How to Spot a Fake Stray Kids ‘This That’ Album: Authentication Checklist

Authenticating a Stray Kids ‘This That’ album requires a systematic inspection of the outer packaging, print quality, photocard characteristics, and official distributor hologram stickers. In the Philippines, where fans frequently source merchandise through local group orders, online marketplaces, and secondary trade groups, the risk of encountering counterfeit K-Pop goods is a constant concern. To ensure your stray kids this that album is genuine, you must analyze its physical properties and verify its origin. Relying on a single visual cue is no longer sufficient; a holistic authentication approach is necessary to safeguard your collection and support the artists.

Quick Guide to Authenticating Your Album

When you first receive your stray kids this that album, a few immediate checks can help you spot obvious fakes before you open the packaging. The most reliable indicators of an authentic album include the presence of a reflective, official distributor hologram sticker on the back, crisp and high-resolution print quality across all surfaces, and the correct count of inclusions as specified by the manufacturer.

No single surface feature can guarantee 100% authenticity on its own. Counterfeiters frequently upgrade their printing methods, meaning a holistic check that combines physical inspection, digital verification, and seller assessment is required. To make this process easier, always keep the official promotional images, publisher specifications, and verified unboxing videos of the stray kids this that album open on your phone or tablet for direct, side-by-side comparison.

Products mentioned in this guide

Kpopmerch [ +JYP / SOUNDWAVE GIFT ] STRAY KIDS - Mini Album [ THIS & THAT ] TRUCK ver ₱1,642.54₱2,276.00 View product →

Kpopmerch [ +JYP GIFT ] STRAY KIDS - Mini Album [ THIS & THAT ] Photobook ver ₱1,271.82₱1,763.00 View product →

Kpopmerch [ +JYP GIFT ] STRAY KIDS - Mini Album [ THIS & THAT ] FANS ALBUM ver ₱751.36₱1,041.00 View product →

Prices are valid at publication and may change. Please refer to the product page for the latest price.

Why Counterfeit K-Pop Albums Are Common

The global surge in K-Pop popularity has turned physical albums into highly prized collectibles, particularly due to the random photocards and limited-edition inclusions they contain. High-demand releases from major groups like Stray Kids are prime targets for unauthorized manufacturers who want to capitalize on the urgency of fans looking to complete their collections. Because certain rare photocards can fetch high prices in secondary markets, counterfeiters often replicate entire albums just to harvest or fake these high-value items.

For fans, purchasing a counterfeit album leads to significant disappointment. Fake albums are notorious for poor material quality, incorrect colors, and missing or damaged inclusions. Furthermore, unauthorized reproductions do not support the artists, as none of the proceeds go toward royalties or production costs. Crucially, these bootleg copies are not tracked by official music charts such as Hanteo or Circle Chart, meaning your purchase will not contribute to the group’s music show wins or year-end award nominations.

Evaluating Sellers and Online Marketplaces

Before making a purchase, your first line of defense is evaluating the platform and the merchant offering the album. Official brand stores, authorized K-Pop retailers, and established local physical shops are the safest options because they source their inventory directly from official distributors. In contrast, unverified third-party sellers on general e-commerce platforms or social media buy-and-sell groups carry a much higher risk of distributing counterfeit goods.

When browsing online listings in the Philippines, watch out for several major red flags. Be highly suspicious of prices that are significantly below the standard market value. If a seller is offering a sealed stray kids this that album for ₱300 to ₱400 when authorized retailers are selling it for ₱1,100 to ₱1,600, the item is almost certainly a counterfeit or a stripped copy. Other warning signs include the exclusive use of stock photos instead of actual inventory shots, a lack of verifiable buyer reviews with real photos, and sellers who refuse to provide close-up pictures of the album’s back cover or hologram sticker. Always check the seller’s return policy and the platform’s buyer protection guarantees before completing your transaction.

Additionally, always verify the specific edition, language, medium, regional restrictions, and content completeness before purchasing. Never infer the exact contents of an edition solely from a listing title or cover image, as counterfeit listings often misrepresent these details.

Inspecting the Outer Packaging and Shrink Wrap

The physical inspection begins the moment the package arrives. First, examine the shrink wrap. Official factory sealing is neat, tight, and features clean, straight seams along the edges. In contrast, counterfeiters or unauthorized repackagers often use cheap, manual heat-shrink guns, resulting in loose, crinkly plastic with uneven, thick, or burned seams.

Next, look closely at the outer box or sleeve of your stray kids this that album. Official pressings use state-of-the-art printing presses that deliver sharp, vibrant colors and high-contrast text. Examine the barcode and fine print on the back cover; on an authentic album, even the smallest legal text is perfectly legible. Counterfeit albums often display visible pixelation, color banding, or slightly blurred text, which happens when bootleggers scan an original cover and reprint it on inferior machinery.

Finally, assess the structural integrity of the packaging. Official albums are built with sturdy, heavy-duty cardboard designed to protect the internal contents. Counterfeits frequently use thinner, cheaper paperboard that feels flimsy and yields easily under light pressure. In the humid tropical climate of the Philippines, this low-grade cardboard is particularly problematic, as it absorbs moisture quickly, causing the outer sleeve to warp, soften, or bow over time.

Checking Photocards, Booklets, and Inclusions

The internal inclusions—specifically the photobooks and collectible cards—are the most common areas where counterfeiters make noticeable mistakes. Because these items are costly to replicate with precision, a close inspection of their physical properties will usually reveal their true origin.

