Comeback of Music Leaders

BTS is one of the most famous K-pop groups that has repeatedly had a significant economic impact. According to the Hyundai Research Institute, in 2019 BTS generated more than 4.6 billion dollars annually for South Korea. This includes not only ticket or album sales but also income from tourism, cosmetics, fashion, learning the Korean language, and streaming services. After almost three years of hiatus, all members of the group are finishing their mandatory military service.

How BTS’s comeback influences the world

BTS are considered one of the main drivers of the “Korean Wave” worldwide. The group influences global fashion, food, TV series, and even the study of the Korean language. In South Korea, they are viewed as a “strategic national asset” because of their ability to strengthen the country’s image abroad. The news of their return caused the shares of Hybe (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), the agency working with BTS, to rise by 7% in one day, reaching their highest level in the past three years. The group also greatly contributes to the development of tourism. Before the pandemic, about 8% of tourists cited BTS as one of the reasons for visiting South Korea. A single free concert by BTS in Busan in 2022 generated an estimated economic impact of over 500 million dollars.

What’s next

For now, the group’s specific plans after military service have not been revealed, but it is expected that new music will be released by the end of 2025. Analysts also predict a world tour. The last large-scale BTS tour brought in over 200 million dollars, and just four concerts in Las Vegas in 2021 added more than 160 million dollars to the local economy.