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☆ K-pop agencies mostly struggled in third quarter — but 2025 may bring financial recovery
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

JYP Entertainment's boy group Stray Kids attends the 2024 SBS Music Awards Summer in Seoul. The K-pop industry has been seeing a slowdown due to declining album sales and the inactivity of record-breaking groups such as Blackpink and BTS. Members of BTS have been serving their mandatory military service, while Blackpink only announced to reunite as a group in 2025. Streaming revenue, at least during the first half of this year, has been unable to cover the loss from album sales. For the third quarter, just Babymonster — a rookie group — and solo artist Lee Seunghoon released material.

Persons: Blackpink, Hwan, wook Lee, Jang Jeong Min, Minha Choi, Yeonghoon Kang, —, Lee Seunghoon Organizations: JYP, Imazins, BTS, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, Yuanta Securities, Samsung Securities, YG, NH Securities Locations: Seoul, U.S

☆ A K-pop star was photographed kissing a woman. Fans decided he should be fired for it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Larissa Gao | Larissa Gao Is An Associate Social Newsgathering Reporter Based In Hong Kong. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Within two days of his return, SM Entertainment said Seunghan was out again, leading fans to post triumphant videos showing them dancing in front of the funeral wreaths. “Many fans, mostly international fans, want him back in the group.”SM Entertainment did not respond to an emailed request for comment. “He made those teenage mistakes.”This is far from the first time that K-pop idols have fallen afoul of fans for having personal relationships. In March, Karina from Aespa, another SM Entertainment group, apologized for letting fans down after Korean media revealed her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook. International fans are less invested in K-pop stars both emotionally and financially, said Stephanie Choi, a faculty expert on K-pop music at the University at Buffalo.

Persons: Seunghan, ” Seunghan, Shotaro, Anton, ” Tarryn McMurray, Arianna, ”, Jung, Yeon, “, RIIZE, sunbae, Yuki Shu, ” Hye Jin Lee, ” Lee, “ We’re, Karina, Aespa, Lee Jae, EXO’s Chen, HyunA, Dawn, ’, ” McMurray, Stephanie Choi Organizations: SM Entertainment, Getty, NBC News, Annenberg School for Communication, Journalism, University of Southern, Pentagon, Cube Entertainment, University at Buffalo, USC Locations: Korean, Seoul, Japan, United States, South Korea, British, Wisconsin, Seunghan, University of Southern California

☆ K-pop is more popular than ever, but that isn't helping agency stock prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Hybe Corporation is the largest and listed on the blue-chip Kospi, while SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment are on the small-cap Kosdaq. Physical sales have historically accounted for the lion's share of a label's revenue, Kim said, and has also been the most profitable segment. High physical sales, she explained, represent the number of fans, which, by extension, quantifies the addressable market for a company. watch nowDeclining physical album sales not only hits earnings, but also raises questions about whether the investment thesis of "continual high growth" has collapsed. "A physical album is useless and even a burden because it occupies space.

Persons: Jimmy Fallon, Hybe, Yoon Suk Yeol, Danielle, Hyein, NewJeans, Gary Miller, Blackpink, Kim Gyuyeon, Lisa, Jennie, Emma McIntyre, Emma Mcintyre, Kim, Simply, Mirae's Kim Organizations: NBC, NBCUniversal, Getty, Hybe, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, SM, YG, YouTube, Spotify, CNBC, Park, Filmmagic, Coachella, London's, Big, Mirae Asset Securities, BTS, Valley Music, Arts Festival, JYP, Seoul Economic, South Locations: United States, Southeast Asia, Korean, CHICAGO , ILLINOIS, Chicago , Illinois, South, U.K, INDIO , CALIFORNIA, Indio , California, Seoul

☆ South Korean court approves arrest warrant for Kakao founder
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A South Korean court approved early on Tuesday a prosecution request for a warrant to arrest Brian Kim, the billionaire founder of tech giant Kakao Corp, on accusations of stock manipulation during a 2023 acquisition. It is the latest legal twist for Kakao after the company and an executive went on trial last year for alleged wrongdoing during the same acquisition. Prosecutors say Kim was involved in manipulation of the stock price of SM Entertainment in February last year to hinder a competitor, Hybe, from acquiring the K-Pop agency. Not yet formally charged, Kim has denied the accusations, saying he has never ordered or tolerated any illegal activity, the company said in a statement. The high-profile tech entrepreneur is the largest shareholder of Kakao Corp, with a stake of 24% controlled by him or affiliated entities.

