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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop
K-dramaNews

Covid-19 can’t keep K-pop down: BTS label Big Hit Entertainment’s profit almost doubles over previous year

  • Despite the pandemic and halting of live performances, the K-pop label has gone from strength to strength
  • Online events, album sales, acquisitions and merchandising have pushed the US$54 million net quarterly profit

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BTS performed from South Korea for the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards. Photo: MTV/AFP
Tamar Herman

Many music companies have been struggling in 2020, but not Big Hit Entertainment: in the previous quarter, the home to BTS and other popular K-pop acts saw sales jump more than 50 per cent and net profits almost double, compared to the previous year.

On Monday, the South Korean entertainment powerhouse shared its preliminary results for the third quarter of 2020, revealing a steady increase across the board despite the lack of live events. The company credited this growth to album and official merchandise sales.

The acquisition of Pledis Entertainment, the home of boy bands Seventeen and Nu’est, also added to the financial gains.

The company recorded 484 billion won (US$436.5 million) in sales, 89.9 billion won in operating profit and 60.4 billion won of net profit throughout the quarter.

BTS’ label posted its profits for the last quarter, showing it doubled its earnings from last year. Photo: AFP
BTS’ label posted its profits for the last quarter, showing it doubled its earnings from last year. Photo: AFP

Compared to last year, the figures represent increases of 54 per cent, 73 per cent and 92 per cent respectively. And compared to the second quarter of 2020, the figures represent increases of 22 per cent, 38 per cent and 51 per cent respectively.

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