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Entertainment / Wed, 29 Jul 2026 Koreaboo

HYBE Dethroned By Rival Company As Highest Earner In South Korea

HYBE is no longer South Korea’s highest-earning entertainment company after SM Entertainment helped Kakao surpass the company in 2025 revenue. SM Entertainment recorded ₩813 billion KRW (about $559 million USD) in revenue, marking a 22.6% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, JYP Entertainment placed third with ₩684 billion KRW (about $470 million USD) in revenue. YG Entertainment ranked fourth with ₩339 billion KRW (about $233 million USD), seeing a 71.3% increase thanks to expanded concert activities. Together, the four major entertainment groups recorded ₩3.3039 trillion (about $2.39 billion USD) in revenue, accounting for 71% of the top 30 companies’ total revenue.

HYBE is no longer South Korea’s highest-earning entertainment company after SM Entertainment helped Kakao surpass the company in 2025 revenue.

The combined revenue of Kakao’s seven entertainment agencies reached ₩1.2564 trillion (about $910 million USD) , accounting for 27% of the total revenue among the top 30 entertainment companies surveyed.

SM Entertainment recorded ₩813 billion KRW (about $559 million USD) in revenue, marking a 22.6% increase compared to the previous year.

HYBE ranked second with ₩1.0247 trillion (about $742 million USD) in revenue. The company’s results were supported by the performances of labels including BigHit Music and PLEDIS Entertainment.

Meanwhile, JYP Entertainment placed third with ₩684 billion KRW (about $470 million USD) in revenue.

YG Entertainment ranked fourth with ₩339 billion KRW (about $233 million USD), seeing a 71.3% increase thanks to expanded concert activities.

Together, the four major entertainment groups recorded ₩3.3039 trillion (about $2.39 billion USD) in revenue, accounting for 71% of the top 30 companies’ total revenue.

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