Photo from SuperStar PH
In the ever-evolving landscape of global pop culture, a mere piece of paper can now hold a significant monetary value, turning someone a thousand pesos richer, or perhaps even more.
It may seem unbelievable at first, but a photocard, or a simple piece of paper featuring an idol’s unreleased selfie, can sometimes command a price of approximately Php. 59,000—sometimes even reaching a hundred thousand if the demand is high (but not all, you can still buy pcs for a hundred pesos!).
Being a fan who actively collects comes at a steep cost, and this is particularly evident as the number of fans continues to grow. The surge in fandom has led to the consumption and production of various products, giving rise to what is now known as the “poca craze.” This trend extends beyond K-pop and finds its counterpart in P-pop.
In the realm of collecting, physical copies still hold sway, but the digital era has brought forth new avenues. Fans can now gather online photocards of their favorite groups.
If you’re a K-pop fan, chances are you’ve already immersed yourself in the rhythm-based gaming app, SuperStar series, where the beats align with the tunes of your favorite hits from SM, YG, and JYP. The gaming series, launched in 2014, has garnered global acclaim, amassing over 75 million downloads worldwide.
Shifting gears to the P-pop scene last year, its counterpart has been showcasing some of ABS-CBN’s most renowned musical artists, including BINI, BGYO, Janella Salvador, Moira, Belle Mariano, Maymay, and introducing the latest addition, KD Estrada and Maki, among others.
So, how to collect cards? By completing various missions at different difficulty levels, players can earn rewards such as online cards, in-game currency, and new songs. To level up faster and collect more cards, players just need to participate in these missions—well, if you want, everyday!
The game also provides exclusive in-game coupons that players can obtain after clearing all the missions. Recently, they’ve introduced surprise gifts from Belle Mariano, BGYO, and Maki.
The convergence of digital collecting and rhythm gaming serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of music fandom in the contemporary era. As fans continue to embrace new forms of expression and connection, with them as prosumers of content, the global journey of these trends becomes a shared experience.