Photocard Rabbit Hole
Welcome Bestie 💜
One minute you're opening your first album.
The next minute you're comparing template checklists at 2am and explaining why a tiny piece of cardboard cost £25.
Welcome to the photocard rabbit hole ✨
Don't worry.
We all ended up here somehow.
📸 What Is A Photocard?
Photocards (often shortened to PCs) are collectible cards included with albums, merchandise, events and promotions.
Most feature individual members, although group cards also exist.
For many collectors, photocards become just as important as the album itself.
Sometimes more important.
We don't judge here 💜
💜 What Is A Bias?
Your bias is your favourite member in a group.
The one you collect first.
The one who appears on your lockscreen.
The one responsible for most of your questionable financial decisions.
😈 What Is A Bias Wrecker?
A bias wrecker is the member who constantly threatens your carefully planned collection.
You start collecting one member.
Suddenly you're collecting three.
It happens to the best of us.
📖 What Is A Template?
A template is a checklist used by collectors to track photocards.
Templates show:
💜 Album photocards
💜 POBs
💜 Lucky Draws
💜 Fansign cards
💜 Merchandise cards
Collectors use them to keep track of what they own and what they're still searching for.
🎁 Why Are Some Photocards Expensive?
Not all photocards are created equally.
The value of a photocard can depend on:
- Popularity of the member
- Rarity
- Event exclusivity
- Store exclusivity
- Supply and demand
Some cards are widely available.
Others become incredibly difficult to find once an event ends.
🎲 What Are Lucky Draw Photocards?
Lucky Draw photocards are special event cards released by stores during promotional periods.
They're often produced in smaller quantities than standard album photocards.
Because of this, they can become highly collectible.
🌟 What Are POB Photocards?
POB stands for Pre-Order Benefit.
These photocards are given as a bonus when ordering during specific pre-order events.
Different stores often have different POBs.
Which is why collectors occasionally descend into complete chaos during comeback season.
🗂️ How Do Collectors Store Photocards?
Most collectors use:
💜 Penny sleeves
💜 Premium sleeves
💜 Toploaders
💜 Binders
💜 Collect books
The goal is simple:
Protect the precious cardboard.
🔄 Trading Photocards
Trading is one of the biggest parts of the collecting community.
You might:
💜 Pull a member you don't collect
💜 Trade with another collector
💜 Complete your collection
Trading allows collectors to focus on their favourite members without buying endless duplicates.
🎯 Should I Collect Everything?
Short answer:
No.
Long answer:
Definitely not.
Most collectors focus on:
- One member
- One group
- One era
- Specific types of photocards
Collecting everything can become expensive very quickly.
✨ Ana's Bestie Tips
💜 Collect what makes you happy.
💜 Rare doesn't automatically mean better.
💜 Don't compare your collection to someone else's.
💜 A collection can be one photocard or one thousand.
💜 Protect your pulls before showing them off.
💜 Your bias owns your wallet now. Acceptance is the final stage.
🚨 Signs You're Falling Down The Rabbit Hole
☐ You own a binder.
☐ You know what a POB is.
☐ You've said "just one more photocard."
☐ You have a favourite sleeve brand.
☐ You know member pricing.
☐ You understand trading abbreviations.
☐ You've checked a template before bed.
If you ticked more than three...
Welcome to the club bestie 💜