South Korea’s KiTbetter, the company responsible for the KiTalbum, is set to open a manufacturing facility in Los Angeles as part of its effort to better serve U.S. consumers.
KiTbetter, the South Korean firm behind the KiTalbum hybrid physical-digital format, is establishing a production facility in Los Angeles to improve access for consumers in the United States. The first KiTalbums manufactured domestically are expected to arrive in stores and reach fans in early 2026.
“As we expand globally, and with growing interest from artists, labels, and retailers across North America and Europe in particular, we’re increasing capacity to support more titles and meet rising international demand,” says Jennifer Sullivan, president, North America and chief marketing officer.
The KiTalbum is a proprietary format that features a small “KiT” device, essentially an album reduced to keychain size, embedded with a U-NFC (ultrasonic near-field communication) signal. This technology unlocks music, videos, lyrics and album credits through the KiTalbum app on iOS and Android devices. The square jewel case usually includes printed items such as stickers and cards.
While still relatively unfamiliar to many U.S. consumers, the KiTalbum format is well established in its home market. KiTalbum’s original manufacturing facility and corporate offices are based in South Korea, where the company also operates a flagship retail store.
According to Sullivan, KiTbetter has produced 10 million KiTalbums since 2017, with K-pop releases accounting for the strongest sales.
The company is now setting its sights on a broader mix of genres and artists across North America and Europe. “We’re seeing strong international demand that continues to drive the need for additional production capacity,” Sullivan adds.
Opening a Los Angeles facility will significantly reduce turnaround times compared with shipping products from South Korea.
In recent years, KiTbetter has issued releases for metal label Earache Records, including projects by Napalm Death and Carcass, as well as Rhino Records titles such as Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and the B-52s’ Cosmic Thing.
Rap legends Public Enemy released a KiTalbum edition of their latest album, Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartments 2025. Metal veterans Megadeth are also planning to release a KiTalbum version of their final album, scheduled to arrive in January.
KiTalbums often feature exclusive or bonus material. The upcoming reissue of Devo’s 1980 album Freedom of Choice, for instance, includes cover versions of the band’s hit “Whip It” by Teen Mortgage! and Scowl. Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple KiTalbum contains seven music videos along with acoustic sessions for “Big Empty” and “Pretty Penny.”
Independent artists are also able to produce KiTalbums for their own releases through KiTbetter’s self-service website. Sullivan says pricing begins at around $9 per unit and drops to roughly $7 per unit for orders of 300 copies. Artists can sell KiTalbums through the KiTbetter shop or via their own online storefronts. “A lot of artists like to have product on hand at shows,” Sullivan says.
KiTbetter is not the first company to experiment with enhanced digital music formats. Yoto offers Yoto Cards, credit card-sized plastic cards inserted into a screen-free audio player for children.
Weverse, the social media platform owned by K-pop powerhouse HYBE, sells Weverse Albums that include digital photo cards and animated album artwork. Looking further back, record labels embraced enhanced CDs in the 2000s as a way to offset declining album sales, adding videos, wallpapers and web links alongside audio tracks.
Although the KiTalbum remains a niche offering in the U.S. market, KiTbetter’s expansion aligns with the music industry’s renewed focus on collectibles and physical products aimed at superfans.
As streaming continues to dominate how audiences listen to music, the KiTalbum could emerge as an appealing option for fans who favor digital access but still want something tangible to own.
- What is a KiTalbum?
A KiTalbum is a hybrid physical-digital music format featuring a small 'KiT' device embedded with a U-NFC signal, allowing access to music, videos, and more through the KiTalbum app.
- Where is KiTbetter opening a manufacturing facility?
KiTbetter is opening a manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California.
- When are the first KiTalbums expected to be available in the U.S.?
The first KiTalbums manufactured in the U.S. are expected to arrive in stores in early 2026.
- How many KiTalbums has KiTbetter produced since 2017?
KiTbetter has produced 10 million KiTalbums since 2017.
- What types of artists can produce KiTalbums?
Independent artists can produce KiTalbums for their own releases through KiTbetteru2019s self-service website.
- What is the pricing structure for producing KiTalbums?
Pricing for producing KiTalbums begins at around $9 per unit and drops to roughly $7 per unit for orders of 300 copies.
