HYBE delivered its strongest first-quarter performance on record, reporting revenue of KRW 698.3 billion for Q1 2026, powered by BTS’ highly anticipated return and steady gains across its artist roster in the Asia-Pacific region.
Defying the entertainment sector’s usual early-year slowdown, HYBE sustained solid profitability as core artist-driven businesses expanded sharply. Revenue from music releases, concerts, and advertising climbed 25% year-over-year to KRW 403.7 billion, making up 58% of total earnings. Recorded music nearly doubled, fueled largely by BTS’ fifth studio album ARIRANG.
Indirect revenue streams—such as merchandise, licensing, and fan memberships—also surged 66% to KRW 294.7 billion. Demand was boosted by tour-related merchandise and a spike in fan club subscriptions tied to early ticket access for BTS’ global tour.
The group’s comeback reaffirmed its global dominance. ARIRANG topped the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks, while its lead single “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—marking BTS’ seventh chart-topping hit. The album’s vinyl release also set a historic benchmark, achieving the highest weekly sales for a group since 1991.
HYBE has further strengthened revenue visibility through large-scale touring, launching “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’” in April. The tour is set to span 85 stadium shows across 34 cities, positioning it among the largest in K-pop history.
Beyond BTS, HYBE’s multi-label strategy continues to scale. ENHYPEN secured its fourth double million-seller with THE SIN : VANISH, while CORTIS extended its breakout run, surpassing 2 million sales with debut album COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.
In the U.S., HYBE AMERICA expanded its footprint, led by KATSEYE, which surpassed 32 million monthly listeners on Spotify—the highest among global girl groups. Their releases SIS (Soft Is Strong) and BEAUTIFUL CHAOS have now combined for 1 million in total sales.
Across its broader portfolio, HYBE reported continued success: Thomas Rhett notched his 25th No. 1 on country radio, while Lil Baby topped the urban chart with “Mrs. Trendsetter.” Meanwhile, Tyla earned four nominations at the American Music Awards following her second Grammy Awards win.
HYBE’s fan platform Weverse also hit new highs, reaching 13.37 million monthly active users—up 20% quarter-over-quarter—underscoring rising fan engagement globally.
Adjusted operating profit came in at KRW 58.5 billion, with an 8.4% margin. Reported profit was temporarily affected by a one-off accounting expense tied to stock-based compensation, with no impact on overall net assets.
Looking ahead, HYBE expects momentum to continue into Q2, backed by BTS’ ongoing tour and major comebacks from TOMORROW X TOGETHER, LE SSERAFIM, TWS, ILLIT, and CORTIS.