Evaluating Photocards and Posters

Photocards are the crown jewels of any K-Pop album, and they are also the most frequently faked items. To authenticate them, start by checking the cardstock thickness and rigidity. Authentic Stray Kids photocards are printed on thick, premium paperboard that snaps back into shape when gently flexed. Counterfeits often feel thin, like standard playing cards, and bend permanently with very little effort.

Next, examine the edges and the overall finish. Official photocards are cut using industrial die-cutters, which often leave tiny, characteristic paper “nubs” or tabs on the corners where they were detached from the printing sheet. The surface finish—whether matte, glossy, or textured—should be perfectly uniform without any sticky residue or bubbling. Under a magnifying glass or a smartphone zoom lens, fake cards often reveal poor color calibration, visible print dots (moiré patterns), or incorrect cropping that cuts off parts of the member’s hair or the background logo. Always verify the back of the card as well; the copyright text, logos, and member names must be crisp, centered, and free of spelling errors.

Assessing Booklets and Paper Goods

The main photobook is another excellent indicator of authenticity. Turn through the pages to evaluate the paper weight and binding quality. Official photobooks use heavy, high-grade paper with professional perfect binding or secure stitching that allows the book to be opened wide without pages falling out. Counterfeit photobooks often use thin, semi-translucent paper where the images from the reverse side bleed through, and the binding is frequently weak, causing pages to detach easily.

You must also verify the exact list of inclusions against the official album specifications. Check for the correct number of stickers, folded posters, ID cards, or pre-order benefits. Bootleg albums often omit smaller items entirely or substitute them with generic, low-quality prints. Furthermore, pay attention to your senses: counterfeit albums often emit a strong, pungent chemical odor. This off-putting smell is a byproduct of cheap, unregulated industrial inks and adhesives, which is especially noticeable when unboxing the album in a warm, enclosed room.

Using Official Holograms and Authentication Apps

One of the most definitive ways to verify your stray kids this that album is by checking the official security features provided by the distributor. Most legitimate K-Pop albums feature an anti-counterfeit hologram sticker on the back cover, usually issued by the Korea Music Content Association (KOMCA) or the specific distribution partner of JYP Entertainment.

When you tilt the album under a direct light source, the hologram should display a clear, multi-layered color shift and reveal hidden patterns, logos, or serial numbers. On fake albums, these stickers are often flat, poorly printed metallic decals that do not show any dynamic color shifts or detailed security patterns when rotated.

Many modern releases also incorporate digital verification tools, such as QR codes or NFC tags embedded in the packaging or specific inclusions. You can scan these using official authentication apps or designated web portals to verify the unique serial number of your album. However, be aware that digital verification is not entirely foolproof on its own. Sophisticated scammers can sometimes scan and clone a valid QR code from an authentic album and print it onto hundreds of counterfeit copies. Therefore, you must always combine digital app results with physical quality checks of the cardboard, print resolution, and hologram behavior.

Steps to Take If You Suspect a Counterfeit

If you have completed your checklist and suspect that your stray kids this that album is a counterfeit, you must act quickly to protect your purchase. The most critical step is to document your entire unboxing process. In the Philippine K-Pop collecting community, a continuous, unedited unboxing video is the gold standard of proof. Ensure your video starts before the shipping package is opened, clearly shows the shipping label with your tracking details, and documents the physical flaws of the album in a single, unbroken take.

Once you have compiled your video and photo evidence, initiate a dispute or refund request through the buyer protection program of the e-commerce platform where you made the purchase. Present your detailed findings, highlighting the discrepancies in print quality, paper weight, or hologram authenticity.

While your dispute is pending, do not attempt to resell the suspected counterfeit item to recoup your losses. Doing so violates the terms of service of most online marketplaces and harms other fans within the community. Finally, if you purchased the album from a seller claiming to be an authorized retailer, consider reaching out directly to the official distributor or artist management team with your purchase receipt and photos. Reporting these listings helps protect the wider community and ensures that future releases remain secure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I authenticate a Stray Kids album just by scanning the QR code?

No, scanning a QR code or NFC tag is not a foolproof authentication method on its own. While digital verification is a helpful tool, counterfeiters can easily copy a valid QR code from a genuine stray kids this that album and print it onto multiple fake copies. If multiple users scan the cloned code, some authentication systems may flag it, but others might still display a success message initially. To be absolutely certain of your album’s authenticity, you must always combine digital scans with a physical inspection of the print quality, paper weight, and the reflective properties of the distributor’s hologram sticker.

Do unofficial or fan-made inclusions mean the album is fake?

Not necessarily. Many third-party sellers, group order managers, and local K-Pop shops in the Philippines include unofficial, fan-made photocards, stickers, or custom freebies as a gesture of appreciation or as store-specific pre-order benefits. These extra items are meant to attract buyers and do not mean the core album itself is a counterfeit. To verify the album, focus your inspection entirely on the official contents that are supposed to be sealed inside the packaging, rather than any loose, external gifts provided by the seller.

Will a counterfeit album count towards official music chart sales?

No, counterfeit albums will never count toward official music charts like Hanteo or Circle Chart. These charts rely on sales data reported directly by certified, authorized retailers and official distributors. Because bootleg albums bypass the legitimate supply chain entirely, purchasing them deprives Stray Kids of official sales recognition, royalties, and chart points. To ensure your hard-earned money supports the group’s official milestones, music show wins, and year-end awards, always purchase your albums from certified, chart-affiliated sellers.