BTS' 2026 announcement just made HYBE's global staff 6.21 million KRW richer, here's how

Indian Express

6 hours ago

BTS' return from military service is already paying off for everyone at HYBE. After a noticeable dip during the 18 months when all seven members, V, Jungkook, RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, and Jimin, were enlisted, the label finally saw its stock bounce back in June. And just before the septet returned, the agency announced every full-time HYBE employee, not just in Korea but across the globe, is getting 20 restricted stock units (RSUs), worth around 6.21 million KRW each at current value, according to Business Korea. That's roughly $4,500 per person, just a straight-up reward for riding out the BTS drought.
Also read: BTS' Suga's students didn't know he was a star: 'He always arrived early, read my 500-page textbook, wasn't just a donor,' says hospital's professor
In BTS' absence, the K-pop agency led by Bang Si Hyuk spread its wings to America, partnering with Scooter Braun. But even as it expanded, HYBE took some serious hits, starting with CEO backlash, followed by the ADOR mess and NewJeans drama, with Min Hee Jin's resignation and courtroom appearances dragging the company down. Now, with the Dynamite crooners finally back, hope's back too. Reports say that with BTS' upcoming project, HYBE's shares are expected to climb higher, which also means the final bonus could end up being way more than what's on paper. RSUs aren't instant cash. They're granted now, but only come through when certain terms are met. Which means, staff might walk away with more than just 6.21 million KRW once it's all said and done.
Also read: K-pop group, once bigger than BTS, lost everything to controversy but never disbanded
This is a first for HYBE as well, who, unlike previously, when they awarded RSUs only to a handful of executives (34 people in December, 32 employees recently), are now doing so for thousands of employees. With the full comeback expected in March 2026, HYBE clearly wants to boost employee morale and motivation before they go all out with global promotions, aiming for Grammys and sold-out arenas again.
Currently, HYBE's shares have outperformed those of its peers, including YG Entertainment (home to BLACKPINK), SM Entertainment (home to NCT, BoA, EXO), and Kakao Corp (which houses Jay Park, Chungha, FTISLAND, CNBLUE, and more). Analysts say BTS's return could trigger a major spike in HYBE's sales, especially in high-profit areas like concerts and merchandise. Mirae Asset Securities even raised HYBE's stock target from ₩345,000 (around $250 USD) to ₩390,000 (about $280 USD).