HYBE Expands into India, Rising Expectations for BTS Concerts There

As K-pop entertainment company HYBE advances its entry into the Indian market, Indian fans’ anticipation for BTS concerts is growing. HYBE is considering establishing its first office in Mumbai, India. A HYBE official stated, “We are continuously conducting market research in various regions, and a Mumbai office has not yet been finalized.” Yet even this development alone has caused expectations among Indian K-pop fans for BTS concerts to surge sharply. Behind HYBE’s push into India is the country’s massive entertainment market. India has a population of over 1.4 billion, with an average age of 28.2 years, meaning a large majority are young people. Global consulting firm PwC forecasts that India’s entertainment and media industry will grow at an average annual rate of 8.3%, rising from 2.45 trillion rupees in 2023 to 3.45 trillion rupees by 2028. Additionally, a EY-FICCI M&E report from March 2025 predicted that India’s live entertainment market will reach 167 billion rupees by 2027. Over the past two years, acceptance of K-pop in the Indian market has increased rapidly. Several K-pop artists such as Suho, Chen, Xiumin, Hyolyn, BamBam, Jackson Wang, and B.I. have achieved great success there, further boosting local fans’ expectations. In particular, as BTS member Jin’s solo activities gain momentum, hopes for the group’s full reunion are also rising. Jin released his new solo EP, “Echo,” on May 16. Comprising seven tracks, this album includes songs such as “Don’t Say You Love Me,” “Nothing Without Your Love,” “Loser (featuring YENA),” “Rope It,” “With the Clouds,” “Background,” and “To Me, Today.” Jin’s agency described the album as a work that “offers perspectives on universal life experiences, capturing everyday emotions with warmth and sincerity,” adding that it “delivers diverse moods and vocal styles based on dynamic band sounds, showcasing mature vocal skills and personal storytelling.” This EP is Jin’s second solo release following his first EP, “Happy,” which came out in November 2024. The tracks included in “Echo” are also expected to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. All BTS members are scheduled to finish their military service in June and return as a full group, with discussions reportedly underway regarding a world tour in 2026.