K-Pop Archives

K-Pop Stocks Fell Sharply in 2024 Amid Political Turmoil, KOSPI Slump, Light Release Schedules & More

January 2, 2025

Four K-pop companies’ stocks fell in value by an average of 19.0% in 2024, a significant reversal of fortune after gaining an average of 30.0% the prior year.
Some of the K-pop companies’ declines can be attributed to the poor showing of Korean stocks in general. The KOSPI composite index, an index of all stocks traded on the stock market division of the Korea Exchange, fell 9.6% in 2024. Korean stocks especially suffered from political turmoil in the year’s waning weeks. Since South Korean Prime Minister Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Dec. 3 through the end of the year, the KOSPI fell 4.3%.

But collectively and individually, HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment fared worse than the South Korean stock index. The South Korean companies are expanding beyond their home country, establishing roots in the Americas and exporting their K-pop model of artist development to local markets. Many of the new projects have yet to pay dividends, however, and a lack of new releases or concerts by major artists often resulted in lower revenue and profits in recent quarters.

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YG Entertainment, home to BLACKPINK and BABYMONSTER, fared the best, dropping 10.0% to 45,800 won ($31.07). In the third quarter, YG Entertainment’s revenue dropped 42% year over year while a 14.8 billion won ($10 million) net income in the third quarter of 2023 turned into a 937 million ($636,000) net loss.

BTS’s label HYBE fell 17.2% to 193,400 won ($131.18), with its third-quarter net profit dropping 99% on lower concert and recorded music revenue. In the second quarter, HYBE set a company record for quarterly revenue but its operating profit fell 37.4%. The company was also hampered by controversies in 2024. Chairman Bang Si-hyuk is reportedly being investigated by South Korean regulators over a profit-sharing deal with early investors that led Bang to realize a $285 million profit from the company’s 2020 initial public offering. HYBE has also been embroiled in an ongoing feud with Min Hee-Jin, the former CEO of HYBE’s ADOR imprint.

SM Entertainment, the home of aespa and NCT Dream, sank 17.9% to 75,600 won ($51.28). In the third quarter, net profit fell 95.6% on 9% lower revenue. In the second quarter, net profit was down 70.3% while revenue increased 5.9% from the prior-year period. The company has a new North American joint venture with Kakao Entertainment that launched in late 2023 and has produced a new British boy band, dearALICE, launched through a BBC miniseries.

Faring the worst was JYP Entertainment, home to Stray Kids and iTZY, which plummeted 31.0% to 69,900 won ($47.41). In the first three quarters of 2024, JYP’s revenue was down 1.6% and net profit was 30.4% lower than the prior-year period. In the second quarter, an absence of major artist activity caused the company’s revenue to drop 36.9% from the prior-year period while its net profit fell 95% year over year. JYP was able to rebound in the third quarter, however, as revenue and net profit were up 22.1% and 11.7%, respectively.

Watch SEVENTEEN Play Finish the Lyrics

djfrosty

January 2, 2025

SEVENTEEN takes on the challenge of finishing the lyrics to their countless hits including “MONEY, LOVE, FAME,” “_WORLD” and more!

Tetris Kelly:I’m going to play a quick game with you guys and see if you can finish the lyrics to your own songs.

We can mix it up right/ Sugar and spice.

SEVENTEEN:Oh, do we have to say the next line? “God of Music.”

Yes, but you had the lyrics right, which was: Brass sound and guitar. All right good job, they’re already good at this, OK!

Ah, after getting the lyrics right.

Mingyu, I see you brother.

You know without you/ I’m so lonely/ When you’re not here/ 911 calling.

Into your heat again/ I’m diving/ Darling you, darling you, baby.

OK, good job! And I just got a live performance right now, thank you for that.

Easy, easy, so easy.

Knock, knock, knockin’/ On heaven’s doors.

It’s your part. Every part is my part, so I’m just peace sign. I just want to see if y’all can get it.

Knock, knock, knockin’/ On heaven’s doors …

OK, OK, I’ll give you a hint. It’s a condiment.

