to let go." A quick look at second-hand platforms reveals a number of listings hinting at fans 'moving on' (leaving the fandom).

• "If he gets locked up, the album's value will tank anyway." – The cold, hard calculation of some fans.
• "Time to pay the tax for all those years of support and move on." – A seller's note on a second-hand app.
• "But I still want to keep his debut album." – The conflicting feelings of long-time fans choosing to hold on.

This phenomenon goes beyond just buying and selling goods; it reads like a way for fans to 'emotionally declutter' after once idolising the star. Interestingly, listings with specific identifiers almost feel like an auction, weighing the item's rarity against the value of lingering fan sentiment.

What the number '90' symbolises now

Ironically, the album title on everyone's lips today is '90'. It represents Nam's birth year (1994) and the starting point of his musical journey. But right now, that number seems to be taking on another meaning. Depending on the court's verdict – a decision that could be a major turning point in his life – the value of these second-hand albums might just skyrocket or plummet.

As one comment on a trading app read, "I used to stay up all night trying to get that album..." – fan sentiment is indeed a profound and puzzling thing. What was once a cherished memory for some has now become 'used goods' for others, something to be cleared out. As he leaves the courtroom after the verdict, the path ahead will likely be lined with both fans clinging to past glories and the reality reflected in those second-hand listings.