In South Korea, technology is very important to the population, and having the latest gadgets is a must. However it looks like video may have killed the audio star based on the latest figures. Whereas MP3 players used to be the must have gadgets for any gadget loving fan, the advent of video playing devices such as mobile phones, iPod Touches, iPhones and video playing games consoles, MP3 players are suffering.

It is believed in fact that MP3 players could become redundant as new technology offers more functionality.

The Korean Electronics Association has released sales figures that show sales of MP3 players in the country are expected to be 2.19 million, which is lower than the 2.27 million that sold in the country in 2007

This is smaller again than the 2.32 million that sold in 2006, showing that sales are declining year on year. Revenue has dropped as well, MP3 players generated 400 billion won in 2005, which dropped to 350.7 billion in 2007. Sales are predicted to fall as low as 257.5 billion in 2009.

The launch of digital video players has been hailed as partly responsible for the decline in sales of MP3 players, and any new MP3 player sales are for cheaper, disposable players.