The Business of BTS: How Big Hit Entertainment Built a Global Music Empire

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 In recent years, BTS has become a global sensation in the music industry, with millions of fans all around the world. But behind this success is a story of careful planning, hard work, and clever business strategies. At the center of it all is Big Hit Entertainment, the South Korean company that discovered, trained, and managed the boy band to international stardom.

BTS (Bangtan Boys)

Big Hit Entertainment (now Hybe Labels) was founded in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk, a former music producer and songwriter. Initially, the company struggled to establish itself in a highly competitive industry dominated by established players such as SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment. However, Bang was determined to create something different, a company that would focus on producing high-quality music and developing artists' unique talents.

In 2010, Bang discovered a group of young trainees, who would later become BTS. The group was unlike anything the industry had seen before, combining rap, hip-hop, and dance with catchy pop melodies and socially conscious lyrics. Under Bang's leadership, Big Hit Entertainment began to develop the group's music and style, and in 2013, BTS made their debut with the single "No More Dream."

From the very beginning, Bang had a clear vision for BTS, not just as a band, but as a brand. He recognized that the group's unique sound and image would appeal to young audiences both in Korea and internationally, and he worked hard to build a strong fan base through social media and other online platforms.

But Bang's strategy went beyond just creating a fan base. He saw the potential to turn BTS into a global business, with multiple revenue streams beyond just album sales and concert tickets. Big Hit Entertainment began to focus on creating merchandise and licensing deals, such as BTS-themed clothing and accessories, and partnering with companies to develop mobile games and other products.

The company also embraced new technologies and platforms to reach a wider audience. BTS was an early adopter of platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, where the group's music videos and behind-the-scenes content became viral hits. Big Hit also created its own platform, Weverse, where fans can interact with the group, purchase merchandise, and access exclusive content.

All these efforts paid off. In just a few years, BTS became one of the biggest names in the music industry, breaking records and winning awards all around the world. The group's music and image resonated with audiences of all ages, genders, and nationalities, and their popularity only continued to grow.

Today, BTS is not just a band, but a brand with a wide range of products and services. Big Hit Entertainment's strategy of building a global music empire has paid off in a big way, making the company one of the most successful in the industry. And as BTS continues to break records and win new fans, it's clear that this is only the beginning of the business of BTS.