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The 2024 MAMA Awards is going international with ceremonies in Los Angeles and Japan for its 25th anniversary. The three-day event will air exclusively on Samsung TV Plus.
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This year’s MAMA Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday (Nov. 21) and the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan from November 22-23.
Performers include TOMORROW x Together, Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars, BOYNEXTDOOR, ILLIT, J.Y. Park, Young Posses and ENHYPEN.
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Keep reading to learn more about Samsung TV Plus and how to stream the MAMA Awards from anywhere.
What Is Samsung TV Plus?
Not familiar with Samsung TV Plus? It’s free, ad-supported streaming service available on Samsung Smart TVs, Samsung Galaxy devices, smart monitors, Family Hub refrigerators and online at Samsungtvplus.com.
Samsung TV Plus features over 400 live channels, thousands of movies and K-POP by CJ ENM. Launched on Nov. 6 in celebration of it’s 10th anniversary, Samsung TV Plus’ K-pop channel offers exclusive access to artist interviews, performances, music videos and behind-the-scenes footage.
Samsung TV Plus features over 4,000 hours of Korean programming including movies and TV series.
You can stream Samsung TV Plus by navigating to the app on a Samsung TV, Smart Monitor or Family Hub refrigerator. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Device, download the app from the Galaxy Store or Google Play app store.
2024 MAMA Awards: Start Time, How to Stream Live from Anywhere
The 2024 MAMA Awards kicks off on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT (12 p.m. KST on Friday). The show will be available on FAST channel #1535.
Coverage of day two will air on Friday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT (11 a.m. KST on Saturday). Day three airs on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. (8:00 a.m. KST on Sunday).
Fans streaming internationally can use ExpressVPN on Samsung Smart TVs. To access, install Express VPN to a compatible Wifi router and being streaming. VPNs let you access certain channels, streaming platforms, websites and more from outside of the U.S.
ExpressVPN’s Black Friday deals gets you two years of service, plus six months free for $4.99/month (reg. $12.95/month).
See below for a list of performers at the 2024 MAMA Awards.
2024 MAMA Awards Performance Lineup
Nov. 21 (U.S.)
Anderson .PaakILLITJ.Y. ParkKATSEYERIIZETWSYoung Posse
Nov. 22 (Japan)
BOYNEXTDOORENHYPHENIVEIznaLee Young JiME:IPLAVETREASURETOMORROW X TOGETHER
Nov. 23 (Japan)
AespaBIBIBYEON WOO SEOK(G)I-DLEG-DRAGONINIMEOVVSEVENTEENZEROBASEONE
South Korean K-pop giant HYBE said its net profit basically evaporated in the third quarter and total revenue slipped 2% after after the company earned less from concerts and saw reduced music sales, according to results published on Tuesday (Nov. 5).
HYBE’s net profit for the third quarter was 1.444 billion won ($1.05 million), a figure 98.6% lower than the third quarter of 2023 when the company reported of 99,690 billion won ($72.3 million). Total revenue for the third quarter of 527.9 billion won ($382.6 million).
HYBE’s biggest release of the quarter was the debut album, SIS, from KATSEYE, a six-member girl group formed over the summer as part of The Debut: Dream Academy, which spent two weeks on the Billboard 200, the company said.
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HYBE’s direct revenue — which comes from its recorded music business, concerts, and things where artists are directly involved — fell by 15.5% to 323 billion won ($234 million). Revenue from its recorded music division declined by nearly 19% to 214.5 billion won ($155.5 million), while concert revenue fell nearly 15% to 74 billion won ($53.6 million). Revenue from ads and appearances rose by nearly 10% to 34.5 billion won ($25 million).
HYBE’s business lines that operate independently of their artists — like merchandising and sync licensing — performed much better, with revenue from artist-indirect involvement business lines rising by 32% to nearly 205 billion won ($148.5 million). Revenue from merchandise and licensing song rights rose by nearly 16% to 99 billion won ($71.9 million), contents revenue rose 64% to almost 80 billion won ($58 million) and fan club revenue rose by more than 23% to 26 billion won ($18.8 million).
The company’s operating profit margin saw significant improvement — up 4% — from the first quarter this year to 10.3% for the third quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), a measure of HYBE’s profit from its operations, fell by 16.4% to 81 billion won ($58.7 million).
