Korean entertainment company HYBE gave an update on the highly anticipated full group comeback of K-pop idol group BTS.
In October 2022, when Big Hit Music, BTS’ agency, announced the military service of the members, it said, “Both the company and the members of BTS are looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.”
Of the seven members, Jin and J-Hope finished their military service. Jin was discharged on June 12 while J-Hope finished his on Oct. 17. The other five members are currently serving in the military and all of them will finish the mandatory duty by June 2025.
BTS (Big Hit Music)
On Nov. 5, HYBE held a conference call with CEO Lee Jae-sang and CFO Lee Kyung-joon discussing the earnings for the third quarter and answering questions.
During the call, a question was asked by a representative of securities firm CLSA about BTS’ revenue contribution in 2026 when they make their comeback as a full group.
“Regarding your sales revenue mix, when all BTS members come back and when they can start going on a tour, what is your expectation of the margin of the revenue contribution from BTS when they come back as a whole? Is it going to be more than 50 percent or less than 50 percent of the total revenue?” the representative asked HYBE executives based on the audio recording of the conference call.
CFO Lee Kyung-joon said the company is discussing with BTS members about their activities for 2026.
“And your second question on the revenue contribution from BTS as a whole, we are currently having conversations with BTS members about activities for 2026 as a whole group,” the CFO said.
Lee Kyung-joon added, “At this point in time we cannot make any concrete projections. But if they come back as a whole, of course, their revenues will be significant but at the same time, our other acts and other new businesses are doing really well and they will continue to generate good revenue so the portion of BTS in the total revenue is not going to be as high as in the past.”
This created confusion about BTS’ comeback on whether it is 2025 or 2026 although the question focused on BTS’ revenue contribution in 2026.
Korean media outlet Asia Economy contacted Big Hit Music about this and the agency said, "We are currently discussing closely with the members regarding BTS's post-service [military service] plans. Once specific plans such as the timing and method are decided, we will inform fans at the appropriate time."
For the third quarter of 2024, HYBE reported an operating profit of 54.18 billion won, down 25.4 percent on a year-on-year basis but up by 6.4 percent compared to the second quarter.
Its net profit plunged to 1.44 billion for the third quarter of 2024, down by 98.6 percent year-on-year and a decrease of 85.7 percent compared to the second quarter of the year.
HYBE's third quarter results (From HYBE report)