On the 10th, Hanwha Investment & Securities maintained a “BUY” rating on shares of HYBE, setting a target price of 380,000 won. They also estimated HYBE’s first-quarter revenue and operating profit at 698.8 billion won and 38.5 billion won, respectively. Revenue significantly exceeded the market consensus (624.5 billion won), driven by a surge in content-related income such as BTS documentaries on Netflix, along with merchandise (MD) and licensing revenue, including ARMY Bomb lightsticks and comeback-related goods. However, operating profit is expected to fall short of expectations due to increased production costs and higher artist compensation.

Despite these cautious profit projections, experts believe HYBE’s performance will grow strongly from the second quarter, as BTS’s global tour officially begins. From Q2 to the end of the year, total tour attendance is expected to exceed 4 million. At the same time, merchandise revenue is also projected to maintain strong growth momentum. According to estimates, HYBE’s revenue could reach 4.25 trillion won in 2026 (up 60.4% year-on-year), while operating profit is forecast to surge to 513 billion won.

In reality, these projections are already starting to materialize, even though BTS has only just completed the opening night of their 85-show tour. Specifically, on the 10th, BBC published an article titled “BTS battle torrential rain to kick off $1bn world tour,” compiling key figures related to the concert. The report has been cited and confirmed by international outlets such as CNA and кσяєαn media.

In particular, the opening concert in Goyang not only drew approximately 40,000 in-person attendees but also set a remarkable record on digital platforms. “According to on-screen statistics during Thursday’s show, more than four million fans paid to watch live video from the opening night, which would translate to $168m (£125m) in sales,” the BBC reported. This revenue is estimated based on online livestream ticket prices on Weverse, which range from 50 to 70 USD.

This figure not only serves as undeniable proof of BTS’s immense appeal but also reaffirms their status as a “global group” in the modern music industry. On social media, netizens expressed astonishment at the global scale of the fandom, emphasizing that BTS has once again broken seemingly impossible limits in the live performance industry.

Meanwhile, ARMYs were equally overwhelmed and proud, expressing:

- 4 million paid stream ohmygod it's insane. So proud of our 7 kings

- 4million paid thats why a lot of !llgal stream are easily taken down cause there's only seldom who does it

- this is gonna make rounds of the internet in the years to come

- Over 4 million paid viewers for ONE night?? That’s not just impressive, that’s insane. BTS really are on another level

- The fact that millions of people were willing to pay just to watch online proves BTS’ global power is unmatched

- 4M paid streams… not free, PAID. Let that sink in. No one is touching BTS right now.”

- ARMYs really showed up globally. Off the record, there are millions more watching via illegal streams without paying. The whole world is watching BTS

- People doubted their comeback, and now they’re pulling millions of paid viewers. Legendary behavior

- Imagine the energy knowing millions are watching you live across the world… BTS truly deserve this level of success

With this momentum, the “ARIRANG” tour is expected to continue setting new records in the near future, further solidifying the group’s leading position on the global music stage.