HYBE has had an eventful few months. In July, the company appointed Jason Jaesang Lee as its new CEO and announced its “HYBE 2.0” growth strategy, which reorganizes the company, pushes a global expansion and focuses on tech-driven initiatives.
The company has also been embroiled in a dispute with Min Hee-jin, ex-CEO of the company’s label subsidiary ADOR — home to chart-topping girl group NewJeans — regarding HYBE’s claim that Min tried to take control of ADOR and NewJeans.
From Oct. 4-6, the girl group 2NE1 held a concert at the Olympic Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul — marking their first concert in nearly a decade. In attendance were YG Entertainment’s executive producer, Yang Hyun-suk, who launched the group, along with BIGBANG‘s G-Dragon, Daesung, BLACKPINK‘s Jennie, and the company’s former members Gummy and SE7EN. YG Entertainment’s newest girl group, BabyMonster, also performed a tribute to 2NE1, showcasing YG’s past, present and future all in one place. It felt like a reunion for the so-called ‘YG Family,’ who once dominated the K-pop market.
Exactly 10 years ago, in 2014, YG Entertainment was the leading force in the K-pop industry, surpassing SM and JYP Entertainment in market capitalization. However, today, YG has diminished in size compared to HYBE, SM and JYP. The company is particularly lacking in what the industry calls “killer content.” Compared to its competitors, YG has been slower to discover and nurture new talent. As 2NE1’s reunion brings YG back into the spotlight, one can’t help but wonder: will the good old ‘YG Family’ days ever return?
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The Beginnings of Major K-Hip-Hop
Producer Yang Hyun-suk was a member of Seo Taiji and Boys, often referred to as Korea’s “cultural presidents.” In 1996, he sowed the seeds of YG under the name Hyun Planning, launching groups like Jinusean and 1TYM, establishing the company as a hip-hop label. The company later changed its name to Yang Gun Planning, releasing the album YG FAMILY in 1999, and officially adopting the YG Entertainment name in 2001. In its early days, the company focused on vocalists, achieving success with artists like Gummy, Wheesung, and the four-member female vocal group Big Mama. YG Entertainment also launched several solo artists, including SE7EN and Lexy.
YG Entertainment’s journey as a K-pop management company began in 2006 with the launch of BIGBANG. Unlike previous K-pop groups, which were often seen as “projected idols” reliant on company production, BIGBANG differentiated itself by enhancing its production capabilities, with leader G-Dragon contributing to lyrics, compositions and arrangements. Before BTS emerged, BIGBANG’s popularity was so immense that it was referred to as the “BIGBANG era.” In 2009, the hip-hop-based girl group 2NE1 debuted, further solidifying YG’s status as a powerhouse in the industry.
Solo artist PSY joined the company in 2010, and his 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2014, 2NE1 became the first K-pop group to enter the Billboard 200, reaching No. 61. YG was the first K-music company to prove that K-pop could succeed on the Billboard charts.
This period marked a golden era for the YG Family. WINNER debuted in 2014, followed by iKON in 2015 and BLACKPINK in 2016. BLACKPINK broke records, becoming the first Asian female group to top both the U.S. and U.K. charts and the first female artist in the world to hold the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the U.S. Billboard Global 200.
The Rise of BLACKPINK and the Fall of YG
In 2019, YG Entertainment faced significant challenges, beginning with the so-called “Burning Sun scandal.” A series of violent crimes, including assault, prostitution and drug-related incidents, occurred at Burning Sun, a club operated by former BIGBANG member Seungri. BIGBANG’s activities were suspended, and iKON ultimately disbanded after one member was implicated in a drug case. The fallout reached Yang Hyun-suk, forcing him to resign from all positions, and resulted in the company’s stock price plummeting.
During this turbulent time, YG Entertainment had managed to stay afloat thanks to BLACKPINK’s popularity. In 2023, they held the largest world tour ever for a K-pop girl group, BORN PINK, which attracted over 1.8 million fans. BLACKPINK also became the first Asian artist to headline the Coachella Festival in the U.S. and Hyde Park in the U.K.
But YG encountered obstacles in re-signing BLACKPINK. The members’ seven-year contracts with the company had expired, and while YG attempted to re-sign each of them individually, they struggled to retain members whose market value had skyrocketed. Four members have since started their own companies and are pursuing solo careers with different labels. (Jennie has partnered with Columbia on solo projects; Rosé with Atlantic; and LISA with RCA; Jisoo has not announced a label affiliation.) To continue as BLACKPINK, they will need to negotiate with YG.
