K-pop Industry BIG 4 plans for 2025: Strategies from HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG
As 2025 begins, the K-pop industry faces both opportunities and challenges. Despite significant global success in the 2024, concerns over issues like chart manipulation and industry practices continue to loom. Here’s how the Big Four—HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment—are gearing up to tackle potential crises in the K-pop scene.
HYBE: BTS REUNION after military duty
HYBE experienced a challenging year with the departure of Min Hee-jin and NewJeans. However, 2025 promises a turnaround with the return of BTS, set to make a full comeback in the latter half of the year. Known for their global influence, BTS’s return is expected to significantly boost HYBE’s revenues. Analysts predict that album sales, digital streams, and concert revenues could reach approximately 1.87 trillion KRW, leading to an 80% increase in HYBE’s operating profit compared to the previous year.
In addition to BTS, other HYBE artists like SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, and new groups from Source Music and Pledis Entertainment are also anticipated to contribute to the company’s growth.
SM Entertainment: Celebrating 30 Years with New Ventures
SM Entertainment is poised for another leap forward as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. The company plans to launch a new girl group for the first time since aespa’s debut in 2020. aespa has achieved significant success with their “Metallic Taste” trilogy, earning accolades from major international media outlets.
Upcoming projects from SM include global tours for aespa and NCT (NCT127/NCT WISH), along with new releases from artists like EXO’s Kai and Red Velvet’s Seulgi. Co-CEO Jang Cheol-hyuk emphasized SM’s commitment to expanding its artist lineup and offering diverse projects for fans worldwide.
JYP Entertainment: Expanding into China
JYP Entertainment reported record earnings last year, driven by successful activities from Stray Kids, TWICE, ITZY, and more. In 2025, JYP plans to debut a new boy group called Kickflip, featuring members selected through SBS’s “LOUD.” Additionally, JYP is expanding into the Chinese market through partnerships with Tencent Music.
Stray Kids will continue their stadium-scale world tour, further solidifying their status as one of JYP’s leading acts.
YG Entertainment: Banking on BLACKPINK’s Comeback
After facing challenges in recent years, YG Entertainment is looking forward to BLACKPINK’s full-group comeback in late 2025. The group plans to release a new album and embark on a global tour. BLACKPINK’s previous world tour was one of the largest ever for a K-pop girl group.
YG is also preparing to debut new groups in Korea, Japan, and Thailand as part of its strategy to expand its artist lineup and stabilize its operations.
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