Kingdom K-Pop and More: Clemmons business struggles stem from U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods

July 28, 2026 - 08:10

Kingdom Kpop and More in Clemmons is seeing more empty shelves than usual, but it's not because business is booming. The local shop, which specializes in South Korean music, merchandise, and beauty products, is struggling under the weight of new U.S. tariffs on goods imported from South Korea. Owner Sarah Kim says the added costs have made it nearly impossible to keep popular items in stock without raising prices far beyond what her customers are willing to pay.

"We used to bring in new albums and light sticks every week," Kim said. "Now I have to pick and choose what I order because the tariffs eat into my profit margin so much." The store, which opened three years ago to serve the growing K-pop fan base in the Piedmont Triad, has seen a sharp drop in inventory. Shelves that once held stacks of BTS and Blackpink merchandise now sit half empty. Kim says she has had to cancel several pre-orders for upcoming releases because the wholesale cost jumped by nearly 25 percent after the tariffs took effect.

Customers have noticed the change. Regulars who used to stop by every week to pick up new photocards or limited-edition albums now come less often. "A lot of them are ordering directly from South Korea now, which is ironic because those packages also get hit with tariffs," Kim explained. "But they think they can find better deals online, even with the fees."

The tariffs, part of a broader trade dispute between the United States and South Korea, were meant to protect American industries. But for small businesses like Kingdom Kpop and More, they have created a new set of headaches. Kim is now considering shifting her focus to locally sourced items and fan-made crafts, but she worries that will change the identity of her store. "People come here for the authentic Korean stuff," she said. "If I can't offer that, I don't know what I'm doing."