In a recent live broadcast, BLACKPINK's Kim Ji-soo aka Jisoo set online communities abuzz when she shared her longing to appear at award shows, reigniting fans' anticipation. This revelation comes on the heels of her triumphant sweep at the 2023 MAMA, clinching Best Female Artist, Best Music Video, and Best Dance Performance Female Solo — a remarkable feat, earning her the coveted "triple crown."
Despite her remarkable wins, Jisoo couldn't hide her regret for missing the 2023 MAMA ceremony and consequently not delivering a separate acceptance speech video. During the livestream, she candidly expressed, "I told the members to go on an award show tour, whether alone or together (BLACKPINK)."
This statement became a beacon of hope for fans eagerly awaiting the group's return to the award show stage. Jisoo assured them, saying, "We will come back with a good song and meet you at the award ceremonies," leaving a promise not to keep them waiting for long.
BLACKPINK's global ascent has made them a force to be reckoned with, making domestic appearances and year-end music awards a rare spectacle for fans. As rumors swirl about the group's contract renewal, Jisoo's mention of an award show tour is perceived by netizens as a positive sign, fostering optimism about the group's future.
However, the uncertainty surrounding BLACKPINK's contract renewal persists, with YG Entertainment maintaining a stance of being "in discussion." No new updates have emerged, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
In the midst of this, the spotlight on YG Entertainment shifted with the debut of their latest venture, BABYMONSTER, on November 27th. Reports surfaced suggesting a shift in financial dynamics as Yuanta Securities adjusted the target stock price for YG from 75,000 to 65,000 won.
Analyst Lee Hwan-wook highlighted a projected decrease in YG's expected sales and operating profit for the coming year, stating, "Next year's expected sales and operating profit of YG are projected to decrease by 32.7% and 51.5% compared to the previous year, amounting to 369.3 billion won and 46.1 billion won, respectively."
Lee emphasized that, excluding YG's representative artist IP BLACKPINK, a downturn compared to the previous year is inevitable. He projected a decrease in the combined album sales of YG-affiliated K-pop IPs by 18.7%, reaching 4.26 million units. Interestingly, he suggested that the sales of BABYMONSTER could partially offset BLACKPINK's hiatus.
Looking ahead, Lee forecasted YG's performance growth in the streaming sector in 2024, expecting either a slight increase of 0.5% or stability compared to the previous year. However, he anticipated a significant decrease of 73.0% in revenue, amounting to around 29.5 billion won, owing to a lower annual total number of recruits.
As fans eagerly await BLACKPINK's return to the award show circuit, the future of YG Entertainment unfolds against the backdrop of BABYMONSTER's debut and shifting financial projections. The only certainty is that the K-pop landscape continues to evolve, leaving fans and industry watchers intrigued about what lies ahead.
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