The void left by BLACKPINK is substantial for YG. The company’s market capitalization, which soared to around $1.1 billion after BLACKPINK’s world tour, has since been halved to approximately $515 million, widening the gap between YG and its competitors HYBE, SM and JYP.
Will the YG Family Ever Smile Again?
YG Entertainment’s most pressing crisis is the slow growth of its fourth-generation boy and girl groups. TREASURE, which debuted in 2020, is gaining popularity but has yet to achieve the same level of success as SM’s NCT, JYP’s Stray Kids, or HYBE’s TOMORROW X TOGETHER and ENHYPEN. It’s difficult to consider them successors to BIGBANG.
BabyMonster, introduced in November last year to fill BLACKPINK’s void, has struggled to generate the initial buzz that BLACKPINK received. The absence of core member Ahyeon from the debut album was unfortunate, but she has since rejoined the group. BabyMonster’s first full-length album, set for release in November, is anticipated as a measure of their growth potential. The title track, “DRIP,” features G-Dragon as the composer, marking a significant gamble. Yang Hyun-suk expressed confidence, stating, “It’s a song that makes you want to dance, regardless of your age or gender. Please look forward to BabyMonster’s passionate performance.”
While finding a new group is essential, YG Entertainment’s challenge also lies in identifying a suitable successor to renowned songwriter and producer, Teddy. As the producer behind BLACKPINK’s success and a defining figure at YG, Teddy has since started his own independent label, THEBLACKLABEL, where he launched the girl group MEOVV. Consequently, Teddy, who played a pivotal role in BLACKPINK’s rise, has become a significant competitor for BabyMonster. To address this challenge, YG Entertainment is expected to bring in several high-profile producers for BabyMonster’s first full-length album, in addition to G-Dragon, who remains their “trump card.”
They must also acknowledge that hip-hop and soul music is no longer their exclusive domain in K-pop. In the days of BIGBANG, YG Entertainment was synonymous with major hip-hop and soul music in South Korea. However, with BTS taking the world by storm as hip-hop idols, as well as Stray Kids also embracing the genre, the landscape has shifted. BabyMonster should strive to avoid being seen as a pseudo-BLACKPINK. The market is now dominated by girl groups such as (G)I-DLE, LE SSERAFIM and aespa, all of which embody the “girl crush” image. BabyMonster will need to carve out its own identity to compete effectively, including facing off against MEOVV.
However, the outlook is not entirely bleak. Next year, BLACKPINK is expected to resume their “full team” activities under YG Entertainment, marking the return of the “K-Pop Queens.” As their global fan base eagerly anticipates BLACKPINK’s reunion, interest in YG Entertainment is also likely to grow.
According to the 2025 roadmap presented by Yang Hyun-suk, a number of YG Family artists will be active next year. In addition to BabyMonster, TREASURE is preparing a new album, and WINNER will be reactivated once Mino and Kang Seung-yoon are discharged from military service later this year. 2NE1, currently embarking on an Asian tour, will also release a new album next year, while AKMU, YG’s signature act which debuted in 2014, is coordinating the timing of their comeback.
The most encouraging news is that a new rookie group is in the works. Yang stated, “The tentative title ‘NEXT MONSTER’ is being developed,” adding, “We will definitely introduce a rookie group next year. Given that BabyMonster is in its first year of debut, the prospect of a boy group is very likely. If this occurs, it will mark the first new boy group in five years since TREASURE.” In other words, 2025 is anticipated to be a pivotal year for YG Entertainment, determining its direction for the next decade. If it rebounds, the company could once again become one of the “Big Four” K-pop labels.
YG PLUS, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment that holds the top distribution share in the Korean album market, is also showing signs of recovery. While its parent company focuses on artists and content, YG PLUS specializes in entertainment infrastructure and intellectual property (IP) businesses. Due to their different business models, even if YG Entertainment faces difficulties, YG PLUS can improve its profits if the albums of other K-pop companies it distributes perform well. This indicates that YG Entertainment is expanding its platform business alongside its primary focus on producing K-pop groups.
This story is part of a series produced in partnership with Billboard Korea.
