According to the Korea Times, during HYBE Group's recent Q3 2024 earnings call, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Lee Kyung Jun mentioned BTS' future plans and their expected impact on revenue.
“We are currently discussing with the members about BTS' group activities in 2026,” he said.
“BTS’s comeback is expected to generate significant revenue, but the dependence on BTS’s revenue will not be as high as before, as other artists and our new projects are also contributing to growth,” Lee added.
When BTS decided that all 7 members would enlist starting in late 2022, HYBE announced that the group aims to return as a full group in 2025. If the members' expected discharge schedule is followed, this plan could come true.
But HYBE's CFO's statement makes fans worried, BTS's comeback schedule may be postponed.
Of the seven BTS members, Jin and J-Hope have completed their military service, while the remaining members - RM, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook - are expected to complete their service in June 2025, paving the way for the group's future activities.
HYBE previously suggested that the group could return in late 2025, especially after all 7 members renewed their contracts in September 2023.
In response to fans' concerns, HYBE clarified that the CFO's statement did not imply a change to the BTS reunion previously scheduled for late 2025.
"We are in close discussions with our artists regarding their post-discharge activities. Once the schedule and details are finalized, we will inform the public at the appropriate time," HYBE said.
Industry insiders believe that the possibility of BTS returning after 2025 is unlikely. Both HYBE and the members have mentioned their goal of returning as a full group by the end of 2025. The members' decision to enlist at the same time is seen as an effort to reunite BTS as soon as possible.
NH Investment & Securities researcher Lee Hwa Jung stated, "BTS's full-length album is scheduled to be released in late 2025, indicating no change in the expected comeback date.
HYBE is poised for immediate growth, with revenue streams from albums, streaming, concerts, fan clubs, and merchandise sales.”
Pop culture critic Kim Hern Sik notes that BTS's fandom, ARMY, is a strong community of fans who are always ready to support their idols' comebacks. But HYBE will face challenges, as fans are increasingly setting higher and more demanding expectations.
