(LEAD) Hybe posts record quarterly results as BTS tour lifts revenue

Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse, announced record-breaking third-quarter financials on Tuesday, driven by the ongoing world tour of BTS. The company's preliminary revenue for the July–September period surged 109.8 percent year-on-year to 1.53 trillion won, marking the highest quarterly figures in its history. Operating profit soared to 188.5 billion won, up from a loss of 42.2 billion won a year prior, and net profit returned to black at 11.3 billion won.

This leap surpasses the previous top quarterly figures of 1.45 trillion won in revenue and 170.9 billion won in operating profit, both achieved in the second quarter of this year during BTS's "Arirang" tour. Hybe's operating profit also exceeded market expectations by 13.6 percent, setting a new benchmark in the industry.

Concert sales spearheaded the growth, with BTS leading the charge, performing for up to 70,000 fans per show in Europe and the United States. Merchandise and licensing, along with album and streaming sales, also contributed significantly to the revenue. As of now, Hybe's cumulative revenue for the first nine months stands at 3.674 trillion won, just short of the coveted 4 trillion won annual revenue target.