HYBE shrugs off NewJeans controversy with 500 billion KRW Q1 revenue; anticipation builds for BTS’ return

HYBE Company has executed file-breaking first-quarter gross sales, surpassing 500 billion KRW for the first time, no matter the continuing moral wrestle between its subsidiary ADOR and NewJeans.

On April 29, HYBE printed its consolidated monetary results for the first quarter of 2025, reporting total gross sales of 500.6 billion KRW. This desire marks a 39 percent lift when in contrast to the identical duration in 2024, setting up a novel benchmark for the leisure powerhouse. Historically, the first quarter is considered as a slack duration in the industry as a result of fewer comebacks and exiguous stay performance process following 365 days-stay promotions. Nonetheless, HYBE defied industry traits, largely owing to the aggressive world activities of its top-tier artists.

Using this enhance had been world excursions and solo activities from artists right by HYBE’s huge roster, including BTS’ J-Hope, SEVENTEEN, TXT, ENHYPEN, and BOYNEXTDOOR. As extra of HYBE’s acts reached a scale where they’d maybe maybe also delivery a hit world excursions, the resulting stay performance earnings surged to 155.2 billion won, extra than triple the earnings from the identical quarter closing 365 days.

Inform participation gross sales, which contain albums, performances, and endorsements, accounted for roughly 64% of the firm’s total earnings, totaling 322.5 billion won. Whereas album gross sales saw a minor decline, the enormous spike in tour earnings helped offset any losses.

Within the period in-between, indirect gross sales, equivalent to merchandise, licensing, digital verbalize, and fan club subscriptions, reached 178.1 billion won, or 36% of total earnings. The merchandise and licensing division stood out, with gross sales skyrocketing by 75% 365 days-over-365 days to 106.4 billion KRW. Persona-themed objects and peculiar tour merch, especially these tied to HYBE’s IP-essentially based fully mostly artist manufacturers, proved to be big world hits.

HYBE moreover reported a serious enhance in working earnings, which reached 21.6 billion KRW, up by 50% when in contrast to the identical quarter closing 365 days. Additionally, HYBE is gearing up for indispensable enhance over the following two years, with the final BTS members region to return from militia service. The agency anticipates a forty five% lift in earnings and a 49% upward push in earnings by 2026, essentially fueled by BTS’ comeback.

Nonetheless, now not all is tender crusing for the firm. Amid this monetary success, a storm continues to brew interior its walls as ADOR, the pricetag in the reduction of NewJeans, stays embroiled in a highly publicized contract dispute with the neighborhood. NewJeans has sought to end its peculiar contract with ADOR, citing damaged trust and mismanagement.

In response, ADOR has asserted that the contract stays legally binding and may maybe well maybe now not be dissolved unilaterally. Contemporary court rulings have leaned in settle on of ADOR, temporarily barring the members of NewJeans from taking part in self reliant activities, including signing industrial presents or promoting outdoors the agency’s purview.