HYBE posts record quarterly revenue as BTS tour drives concert sales

HYBE reported record quarterly revenue of 1.53 trillion won and operating profit of 188.5 billion won Tuesday, with BTS' world tour driving concert sales, according to The Korea Times. The preliminary consolidated results cover the third quarter of 2026.

Revenue for the first nine months reached 3.674 trillion won, putting HYBE on course to become the first K-pop agency to surpass 4 trillion won in annual revenue, The Korea Times reported. The company has not yet crossed that threshold.

Third-quarter revenue rose 109.8% from a year earlier, according to the preliminary regulatory filing described by The Korea Times. HYBE returned to an operating profit after posting an operating loss of 42.2 billion won in the same period a year earlier. Net profit was 11.3 billion won.

Operating profit exceeded the 166 billion won market consensus compiled by Yonhap Infomax by 13.6%. The results also topped HYBE's previous quarterly records of 1.45 trillion won in revenue and 170.9 billion won in operating profit, both set in the second quarter of 2026.

Concert sales totaled 726.8 billion won. HYBE said BTS attracted as many as 70,000 fans per show in Europe and the United States during its ongoing Arirang world tour, according to The Korea Times.

Tours by Enhypen, Le Sserafim, NewJeans, Boynextdoor, TWS, Illit, Katseye and CORTIS also contributed to concert revenue. Merchandise and licensing generated 334.6 billion won, while album and streaming sales totaled 282.8 billion won.

HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang said during an earnings call that the company was discussing BTS' post-tour activities with the members and preparing group and solo projects, The Korea Times reported. He also said additional tour dates would be announced.

HYBE said BTS would continue touring through the first half of 2027 while also working on new music and other projects, according to The Korea Times.