Recently, a significant buzz has emerged around JYP Entertainment (JYPE), one of South Korea’s “Big 4” entertainment companies, known for managing popular groups like TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, and NMIXX.
The catalyst for this discussion was the year-end chart rankings, which surprisingly showed no entries from JYPE in MelOn’s “Yearly Chart” for 2023, despite multiple comebacks from its major groups. This revelation has sparked a debate among fans and industry observers: Is JYP Entertainment truly in a crisis?
Despite the apparent lackluster performance in domestic charts, fans seem to think that a deeper dive into JYPE’s strategy and financial performance reveals a different story. Notably, JYP Entertainment — along with other major companies like HYBE — has been making significant strides in overseas markets.
For the first half of 2023, JYPE reported that 52% of its sales were from overseas — placing it second after HYBE in terms of international revenue among the Big 4 companies.
Fans suggest that JYPE’s focus has been on expanding its influence in foreign markets, particularly in the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. This strategy is evident in the type of content and promotion that JYPE engages in for its groups.
Groups like TWICE and Stray Kids have received substantial international media coverage and have embarked on world tours, highlighting the company’s commitment to global reach. ITZY and NMIXX are set to follow in their footsteps, with ITZY already having teased some of their upcoming world tour stops.
#YUNA accidentally spoiled that their World Tour will include European and South American Countries!
YUNA: This time it’s a little bigger… South America and Europe…
CHAERY: 😳
MC: Why was Chaeryeong surprised?
YUNA: *Later realized she spoiled a big announcement*
😭 pic.twitter.com/torfwWNQ27
— ❦ (@FIVEOFITZY) January 9, 2024
As with most industry trends, K-Pop fans have been vocal in discussing JYPE’s strategy. Many point out that while domestic success is vital, JYPE’s international focus — particularly in lucrative markets like the U.S. and Japan — is a smart business move.
This strategy is not unique to JYPE, as other major companies like HYBE and YG Entertainment have also been pushing for international presence. However, JYPE’s approach seems more pronounced, with a clear emphasis on global tours and media presence.
Furthermore, fans have noted JYPE’s impressive profit margins and market performance. Despite the perceived domestic chart shortcomings, JYPE stands strong in terms of market capitalization, stock value, sales profit, and international influence. This financial robustness is a clear indicator that the company is far from a crisis state, according to fans.
Though the company is doing fine now, it’s not all so bright when looking towards the future. Some fans seem worried about the sustainability of JYPE’s strategy — especially as groups like TWICE and Stray Kids mature and face new challenges. The million-seller boy group, for example, is set to face potential military enlistment duties in a few years.
Fans are curious to see how JYPE will navigate these transitions and whether it can maintain its momentum with newer groups like NMIXX — who are still fresh off debut. Of course, the K-Pop giant will eventually add more groups to its roster, but their commercial performance remains to be seen.
While JYP Entertainment’s absence from domestic year-end charts in 2023 raised eyebrows — and certainly something the company will think about — fans suggest that the company is far from being in a crisis. Instead, its focused strategy on international markets, impressive financial performance, and strong fan support indicate that JYPE is adapting to the global dynamics of the K-Pop industry.