Ketchup?

Not ketchup.

Whipped cream.

Oh he said it — it’s whipped cream.

Whipped cream!

Whipped cream.

Knock, knock, knockin’/ On heaven’s doors/ Run your fingertips over the whipped cream cloud.

There you go. See, he knows.

Primetime/ ‘Cause you changin’ me for better.

You’re the reason for my being.

There you go, you’re the reason for my being. It’s “LOVE, MONEY, FAME!” That was so much fun guys, I love hanging out with you guys. Thank you so much for playing with me.

Thank you so much for having us.

Of course!

Watch SEVENTEEN Go ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ on Disney’s Holiday Special

djfrosty

December 26, 2024

SEVENTEEN made sure its CARATs had a shiny and bright Christmas this year. The K-pop group delivered a rollicking take of Brenda Lee’s holiday classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” during The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade special, which aired on ABC and Disney+ on Wednesday (Dec. 25). “These superstars have been selling out […]

KISS OF LIFE Is Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for December: Exclusive Photos

djfrosty

December 23, 2024

KISS OF LIFE, true to their name, are breathing new life into the K-pop scene. Debuting with their first mini-album KISS OF LIFE on July 5, 2023, the group has steadily gained both recognition and sales in the Korean market. Their first single album “Midas Touch” earned them their debut on the Billboard Global 200 chart, peaking at No. 165 and remaining on the chart for two weeks. In a K-pop industry increasingly dominated by major corporations, KISS OF LIFE has been dubbed the “miracle of mid-sized companies.”
For the group’s growth, Belle shared, “We used to only dream about moments like these, and now we made our dream come true. Winning our first music show trophy with ‘Sticky,’ a song we particularly love, made us feel like our hard work and confidence in our music had finally paid off.”
The group’s uniqueness is evident in both the concept and tracks of their mini-album KISS OF LIFE. They chose to present their album in a “magazine” format, showcasing their visuals in a distinct way. Moreover, from the very beginning, all members included solo tracks on the album, with Natty’s “Sugarcoat” achieving even greater success than the title track “Shhh,” solidifying KISS OF LIFE’s name in the public’s mind.
One of the group’s defining traits is their nostalgia. Tracks like “Bad News” left a strong impression with its incorporation of 1990s and 2000s hip-hop elements, including iconic phrases like “ain’t no diggity” and “from the east side to the west side.” Their latest single “Get Loud” evokes the Neptunes-era sounds of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. However, the group’s music isn’t confined to these influences. Their summer anthem “Sticky” brought them their biggest success yet, while “Igloo,” with its minimalist production and powerful choreography, marked their re-entry on the Billboard 200 chart. These diverse approaches continue to raise anticipation for what lies ahead.
By seamlessly blending American hip-hop/R&B elements with K-pop, KISS OF LIFE has emerged as a rookie group worth watching. Stepping outside the conventional paths to success, they’ve proven that K-pop can still offer fresh sounds and styles. Just over a year after their debut, they completed a successful North American tour and are now preparing for a European tour — a remarkable feat for such a young group.
Below, find Billboard Korea’s Q&A with the rising group.
It seems like KISS OF LIFE has had a really busy year!
Belle: It’s been an incredibly busy year. Thanks to all the love we’ve received, we were able to have multiple comebacks, hold our first concert, and even complete our first tour in such a short time. It really feels like a year of tremendous growth — both as a group and as individual artists exploring our own paths.
Haneul: I thought last year was hectic, but this year really felt like we poured all our youth into it. [Laughs]
As mentioned, you achieved a lot this year, including another Billboard Global 200 entry, your first world tour and first music show win. What has been the most memorable moment for you?
Belle: Winning our first music show trophy is something I’ll never forget. It was a dream we always talked about, and achieving it with “Sticky,” a song we love so much, made us feel like all our hard work and confidence in our music finally paid off.
Haneul: It’s amazing that the song kept charting even after our next album came out!
Julie: Every moment we achieve something, it feels unforgettable and precious, but for now, I’d say our U.S. tour stands out the most. We gained so much experience and grew a lot, and I already miss those memories!
