'Yangsa has done it.' YG Entertainment's deficit situation has turned into a surplus. Behind this is the power of chief producer Yang Hyun-suk.

In 2023, after Yang Hyun-suk officially returned as chief producer, YG Entertainment quickly changed directions at a turning point. Returning to the essence of the music business and focusing on cultivating talent-based artists and enhancing content quality resulted in a strong reestablishment of presence in the entertainment industry, and actual financial structure also achieved the outcome of turning into a surplus.

YG Entertainment recorded 100.2 billion won in revenue for the first quarter of 2025 on a consolidation basis, with an operating profit of 9.5 billion won. This is a clear indication that the strategically invested lower-tier intellectual properties of Treasure and Baby Monster are driving growth since last year.

The most notable change is the rapid growth of the rookie girl group 'Baby Monster.' Baby Monster, the first project led by Yang Hyun-suk, has established a solid presence in the global market since its official debut in April last year, emerging as 'the future of YG.' Despite being a first-year debut group, they surpassed 1.6 million cumulative album sales and achieved the remarkable feat of entering the U.S. 'Billboard 200' main chart.

Baby Monster, recognized for both their music and live skills, has unusually achieved chart reversals on major domestic music charts including Melon TOP100, proving themselves as 'monster rookies.' Notably, all members can rap and deliver performances that handle a cappella live sessions perfectly, leading to evaluations that they are revitalizing talent-focused girl groups in the K-pop market.

This is not simply limited to the success of a rookie girl group. The rapid growth of Baby Monster has directly impacted YG Entertainment's revenue structure. Increases in content sales and revenue from global activities have been decisive factors in transforming YG back to a surplus trend.

Above all, the key to this rebound is Yang Hyun-suk's thorough 'selection and focus' strategy. The experience of producing legendary artists like Big Bang, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK, along with an intuitive sense of music, has been reflected in Baby Monster, highlighting the significance of being a girl group that YG ambitiously launched after BLACKPINK in seven years.

Additionally, Baby Monster stands out as the first YG girl group created under the direction of Yang Hyun-suk rather than producer Teddy. While inheriting YG's hip-hop-based sound, Baby Monster adds a different color and positions itself as a new icon that embodies both YG's 'authenticity' and 'evolution.'

Currently, Baby Monster continues its global activities, including a North America tour, and has received praise for showcasing overwhelming live skills by appearing on local flagship broadcasts such as NBC's 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.' This is a representative example of creating a virtuous cycle where the competitiveness of the content leads directly to revenue.

YG plans to start BLACKPINK's tour in the second half of the year, along with the release of new albums and tours for Treasure and Baby Monster, with a particular focus on rapidly responding to changes in the Chinese market, where expectations are rising.

With Yang Hyun-suk's return, YG Entertainment has reorganized to solidify its status as a K-pop powerhouse through a 'solid approach' centered around capable artists. The consecutive success of Baby Monster, the expansion of global content, and the reconstruction of an artist-centered system signal a promising future for YG in the next 10 years.

[Photo] Provided by YG Entertainment

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