HYBE’s Stock Continues a Six-Day Upward Streak into the New Year. Anticipation of BTS‘s Group Comeback in the Second Half of the Year Fuels Market Optimism
HYBE’s stock price has been on an upward trajectory in the new year, buoyed by improved performance and heightened expectations for a full-group comeback of BTS. Market optimism stems from the prediction that all BTS members, completing their military service by June this year, will make a group comeback in the second half of 2025, driving growth expectations for the company.
On January 8, according to the Korea Exchange, HYBE’s stock was trading at 208,000 KRW by late morning, up 1.71% (3,500 KRW) from the previous day. This marks the sixth consecutive trading day of gains, reflecting positive market sentiment.
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JHOPE COMEBACK
In the first half of the year, BTS member J-Hope is set to release a new solo album. Notably, his 2018 track “Blue Side” from Hope World has gained attention, climbing the Billboard charts. On the latest charts released by Billboard, “Blue Side” ranked 3rd on the World Digital Song Sales chart and 13th on the Digital Song Sales chart.
Additionally, Jimin’s solo second album’s title track, “Who,” recently re-entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at number 24, demonstrating BTS’s enduring global influence.
Full BTS Comeback Anticipated in June
With all members scheduled to complete their military service by June, BTS is expected to resume group activities in the latter half of the year. BTS’s contribution to HYBE’s revenue has significantly decreased over recent years—from 70% in 2021 to just 16% in 2024—but their return is projected to substantially boost the company’s performance.
Analysts Predict Record Sales
Industry experts predict that BTS’s comeback could generate over 1 trillion KRW in revenue for HYBE in a single year.
Kim Hyun-yong, an analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities, stated, “With J-Hope’s solo activities in the first half of the year and the 10th anniversary of The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, BTS’s full reunion by late June is highly feasible. Including the expected album and music sales from their comeback, MD and content sales, as well as world stadium tour revenues projected for September or October, BTS’s anticipated revenue could reach 1.87 trillion KRW (820 billion KRW for 2025 and 1.05 trillion KRW for 2026).”
Lee Ki-hoon, an analyst at Hana Securities, added, “With only six months remaining until BTS’s full reunion, past cases like TVXQ and Big Bang suggest stock prices for SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment rose by 40% and 80%, respectively, around members’ discharge periods. BTS’s return is expected to positively impact HYBE’s stock performance.”
HYBE Rebounds from Setbacks
HYBE faced challenges last year due to the hiatus of key artists and internal conflicts, such as the departure of Min Hee-jin from ADOR, resulting in three consecutive quarters of year-on-year decline. However, the fourth quarter is expected to mark a turning point with a recovery in growth, driven by comebacks from groups like SEVENTEEN, ILLIT, BTS’s Jin, TXT, and ENHYPEN.
Kim Hyun-yong projected HYBE’s fourth-quarter revenue at 627.9 billion KRW, a 3.2% increase year-on-year, with operating profit rising 1.2% to 90.2 billion KRW. Notably, concert attendance increased by 43% year-on-year to 1.07 million, indicating potential for further growth in revenue and profit.