Persons: Brian Kim, Kim Organizations: Kakao Corp, Prosecutors, SM Entertainment

☆ Founder of South Korea’s Kakao arrested for suspected stock manipulation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Seoul, South Korea —The billionaire founder of South Korean tech giant Kakao Corp, Kim Beom-su was arrested on Tuesday on accusations of manipulating stocks during the acquisition of a K-Pop agency last year. The case is the latest legal twist for Kakao, which runs South Korea’s largest chat app, after the company and another executive went on trial last year for alleged wrongdoing during the same acquisition. Any case against him could jeopardize Kakao’s investments into artificial intelligence as well as its overseas expansion plans, industry experts said. The high-profile tech entrepreneur is the largest shareholder of Kakao Corp, with a 24% stake that he and affiliated entities control. Kakao Corp shares dropped 3.4% during morning trade to the lowest since November, after falling 24% year-to-date.

Persons: Kim Beom, su, Kim, Brian Kim, Jakub Porzycki Organizations: South, Kakao Corp, Prosecutors, SM Entertainment, Seoul Southern, Court, Detention, KakaoBank Corp Locations: Seoul, South Korea, South Korean, Korean, Kakao

The billionaire founder of South Korean technology giant Kakao, Kim Beom-Su, was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of stock manipulation related to the company’s investment in one of the country’s largest K-pop agencies. A high-profile bidding war broke out over the agency, SM Entertainment, early last year. Prosecutors allege, Kakao manipulated SM Entertainment’s stock price to hinder Hybe, the company behind BTS, from acquiring the agency, whose roster of artists includes Girls’ Generation. Last year, prosecutors indicted Kakao’s chief investment officer and the company itself on stock manipulation charges. The Seoul Southern District Court confirmed that Mr. Kim had been arrested on Tuesday morning.

Persons: Kim Beom, Kakao, Mr, Kim Organizations: SM Entertainment, Prosecutors, Seoul Southern, Court Locations: Korean, Hybe, Seoul

☆ Top K-pop stocks fall after reports that Hybe may sell $50 million stake in SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of two of South Korea's largest K-pop companies fell on Tuesday after industry giant Hybe is said to be pushing for a $50 million sale of its stake in SM Entertainment. Kospi-listed Hybe's stock slid as much as 2.4%, while SM Entertainment — which is listed on the Kosdaq —saw its shares plunge as much as 5.74%. That puts the sale price per share at between 91,968 to 90,531 won. This means the total transaction value would come up to about 68 billion won, or about $50 million. Before the transaction, Hybe held a 12.45% stake in SM.

Persons: Hybe Organizations: SM Entertainment, Chosun Ilbo, South Korean, SM, CNBC Locations: Korean

☆ K-pop stocks have sold off this year, but Goldman sees a turnaround
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Goldman Sachs, however, expressed optimism for the industry in a March 14 report, saying the K-pop sector is "misunderstood." Nonetheless, Goldman Sachs said it sees a "high potential for valuation re-rating," as companies still continue to deliver multi-year earnings growth. Goldman pointed out that Japan's top talent agency Johnny & Associates has been mired in a major scandal, leading to the industry turning more favorable to K-pop artists. In 2023, Kouhaku Uta Gassen, the largest music show in Japan, invited five K-pop artists and two localized groups produced by K-pop companies. It was the first time the show has featured male K-pop artists since 2011 and the largest number of K-pop groups ever featured in its line up.

