Nam Tae-hyun Faces Court Today (12th): Why 'EP 1st '90'' Listings Are Flooding Second-Hand Markets
The atmosphere outside the Seoul Central District Court today (12th) felt heavier than ever. It's the day of Nam Tae-hyun's sentencing hearing. In the trial concerning repeated drug use charges that has been ongoing since last year, the prosecution has already requested a prison sentence. As everyone braced for the verdict, a curious development was unfolding elsewhere, noticed by some fans scrolling through second-hand trading apps.
Facing Detention? A 'Rare Collectible' Surfaces on Resale Markets
"Wait, why is this popping up here?" Before the court's gavel could even fall, unexpected listings began appearing on a second-hand platform. It was Nam Tae-hyun's debut EP album, '90'. What particularly caught the eye were items titled [Used] Nam Tae-hyun - EP 1st '90'. Why all the fuss over a simple used album?
This album marked Nam Tae-hyun's first project released under his own name after leaving WINNER. An EP reflecting his identity as someone 'born in the 90s', it felt like a 'reboot' declaration to his fans at the time. Now out of print, and intertwined with his current image, it's practically considered a collector's item among certain enthusiasts. And this album started appearing for sale, of all days, today – multiple listings, seemingly all at once.
'Reasons to Sell' vs 'Reasons to Keep'
Of course, it could simply be a coincidence. But reading between the lines, it seems to clearly mirror the fans' state of mind. According to sources close to Nam Tae-hyun, a sentiment of "it's time to let go" is reportedly spreading within some parts of the fandom. A look at second-hand platforms reveals quite a few listings hinting at so-called 'fan exit' (leaving the fandom).
- "If the prison sentence is confirmed, the album's value will plummet anyway" – The cold, hard calculation of some fans.
- "Paying the tax for the time I supported him; time to move on" – A seller's note on a second-hand app.
- "Still, I want to keep his debut album" – The conflicting feelings of an old fan still holding onto theirs.
This phenomenon goes beyond simple buying and selling; it reads as a way of 'processing emotions' tied to an idol they once passionately supported. Particularly, listings with the same catalogue number almost feel like an auction, weighing rarity against the value of sentiment.
What the Number '90' Symbolises Now
Ironically, the album title on everyone's lips today is '90'. It's the year Nam Tae-hyun was born (1994) and a number symbolising his musical starting point. Yet, at this moment, the number seems to carry another meaning. Depending on the court's ruling – a verdict that could be a major turning point in his life – the price of these used albums might swing wildly, for better or worse.
As one comment on a second-hand app read, "I used to stay up all night trying to buy that album…" Fan sentiment is indeed a curious thing. What was a precious memory for some has now become 'used goods' to be cleared out by others. Once the court's ruling is delivered, on the path he walks out, will there be a coexistence of fans who remember past glories and the second-hand listings that reflect the present reality?