BTS And BigBang Comeback In 2026, K-Pop Industrial Business Is Predicted To Soar

BTS (BTS Wiki)

The trend of the development of the K-Pop industry is said to continue to accelerate even though the pace is not as fast as before. However, in 2026 there will be a breakthrough that is predicted to boost the dynamics of the K-Pop industry again.

Two senior groups, BTS and BigBang are expected to make a comeback in 2026. It is undeniable that both have a big influence with millions of fans from around the world.

BTS is expected to return to full activities next year. Likewise with BigBang who will reunite at Coachella 2026. 2026 will also be their 20th anniversary since their debut.

"If BTS and BigBang continue their activities at the same time, it will certainly encourage a record-breaking result for the K-pop industry as a whole," Ki-hoon said, as quoted from the report, Saturday.

Based on Billboard's estimation, with BTS returning, South Korea's entertainment industry is expected to generate gross revenue of more than IDR 16.87 trillion (1.05 billion US dollars) in a one-year period.

The revenue comes from concert tours, album sales, merchandise, and licenses and song streaming.

After all BTS members completed their mandatory military duties, they teamed up as groups for the first time on July 1, 2025, and they announced that a new album would be released in the spring of 2026 (around March to May in Korea).

Regarding the schedule, BTS RM members informed that the group was in the intensive preparation stage for albums, photo sessions, and music videos. He asked fans to wait for the surprise at the end of March 2026.

Hyundai Motor Securities analyst Kim Hyun-yong noted that the 2026 BTS world tour, which is scheduled to take place from May to December, is estimated to cover 65 shows and attract around four million viewers.

"Although the total number of shows may be slightly reduced, the average audience per show is not expected to drop significantly below 60,000," Hyun-yong quoted ANTARA as saying on Sunday, October 19.

Gross revenue from tourist ticket sales is estimated at IDR 10.67 trillion (USD 664.1 million) from sales of 3.9 million tickets.

In comparison, the highest gross revenue tour in 2024 (Coldplay), reported by Billboard, recorded $401 million from three million tickets at 51 concerts.

BTS has warmed up via "BTS Movie Weeks" and is likely to maintain fans' enthusiasm with additional "pop-up" store events ahead of the anticipated 2026 world tour announcement towards the end of the year.

BTS Movie Weeks, which was held from September 24 to October 5, screened four concert films in more than 2,500 cinemas in 65 countries.

"Starting next year's second quarter, when the tour begins, the quarterly operating profit (HYBE) is estimated to reach around 100 billion won (Rp1.25 trillion)," Hyun-yong said.

Meanwhile, HYBE's market capitalization reached around IDR 176.77 trillion (11 trillion won). Analysts suggest investment in HYBE must continue to be increased until its market capitalization reaches IDR 241.05 trillion (15 trillion won).