The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Wed, July 6, 2022 | 03:14
K-pop
BTS to play online/offline concerts in October, drop new album
Posted : 2020-08-13 16:29
Updated : 2020-08-19 10:53
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Big Hit Entertainment's founder/chairman Bang Si-hyuk speaks during a corporate briefing on YouTube, Thursday. Courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment
Big Hit Entertainment's founder/chairman Bang Si-hyuk speaks during a corporate briefing on YouTube, Thursday. Courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment

By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop phenomenon BTS is poised to stage online/offline concerts in October and drop a new album in the fourth quarter, its record label Big Hit Entertainment said during a corporate briefing on YouTube, Thursday.

"BTS will play the long-awaited 'BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E' gig," Big Hit's Global CEO Lenzo Yoon said. "I hope the concerts can be a big gift for the singers and their followers."

Big Hit confirmed the plan through an official statement released after the briefing, saying: "BTS's concerts will take place on Oct. 10-11 in Seoul. For offline gigs, we will only open a limited number of seats to practice social distancing." It added the offline shows will be streamed online at the same time.

Although the seven-piece act was scheduled to embark on a world tour in April, it called off or postponed all concerts following the virus outbreak.

The company's founder/chairman Bang Si-hyuk also revealed the septet is set to release a fresh album in the fourth quarter, but did not announce the exact date. He said rookie group TXT will also return with new music this fall.

"Big Hit and its labels ― including Belift Lab and Source Music ― are also planning to launch two fresh boy bands in 2020 and 2022, respectively, and a new multinational girl group in 2021," he said.

Bang also disclosed that Big Hit's estimated sales revenue during the first half of this year was 294 billion won ($244.8 million), with an estimated operating profit of 49.7 billion won.

"We created revenues with album sales, digital streaming, online concerts, merchandise and video content," Bang said. "Despite hardships caused by the pandemic, we still focused on what we have always valued ― fans and content."

Bang attributed success to the "Big Hit ecosystem," in which the company seeks growth by bringing together different labels, businesses and fandom through its platform "Weverse." Weverse is a fan community app where fans around the world can interact with K-pop singers and enjoy their music/entertainment content. It is connected to the merchandise store Weverse Shop.

Yoon additionally hinted at the music label's future activities, saying: "'Learn! KOREAN with BTS,' Korean-study material for foreigners, a book about BTS's worldview and two new games linked to the K-pop stars will be available in coming days."

But there were no remarks about the company's initial public offering (IPO). Big Hit aims to go public and hold an IPO later this year and recently passed the preliminary review to be listed on Korea's benchmark KOSPI stock index. The company's market valuation is estimated to be about 2-4 trillion won.


Emailsunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Fashionista first lady draws polarized reactions
  • Price-conscious consumers flock to fresh food sales
  • Child porn website operator gets 2-yr prison term for concealing criminal proceeds
  • Korea's inflation growth hits nearly 24-year high in June on fuel costs
  • Son Heung-min recalls experiencing racism in Germany, rejoicing at revenge in World Cup upset
  • US bill expresses concerns over proposed abolishment of Korean ministry of equality
  • 6 dead, 30 wounded in shooting at Chicago-area July 4 parade
  • USFK member accused of alleged DUI on motorcycle
  • Korea to expand nuclear power generation to 30% of total by 2030
  • Korea begins transporting country's 1st lunar orbiter to US for Aug. launch
  • Maroon 5's world tour image with Rising Sun design causes stir Maroon 5's world tour image with Rising Sun design causes stir
  • [INTERVIEW] How Frank Wildhorn became most popular musical composer in Korea [INTERVIEW] How Frank Wildhorn became most popular musical composer in Korea
  • [INTERVIEW] Yoon Doo-joon juggles music and acting for series 'Never Give Up' [INTERVIEW] Yoon Doo-joon juggles music and acting for series 'Never Give Up'
  • Enhypen returns with more intense music and performances Enhypen returns with more intense music and performances
  • Korea box office tops 15 mil. admissions in June Korea box office tops 15 mil. admissions in June
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group