BLACKPINK member Jennie has signed to Columbia Records as a solo artist in partnership with her record label and entertainment company ODDATELIER, it was announced Sunday (Sept. 8). The singer is slated to release a new solo single in October. The news follows last December’s revelation that all BLACKPINK members had split with their label, […]
How deep is your K-pop fandom? Are you a fan of BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, aespa or any other K-pop groups or artists? Billboard wants to know all about it. Whether you’re a mild fan, a hardcore fan or anything in between, your input matters. We know that K-pop fans are a different breed. You’re […]
HYBE’s net income dropped 86% in the second quarter of 2024 as total revenue improved 3.1% to a quarterly record of 640 billion won ($482 million), the company announced Tuesday (Aug. 6).
The South Korean K-pop giant breaks its financial results into two main categories: segments with direct artist involvement such as recorded music and concerts, and those with indirect-artist involvement such as fan clubs, licensing and merchandise. In the second quarter, indirect revenue streams grew 17.4% to 217 billion won ($163 million). Direct revenue fell 2.9% to 424 billion won ($319 million) as concerts dropped 8.6% to 144 billion won ($108 million) while recorded music improved 1.5% to 250 billion won ($188 million).
Operating profit—total revenue less cost of sales and operating expenses—dropped 37.4% to 51 billion won ($38 million), a smaller decline than experienced by net income because of a sharp drop in non-operating income. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), a measure of the company’s cash profit from operations, fell 24.6% to 79 billion won ($59 million).
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Results for the first six months of the year were, across the board, a bit worse than a year earlier. Although total revenue topped 1 trillion won ($741 million) for the second consecutive year, that amount was 2.9% lower than a year earlier. First-half operating profit, net income and EBITDA were also lower than the first half of 2023.
HYBE sold fewer albums in the first half of the year but dominated sales charts in South Korea and Japan. Led by Seventeen’s 4.4 million albums sold in the first half of the year, HYBE had 9 of the top 20 artists ranked by album sales in South Korea. Seventeen’s Best Album ’17 is Right Here’ ranked second in Japanese album sales with 423,000 units while its SEVENTEENTH Heaven: 11th Mini Album ranked No. 6 with 242,000 units. In the U.S., Tomorrow X Together’s Minisode 3: TOMORROW ranked No. 2 in CD sales behind Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.
Streaming accounted for 35% of recorded music revenue, up from the first half of 2023. In a first-of-its-kind breakdown of the company’s streaming revenue, HYBE revealed that domestic streaming revenue for HYBE’s labels South Korea was 18 billion won ($18 million), less than half the amount from full-year 2023. (It did not provide first-half streaming revenue figures for those labels’ streaming revenue outside of South Korea). HYBE’s U.S. labels—Big Machine Label Group and Quality Control—also had streaming revenue of 61 billion won in the first half.
Weverse, HYBE’s social media platform, had 9.6 million monthly active users, up from 9.2 million in the first quarter and even with the 9.6 million MAUs a year earlier. Beyond traditional social media functions, Weverse also has an e-commerce element, Weverse Shop, and live streams artist chats and concerts. Ariana Grande joined the platform in July, joining HYBE artists such as BTS and ENHYPEN and non-HYBE acts such as BLACKPINK and NCT-127.
This is a transformational time for the company built on the global success of boy band BTS but now expanding into new markets and initiatives. In July, HYBE named Jason Jaesang Lee as its new CEO to lead its growth strategy that was announced on Aug. 1. Dubbed “HYBE 2.0,” the plan reorganizes the company to drive global expansion and focus on tech-driven initiatives. HYBE Music Group APAC combines its record labels in South Korea and Japan. The Scooter Braun-led HYBE America will bring management to its label operations. Social media platform Weverse will launch a subscription membership tier. HYBE is also accelerating its efforts in gaming, AI, audio and voice technology.
K-pop has been gathering commercial momentum in the U.S. over a decade, and this week it achieves a historic milestone on the Billboard 200. As Billboard reported on Sunday, this current chart (dated Aug. 3) marks the first time that the top two spots are both held by K-pop (Korean pop) albums. Stray Kids’ ATE debuts […]
K-pop stars Stray Kids have unveiled their latest single “Chk Chk Boom,” featuring a star-studded music video with Hollywood heavyweights Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.
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The track, released on Friday, July 19, serves as the lead single for the group’s new mini-album ATE.
The video opens with Jackman and Reynolds reprising their Marvel roles as Wolverine and Deadpool, co-anchoring a fictional news program. Between these comedic segments, Stray Kids deliver a high-energy performance of the bombastic track across rooftop sets and city streets.