Persons: Danielle, Hyein, NewJeans, Gary Miller, Goldman Sachs, Karina, Goldman, Kouhaku Uta Gassen Organizations: Park, Filmmagic, JYP, YG Entertainment, SM Entertainment, Hybe, SM, Johnny, Associates Locations: CHICAGO , ILLINOIS, Chicago , Illinois, Japan, U.S

☆ Kakao faces growing regulatory risks as political scrutiny rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Kakao messaging application and the Kakao T taxi booking application are seen on a mobile phone in this illustration photo March 13, 2018. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told a public meeting on Wednesday that the market behaviour of Kakao Mobility's taxi-hailing service was monopolistic and required a review. Its regulatory troubles escalated last month when one of its executives was arrested for suspected stock market manipulation during its acquisition of K-Pop agency SM Entertainment (041510.KQ). Last week, regulator Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said it will refer Kakao, its affiliate Kakao Entertainment and executives involved in the SM Entertainment acquisition to public prosecutors for suspected violation of the Capital Markets Act. "It is necessary to pay attention to legal risks, as problems may arise in the status of KakaoBank depending on the probes' results."

Persons: Thomas White, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kakao, Oh Dong, hwan, Joyce Lee, Miyoung Kim, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Kakao Corp, Naver Corp, Reuters, Mobility, SM Entertainment, Financial Supervisory Service, Kakao Entertainment, Pension Service, NPS, Samsung Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Korean, Kakao

Built using AI technology, Eternity is one of the latest South Korean acts pushing the boundary between real and virtual entertainment. And she’s a natural-born actress.”Video Ad Feedback Are AI-powered virtual bands the future of K-pop? Using deepfake and motion capture technology, Pulse9 then produced the band’s first music video (to accompany the ironically titled track “I’m Real”) in 2021. Metaverse EntertainmentMetaverse Entertainment used AI technology to generate faces, merging the features and hairstyles deemed most desirable into four final characters. The music video for MAVE’s first single, “Pandora,” has already racked up 25 million views on YouTube since its release in January.

Persons: “, ”, Ji, Zae, Pulse9, Lil Miquela, “ I’m, Lee Soo, Netmarble, Metaverse, Kang Sung, MAVE’s, Pandora, Kang, Siri, ” Kang, ” Eternity's, — they’re Organizations: CNN, Pulse9, YouTube, South, SM Entertainment, Metaverse Entertainment, SM, Kakao Entertainment, Entertainment, Wall Street, Park Locations: “, South Korean, ”, Indonesian

☆ 'I believe in the sector': Investing in K-pop? Bernstein analyst is a fan of this stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

His pick is K-pop agency Hybe, which he's given an outperform rating and a target price of 350,000 South Korean won ($258) — or around 44% upside from Tuesday's close. Hybe's roster of artists includes BTS — one of the biggest South Korean boy bands. "I believe in the sector for the long-term growth and the macro trend," Suh told CNBC's " Street Signs " on Monday. Suh highlighted that Netflix announced in April that it would invest $2.5 billion in South Korean media over the next four years. So this is the reason why the global leading enterprise entertainment players companies try to diversify their IP portfolio to run their business more sustainably."

Persons: Bokyung Suh, Bernstein, Suh, CNBC's, Ted Sarandos, Sarandos, Hybe Organizations: South Korean, Kosdaq, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, Disney, Netflix, Spotify, Hybe, BTS, Pledis Entertainment Locations: South Korea, Korean

☆ Shares in K-Pop agencies fall after report of antitrust probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, July 5 (Reuters) - Shares in K-Pop management agencies fell on Wednesday, after South Korea's antitrust watchdog began investigations into any potential infractions of subcontracting rules when outsourcing production of albums and merchandise, Yonhap reported. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) sent investigators to the offices of HYBE (352820.KS), SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) and YG Entertainment (122870.KQ) on Tuesday, Yonhap news agency reported citing unnamed industry sources. HYBE, SM and YG did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shares in HYBE, the management agency of K-Pop sensation BTS, fell 2.1% in early morning trade, versus a flat wider market (.KS11). SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment shares also fell 1.5% and 0.4%, respectively, as of 0015 GMT, although YG later reversed losses.

Persons: Yonhap, 1,300.0000, Joyce Lee, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Korea Fair Trade Commission, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, SM, YG, Investment, Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, HYBE

Shares of K-pop agencies dipped briefly on Wednesday after a reported investigation by South Korea's antitrust watchdog. The report said government agencies sent "examiners" to the offices of Hybe, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, according to a CNBC translation of the article. Hybe, the agency behind BTS, saw its shares fall as much as 3%, while SM Entertainment fell as low as 2.19%. When contacted by CNBC, South Korea's FTC said they could not confirm or deny the Yonhap report. Hybe said that it has no comments, while YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment did not respond to requests seeking comments to the Yonhap report.

