How to Get K-pop POBs as an International Fan: A Complete 2026 Guide

Your favorite artist just dropped a new album — and Soundwave’s exclusive selfie photocard is calling your name. But you live outside Korea. The store requires a Korean shipping address you don’t have. The payment page only accepts virtual accounts or bank transfers you can’t use.

If you’re an international fan, you’ve probably been there. The good news? There are proven ways to get K-pop POBs as an international fan (how to get kpop pob international). In this guide, we’ll walk you through 3 methods that fans around the world actually use.

Table of Contents

1. What Exactly Is a POB?
2. Why Is It Hard for International Fans to Get POBs?
3. 3 Ways International Fans Can Get POBs
4. Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Your POB Album via Paysable
5. Store-by-Store POB Policy Overview
6. FAQ
7. Summary

1. What Exactly Is a POB? 🃏

POB stands for Purchase Only Benefit or Place of Purchase Benefit — an exclusive item you can only receive when buying an album from a specific store. The most common form is a store-exclusive selfie photocard, but POBs can also include photo books, stickers, magnets, and PVC Lucky Draw cards.

The key thing to know: POBs are NOT inside the sealed album. Albums are shipped directly from the manufacturer’s factory, sealed. POBs are manually inserted into the shipping box at each store’s warehouse during fulfillment. This separate process is exactly what creates barriers for international fans.

For a full breakdown of K-pop fandom terms (PC, SG, GO, and more), check out our K-pop Fandom Glossary.

2. Why Is It Hard for International Fans to Get POBs? 🚧

Most major K-pop stores operate primarily for the Korean domestic market. International fans typically face two main barriers.

Barrier 1: Korean Address & Payment Methods

Stores offering premium POBs — like Soundwave or Yes24 Korea — often require a Korean domestic shipping address and payment via virtual account or bank transfer. Some stores even require identity verification tied to a Korean national ID or Alien Registration Card. Without a Korean credit card or PayPal support, completing checkout may be impossible.

Barrier 2: Global Store vs. Domestic Store POB Differences

Some stores run a separate Global storefront for international buyers, but the POBs offered there are sometimes scaled back compared to the domestic site. For example, Yes24 Korea may offer exclusive Unit Photocards for bundle purchases, while Yes24 Global only guarantees a standard random selfie photocard.

⚠️ Note: Each store’s POB policies and international shipping conditions can change with every artist comeback and over time. We recommend checking the store’s official announcements directly before placing your order.

3. 3 Ways International Fans Can Get POBs ✅

Method 1: Use a Proxy / Forwarding Service (Most Popular) ⭐

This is the most accessible method for getting POB albums without a Korean address or payment method. Proxy and forwarding services provide a Korean warehouse address — and, when needed, will even purchase items on your behalf.

When this method works best:

• The store allows international payment, but only ships to Korean addresses → Forwarding service
• The store only supports Korean payment methods or has a Korean-only interface → Proxy purchasing

Paysable (paysable.com) supports both:

• Direct Payment: Instantly handles bank transfer and virtual account payments within seconds
• Manual Purchase: Paysable staff purchases the album on your behalf from Korean-only stores

The full step-by-step flow for ordering a POB album is covered in Section 4.

Method 2: Join a Group Order (GO)

A Group Order (GO) is a community-driven bulk purchase. A trusted Group Order Manager (GOM) collects orders from fans on Twitter/X or Instagram, places one large order from a Korean store, and distributes items to each participant. Read our complete guide to becoming a K-pop Group Order Manager to learn how GOs work.

Key benefits of joining a GO:

• International shipping costs are split among many participants, significantly reducing your per-person cost
• When albums are purchased in multiples of the group’s member count, a full set of all member POBs is typically provided — meaning you can secure your bias’s POB for certain

Things to keep in mind:

• Choosing a trustworthy GOM is essential. Check their reputation in the fandom community on Twitter/X before joining
• Stay on top of order deadlines and shipping timelines throughout the process

For more on how to join a GO or run one yourself, see our Complete Guide to Being a K-pop GOM.

Method 3: Buy POBs Secondhand on Bunjang

If you missed the pre-order window or want a specific member’s POB only, buying secondhand on Bunjang is a solid option. Check our complete guide to buying photocards on Bunjang for step-by-step instructions. See Pre-Order K-Pop Albums Overseas: Fansign Entry & Timing Guide for the full pre-order walkthrough.

Bunjang is Korea’s largest secondhand marketplace, with a very active K-pop photocard and POB trading community.

How to use Bunjang from outside Korea:

• Paysable offers a built-in Bunjang service where you can browse and purchase Bunjang listings directly from the Paysable site
• Purchased items are shipped to the Paysable Warehouse, then forwarded internationally to you

Curious about how Bunjang compares to buying on Twitter/X? Check out our Bunjang vs. Twitter K-pop Merch Guide.

⚠️ Note: Some Bunjang sellers may decline to ship to proxy warehouse addresses. Using Paysable’s Bunjang service helps you work around this issue.

4. Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Your POB Album via Paysable 📋

Here’s the full flow using Paysable as your forwarding and purchasing service.

Step 1: Create Your Paysable Account & Get Your Korean Address 🔑

Once you sign up for Paysable, go to My Page > My Korean Address to find your personal Korean warehouse address and unique customer code (e.g., #12345-A).

This address is what you’ll enter as the shipping address for all your Korean store orders going forward.

Step 2: Order Your Album from the Korean Store 🛒

The method will vary depending on the type of store.

