K-Pop Leader HYBE Aims to Establish New Overseas Branch in India’s Expansive Market

HYBE to Launch Indian Subsidiary by 2025

HYBE, the powerhouse behind renowned K-pop groups such as BTS, SEVENTEEN, and TXT, has unveiled its exciting intention to establish a subsidiary in India, targeting a launch date between September and October 2025. This ambitious step marks the company’s fifth international expansion, following active branches in the United States, Japan, China, and Latin America.

A Strategic Move into India’s Music Market

With this new endeavor, HYBE aims to capitalize on India’s burgeoning music scene, which is witnessing rapid growth. As part of its preparations, the company is engaging in extensive local market research and addressing essential administrative requirements for the setup of its Indian branch. Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of HYBE, is taking a hands-on approach in leading this expansion initiative under his “Multi-home, Multi-genre”strategy.

Adapting K-pop to Global Markets

This strategic framework is designed to transplant HYBE’s distinct K-pop production system—which encompasses artist discovery, comprehensive training, content creation, management, and fan engagement—into diverse international markets while respecting local customs and preferences.

India’s Music Market Potential

With a youthful population of over 1.4 billion who are increasingly engaged with digital platforms, India presents one of the largest and most vibrant music markets globally. Despite some existing infrastructure limitations, forecasts suggest that India’s music industry could swell to an impressive $780 million by 2027, signifying substantial long-term growth opportunities.

Nurturing Local Talent

HYBE’s expansion into India is not solely about increasing its global footprint; it also presents a unique opportunity to cultivate local talent. Plans include organizing auditions and fan events tailored for Indian artists, bridging a path for them to potentially enter the global K-pop arena.

Global Growth Strategy

This move is part of a broader pattern of successful international expansion for HYBE. Noteworthy achievements include the 2021 acquisition of Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in the U. S.and the swift rise of its American girl group Katseye, which made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in under a year. Meanwhile, HYBE Latin America, established in 2023, is gearing up for its own debut, while HYBE Japan and HYBE China continue to promote localized groups, underscoring the company’s commitment to artist development.

Transforming the Global Music Landscape

A representative from HYBE emphasized that their strategy of securing positions in key global music markets and applying their proven methodologies is yielding positive outcomes. If this momentum persists, it could fundamentally alter the global music industry’s landscape, which is currently dominated by a handful of major players.

Opportunities for Indian K-pop Fans

For K-pop enthusiasts in India, HYBE’s imminent entry promises a wealth of local concerts, fan events, and a deeper engagement with the genre. This expansion is anticipated to foster vibrant cultural exchanges and has the potential to reshape India’s music sector by introducing K-pop’s successful business model while blending it with India’s rich musical heritage.

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HYBE, India Next? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ8nmiOVYHc)

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