Persons: Lisa, Jennie, Yonhap, Hybe, — CNBC's Kimberly Kao Organizations: Coachella, Valley Music, Arts Festival, Korea's Fair Trade Commission, Yonhap, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, CNBC, South, FTC Locations: INDIO , CALIFORNIA, Indio , California, South Korean, Hybe

☆ Kakao's stake in K-pop agency SM climbs to 40%, HYBE retains 8.8%
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, March 28 (Reuters) - South Korean social media giant Kakao's stake in K-pop agency SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) has reached 40%, the target said on Tuesday, in a deal that has left former bidder HYBE (352820.KS) stuck with more than half of its stake in SM. But Kakao's tender offer for a 35% stake at 150,000 won per share attracted acceptances for more than double the targeted stake, forcing it to scale back allotments in proportion. HYBE said it was left with an 8.81% stake in SM. Kim Hyun-yong, an analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities, said maintaining the remaining stake in SM could help HYBE contain Kakao in the long run. HYBE plans a substantial number of acquisitions and investments this year as the K-pop giant looks to boost its U.S. presence, its chairman Bang Si-hyuk said this month.

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN —South Korean internet company Kakao has become the largest shareholder of SM Entertainment, winning a battle for control of one of the country’s most iconic music agencies. Kakao and its entertainment unit have increased their stake in SM to 39.9%, they said in a Tuesday regulatory filing. In securing a controlling stake, Kakao has seen off rival HYBE, South Korea’s top music agency and home to boy band sensation BTS, after a bruising takeover battle. In a separate Tuesday filing, HYBE said it had sold some of its SM shares to Kakao, reducing its stake to 8.8%. Aespa is represented by SM Entertainment.

☆ BTS agency HYBE seeks U.S. deals after withdrawing bid for SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Members of K-pop boy band BTS pose for photographs during a news conference promoting their new album "BE(Deluxe Edition)" in Seoul, South Korea, November 20, 2020. The company's efforts to expand its portfolio of music labels and fan community platforms come after HYBE on Sunday withdrew its plan to take over rival label SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) after a weeks-long battle with social media giant Kakao (035720.KS). HYBE owns multiple subsidiary labels and management companies including Ithaca Holdings, boasting a range of artists including BTS, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. The slowdown was largely, but not exclusively, due to the absence of BTS, who are currently on a break as a group, he said. Bang declined to comment on details of a new partnership deal with Kakao Entertainment on fan platform businesses, but added he was "personally satisfied" with the arrangement despite losing the bid to acquire SM Entertainment.

☆ Are they for real? South Korean girl band offers glimpse into metaverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Footages of virtual girl group MAVE is played at the control room of MBC in Seoul, South Korea, February 28, 2023. Apart from backing MAVE:, Kakao launched a 1.25 trillion won ($960 million) tender offer last week to buy South Korean K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment (041510.KQ). SM is home to popular K-pop groups such as Girls' Generation, H.O.T., EXO, Red Velvet, Super Junior, SHINee, NCT Dream and Aespa. MAVE: is an "ongoing" project to explore new business opportunities and find ways to work around technological challenges, said Chu Ji-yeon, who heads Metaverse Entertainment. But South Korean technology has made much progress since then in creating virtual characters.

☆ K-pop giant Hybe drops bid for SM Entertainment, ending takeover battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The company dropped its plan to take control of K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment. Hybe, the agency representing top-selling South Korean boy band BTS, dropped its plan to take control of K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment, the company said on Sunday. Hybe's withdrawal put an end to a weeks-long takeover battle with social media giant Kakao, and will allow Kakao to expand its entertainment business further. Hybe said its decision to halt the takeover bid came after the price to acquire SM exceeded a fair range as the competition intensified. On Friday, shares in SM Entertainment closed at 147,800 won.

