Record Profits Expected for K-POP Industry with Simultaneous Returns of BTS and BIGBANG

The entertainment industry predicts that if BTS and BIGBANG resume full-scale activities simultaneously next year, South Korea’s entertainment sector will achieve record-high revenues. Lee Ki-hoon, an analyst at Hana Securities, stated in a report released on the 10th that “if BTS resumes group activities next year, its earnings will reach the combined sales level of YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment.” He added that “if BTS and BIGBANG both restart their activities at the same time, it will undoubtedly set new records for the entire K-POP industry.” BTS is set to begin full-scale activities in the spring of 2026 after completing their military service, starting with the release of a new album. This will be their first world tour since 2022, featuring 65 performances from May to December, with each show expected to draw around 60,000 attendees. Kim Hyun-yong, an analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities, forecasted that “the quarterly operating profit from these tours starting in the second quarter of next year could reach around 100 billion won.” BTS has been building excitement for their return through the “Movie Weeks” event (September 24–October 5), during which four concert movies were shown in over 2,500 theaters across 65 countries worldwide. The company plans to maintain fan engagement through additional pop-up stores and similar initiatives. BIGBANG is also attracting significant attention. Debuting in 2006, the group is preparing to resume full-group activities in 2026 to mark their 20th anniversary. This analyst analyzed that “since YG Entertainment recorded approximately 36 billion won in sales in 2024 when BLACKPINK was not active, similar sales levels (around 36 billion won) can be expected when BIGBANG’s tours resume.” Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Securities raised HYBE’s target share price from 350,000 won to 380,000 won, while Hana Securities increased YG Entertainment’s target price by 12% to 145,000 won. The market believes HYBE’s current market capitalization of 11.14 trillion won has room to rise to 15 trillion won.