HYBE Exceeds 1 Trillion Won in Quarterly Revenue for First Time in Q2, Setting New Records for the Entertainment Industry

HYBE achieved a record-breaking quarterly performance in Q2, recording 1.45 trillion won in revenue and 170.9 billion won in operating profit. Both figures represent the highest levels ever recorded for a single quarter, and HYBE is the first company in South Korea’s entertainment industry to surpass both 1 trillion won in quarterly revenue and 100 billion won in operating profit simultaneously.

This represents a 105.5% increase in revenue and a 159.3% increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year. With an operating profit margin of 11.8%, the company demonstrated solid growth that matched its expanded scale. Half-yearly revenue also exceeded 2 trillion won for the first time. These achievements stem from HYBE’s multi-label strategy and the active resumption of activities by its artists.

Revenue from concerts totaled 647.7 billion won, while income from albums and music streams reached 326.8 billion won. The MD and licensing segment also hit a new high of 310.6 billion won, driven by synergy with concert activities. A triangular structure combining concerts, content, and merchandise played a significant role in generating profits.

BTS was the strongest driving force behind these strong results. BTS’s comeback album, “ARIRANG,” released following their world tour that began in April, topped vinyl and CD sales in the United States, helping revitalize the once-stagnant physical album market. It is also credited with helping South Korea rise to third place in the world’s music exports, behind the United States and the United Kingdom. BTS’s world tours have triggered large-scale tourism and consumption in every region they visit, even giving rise to the term “BTS Nomix.” Their appearance at the halftime show of the World Cup final on the 20th — the first time such an event has been held — once again solidified their influence as global icons.

All artists under HYBE’s music groups released new albums in the first half of the year. According to South Korea’s Circle Chart, seven groups achieved million-seller status during this period. Groups that sold over 1 million copies include BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, &TEAM, BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, and CORTIS. Half of the top 10 albums in the U.S. CD market were by HYBE artists.

KATSEYE became a rising star in the global pop scene by winning three awards at the “2026 American Music Awards,” while CORTIS accumulated sales of over 5.25 million copies across its two mini-albums, “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” and “GREENGREEN.”

HYBE’s CEO, Lee Jae-sang, stated, “We have proven this quarter that we can redefine the global entertainment market and serve as a core export infrastructure for South Korea’s cultural industry, with our actual financial results serving as evidence. This is the outcome of our consistent efforts to drive business innovation.”