Case A — Stores that accept international orders directly (Global storefronts, Aladin, etc.)

At checkout, enter your Paysable Warehouse address as the shipping destination. Pay with your international credit card or PayPal. In the recipient name field, include both your name and your Paysable customer code.

Case B — Stores that only accept bank transfer or virtual account payment

Use Paysable’s Direct Payment service. Complete the order on the store’s website to generate the payment details, then submit that information to Paysable for automatic payment processing.

For a full walkthrough, see the Direct Payment Tutorial.

Case C — Korean-only stores or stores that require domestic identity verification

Use Paysable’s Manual Purchase service. Share the album URL and any specific variant details with Paysable, and a staff member will complete the purchase on your behalf.

If it’s your first time using Manual Purchase, we recommend reading the First-Time Manual Purchase Guide first.

⚠️ Heads up: Pre-order windows and POB stock are limited. It’s worth tracking your favorite artist’s comeback schedule and each store’s pre-order start dates in advance.

Step 3: Confirm Arrival at the Warehouse 📦

Once the store ships your album and it arrives at the Paysable Warehouse, your Package List will update with the arrival status.

Worried about whether your POB was included?
Use the Package Check service to view photos or video of the box contents upon arrival (Photo: 1,500 KRW / Video: 5,000 KRW per package). If a store forgot to include your POB, a video record gives you the evidence needed to file a claim.

💡 Tip: If you’ve ordered from multiple stores, don’t rush to ship. Wait until all packages arrive at the Warehouse, then request Consolidated Shipping to send everything in one box. This saves significantly on international shipping costs. Paysable offers free storage for up to one year, so there’s no pressure to ship right away. Read our 5 Ways to Save on K-pop Album International Shipping to reduce costs.

Step 4: Request International Shipping ✈️

Once all your packages are confirmed in the Warehouse, submit a shipping request.

• Consolidated Shipping: Combine multiple packages into one to reduce shipping costs
• Choose your carrier: UPS, DHL, EMS, and more — select based on your country and package weight
• Estimate your shipping cost in advance using the Shipping Fee Calculator

After submitting your request, you’ll receive a shipping quote to review and approve before dispatch.

Step 5: Receive Your Album + POB at Home 🎉

Your package will be delivered internationally to your address, with the album and POB together.

If the POB is missing upon arrival, submit the Package Check video as evidence to file a claim with the store. If you need assistance, feel free to reach out via 1:1 Inquiry.

5. Store-by-Store POB Policy Overview 📊

Here’s a summary of how major K-pop stores handle international orders as of 2025-2026.

Table 1. Major K-pop Stores: International Fan Guide (2025-2026)

⚠️ Note: Store policies can change with each artist comeback. We recommend verifying current policies directly through each store’s official announcements before ordering.

6. FAQ 💬

Q. Can I really get POBs if I use a proxy service?

A. In most cases, yes. Since POBs are inserted into the shipping box by the store’s warehouse team alongside your album, the box arriving at the Paysable Warehouse should contain the POB. That said, stores occasionally make mistakes. Using the Package Check (video) service lets you verify POB inclusion the moment your package arrives — and gives you usable evidence if something is missing.

Q. Which Weverse Shop should I use to receive individual member POBs?

A. You’ll want to order from Weverse Shop Global. The USA storefront does not include individual member POBs due to Billboard chart regulations — only a standard, non-randomized group card is included. Note that as of 2026, the Global store applies a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) model, meaning import taxes are included in your checkout total.

⚠️ Note: Weverse Shop policies may vary by artist and can change over time. Please check official announcements before ordering.

Q. I heard Makestar POBs sometimes arrive separately from the album. What should I do?

A. Makestar sometimes ships albums and POB/fancall items in separate packages. If your album box arrives first at the Paysable Warehouse, don’t request international shipping yet — wait for the POB package to arrive as well, then use Consolidated Shipping to send everything together in one box. Since Paysable offers free storage for up to one year, there’s no extra cost for waiting.

Q. I ordered POBs from multiple stores. How do I save on shipping?

A. Once all your packages arrive at the Paysable Warehouse, request Consolidated Shipping to combine them into a single international shipment. You can estimate the shipping cost in advance using the Shipping Fee Calculator.

Q. I live in the US — should I be worried about import duties?

A. As of August 2025, the US government removed the de minimis exemption for low-value imports, meaning packages from Korea may now be subject to import duties. Commercial carriers like UPS and DHL are equipped to handle customs clearance under the new rules. Exact duty amounts depend on the declared value and carrier, so we recommend checking with us before placing your shipping request. Feel free to reach out through 1:1 Inquiry for guidance.

⚠️ Note: US import duty policies may change. Please refer to official US Customs channels for the most up-to-date information.

7. Summary ✅

Getting K-pop POBs as an international fan is absolutely possible. Here’s a quick recap:

• Proxy / Forwarding Service: The most reliable method. Use Direct Payment for stores that require bank transfer, and Manual Purchase for Korean-only stores
• Group Order (GO): Great for splitting shipping costs and securing your bias’s POB
• Bunjang Secondhand: Useful when you’ve missed pre-orders or want a specific member’s card

With Paysable, all three methods are available in one platform. And thanks to free storage for up to one year, you can collect POBs from multiple stores at your own pace and ship everything together whenever you’re ready.

Sign up for Paysable today and get your Korean warehouse address in minutes.

Have questions? Visit our FAQ or reach out via 1:1 Inquiry.