HYBE's sales in the first quarter reached about 480.3 billion KRW, up 33.1% year-on-year but down 33.9% from the previous quarter. Operating profit also increased 143.6% year-on-year to 35 billion KRW, but it was judged that the operating performance fell short of market expectations, down 45.7% from the previous quarter.

Lee Jae Sang clearly analyzed the factors that led to the decline in HYBE's operating profit over the past year: "Last year, HYBE artists held a total of 172 concerts, resulting in a sharp increase in performance revenue compared to the previous year.

However, the absence of BTS, changes in revenue distribution among artists due to the debut of new groups, and large investments in new business projects all contributed to the decrease in the company's operating profit."

In the first quarter, album sales decreased due to the lack of new albums, but the performance segment is expected to record higher results than the previous year thanks to j-hope's world tour, showing signs that BTS is still the main economic pillar of the giant.

That is why HYBE as well as investors are expecting a full comeback of BTS members. In HYBE's latest report to shareholders, revealed by кσяєαn media, BTS's name is finally added to the list of artists who will have activities in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Industry experts analyzed that, besides Jin's world tour in August, BTS' group activities will start strongly in the last 3 months of the year. They raised the possibility that BTS will hold a free concert for fans (which happened before BTS enlisted), fan meetings or a single project.

Notably, j-hope himself shared when he appeared on the Youtube channel “Fairy Jae Hyung” that BTS will start group activities right after their discharge. He mentioned: "Right after discharge, probably... we'll be preparing for various BTS-related activities."

On the other hand, Kim Ji Hyun, a researcher at Heungkuk Investment & Securities, said that HYBE needs BTS's comeback at the end of this year for their business strategy. "In the current situation, it seems that BTS's comeback this year is necessary to implement the strategy of reducing the cost ratio through economies of scale," he encouraged investment in HYBE stock with the prospect of the Kpop superstar's return.

Not only that, BTS's appearance in HYBE's upcoming business plan report is also a point that attracts investors' attention. Researcher Kim said: "If information about BTS's post-discharge activities is fully conveyed, this may lead to an increase in stock prices."

In the middle of this month, CEO Lee Jae Sang once mentioned that: "The company is currently taking necessary preparations and negotiating with leading music producers. But this issue also requires consideration from the members' perspective. Usually, artists will work on an album, release that album before starting a tour. However, BTS are the artists with the top position globally and this position requires a careful αѕѕessment of the group's vision of what's next'", leaving expectations for BTS's comeback as a group at the end of this year open.

Meanwhile, CFO Lee Kyung Joon responded when asked about expected sales when BTS returns: "We are still in the process of discussing the group's promotional plan for 2026. Therefore, we do not have any predictions made at this time."

However, HYBE's addition of BTS to the list of artists with activities in the fourth quarter of 2025 shows their and the idols' plans. Fans and industry experts are eagerly awaiting this.