Only K-Pop Fans Can Understand This Viral Tweet

Every K-Pop fan is familiar with the inexplicable appeal of photocards.

crying over this ryujin photocard pic.twitter.com/NjseIOzmQ8

— jasmine. (@dreamyejis) April 18, 2022

Photocards are simply small cards with exclusive pictures of idols that haven’t been released on other platforms. Fans can collect photocards by buying albums, which becomes almost like a game since the photocards are randomly distributed.

[ treasure photocard GA ]

💎 can choose one photocard of your choice
💎 rt and like, one winner only
💎 k lang naman di magfollow
💎 must shoulder the sf
💎 ends tomorrow, 11:59 PM pic.twitter.com/7R6oOMQrGX

— hary (@trsrcartx) April 19, 2022

But because of the random distribution, fans tend to collect photocards, much like some people collect Pokémon cards or baseball cards. And with any collection of cards comes the needed resource of trading with other fans.

yves telling us not to trade her photocard 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Hfr2vBGjRu

— LOONADOM (@7oveletter) April 14, 2022

But since photocards are so meaningful to fans and yet not made of the most resilient material… fans tend to get a bit creative with packaging.

[ASMR packaging] Packing for my first BTS photocard trading. pic.twitter.com/jjHMg41Lly

— Mindodoo (@mindodoo) April 12, 2022

And recently, one tweet, in particular, went viral for the extent to which one person packaged a photocard of SEVENTEEN‘s Dino to ensure its safety.

어이없는 포카 포장 1위 pic.twitter.com/FslyUEti33

— 꼬망세 (@commencer_b) April 18, 2022

Captioned “This wins the most ridiculous photo card packaging award,” there is no denying that the person went to extreme lengths, even among K-Pop fans.

safety first 😭😭 https://t.co/gGNtugzdHT

— regist (@pletorgeist) April 19, 2022

LMAO I'M CRYING😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/ZLDrytY2h0

— NINI 𓃠 🖤 (@iKithFelix) April 19, 2022

Leaving other fans in shocked admiration and amusement.

okay i like it picasso https://t.co/viWtEiKh3b

— jeyonie (@jjkily_) April 19, 2022

this is the real definition of must protect at all costs https://t.co/MhfMgf3t1v

— jen! (@hyoeuaena) April 18, 2022

Some even joked that this is now the only way they’ll accept photocard shipments because of how secure the photocard is.

if i don’t receive pcs like this i don’t want it https://t.co/sNPaHVoOas

— erin ☁️ (@dnylwon) April 19, 2022

must keep him safe at all costs https://t.co/ZNjsd1HsMW

— otto© (@etc_otto) April 19, 2022

But one Twitter user suggested that the extreme extent to which the photocard is being held in place is actually an environmentally conscious decision.

wanna save up from using too much plastic I seeee, 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/U4IsAvENw6

— orenji⁷ (@bloomingro) April 19, 2022

With the environment being a current hot topic among K-Pop fans, many are using their platforms to speak on how K-Pop fans can try to make a difference in saving the planet.

@/everyone collecting photocards and other merch, watch this vid of @ghiahong on what we can do to help our planet from getting destroyed by fossil fuels#Scientistprotest#Stopfossilfuel#LetEarthBreathe pic.twitter.com/9RsuUn1dmk

— maddie⁷ 🎀 (@hobiiicart) April 14, 2022

For photocards especially, there has been heavy backlash against using excess plastic to protect and store photocards.

But as k-pop enthusiasts and photocard collectors, how do we reduce our plastic usage? Alternatives to plastic sleeves and binders, please? Archival type and acid-free paper binders or something? Please recommend if you know of any sources.

— kat | Uri YG! Family~ Family~ Family!!! (@lookslikekat) April 14, 2022

Some accounts are suggesting plastic-free alternatives.

plastic-free packaging for photocards with eco-friendly alternatives : a thread

❕ shopee links included pic.twitter.com/iq2PqTe3A3

— andi (@mincloudz) April 14, 2022

ALTERNATIVE FOR PLASTIC TOPLOADERS.

PHOTOCARD IS PERFECT FOR THIS pic.twitter.com/xU0LYtENte

— you're my one and only✘ (@Yeonjunniebestb) April 15, 2022

Which, certainly this viral photocard packaging is one other alternative to avoid plastic while keeping the photocard secure.

+ eco friendly ☑️ https://t.co/0DNT9yJYZS

— darl𖧷ing (@O4O697gyu) April 19, 2022