Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
K-pop’s global success has not lifted entertainment stocks
K-pop has grown into a global success, but South Korean entertainment companies’ share prices have remained weak.
Their businesses can depend heavily on one group, and earnings may become uncertain when major artists’ contracts come up for renewal.
Disputes over contracts and intellectual property can also affect company values.
Chris Kwon, head of artist-management company BMC and author of a book about who owns K-pop, says an artist’s rights can determine how much of the success they benefit from.
He says South Korea’s integrated system, from training and production to marketing and debut, helped K-pop acts reach the market quickly.
Investors should look beyond financial statements and also study contract structures, artist activity, fan communities, business models and competitors.
Kwon’s advice is to keep examining how companies operate and who holds the rights that generate value.
K-pop has achieved global success, but South Korean entertainment stocks have continued to struggle.
The article attributes the weak share performance to reliance on individual groups, uncertainty around artists’ contract renewals and disputes over exclusive contracts and intellectual property.
BMC chief Chris Kwon says the economic value created by K-pop success depends on who holds the rights.
He says investors should look beyond financial statements to contracts, artist activity, fan communities and companies’ business models.
Kwon has worked on intellectual-property rights for artists and songwriters for more than 10 years.
- Who
- South Korean entertainment companies and their investors. Chris Kwon, head of BMC, discusses the industry.
- What
- K-pop’s global success has not been matched by strong entertainment stock performance.
- When
- The article was published on October 31, 2026. It refers to a BTS concert in March.
- Where
- South Korea’s entertainment industry and stock market.
- Why
- The article cites reliance on individual groups, uncertainty around artists’ contract renewals and disputes over contracts and intellectual property.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BTS held a large-scale comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.
Maeil Business published its interview with Chris Kwon about K-pop, intellectual-property rights and entertainment stocks.
- Interviewee
- Chris Kwon, head of BMC
- BTS performance
- March, at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul
- Stock-market concern
- South Korean entertainment shares have remained sluggish
- Industry risks
- Group-dependent revenue, contract-renewal uncertainty and intellectual-property disputes
- Kwon's experience
- More than 10 years working on artists’ and songwriters’ intellectual-property rights
What people are saying
What matters in the end is not simply popularity, but who holds the rights created by that success.
Entertainment investment also requires an effort to understand the field, like visiting a property in person.