When I first encountered YES24, my impression was quite limited: I simply viewed it as an online bookstore.
Initially, I was just looking for books—specifically original English editions and local Korean bestsellers. However, while using the site, I stumbled upon the CD and vinyl section, and that experience completely transformed my perception of the platform.
Compared to the book section, the music and media area felt more “multi-dimensional”—almost like a curated gateway for cultural content rather than just a standard product category.
What first caught my eye was the “integrated feel” of the banners featuring film and TV music
I first really took notice of the CD section through the banners on the homepage dedicated to film and TV music.
At the time, a new movie was being released, and the platform had launched a dedicated page for it. It didn’t just introduce the film; it simultaneously showcased the related original soundtrack (OST), offering CD versions, special editions, and vinyl releases.
This presentation surprised me; it wasn’t merely about “recommending music.” Instead, it linked the film and the music together as part of a cohesive content strategy. The movie release served as a starting point, with the music release acting as an extension—often leading to further recommendations of works by the same director or actors.
It was my first realization that music releases could be systematically integrated with film and TV content, rather than existing in isolation.
This experience prompted me to actively explore the CD section, rather than just passively browsing.
The CD section felt like a curated “music archive”
Once I actually entered the CD category, I realized it was completely different from typical music e-commerce sites.
It didn’t just list artists haphazardly; there was a clear, logical structure—categories like K-pop albums, OSTs, international music, reissues of classic albums, limited editions, and a dedicated vinyl section—with distinct boundaries between them.
My immediate impression was that this was more like a “curated music archive” than a page where products were simply piled together.
This was especially evident in the OST section, where I could clearly see the complete musical scope of a film or TV series—ranging from standard CDs to deluxe editions and versions that included photobooks or collectible cards. The information was comprehensive and well-structured. This made me realize for the first time that CDs haven’t been completely replaced by digital music; instead, they have entered a new phase of consumption focused more on “collecting and curation.”
Special features on vinyl and classic music redefined my understanding of “collectible music consumption”
What really held my attention were the dedicated sections for vinyl records and classic artists.
While browsing, I once came across a feature on classic artists that included albums and vinyl editions from Michael Jackson.
To my surprise, the content wasn’t just a simple list of albums; it was organized into a comprehensive collection, featuring releases from different eras, remastered vinyl, commemorative box sets, and limited editions with unique packaging.
Through this experience, I realized that on YES24, vinyl isn’t just a niche add-on—it is a core category of music consumption that is actively managed and promoted.
In particular, when both CD and vinyl versions of the same album are available, the platform doesn’t treat them as substitutes for one another; instead, it presents them side-by-side, naturally encouraging users to “collect the complete set.”
This design significantly shifts consumer psychology, transforming the experience from simply “listening to an album” into “collecting a series.”
Linking film/TV with music makes the CD part of the content experience
As I continued to use the platform, I discovered a key aspect of YES24’s strategy: it doesn’t treat CDs as isolated products but integrates them into the lifecycle of film and television content.
For instance, after a movie is released, a promotional banner appears on the homepage, followed by the launch of the original soundtrack (OST). Later, various CD and vinyl editions are released, often accompanied by recommendations for other works by the associated artists.
This structure positions music not merely as background noise, but as an extension of the film or TV content itself.
On several occasions, I clicked through after seeing a movie feature, naturally moved on to the OST page, browsed other albums by the same artist, and eventually found myself looking at vinyl editions.
The entire process felt less like passive recommendation and more like a natural journey guided by the content.
CDs and vinyl offer a completely different pace of consumption
After getting used to streaming music, returning to CDs and vinyl gave me a feeling not so much of “better sound quality,” but of a “slower pace.”
Purchasing CDs or vinyl on YES24 is an act that clearly involves a deliberate process of choice. You have to consider editions, packaging, and bonus content; sometimes, you even find yourself deliberating over whether to choose a first-press or limited edition.
This process is fundamentally different from “instant music playback”; it is more akin to an act of collecting, one that involves a sense of anticipation.
You don’t get the content the moment you place an order; instead, you wait for the physical product to arrive. This delay actually enhances the perceived value, transforming music into a tangible object you can own—rather than just a playlist that could vanish at any moment.
Why I Spend More Time in YES24’s Music Section
As I continued using YES24, I gradually realized that its CD and vinyl sections were not merely add-on features, but part of a comprehensive cultural ecosystem.
The banners for music specials provide entry points, the CD categories offer structure, and the vinyl and limited editions add collectible value—while the interconnected content keeps users engaged for longer periods.
Combined, these elements transform the site from a simple music retailer into a platform for cultural consumption centered around music.
When Music Shifts from Playback to Collection
Looking back, I initially viewed YES24 simply as a bookstore, yet I ended up spending far more time in its music and video sections.
The themed banners, the structured CD catalog, and the vinyl collection features reshaped my understanding of music consumption.
Music is not merely content to be played; it can also be a cultural object to be selected, collected, and even preserved.
And that is one of the key reasons why I continue to use YES24.