☆ Explainer: How Kakao won a takeover battle against HYBE for K-pop pioneer SM Entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

For more than two decades, the K-pop industry was dominated by the trio until BTS rose to global fame in recent years, making its agency HYBE the largest music label in the country. It is the second-largest entertainment group in South Korea by market value at $2.8 billion, trailing HYBE, which is worth $5.5 billion. Lee filed an injunction request to block the deal that was approved by a court, and sold a 15% stake in SM to rival agency HYBE, setting up a takeover battle. Kakao, the most popular social media platform in South Korea, is expanding aggressively into the entertainment industry where it already owns a smaller K-pop agency, Starship Entertainment. In January, Kakao Entertainment announced a 1.2 trillion won ($966.27 million) investment from Singapore's GIC and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, giving it more firepower for the SM bid.

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN —BTS agency HYBE says it has called off a takeover bid for SM Entertainment, ending weeks of corporate mudslinging that has dominated headlines in South Korea. Last week, tech giant Kakao and its entertainment unit said they had doubled down on their quest to take control of SM, the iconic K-pop music agency. Kakao offered SM shareholders 150,000 won ($115) per share, much more than HYBE’s previous offer of 120,000 won ($92) per share, which garnered only mild interest from investors. SM Entertainment said in a statement that it “welcomes” HYBE’s decision to suspend its takeover bid. Kakao and its entertainment unit will continue with their existing tender offer to SM shareholders, which will wrap up on March 26, they told CNN.

☆ Kakao Strikes Back in the Battle of K-Pop Empires
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Jacky Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

South Korea internet company Kakao is flashing its checkbook to secure a seat at the pinnacle of the country’s popular music industry. Entertainment company Hybe, manager for global K-pop sensation BTS, will need to pay up if it wants to compete. Kakao, together with its entertainment unit, on Tuesday made a tender offer of nearly $1 billion for 35% of K-pop label SM Entertainment. The high bid price shows Kakao’s determination to take control of one of the largest K-pop labels. Kakao had already bought nearly 5% of SM, which manages bands like Super Junior and Aespa, last week in the market.

It plans to offer SM shareholders 150,000 won ($115) per share. The artists are represented by SM Entertainment, which is currently in the midst of several shareholder disputes. Kakao and its Kakao Entertainment unit already currently hold 4.9% of SM, the company told CNN in a statement Tuesday. Kakao’s gambleKakao is pressing forward nonetheless, inviting SM shareholders to accept its tender offer, which ends on March 26. Its shares closed 3% lower in Seoul on Tuesday, while SM’s shares soared 15%.

☆ Kakao can end K-pop saga with near-$1 bln mic drop
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kakao and its entertainment arm are eyeing a 35% stake in SM via a tender offer worth $962 million. If Kakao succeeds, the company, which has the backing of SM's management, would become the label's top shareholder. Kakao Entertainment in January raised $930 million from investors including GIC in Singapore and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The envisioned partnership between Kakao, Kakao Entertainment and SM would cover global distribution, production and more for music and other content. Following Kakao's offer, SM Shares rallied 14% to 148,400 won ($114); they have nearly doubled since the start of the year.

☆ S.Korea court accepts injunction against Kakao purchase of SM shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, March 3 (Reuters) - A South Korean court accepted on Friday an injunction filed by SM Entertainment (041510.KQ) founder Lee Soo-man against the acquisition of SM shares by Kakao Corp (035720.KS), blocking its bid to own a 9.05% stake in the K-pop agency, Lee's lawyer said. HYBE has already secured a 15.8% stake in SM and is seeking to acquire more shares through a tender offer bid. SM's current management have called the takeover attempt hostile and has sought to team up with Kakao to pursue various businesses. SM and Kakao did not immediately reply to requests from Reuters for comment. Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; editing by John Stonestreet, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN —The billionaire mastermind behind some of the world’s biggest K-pop stars is pushing back on accusations that he’s trying to monopolize the Korean music industry. “It wouldn’t be correct to say that we’re trying to take over the whole industry,” Bang told CNN in an exclusive interview in Seoul. Bang Si-Hyuk, who chairs the HYBE management agency, spoke with CNN's Richard Quest on Tuesday. “When the two companies are combined, a monopoly and oligopolistic group of companies that account for approximately 66% of total market sales will be created,” it told CNN. The company would then announce the outcome and next steps, it told CNN on Friday.

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