How Do Group Orders Work in K-Pop? A Simple Guide | K-POP HQ (2024)

Collecting albums, photocards, and other merchandise is one of the most fun parts of being a K-Pop fan. It’s a great way to show love and support for your favorite idols, plus it’s always exciting to add new items to your K-Pop shelves. Of course, when you live outside South Korea, keeping up with shipping fees and customs charges can quickly break the bank.

That’s where group orders come in. This ingenious solution reduces shipping costs, eliminates customers feeds, and helps fans get their fans on their merch quickly and affordably. Want to join a group order yourself but aren’t sure where to start? Let’s dive into the wonderful world of GOs.

How do group orders work in K-Pop?

What is a group order in K-Pop?

Also known as a “GO”, a group order is a collective purchase fans make to get their favorite new K-Pop goods at a lower shipping cost. This can include:

• Albums
• Merchandise
• Photocards
• Lightstick
• Concert goods
• Cheering kits
• And more

Instead of each ordering items individually and paying hefty international shipping fees, fans who live in the same country join together to place a bulk order, which is then shipped to one person. That person then ships each individual item out to each fan, resulting in reduced delivery costs for everyone involved.

In essence, group orders make it much easier to get coveted items affordably, even when you’re not living in South Korea.

What is a GOM in group orders?

Short for Group Order Master or Group Order Manager, a GOM is the person who organizes and manages the entire group order process. They collect payments from fans, place a bulk order with the supplier or retailer, receive the shipment, and distribute the items to the individual fans who participated.

The GOM ensures that group orders go smoothly and that everyone gets what they ordered, making their role crucial.

Fun fact: In the K-Pop community, GOMs are sometimes affectionately referred to as “master-nim“. “Nim” (in Korean, “님”) is an honorific used to show respect.

How group orders work in K-Pop: step by step

Joining a group order may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s simple once you understand the process. Here’s our step-by-step guide to participating in a group order:

1. Finding a group order

You can find group orders on various online platforms, with social media apps being the most popular. When you’re looking for a GO, search or check hashtags on:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Reddit
• K-Pop forums

Following fan accounts, fan clubs, or hashtags related to your favorite groups will help you stay updated on the latest group order opportunities.

2. Placing your order

Once you’ve found a group order you’d like to participate in, you’ll need to “claim” the item you want to purchase. Usually, you can claim your item by leaving a comment or sending a direct message to the GOM. Be sure to act quickly, as some group orders are limited.

Once everyone has claimed their spot, you’ll typically be directed to fill out a Google or Naver form with your personal information, such as your name, address, and contact details. This form helps the GOM keep track of all participants and ensures that everyone receives the correct items.

3. Paying for your order

You’ll need to pay for the items you claim, along with a portion of the overall shipping cost. GOMs use secure payment methods to collect everyone’s fees. Internationally, the most common option is PayPal.

Note that GOMs often ask participants to use the “Friends and Family” option in PayPal to avoid additional fees, and to avoid unscrupulous buyers from scamming them. However, this payment option offers no buyer protection. For this reason, always stay cautious and ensure your GOM is trustworthy before handing over any money.

Payment methods may differ between countries. For Philippines GOs, for example, popular options include GCash and bank transfer.

4. Receiving your order

Eventually, once your GOM has received the bulk order, they’ll sort the items and prepare them for shipping to individual participants.

Domestic shipping fees are typically lower than international shipping fees, so you’ll save money by joining a group order based in your country. Just a little wait later, your package will arrive — enjoy!

Why join a group order?

Group orders grow in popularity each year because they have so many benefits for K-Pop fans.

1. Lower costs

One of the primary reasons fans join group orders is to save money on shipping fees. By combining orders into a single shipment, fans can significantly reduce the cost of international shipping. Additionally, your group order manager may be able to get a bulk discount, translating to further savings for you.

2. Easier access to POBs

Group orders can also give you easier access to rare, exclusive, or limited edition items that might be difficult or expensive to obtain individually.

For example, many GOMs run group orders solely for add-on items, like pre-order benefit photocards. They may also run a GO which splits one merchandise kit into different members, allowing you to order only your bias’s season’s greetings photocards, for example.

This is especially helpful for fans who are passionate about completing their collections without buying dozens of albums from different stores.

3. Community and friendship

Of course, group orders are more than just a way to save money and collect K-Pop merch. They also serve as a platform for fans to connect and forge friendships.

When you join a group order, you can engage with other like-minded individuals in your local area or country who share your passion for K-Pop. Expect lively discussions, helpful advice on collecting, and even lasting friendships within the fandom.

What is EMS in group orders?

Thinking of joining a group order but not sure what “EMS” means in the description?

EMS, or Express Mail Service, is an international postal service that offers fast, reliable, and trackable shipping for packages worldwide.

With group orders, EMS refers to the shipping from South Korea to the GOM’s location. The service is particularly popular among K-Pop fans because it’s quick and affordable, helping everyone get their merch fast without going broke.

How much is EMS for group orders?

The cost of EMS shipping for group orders can vary greatly, depending on several factors. Here’s a breakdown:

1. The weight and size of the item

Heavier and larger packages will generally incur higher shipping fees, as they require more resources to transport. As such, albums and lightsticks tend to carry more expensive EMS fees than individual photocards or stationery.

2. The destination country

Shipping fees are also determined by the distance between South Korea and the destination country. The further away you live from Korea, the higher the EMS is likely to be. Additionally, each country may have its own customs regulations and fees for carriers, which can affect the final EMS cost.

3. Currency exchange fees

As EMS fees are typically charged in Korean won (KRW), converting those fees to your local currency may incur additional exchange costs. That means fees can fluctuate based on the current exchange rate.

Given these factors, it’s impossible to give a firm answer to how much EMS costs. Either way, however, you’ll be saving money, as the cost will be split amongst everyone who enters.

Experienced GOMs may provide an estimate of the EMS fees before you place the order, giving you an idea of how much you’ll be out of pocket before you start the group order.

How to find reliable group order managers

One of the biggest worries when joining a group order is getting scammed, which is why it’s so important to find a trustworthy GOM. Here are some tips for identifying reliable group order managers:

1. Look for a long-term presence

The longer your GOM has been in the game, the less likely they are to run off with your money. Try to find a group order manager who has been running GOs for several months at minimum, with several years being the ideal. It can also help to look up their handle on other social media platforms.

2. Check past reviews

A reliable GOM will typically have a track record of successfully completed group orders. On Instagram, for example, many collect reviews in their Stories. On Twitter, they’ll usually be collected in a thread.

If the GOM has consistently delivered orders on time and has a reputation for good communication and transparency, it’s a good sign that they are trustworthy.

3. Ask for recommendations

If you already know people in the K-Pop community, ask them for recommendations. Fellow fans on social media platforms, forums, or fan clubs are a great place to go for trustworthy opinions.

Conclusion

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of unboxing your new K-Pop treasures knowing they didn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Cost-effective, simple, and speedy, group orders are undoubtedly a great way to enhance your K-collector experience. Now you understand how GOs work, you’re well on your way to joining one. And, who knows — you may become a GOM yourself one day!

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