NHK broadcasted the documentary “Songs Resonating in the World – Japan-Korea Pop’s New Era” on January 7th, highlighting NewJeans and their “mother”, ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin.
Under HYBE, which holds 100% of the shares of the largest entertainment company in Korea, ADOR is a subsidiary label. CEO Min Hee-jin said, “I wanted to show styles that were different from the existing ones, not in the mainstream. In a big market that pursues popularity, hit formulas are easily revived, imitations come out, and standardized styles that work in the mainstream are determined. I wanted to break that mold.”
She added, “Rather than moving for business, I hope to show a carefree and bright image that suits the members’ age. Through NewJeans, my ultimate wish is to create diverse and stimulating content that is not uniform and arouses curiosity.”
In the documentary, NewJeans’ Danielle introduced CEO Min Hee-jin as someone who “puts 110% into everything.” NHK also revealed her directing process and an interview with performance director Kim Eun-joo.
According to the Korea Exchange on that day, HYBE’s stock price closed at KRW 251,000, down 0.40% from the previous trading day. This maintained the level above KRW 250,000 for the first time since September 12 of 2023, based on the closing price of KRW 252,000 on the last trading day, January 5th.
Despite the successive news of BTS members’ military enlistment in the securities industry, it is expected that HYBE will show solid performance in 2024 thanks to the activities of other idol groups such as SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans.
Experts predicted that HYBE’s fourth-quarter operating profit would exceed the consensus (market average forecast), saying, “HYBE’s operating profit in Q4 2024 is expected to be KRW 929 billion, a 28% increase compared to the third quarter, exceeding the consensus (KRW 890 billion).”
Analyst Lim Soo-jin explained, “In the fourth quarter, the increase in album sales of SEVENTEEN and Jungkook and the strong sales of concert-related MD (goods) in addition to the influence of 8 episodes of BTS-related documentaries, are reflected in the performance.”
She continued, “In the communication with fans before BTS’s enlistment, they mentioned plans prepared to minimize the gap. Jin, scheduled to be discharged in June, will release one solo album.”
She added, “Contrary to concerns, the impact of BTS’s hiatus on next year’s performance in the album sector is expected to be minimal, making it the most preferred stock in the industry.”
She then predicted that HYBE’s operating profit last year would increase by 26% to KRW 2,990 billion compared to the previous year (KRW 2,370 billion), and this year’s operating profit (KRW 3,550 billion) would also increase by 18% compared to the previous year. She maintained a ‘buy’ investment opinion for HYBE with a target price of KRW 330,000.
Source: daum