Natty: I was so happy to see so many overseas fans knowing and singing along to our songs!
Many artists say that after their first world tour, their perspective broadens and they begin to see things they hadn’t noticed before. What has changed for KISS OF LIFE after their KISS ROAD tour?
Julie: It’s hard to pick just one thing, but I’d say our attitude toward the stage. I’ve started to think more deeply about the mind-set I bring to every performance.
Belle: I realized I don’t need to be nervous onstage. People enjoy seeing me have fun and relax while performing, and I loved the connection we shared with the audience — it’s the joy of music at its best!
Upward trajectory is often seen as the most beautiful graph. The response to KISS OF LIFE has been just that, with sales and reactions steadily increasing from mini-album 1 to mini-album 3.
Belle: We’ve kept moving forward with nonstop comebacks and activities, but I think the key has been focusing on what makes us unique and keeping our fans engaged. Above all, I believe our genuine love for music has resonated with people.
While “Get Loud” from “Lose Yourself” didn’t receive the response you had hoped for, “Igloo” was met with a hot response, particularly for its performance. Who came up with the concept of the sunglasses performance?
Belle: It was the idea of our performance director, who’s been with us since debut. They understand us so well and always come up with unique performances that highlight each of our individual charms. The moment we all put on sunglasses felt like a Super Bowl performance and was both cool and playful.
Haneul: The company was concerned about covering our faces, but we all agreed to go ahead with it and in the end, it worked out perfectly.
Natty: At first, we were all a bit worried! It was our first time covering our faces during a performance, so there were some concerns, but we trusted the vision, and the response was amazing! Fans even bring sunglasses to our concerts now!
“Igloo” presented a different vibe compared to previous KISS OF LIFE music and performances.
Haneul: I expected it to be cool, but I didn’t expect such a hot response. [Laughs]
Julie: This was a style I always wanted to try, and personally I felt most confident in it, so I believed people would recognize it, and I’m so happy that we received so much love!
Belle: We had a feeling that the “Igloo” choreography would be well-received when we first started practicing it. The song, with its trap hip-hop base and refined yet playful choreography, felt like it would stand out in a new way.
KISS OF LIFE who had previously shown a ‘summer’ vibe presented a new side with ‘Igloo’. What other new things can we expect?
Belle: We will continue to evolve and reveal even more new sides of ourselves. While the future is uncertain, we will definitely bring fresh music and performances that will entertain both the eyes and ears of our fans!
Each member is involved in songwriting and composing. How do you want to express yourself through KISS OF LIFE’s music?
Belle: I believe only those who fully understand the music they make can produce a certain vibe. We always want to show our fans authentic and sincere music.
Haneul: Music feels like a diary to me, capturing my emotions and experiences. When I’m sad, I listen to music and cry. When I travel, I listen to music and feel even more excited — music becomes a way of saving those personal experiences.
Natty: I feel particularly confident in R&B, and I’d love to explore a variety of styles when I have more time!
You always present a “magazine” concept for your albums and even do magazine shoots. How are the two different?
Belle: In our album photo shoots, we focus on bringing out KISS OF LIFE’s identity, but in actual magazine shoots, the focus is more on showing a new side of me. Both are enjoyable!
Julie: I think magazine concept photo shoots feel less pressured than our album ones. Since the photos are for our KISS OF LIFE albums, we feel more encouraged to push our boundaries!
Natti: They’re quite similar! I really enjoy photo shoots, so I have a great time during both album and magazine shoots!
Finally, what can we expect from KISS OF LIFE in 2025?
Belle: It will be a leap forward. I believe we will achieve even more growth and take a big step forward!
Haneul: Beyond our planned European tour, we’ll have more opportunities to meet overseas KISSY, and Korean KISSY will also get to see a lot of new sides of us.
Julie: We’re going to achieve amazing things! We’re planning to fill 2025 with even better music and incredible stages!
Natty: We’re going to make it big!

Natty