Eagles Greatest Hits Volume 2 Vinyl Sleeve

This Vinyl Record released in 1982 by the Eagles was also manufactured and sold in South Korea by 1983. On the plastic cover of the sleeve, there is a price tag that says 3000 Korean won. It possesses the same sleeve design except for the manufacturing/production credits, which is given to Oasis Record Co. located in South Korea. Many Korean pressings from this time were stamped “Printed in Korea” and include local manufacturer details like Oasis Record Co. to indicate they were produced domestically under license rather than imported. This shows how global music distribution worked pre-internet, with local presses adapting design, text placement, and legal details.

This piece is significant because it reflects local manufacturing practices, licensing, and localized paratext. Not only are texts translated, but the object is graphically adapted for the Korean audience. The layout of the sheet inside the sleeve is altered to include Korean translations of each title, as well as a detailed background of the album. It shows how graphic design helped global culture travel. 

South Korean pressings often have unique typography, regulatory stamps or icons, and placement of text that distinguishes them from American releases. Designers had to balance two writing systems, English and Korean Hangul, with two very different structures. In addition, the designer also had to decide what information is necessary for Korean audiences, what needs to be directly translated, and a cohesive multilingual graphic should look like. It reflects the history of editorial and information design as well. 

Graphic design helped introduce Western rock music to Korean audiences during a period when foreign media was still regulated and filtered. Comparing this to a U.S. pressing illustrates how design elements change across markets, reflecting different cultural and legal contexts.