Shares of Korean entertainment giant Hybe fell more than 15 percent Monday after BTS’s Seoul comeback concert drew fewer fans than anticipated.
Police had prepared for crowds of 260,000 at Gwanghwamun Square, prompting a heavy law enforcement presence that frustrated local merchants. In the end, about 104,000 fans attended, according to Hybe, based on ticket sales and data from South Korea’s three major mobile carriers. Authorities had initially estimated the crowd at 42,000.
The one-hour concert on Saturday featured 12 songs, including tracks from BTS’s new album Arirang and hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter.” The event was live-streamed on Netflix, which is expected to release viewership figures later this week.
BTS returned to the stage after nearly four years, during which the members completed mandatory military service. They are embarking on their largest tour, with 82 stops already sold out. The group’s new album topped Spotify charts and sold four million copies on its first day.
Hybe’s stock suffered its biggest intraday drop since June 2022, when the group began its hiatus. Despite the company’s global expansion, BTS remains its primary earnings driver, and the concert’s reception is seen as a key indicator for Hybe’s near-term prospects.
