BTS’s Jin hints at full group comeback

AKP STAFF

BTS member Jin brought a wave of positivity to HYBE through his special fan showcase, "Jin 'Happy' Special Stage," held on October 16th and 17th at Jangchung Arena in Seoul. The event, featuring live band performances of his entire album, delighted fans worldwide.

Jin electrified audiences with tracks like his title song 'Running Wild' and album highlights 'Till I Reach You,' 'Another Level,' 'I'll Be There,' and 'In Yearning.' A surprise guest appearance by Red Velvet's Wendy added an emotional touch, as the two performed 'Heart on the Window' together.

Jin shared his inspiration for the album, saying, "I wanted to make ARMY happy with this album. I believe greater happiness comes when we share it together. I’m determined to keep running toward that goal."

The showcase came at a crucial time for HYBE, which has been facing turmoil due to a dispute involving NewJeans and former ADOR CEO Min Heejin. After Min’s removal, NewJeans voiced their grievances via livestream, alleging workplace harassment and demanding Min’s reinstatement. The issue escalated to a parliamentary audit after internal HYBE documents leaked, revealing contentious remarks about their idols and those from other agencies.

NewJeans responded with legal demands, including an apology for offensive comments and an investigation into the leaked documents, warning of contract termination if unresolved within 14 days. This added another blow to HYBE, following months of tension with Min, and contributed to a 1.61% drop in HYBE’s stock price on October 14th.

Amid these challenges, Jin’s return offered a silver lining. His single 'Running Wild' topped iTunes charts in 70 countries, including Australia, Finland, and Brazil, while 'I'll Be There' broke records on the UK Official Chart for solo performances. This powerful comeback has revitalized HYBE's prospects.

Further good news lies ahead for BTS fans. RM will release a documentary, "RM: Light People, Long Place," on December 5th, and V will debut a duet, 'White Christmas,' with Bing Crosby on December 6th. Additionally, J-Hope is preparing for his solo comeback after his military discharge on October 17th.

Speculation surrounding BTS's full group comeback in 2025 was addressed by HYBE CFO Lee Kyung Joon, who noted ongoing discussions about future activities but no finalized plans yet. However, insiders revealed that all members, including Jin, have agreed to start preparing for a full group comeback after completing their military service by June 2025.

Jin hinted at this during his showcase, saying, "We’ve experienced immense happiness in life, and just when we thought it was the peak, more happiness awaited us beyond it. If you wait, I believe another wave of happiness will come to you." His words sparked hope for BTS’s complete return and a potential new world tour in 2026.

A full BTS comeback would not only boost album, streaming, and concert revenues but also fuel indirect profits like fan merchandise sales. This could help HYBE mitigate the ongoing NewJeans-Min Heejin crisis and restore stability. With BTS being the powerhouse of K-pop, their return signals immense growth potential for HYBE and the global music industry alike.

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