This photo, provided by Korea Post, shows a draft of stamps and a booklet commemorating the 10th anniversary of the K-pop group BTS since its debut.
SEOUL, May 25 (Korea Bizwire) — A draft of postage stamps designed in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the globally popular K-pop group BTS since its debut was recently released for sale.
However, the stamps do not include the faces of the group members.
Korea Post, the state postal service, announced that all 120,000 draft stamps were sold out only three hours after being released on Monday, through the postal service’s official website and mobile app.
These stamps are unique as they solely feature pictures of BTS album covers, while the pictures of the band members are included in a separate booklet.
The administrative rules governing postage stamps in South Korea specify six conditions under which an honorary stamp can be issued.
The BTS postage stamp was issued after meeting the requirement that “certain figures who made a significant contribution to the state’s reputation and international peace should be promoted nationwide.”
However, another rule prohibits the issuance of postage stamps depicting living individuals, unless the stamp is celebrating a presidential inauguration or a specific national contribution.
“The rule was established in response to a previous incident where an individual featured on a postage stamp was involved in a social scandal shortly after,” stated the postal service.
Meanwhile, online pre-orders for foreign fans will begin on June 1 through a dedicated website.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
