BTS Global Impact Lifts HYBE to $468 Million First Quarter Milestone
- riya siddacharjee
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
HYBE is off to a strong start this year, pulling in a big revenue jump thanks to BTS returning to the spotlight. The company reported first-quarter revenue of 698.3 billion won, about $468 million, marking its best-ever Q1 performance. The surge was largely driven by BTS-related activity and steady growth across HYBE’s artist roster, according to Koreatimes.
Even with the revenue spike, profits took a hit. HYBE posted an operating loss of 196.6 billion won, compared to a 21.6 billion won profit a year earlier. The company also missed market expectations, which had projected a profit for the quarter.
HYBE said the loss was mainly due to a one-time accounting expense of about 255 billion won tied to employee stock-based compensation. The charge came after chairman Bang Si-hyuk awarded shares from his personal holdings as staff incentives. The company noted this was a non-cash cost, so it did not affect cash flow. Without that one-off item, HYBE said its adjusted operating profit would have been 58.5 billion won, showing underlying strength in its core business.
A major driver of growth came from direct artist activity, including albums, music, concerts, and advertising, which rose 25.2 per cent to 403.7 billion won. Album and music sales nearly doubled to 271.5 billion won, powered heavily by BTS's fifth studio album ARIRANG.
The album made a massive impact at launch, selling nearly 4 million copies on its first day. It also recorded 208,000 first-week sales in the United States, the highest weekly figure for any group since tracking began in 1991. Other HYBE acts, including ENHYPEN, KATSEYE, and CORTIS, also helped drive results.
Revenue from indirect artist activities such as merchandise, licensing, fan memberships, and content rose 65.5 per cent to 294.7 billion won, supported by strong tour-related sales and presales for BTS's ongoing world tour. Looking ahead, HYBE expects stronger performance in the next quarter, with new releases from TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TWS, and ILLIT, as well as continued impact from the BTS touring schedule.
CEO Lee Jae-sang said BTS continues to show global pull, pointing to sold-out stadium shows with more than 50,000 seats and strong turnout across North America, Europe, and Asia.