HYBE recorded “record results in the first quarter”, approaching 700 billion won in revenue during the entertainment industry’s traditionally off-peak period.
The effect of BTS‘s return was added to the rapid growth of new artists, leading to the establishment of new records.
The consolidated revenue of HYBE for the first quarter of 2026 amounts to 698.3 billion won, a 40% increase compared to the same period of the previous year (500.6 billion won), which was the previous record for a first quarter.
Direct participation revenues (albums, concerts, advertising, etc.) recorded 403.7 billion won, growing by 25% compared to the previous year. In particular, revenue from the album sector reached 271.5 billion won, an increase of 99% compared to the same period of the previous year. This volume is comparable to that of the fourth quarter of 2023 (276.2 billion won), a period during which monumental accomplishments multiplied, such as the 11th mini-album by SEVENTEEN, “SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN”, which recorded the historical first place for first-week sales in K-pop, and the album by JUNG KOOK, “GOLDEN”, which rose to the historical first place for first-week sales for a solo artist.
The 5th studio album by BTS, “ARIRANG”, was at the center of the strong performance in album revenues. “ARIRANG” recorded sales of 3.98 million copies on the first day of its release alone. According to LUMINATE, a global music data analysis company, the vinyl record of “ARIRANG” also sold 208,000 copies in one week, recording the highest weekly sales volume for a group since counting began in 1991. “ARIRANG” established the record, a first for a Korean singer, of occupying first place for three consecutive weeks in the “BILLBOARD 200”, Billboard’s main album chart. In addition to the title song “Swim” which rose to the first place on the “HOT 100” main songs chart of Billboard, all 13 tracks sung appeared in the chart.
ENHYPEN reached its fourth double million seller in total with its 7th mini-album “THE SIN : VANISH”. The performances of new artists were also remarkable. KATSEYE recently exceeded 32 million monthly listeners on SPOTIFY, displaying the highest figure among all girl groups in the world. Driven by the arrival of a new fandom, sales of old catalogs showed an upward trend. The cumulative sales of the first EP album by KATSEYE, “SIS (SOFT IS STRONG)”, released in August 2024, and the second EP album, “BEAUTIFUL CHAOS”, presented in June 2025, reach a combined total of 1 million copies. The first album by CORTIS, “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES”, also received constant love even after the first-week sales period, establishing a new sales record for a debut album by a K-pop group. This album, released in September of last year, recorded approximately 440,000 copies during the first week, exceeded one million in November of the same year, and reached 2 million cumulative copies in February of this year.
Indirect participation revenues (merchandise and licensing, content, fan clubs, etc.) amounted to 294.7 billion won, a 66% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Revenues from the merchandise and licensing, as well as fan club sectors, grew by 29% and 69% respectively compared to the previous year. For the merchandise and licensing sector, tour-related items including the BTS lightstick and character products inspired by HYBE MUSIC GROUP artists contributed to the strong results. Revenues from the fan club sector showed a rapid increase thanks to pre-reservation demand for BTS world tour concerts.
WEVERSE, the global superfan platform that succeeded in turning an annual profit last year, also recorded its highest level of activity indicators and profitability growth since the launch of the service in the first quarter of this year. The average number of monthly active users in the first quarter increased by 20% compared to the previous quarter to reach 13.37 million, renewing its historical record.
The adjusted operating profit of HYBE, reflecting the actual commercial performances of the first quarter of this year, is 58.5 billion won. The operating profit margin based on adjusted operating profit was calculated at 8.4%. The operating profit before adjustment appeared as a deficit because the 255 billion won offered by the main shareholder from his personal funds (stock donation) to finance employee bonuses was recognized as an expense in accounting treatment. This expense is a one-time cost that must be recognized according to accounting standards, although there is no outflow of net assets from the company.
Starting from the second quarter, many artists from HYBE MUSIC GROUP such as TOMORROW X TOGETHER, LE SSERAFIM, TWS, ILLIT and CORTIS will resume their activities with the release of albums, and as results related to the BTS world tour will be reflected, both revenue and profits are expected to experience further growth.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Hybe
