Korean trading cards rising assets for global collectors

A Michael Jordan Three-Point Shots trading card which was verified by the Professional Sports Authenticator in the United States / Courtesy of eBay

Collectable trading cards are becoming increasingly profitable for Korean sellers as demand surges in the global market, with some cards selling for tens of thousands of dollars.

According to global e-commerce platform eBay, Korean sellers of trading cards recorded double-digit year-on-year sales growth in the first quarter. Their overall sales on the platform ranked 10th by country in 2024 and spiked to sixth the following year. As of the first quarter, the figure rose to third.

Korean sellers’ trading cards are largely categorized into intellectual property (IP) characters and sports. Their values are determined by their rarity and grade by third-party valuation.

At the center of the Korean sellers’ market presence is Pokemon, a wildly popular franchise spanning games, anime, movies and trading cards introduced in 1996. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the animation’s trading cards have recently seen explosive demand, topping an IP chart with the 10 highest sales among Korean sellers on eBay.

Behind the Korean sellers’ popularity is a rising global demand for trading cards in Korean edition. EBay said the Pokemon Korean edition cards are much rarer overseas than in Korea. Among Korean sellers in overall at eBay, the Korean edition cards accounted for the highest sales in the first quarter.

Trading cards featuring Korean national footballer Son Heung-min, left, and Rayquaza from Pokemon in the Korean edition, both graded by the Professional Sports Authenticator / Courtesy of eBay

“The Pokemon cards have seen consistent demand in global trading card markets. With the 30th anniversary this year, we have confirmed a particular uptick in global demand for the cards lately,” said Kim Sung-hyun, a public relation official for eBay.

Pokemon cards were sold for premium prices in the first quarter. A 2025 Ditto Promo Card which was given away in a limited number at a Pokemon Town event outside Lotte World Mall in Seoul’s Songpa District last year was traded for $4,090.

That card was given the highest grade by Beckett Grading Services (BGS) in Texas. A Korean edition of Pokemon Rayquaza EX Promo Card, with Grade 10 verified by the U.S.-based Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), was sold for $14,796.

Trading cards themed on “One Piece,” another blockbuster animation with IP characters, which acquired high PSA authentication grades also raked in big dollars during the same period on eBay, with cards being traded for $4,131 and $3,267. "One Piece" claimed its place as the IP with the second-highest sales among Korean trading card sellers on eBay this year.

Korean webtoon IP also contributed to the soaring sales among Korean sellers this year. “Goddess of Victory Nikke Nivel Arena,” “Solo Leveling” and “Maple Story” were among IPs with the top 10 trading card sales on eBay in the first quarter.

Star athletes accounted for another major portion of sales among Korean sellers during the same period. A 2005-06 Michael Jordan Dual Jersey Autograph Card was traded for $37,146. A 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup National Landmarks Son Heung-min card was sold for $3,851.

Visitors browse Ditto-themed booths at Pokemon Town 2025 with Lotte at Lotte World Mall in Seoul's Songpa District, April 25, 2025. Newsis

“Trading cards are highly standardized products with reputable grading services like PSA and BGS, allowing buyers to trade confidently without physical inspections. Consequently, trading cards see a higher share of online transactions compared to other collectibles, with global marketplaces like eBay serving as primary trading channels,” Kim said.

“While brick-and-mortar card shops and card shows remain active particularly in the U.S. and Japan, online platforms handle a larger share of transactions for rare and high-value cards.”

EBay is bolstering its trading cards category as a key business. It in 2024 acquired online trading card auction platform Goldin and sealed a new partnership with PSA, introducing a complete range of services from purchase to sale, valuation and listing.

“Not only are foreign collectors interested in Korean editions growing, domestic demand for trading cards from overseas is on the rise as well, making the overall market more active,” an eBay official said.

"With relatively low costs in initial investment and logistical burdens, trading cards are an item that individual sellers can easily start with. They now represent a new cross-border export opportunity."