[1] Retailing is buying goods in a wholesale market to sell them in small quantities at higher prices to consumers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, bulk purchasing also contributed to better health outcomes by decreasing the overall number of trips to the grocery store, thus lessening opportunities for exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
For example, entertainment agencies bulk-buying their own CDs; or, probably more likely in the digital era, using bots or computer farms to repeatedly stream songs and hike up chart numbers.
Sajaegi scandals are testing the Korean music industry, questioning the credibility of online charts, entertainment agencies and even some fan engagement.
Nonetheless, some bulk purchasing initiatives led by artists' fans were also accused of unethical mass buying.
Other artists cited by Paper for such activities included Stray Kids, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus.
South Korea's Ministry of Culture banned midnight releases altogether, in order to avoid chart manipulation.