“Boom, vamos, I know that you want it / Boom, lobos, we cannot stop hunting / Boom, ratatata, I’mma make it / Boom, boom, chk chk boom,” the group chants in the chorus.
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ATE marks Stray Kids’ second release of 2024, following their English single “Lose My Breath” featuring Charlie Puth.
On a recent episode of Apple Music’s All About Stray Kids Radio, Bang Chan and Felix opened up about the new project. Felix revealed that ATE’s overall concept is “something we haven’t done.” Bang Chan agreed, adding that not only is the title track single fresh but “a lot of the other songs [are] as well, it’s all very different… what we recorded, it’s just showing a different side of Stray Kids.”
The K-pop octet’s chart dominance continues to grow, with their previous four projects all debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This achievement makes Stray Kids the first act to send their first four charting albums to the top spot since Alicia Keys’ run from 2001 to 2007.
Stray Kids have also announced the dominATE world tour, set to kick off later this year and run through 2025. The tour will see the group perform across Asia, Europe, and North America.
In addition to their own project, Stray Kids are contributing an original song titled “Slash” to the upcoming Marvel film, Deadpool & Wolverine. The soundtrack, which drops later this month, also features hits from *NSYNC, Fergie, and the Goo Goo Dolls.
ATE is now available on all major streaming platforms. Check out “Chk Chk Boom” music video below.
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ATEEZ has been celebrating the success of their latest album Golden Hour: Part.1, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Album Sales on June 15 while touring across major cities in North America. To commemorate their milestone, the K-pop group has joined the likes of Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa and Doja Cat who have chosen Amazon as the destination for their official tour merch.
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This marks ATEEZ’s first-ever official drop through the online retailer, which helps grant access to tour merch to a wider scale of fans. Whether or not you plan to see the “Work” singers’ world tour in person, this collection will let you wear official apparel and accessories inspired by their latest album. One of the most notable items you can choose from includes a new light stick featuring a gold base and exclusive box that you can display when it’s not in use.
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Keep reading to shop ATEEZ’s new tour merch on Amazon.
ATEEZ Official Light Stick – Version 2
The new version of the K-pop group’s light stick comes with a lock design on the handle and a sand timer within the plastic dome. You’ll be able to choose from four different modes for the LED lights and you can also open the top to customize your experience. Batteries are not included.
ATEEZ Official Exclusive Group T-Shirt
Give your classic white T-shirt an ATEEZ makeover with this simple top that’ll easily become the staple of your collection. The front comes with a black and white photo of the singers with their name underneath and it’s made with a soft breathable cotton material for added coziness.
ATEEZ Official Exclusive Group Hoodie
Carry the K-pop group with you in this cozy hoodie that features a graphic of every member on the back in addition to a puffy textured logo of ATEEZ across the center front portion of the hoodie. When you’re feeling chilly, the 100% cotton material will help lock out cold breezes while the drawstring hood allows you to adjust to your needs.
And, if you want to show off your love for a specific member, there are black T-shirts spotlighting each individual member including Hongjoong, Jongho, Mingi, San, Seonghwa, Wooyoung, Yeosang and Yunho available for $30 each.
Tickets are still available to see ATEEZ’s world tour, with offers available from $49 on Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats (score $20 off purchases of $200+ with code BB2024), Gametime (get $20 off orders of $150+ with code SAVE20) and SeatGeek (first purchases can use BILLBOARD10 to save $10 off your ticket purchases of $250+).
ATEEZ Tour Dates
Below are the latest ATEEZ Towards the Light: Will to Power tour dates or you can click here for more info.
July 14: Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash.
July 17: Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif.
July 20-21: BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.
July 25: Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
July 28: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
July 30-31: Gas South Arena in Duluth, Ga.
August 3: Citi Field in New York, N.Y.
August 6: Capitol One Arena in Washington D.C.
August 8: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario
August 10-11: Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best BLACKPINK merch, BTS merch and Stray Kids merch.
With a boistrous new singe under her belt, LISA of BLACKPINK is proudly stepping out on her own — and she’s bringing a few Thai influencers with her. Eagle-eyed fans noticed three transgender influencers — Chinnawat Promsri, Bruze Kachi-sarah and Aëffy — featured throughout the clip. Alongside shots of LISA dancing her way through Bangkok, […]