HYBE has released its Q3 2025 financial performance report, sparking intense discussion across the K-pop community particularly regarding the numbers published under ADOR (NewJeans).
Fans and investors alike were stunned to see the label record a ₩4.50 billion KRW (approximately $3.08 million USD) net profit, despite the company being embroiled in internal conflict and NewJeans remaining largely inactive throughout the year.
The “Summary Financial Information of Major Subsidiaries” section published on November 14 provided detailed breakdowns for Big Hit Music, Pledis, Source Music, ADOR, Belift Lab, and KOZ Entertainment. While all labels showed solid performance, ADOR’s numbers quickly became the center of online debate.
Key figures Highlighted in The Report
BigHit Music (BTS, TXT, CORTIS)
Revenue: ₩322 billion KRW ($220 million USD)
Net profit: ₩23.0 billion KRW ($15.7 million USD)
Pledis (SEVENTEEN, TWS)
Revenue: ₩227 billion KRW ($155 million USD)
Net profit: ₩46.6 billion KRW ($31.9 million USD)
Source Music (LE SSERAFIM)
Revenue: ₩54.8 billion KRW ($37.5 million USD)
Net profit: ₩6.10 billion KRW ($4.17 million USD)
ADOR (NewJeans)
Revenue: ₩24.4 billion KRW ($16.7 million USD)
Net profit: ₩4.50 billion KRW ($3.08 million USD)
Belift Lab (ENHYPEN, ILLIT)
Revenue: ₩114 billion KRW ($77.8 million USD)
Net profit: ₩28.6 billion KRW ($19.6 million USD)
KOZ (Zico, BOYNEXTDOOR)
Revenue: ₩48.6 billion KRW ($33.2 million USD)
Net profit: ₩10.7 billion KRW ($7.32 million USD)
Despite ADOR recording the lowest revenue among HYBE’s major labels, fans were shocked by its comparatively strong net-profit ratio especially considering NewJeans had no group activities for nearly a year due to the well-publicized conflict surrounding the members and the label.
How Did ADOR Make Money With NewJeans on Hiatus?
On forums like theqoo, fans offered competing explanations.
Some argued the profit appeared high simply because the group “spent no money” during the hiatus no comeback preparations, no promotions, and no travel costs. Others claimed the numbers prove NewJeans’ long-term brand power, with residual income from:
- Past album sales
- Existing advertisement contracts
- Merchandising
- Streaming royalties
Even more surprising to many was that ADOR’s net profit came close to Source Music, despite LE SSERAFIM’s active promotions.
K-Netizens React
Screenshots from theqoo showcased the shock:
- If NewJeans can earn that much during a hiatus, ADOR doesn’t need their full group. Just let Haerin and Hyein post occasionally.
- They had zero activities. Where is this revenue from? Old albums?
- ADOR’s spending is probably at rock bottom right now.
- Pledis’s net profit is insane.
- How did NewJeans manage ₩24 billion revenue with ‘no activities’ ?
- Even if the revenue came from old ads and contracts, earning this much during a scandal is wild.
The discussion also noted strong performance from Pledis and KOZ, with both labels showing impressive growth compared to previous quarters.
NewJeans’ Future Still in Question
As NewJeans prepares for its long-delayed return, the financial report suggests the group continues to be a major economic pillar for ADOR, regardless of hiatus, controversy, or internal discord.
With HYBE entering the fourth quarter under close public scrutiny, all eyes are now on how ADOR and NewJeans will move forward both artistically and financially.
Sources: Theqoo
You must be logged in to post a comment.